Senior Citizens Dance to Stay Active

Senior citizens in Monroe County have found a new, toe-tapping way to stay active.

The group of dancers, ages 50 through 80, performs throughout the pocono area and practices in East Stroudsburg. Jeanne Evers of swiftwater leads the group.

For decades, Evers has run dance studios in the poconos. She got her start with the rockettes at radio city music hall in new york city in the 1950's.

"They were very strict. You had to be there. If you were late three times, you were fired, no questions asked," she said.

Rather than retiring, Evers began her latest project - The Silver Tappers. She says more and more senior citizens are turning to dance as a way to stay active as they get older.

"It's very popular now, we have three classes going of older ladies. We wish we could get more men, but we don't!" she said.

97-year-old llda Jones was in the audience. She loved the tappers' routine.

"I think the show is great. I think they have a great feeling of merging together," said Llda Jones of Chestnuthill Township.

Even if the residents can't join in the dancing, care-givers say music can do wonders for the mind and body.

Anne Smith, an administrator at Chestnuthill Manor explained, "Just lifting their hands. It's a big thing. I don't want them to stay idle. So this is really important."

The Silver Tappers practice once a week at the Pocono Dance Center in East Stroudsburg.

See the video here: http://www.wnep.com/wnep-mon-dancing,0,5251510.story