GROWING OLDER
Original Author Unknown
Eighty today, dear Lord, I am 80, and there’s much I haven’t done. I hope, dear Lord, you’ll let me live until I’m 81.
But, if I haven’t finished all I want to do, would you please let me stay awhile, until I’m 82?
So many places I want to go, so much I want to see - do you think you could manage to make it 83?
Many things I may have done, but there’s so much left in store, I’d like it very much to live to 84.
And if by then, I’m still alive, then, I’d like to stay to 85.
The world is changing very fast, so I’d really like to stick around and see what happens to the world when I am 86.
I know, dear Lord, it’s a lot to ask, and it will be nice in heaven, but I’d really like to stay around until I’m 87.
I know by then I won’t be fast, and sometimes, I’ll be late, but it would be oh-so-pleasant to be around at 88.
THIS LAST PART WAS ADDED BY EVELYN BROWN WHO JUST TURNED 90
Lord, I’ve had such a wonderful time, I would like to be around at 89.
There is still plenty to do, so Almighty, let me live to be 90.
By then, I will have seen so many things, and had so much fun, that I’m sure that I will be willing to leave at 91.
Well, maybe.....
LANEY & GEORGE DEMETRIO
BOTH 90+ AND STILL SINGING AND DANCING
LANEY DEMETRIO
Laney loved to move in rhythm to music from the day she was born more than
90 years ago. She started out doing the Charleston and has done every type
of dance since then. She also enjoys line dancing and belongs to some
round dancing groups. Laney was fortunate that both her first husband who
died in 1974 and George, her husband since 1987 also liked to dance.
Laney said "I dance rather than do any other exercise. It is much more rewarding. Not only is she active in song and dance groups but she writes poetry and does crewel embroidery.
When asked what was her favorite type of ballroom dance, she said "I guess the Cha Cha is my favorite". Three of her and George’s favorite songs are "Maria Elena", "My Wonderful One", and "Patricia".
Laney was featured in the July 29th, 2004 edition of the Commercial Appeal, East Memphis edition highlighting her years of song and dance. She and George have been members of a senior group since 1987. They belong to a Choral and Drama Group that performed in the East Room of the White House for Nancy Reagan in 1981. And what dance did Laney do for Ms Reagan? None other than the Charleston. Of course she is going to keep dancing as long as she lives.
GEORGE DEMETRIO
George became interested in dancing when he was a senior in Southside High School. He stayed active in dancing while serving several years in the Marine Corp. He was at the Peabody Center in 1979 when his sister introduced him to Allane Simpson (Laney) and they have been dancing together for the last 28 years. George and Laney have spent their time together in choral groups, drama groups, taking line and round dance lessons and George still sings in the church choir.
Prior to
entering the Marine Corp George sang and toured with a male quartet for
several months. The big event in his entertainment
life was when he sang a solo "My Wonderful One" for Nancy Reagan at the
White House in 1981. Two of George’s favorite songs are "I Just Called To
Say I Love You" and "You Belong To My Heart".
In the February 22nd, 2007 of the Bartlett Express both George and Laney were featured highlighting their talents in music and dance. Just like Laney, George is going to keep dancing as long as he can stand up.
MS THELMA SIMMONS
There's an elegant, fashionable lady whom all dancers see throughout the city and region. You will always recognize her by her impeccable dress and demure. That smiling recognizable lady is none other than Thelma Simmons.
Since her teen-age years dancing has given
her an opportunity to participate in an activity that has brought much
pleasure to her life. She met her spouse at a dance. He did not share her
interest in dance but encouraged her to continue participating in her
lifelong interest. Together they have enjoyed hunting and farming. She has
been instrumental in getting her daughter, Pat, in dancing.
Thelma enjoys both ballroom and line dancing and her favorite dance is the cha cha. Her favorite songs are "All of Me," "Primrose Lane," "We'll Meet Again, Don't Know where, Don't know when." Dancing over the years has provided a place of fellowship, enjoyment of good music, and having a nice place to go for entertainment for Thelma.
In addition to dancing Thelma enjoys movies, traveling and "shopping until I drop." All musical entertainment including theater, concerts, and all forms of professional dance have provided a source of entertainment all her life.
Do you think Thelma will keep dancing? "You bet she will."
Thelma and
dance friend, Dennis Jones
MR.
THOMAS TURNER
There’s a stately gentlemen whom all dancers see at the Lewis Center who loves good music and dancing. That congenial gentleman is none other than Thomas Turner.
