Page 28 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Winter 2020- Online Magazine
P. 28
HONORING SENIORS
THE SWINGING SENIORS
of the Amarillo Senior Citizens’ Association
60 members, ages 55 – 96. Everyone, so supportive of one another; it’s
men and women, are welcome to like having another family. We
by Charlene Cole be a part of the line dancers. We attend dance seminars to learn new
teach anyone interested how to routines. For the last three years,
do the dances. We have beginner dancers have attended the Scooter
he Amarillo Senior Citizens’ lessons each year for the first-time Lee Dance Camp in Lubbock.
Association was incorporated dancers. Volunteers for the group
Tin July 1973. Shortly serve as officers, Rita Hollars Johnston, age 96, was
thereafter, The Swinging Seniors dance instructors, born in Fort Cobb, OK.
Line Dance began. The early days performance She met and married
included exercise, folk dancing organizers, etc. In Sidney Johnston.
and line dancing. The group met fact, each member is Together they had three
for two hours, and whoever knew a volunteer by giving children: Sidney, Jim
a dance was the teacher. As they their time to perform and Clydene. Daughter
learned routines, they traveled to for others. Sidney also dances with
many different venues to perform. the group. Rita and her
There are many husband attended the 45
The organization has changed reasons to line Uppers western dance
over the years as members have dance at ASCA. Our group on Friday nights.
matured. (Yes, you can still mature members cite health, They both joined line
after age 55.) Groups have danced exercise, fellowship, dancing in 1983. Not
in Branson, MO; Oklahoma, New friendship, fun, love only did Rita dance, she
Mexico and Texas. We wear of dancing, widowhood, cancer volunteered in the ASCA kitchen for
matching outfits as we perform for survival, diabetes and Alzheimer’s many years. She has held several
nursing homes, health fairs and any as inducements. This group is offices in the Swinging Seniors and
other place we are invited. We have
28 Amarillo Senior Link
