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| OHCC LIVING | SEPTEMBER 2022 | 15 Village Squares Mr. Square Dance: Verl Lobb, Mr. Square Dance, has left us, but so many wonderful memories remain. Verl and Joanne joined Village Squares soon after moving to Ocean Hills. They served as vice-presidents in 1995, 1996, and as presidents in 1997. Joanne had to quit dancing when her health declined, but Verl continued as long as he was able, dancing with Betty Heyer. The Verl most of us remember is the guy who was the best dancer on the floor, the most energetic and enthusiastic square dancer in any setting. He encouraged all of us to step up our game, and we all wanted to dance in his square. However, if you were a woman in the square, you had better be prepared to twirl around the entire square before coming to a stop. He wanted to encourage everyone, so he faithfully attended classes to help the newcomers, and he started Thursday morning practice sessions for the students, ably helped by Betty. Verl was the ultimate party guy. For special square dance occasions, he and Paul Steinburg would mix up margaritas at the bar, which became quite a tradition. To celebrate his and Joanne's birthdays and anniversaries, he hosted dinner parties in Abravanel Hall for his friends, hiring Jim Randall to call some square dances after we feasted on the delicious catered meals. Those invitations were highly prized! Verl was a man of tremendous energy. He ran marathons in various venues for many years. After playing eighteen holes of golf here at Ocean Hills, rather than going home, he would head to the gym and work out. His energy in dancing, twirling, and having so much fun was a result of that active lifestyle. That life was sadly cut short when he had to undergo a quadruple bypass and then suffered a stroke. He even once tried dancing in his wheelchair and was present at several events here as he was able. He spent the last years of his life wheelchair-bound, but we can all remember Verl as a very generous, fun-loving man who truly deserved the title "Mr. Square Dance." Line Dancers What do the experts say? A 2003 study in the New England Journal of Medicine by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered that dance can decidedly improve brain health. The study investigated the effect leisure activities had on the risk of dementia in the elderly. The researchers looked at the effects of 11 different types of physical activity, including cycling, golf, swimming and tennis, but found that the only one of the activities studies – dance – lowered participants' risk of dementia. According to researchers, dancing involves both a mental effort and a social interaction and that this type of stimulation helped reduce the risk of dementia. It's a lot of fun too! Although some of our songs are country western – most are not. Along with western music, we dance to artists such as Michael Bublé, Rod Stewart, Jim Croce, Shawn Mendes and Camilla Cabello with songs like Blame it on the Bossa Nova, Caught in the Moonlight, Cake by the Ocean, etc. Line dance classes are once a week: Beginner (1): Tues.: 10:30 – 11:30 am Improver (2): Mon.: 12:30 – 2 pm Intermediate (3): Thurs.: 2:30 – 4 pm (schedule may vary, call Sunny to confirm) Want to try it out? Come on by. Beginner's class is $5 (60 minutes). Other levels are $7 (90 minutes). You do not have to be a club member for the first couple of 'try it' classes. After that you will also need to join the club. Dues are $10/year. If you are interested in participating in our activities and are not sure who to reach out to for further information, please call Sunny Griffin (970) 708-0443. Also, please visit our website, https:// ohccvillagelinedan.wixsite.com/linedancing. Our July party was a circus… really… and REALLY fun. The DJ hit all the right notes to keep this pool side party mostly outside the tent and on the dance floor. From the smell of hot dogs and popcorn in the air to the "clowning around" this party had it all. Here's our creative party chairs, Gay Spencer and Ann Rike (third and fourth from the right) with their helpers. If you enjoy music of our youth, you'll love the Doo Wop & Disco Dance Club. Our summer parties are poolside with a DJ; the others are in Abravanel Hall, often with a live band. If you would like to learn how to become a member and enter lotteries for almost-monthly parties, print out the membership form on the Social Clubs/Doo Wop Club's website on OceanHillsCountryClub.com, complete the information, and drop it by the Clubhouse front desk. Include a check for $10 per person for annual dues payable to OH Doo Wop Club. We will send you info about the upcoming parties. Hope to see you on the dance floor! ~ Lynn Doo Wop and Disco Dance Club

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