Seniors line dance for exercise and fun

Line dancing is a unique dance that’s good for your body and mind.

The line dancers at the Bonita Springs Recreational Center will tell you that’s part of the reason they chose to dance in such a particular style.

“I love to dance, I used to do it up north in New Jersey,” said Dottie Jankauskas, of Bonita Springs. She has been line dancing at the center for more than 12 years.

Gaye Bethea of Bonita Springs leads the group with flashcards that remind her the steps to the particular songs they want to dance.

She first demonstrates the footwork and the group follows not only because they love to dance but many have been line dancing since the center began offering the class 13 years ago.

“Step, step, step, shuffle, turn, step,” Bethea repeats as everyone follows.

Music Director Dorothy Gilchrisd plays songs like “So What’s New” and “Hello Dolly” on a tape player and taps her feet along to the jams.

Sometimes she gets up and dances too but a few surgeries have put a damper on her groovin’.

She isn’t phased, she still comes out to the center to watch the others dance.

“There is no better exercise and I just love it,” she said. “It keeps your mind working too.”

Keeping their minds working is only part of keeping along with the footsteps. Some songs are more complicated than others but easy enough for beginners to try.

“Some kids tried (to line dance) but it’s not their type of music,” said Jerry McCarthy of Estero. “Some people bring their grand kids ... college students and they get a kick out of it.”

Although the music doesn’t get faster until everyone has warmed up, the steps keep Kay Kolb going.

She normally leads the class and has line danced at the center for eight years.

“I’m taking the summer off but it’s open to all ages although it’s mostly seniors now,” said Kolb, of Estero.

There are no requirements for the class and it’s free to members of the Recreational Center for the classes that start at 10 a.m.

Because the center is expecting campers during the next few summer months, the group has secured the Community Center on Old 41, across from Riverside Park, as an alternate meeting site.

The classes will meet on Thursday’s and as many as 10 people are expected with numbers climbing upwards of 40 during season.