Green River seniors kick up their feet

Every Tuesday and Thursday, a small group of women gather together to learn new line dances and catch up with one another.

Line dancing leader Debbie Leathers who has been dancing for more than 30 years decided to start teaching the classes when Lila Seyersdahl no longer wanted to do it. Every time they meet at 9 a.m. in the Golden Hour Senior Center's dining room residents can hear music and laughter coming from the room.

She scours Youtube to find easy, beginner dances, without a lot of turns for the ladies to learn.

"It's fun to dance and kick up your feet. It's good for exercise and memory," she said.

Line dancing is ideal for teaching because there is no need for a partner.

The group mainly dances to country music, but will dance to other songs if they have the right rhythm. The groups favorite dances include artists like Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, Patti Page and Tracy Bird. Seyersdahl, a pervious instructor, loves the group of people. She has been to other clubs, but claims most stay repetitive and become monotonous unlike this one.

"When there is a great big group doing the same thing, it's a beautiful sight," Seyersdahl said.

The women enjoy learning new dances every week. They dance to about 20 learned songs with four to five new ones. The dancers start their time with a few warm up songs like, "Achy Breaky Heart," by Billy Ray Cyrus. They then pick up the pace to faster dances like the "Texas Stomp" or "Electric Slide."

Leathers likes to wrap up the day with a slower song as a cool down. They take 5 minute breaks in between to chat and rest.

"We just want to sit and visit. We have a bunch to say," Leathers said.

The group tries to keep the dancing simple so it is enjoyable and encouraging to the old and the new.

"Anybody is welcome. We love to have other people join us," Leathers said.

This was the last week the class will meet. They are taking a break over the summer and will be back in September.