March 19, 2024

Dosey-doe

Residents of Newton Village participate in Barn Dance

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Newton Village residents had a chance to lace up their dancing shoes and participate in a three-day dance calling activity. The polished dancers practiced for two days before debuting their learned routines.

Reid Miller, of Ames, led the group as he called out various dance movements all to the tune of folk music. Miller specializes in encouraging people of all ages to be active and social, and he did just that.

Residents, staff and children volunteers all grabbed a dancing partner. The moves varied in difficulty but all residents had a chance to participate. Basic movements included side-to-side, clapping and arm movements all while sitting down.

Residents who were restricted to wheel chairs or walkers were able to participate in a parade of dance movements. As staff and volunteers pushed residents around the room, the caller would yell out different things, such as, “everyone walk to the right, everyone walk to the middle of the floor or everyone present their jazz fingers.”

“Everyone had a fantastic evening and every person had a smile and a laugh. It was an experience that warmed the heart,” Stephanie Kappos, marketing coordinator said. “It was an inter-generational event. It was phenomenal.”

Kappos said Miller was really the key player in leading the dance and making sure everyone was comfortable.

“Reid did a phenomenal job of juggling everyone,” Kappos said.

Following the dance, residents and attendees were treated to carnival games, a game of chasing sheep, pony races, a duck pond and various other activities.

Kappos said the residents were beaming the whole evening and the event couldn’t have gone any better. She said she credits all the planning of the event to Michele Jansen, the activities coordinator at Newton Village.

“She did a great job coordinating all the activities,” Kappos said. “She is so creative.”

Contact Kayla Langmaid at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com