It's the time of year when it seems everyone is happy to help or do something to make a difference in the community. On Saturday, December 1, 2012 a group of 17 Clifton Park area line dancers got together to bring smiles to the residents of Maplewood Manor Nursing Home in Ballston Spa, New York.

The group, made up of line dancers mostly 55-75, came from Corinth, Burnt Hills, Halfmoon, Glenville and other parts of the Clifton Park-Saratoga area to perform and spread holiday cheer.  Dorothy Pingelski, an instructor at Halfmoon Senior Center, led the team in some popular country line dances for the nursing home residents and staff. Pingelski was proud of her group, "We enjoy performing, because you can tell that a lot of them enjoy the music by the smiles on their faces. They like that we dress alike and we are so colorful. Some of them sing along with the music because they are familiar with the songs. We asked them if they enjoyed the show, and the reaction is great."

Maplewood Manor, a public nonprofit 277 bed nursing home, came to life with the sound of Country Christmas music and big smiles. Crowd favorites included the line dance 'Come Dance With Me' to Collin Raye's 'Winter Wonderland,' the line dance 'Jingle Bell Rock' to the Bobby Helms classic, and the 'Country Two Step' to Suzy Bogguss' 'Two Step 'Round The Christmas Tree.'  The dance group scooted their way through these favorites and others learned at many of our GNA country nights.

A young 14 year-old, named Carla, was a special guest of the dance group.  The youngest dancer of the day was happy to be asked to perform, commenting that she felt great after performing for the audience, who were mostly bound in wheelchairs and walkers, "It made me happy to dance for the elderly, especially when they smiled."

Maplewood Manor
Courtesy of Larry Fuller
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