By Mark Abromaitis
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
On Monday evenings, if you follow the smooth vocals of Frank Sinatra and other classic music coming from the creative arts studio on the Maris Grove campus, you’ll probably start using your feet in no time—and using them well.
That’s because residents Antoinette and John Kaufman have started the Ballroom Dancing Club. And no matter your skill level, you’ll likely find a dance step that interests you. Whether it’s the fox-trot, rhumba, waltz, or cha-cha, the Kaufmans can help you learn the basics with no pressure and a lot of fun.
Antoinette Kaufman says, “Some come to dance; others come to watch. Some dance for the whole time and others just dance a few dances. No matter their level of participation, we are happy to have them.”
“It’s just such a nice night,” her husband adds. “You’re getting good exercise without even thinking about it. And you meet so many wonderful people.”
Learning to dance together
But the club isn’t just about becoming better dancers; it’s about meeting new people and having fun. Learning new moves is merely a bonus. “There’s always improvement,” Antoinette Kaufman says. “I see it in every member. I get a kick out of seeing all the progress. Some people come in with two left feet and leave doing dance steps.”
Club members Dick Smyth and his fiancée Barbara Fabrizio just joined the club. The couple are getting married this August and hope to show off their moves at their wedding reception to be held at Maris Grove.
“We’re getting ready to start our lives together, so we figured we should learn how to dance together,” Smyth says. “Hopefully, we can surprise some people with what we’ve learned.”
No pressure
“Of course we were apprehensive,” Smyth says of his and Barbara’s first club meeting. “You are always apprehensive when you try something new, but that evaporated very quickly.”
He says the instructors make the club enjoyable. They are just so pleasant. They make you feel at home.”