Community welcomes New Year with annual dance

Summer Crosby

At such a young age, Braden Simkins did not understand why he didn’t receive a door prize. At the New Year’s Eve Dance at the St. Regis Community Center, he approached Eileen Wolff several times as she called out the winning ticket number for the door prize table. Staring up at her with wide eyes, Wolff finally gave the young boy a ticket, and he ran excitedly over to his mother, Cassie. The Simkins were visiting Cassie’s parents, having come all the way from Louisiana to spend the holidays at home. They were just one family to fill the Community Center on Thursday night.

The event began at 6 p.m. with a potluck dinner and around 7 p.m., the Eagles Nest Band took center stage. Jim Tisdale played his harmonica, while Mike Stephan played lead guitar and Dan Hollenback strummed his bass guitar. Gary Woodson served as lead singer as the band played several tunes throughout the evening.

“The best part about these events is watching the kids,” Tisdale said. “They are so full of energy and have so much fun enjoying themselves.”

Carter and Chase Woodson were just two of the children who joined the adults on the dance floor, performing some rather interesting moves as they hopped, twirled and skated around. Organizer John Cheesman said he was very impressed with the size of the crowd at the event.

“We had a really good turnout,” he said. “And it looks like everyone is having fun and that’s the main thing.”

Ellen Martin was at the dance with her family. She said her plans for this year are to be happy and to take care of her grandson.

“We come out every year since we moved here three years ago,” she said. “We just like being with the community because we really enjoy the community.”

Vicky Carrott came with her husband, David, and said that they really enjoy the music of the Eagle’s Nest Band and that they “just like to get out and be amongst our friends and neighbors.” They said they both are just hoping to enjoy the New Year and what it brings.

Scott and Mary Burrows were at the event for the third year in the row.

“We just like getting out and talking to people,” Mary said, “and the food is really good.”

“We enjoy swapping lies,” Scott added, jokingly.

Tom Heacock and his wife, JoAnn said that they had been out a bunch of times before. JoAnn said that with age, she’s gotten wise about making New Year’s resolutions.

“It doesn’t have to be New Year’s to make resolutions,” she said.

The band took a break about halfway through, but once they resumed the stage, everyone was back on the dance floor to welcome to the New Year.