Footloose at the Hop
Greene County Senior Center stirred a lot of sweet memories of their youth with a sock hop on September 29. Also in attendance were some Greene Early College students who went to help but joined in the fun. Decorated in the 50’s-60’s theme, the Senior Center was reminiscence of the attendees’ high school years.
According to the Center’s Director, Sharon Harrison, the Center’s Advisory Board chose the sock hop theme to celebrate September as National Senior Center Month. It served as an opportunity to promote a positive image of aging, showcase how a Senior Center center improves the lives of older adults, highlight a center’s importance in the community, and create interest in prospective new participants and collaborative partners. Recognition of the importance of a senior center in a community is encouraged by the National Council on Aging.
Dressed for the throwback event , the party-goers donned 50’s outfit complete with swirl of circle poodle skirts. Many persons will remember a sock hop as an informal dance party where teens would take off their shoes and dance in their socks on the wooden floors in a local gymnasium. Shoes had to be removed to protect the varnished floor of the gymnasium from hard sole shoes. But for many, nothing characterizes the '50s more than the sound of rock-and-roll tunes, the swirl of skirts, and the soft scuffle of socked feet across a wooden gym floor.
The attendees danced the night away to the music of the era with DJ Steve Heath from The Endless Summer Beach Party. To complete the sock hop, there was a visit from Elvis.
The event would not be complete without the characteristic foods of one’s teen years: hot dogs, milkshakes, and bottled sodas.
GEC students enjoyed the event just as much as the senior citizens.
When asked about the experience at the sock hop , GEC student Yasmin Vidal-Fuentes summed up the night by stating, “All the people[at the Sock hop] were so lively, happy and enthusiastic. I loved their vibes. I ready to go back.“
There was no generational gap that night!
GEC students are ready to party. Front row(left to right) Adeline Borja, Ashley Piche-Campos, Yasmin Vidal-Fuente and Pamela Reyes.
Back row(left to right): Jacqueline Lopez and Julissa Rangel
GEC students with Ms. Anna Moore(background) prepared to take food orders: hot dog, milkshakes, and bottled Coke, orange and grape.
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