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. WALLACE "A" ADAIR
Our 90 plus debonair dancer, Wallace Adair, became
interested in dancing almost 70 years ago. He has been active in dancing
ever si
nce. His beautiful wife, Eleanor, has shared this love for dancing
with him over sixty-five years. Ballroom dancing has become his favorite
style. They
enjoy dancing wherever a good band is playing, whether it is at the Senior
Centers or Grotto. You will find Eleanor and "A" on the dance floor doing
cha chas, rumbas, waltzes and swings. Some of "A’s" favorite songs are "In
the Mood" and "Let it Be Me."
When not on the dance floor, "A" and Eleanor can be found in their beautiful landscaped yard fulfilling their other hobby, gardening.
His plans are to keep dancing as long as he can!!!
Wallace and Eleanor
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
MS CRYSTAL SANDERS
Chris, as she is affectionately known, just celebrated her 90th birthday. She started dancing as a teenager at the neighbor’s house on Saturday nights. They danced square dances to guitar and fiddle music. After getting married, even though she and her husband Bob both liked to dance they had to give it up to raise their five children. (Couldn’t afford baby setters then). Later, after their children were grown they both started dancing again. Chris likes line dancing as well as ballroom dancing and her favorites are the swing, fox trot, cha cha, rumba, and the waltz. I think she just likes about anything the music makers will play but one of her favorite songs is "Isle Of Dreams".
Dancing gives her more than just entertainment. She also enjoys the fellowship and meeting such happy and wonderful people.
As far as hobbies go, Chris has
a long list including playing cards and traveling. I think she is happy
doing just about anything. And as everyone will tell you, she always has a
smile on her face.
Like the rest of our 90+ dancers she plans to keep on dancing as long as she lives and is able to.
Crystal and Bob