As a child, Elaine Hailey wasn’t ferried to ballet class or made to perfect her waltz steps. But as a resident of Lenbrook, a retirement center in Buckhead, she’s had the chance to experience what she missed. Through classes offered at the center, Hailey began getting comfortable on the dance floor.
“That wasn’t even until very recently,” said Hailey, 67. “And it’s just been once a week, enough to learn some basics. We have a tea dance here every Saturday and twice a month on Thursday nights, and I wanted to start going to them. But it’s also such good exercise, particularly for older people. It really coordinates the mind and body.”
Though a novice, Hailey didn’t hesitate to volunteer for a “Dancing With the Stars”-style competition the community staged as a fundraiser. But there were so many willing future stars that a lottery was held to pick the participants. Hailey was among the three women and three men whose names were drawn.
“It turned out to be pretty mixed, since some people had not danced much before, and some had danced all their lives with some degree of skill,” she said.
Undaunted, Hailey worked out with partner Joe LoCurto of Academy Ballroom Atlanta on Miami Circle. The veteran professional dance instructor has been giving group and individual lessons to the Lenbrook crowd for about four years.
“Elaine loved dancing, and she had excellent ability,” LoCurto said. “We did work very hard in five 30-minute lessons to get ready, and it was worth it. The entire event went over so well that we now have several people who just come by every week to watch the dancers.”
Hailey and LoCurto decided to do the quick step, a fast-paced dance that moves to about 180 beats per minute.
“I like it because it was fast and fun and really good exercise,” Hailey said. “It evolved from the Charleston, so I rented a flapper costume to wear. I was excited about doing it, and there was also a lot of excitement in the community about it.”
The competition was staged in late August at Lenbrook’s 5,000-square-foot event center. About 125 spectators paid $75 a ticket to watch the six contestants. In the end, Hailey and LoCurto’s two-minute routine took top honors, as judged by a panel of professional dancers.
“I think it was executed properly and well,” Hailey said. “And it was a high-energy performance — that helped get it attention.”
Since her victory on the dance floor, Hailey has been back for a few lessons, but she sees them as just another way to stay fit.
“There are a lot of different options for me here — I really enjoy water aerobics and Pilates,” she said. “While I do enjoy dancing socially, I don’t have any professional aspirations.”
Along with Hailey’s win, the event marked another first: As the first fundraising event for the Lenbrook Foundation, interest was so strong that many residents made donations above and beyond the $75 ticket price. The foundation provides assistance for resident services, employee support and capital funds.
“Resident interest in the contest far exceeded expectations and generated more than $25,000 for the foundation,” said Becky Webster, Lenbrook’s CEO. “But it also generated a huge amount of fun for everyone. Our Lenbrook residents sure know how to cut a rug.”
“Milestones” covers significant events and times in the lives of metro Atlantans. Big or small, well-known or not — tell us of a Milestone we should write about. Send information to hm_cauley@yahoo.com; call 404-514-6162; or mail to Milestones, c/o Holly Steel, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30346.
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