At 14 years of age, he saw this pretty girl dancing and said, "This looks like fun and joined in." Ballroom dancing is his favorite type of dancing along with his dance partner, Eva Quinn. They enjoy serving refreshments at the Lewis Center on Monday nights and Wednesday afternoons. There are three things that dancing does for them; meeting new friends, exercising, and promoting good health. Tommy’s other hobbies includes participation in Senior Olympics, fishing and boating.
His favorite type of ballroom dance is just "cheek to cheek." He has no favorite song but loves all of them. He plans to keep dancing as long as he stays as young as he feels.
"With a song in my heart it always gives me happiness and a song in my heart makes me want to dance."
Thomas with his dance
partner, Eva Quinn
MR.
BILL BROWN
Bill just celebrated birthday number 92 at the Gaisman Community Center dance. Bill started dancing at the Gator Community Center in the early 40s but gave it up in 1960 due to other commitments. He spent a lot of time doing his other hobby, gardening, until 2001 when his first wife died of heart failure. Mary Lou, his present wife, lost her spouse at about the same time. They both knew each other before losing their spouses and through church activities etc. found out they both liked the same things, traveling, dancing and probably more important, the fellowship that comes with those activities.
Bill is only interested in
ballroom type dancing and you would think at 92 his favorite dance would be
the waltz. But you would be wrong, his favorite dance 
is the jitterbug. No
favorite song, "Just like to dance to all of them."
How long will Bill and Mary Lou continue to dance? Bill’s answer "As long as I can walk and the Lord continues to bless us."
Bill and Mary Lou
MS MARY G. BOLDREGHINI
Mary became interested in dancing at a very early age when her mother and father took her to the dance with them. She has loved music and dancing almost all her 90+ years and was fortunate to have a husband that liked to dance. When she was younger she liked square dancing as well as ballroom dancing but the best bonus was the exercise and meeting new friends.
Her favorite
type of dance is the waltz and the "Jitter Bug". And what would be her
favorite song, none other than the Tennessee Waltz.
When Mary is not dancing she enjoys watching TV and playing cards but will keep dancing as long as she can walk.
Mary’s outlook on life "I think staying active helps all of us as long as we possibly can".
Mary and dance friend
Rocky Freano
MR. CURT WARD
I was only 22 years old when I decided to live in Memphis and have resided
here with the exception of serving in the Army during World War II from
October 1941 till the spring of 1946. I worked for the local Sealy Mattress
Company, starting in the summer of 1940 until my retirement at the end of
1987. I was married 50 years when my wife passed away in November of 2007.
I have participated in a number of volunteer activities, notably for the
Blood Bank and for Meals on Wheels for MIFA.
Recently,
I thought I would like to brush up on dancing and I enjoy the friendly
fellowship at the Lewis Senior Center on Tuesday mornings. I like ballroom
dancing and favor the Foxtrot and Waltz. My favorite song is “Unforgettable”
by Nat King Cole and Natalie.
Curt and dance friend
Betty Overman
MS EVELYN BROWN
Evelyn and her late husband danced a little while they were dating but not
much after they were married. Her real interest in dancing took off in 1971
when she started taking ballroom dance lessons and she has stayed active
every since. Although she does a line dance every now and then, ballroom
dancing is
still her favorite. She enjoys the congenial social feeling that comes with
dancing as well as her other hobby, playing bridge
Like a lot of seniors, her
favorite dance is the waltz and "Waltz Across Texas" is the song she likes
best. How long will she be dancing - as long as she has a way to get to the
dance.
Note: Evelyn added the last three years to the poem at the start of this page.
Evelyn and dance friend
Billy Hill
MR. HAROLD WEINMAN
Shortly after his discharge from the Air Force, Harold's interest in dancing really picked up after his first date with Shirley in 1946. Now, after 63 years of marriage they both still love to dance. Even though he loves to dance, his #1 hobby was golf. Unfortunately, due to a bad hip he can no longer play golf but dancing is still at the top of his list when it comes to getting exercise.
His favorite dances are the waltz and rumba, two dances that he can do without antagonizing his hip. And naturally, his favorite song is a waltz "May I Have This Dance For The Rest of My Life". His #2 song is "New York, New York". Harold plans to dance as long as he can stand up and will do it on his favorite dance floors at the city senior centers.
Harold and his wife,
Shirley