He shares his joy in dancing with others

By LISA PEEPLES

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 25, 2000

INVERNESS -- When some folks retire, their idea of rest and relaxation is kicking back in a recliner, taking it easy. The R&R that 88-year-old Ben Zonak of Inverness prefers is kicking up his heels, line dancing to big band tunes.

Zonak, who moved to Inverness in 1974, started line dancing in 1982. He took line dancing so seriously that he began volunteering one afternoon a week to teach dance steps at the Lecanto Multipurpose Senior Center.

He started out with just four dancers and now has an average of 12 in his Wednesday class. He said 90 percent of his students are women. When new members join the class, Zonak said, he places them in the center of the group or in front of the line, so they can learn the steps more quickly.

"I have been dancing for at least 72 years," Zonak said. "I started out by doing the waltz, fox trot and polka. What I didn't realize until I saw line dancing is that the Alley Cat dance I did in 1928 was very similar to line dancing today."

Zonak and his wife, Helen, have been married 58 years. "I have my line dancing on Wednesdays, and then we go out dancing at least three times a week. Where there's a dance, we go. We go to the Moose Lodge, the Italian Club and Knights of Columbus dances. We have a great time," Zonak said.

Some of his favorite big band tunes are those of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller.

Zonak, who spent 48 years repairing oil furnaces in New Jersey, said he has thoroughly enjoyed teaching others how to kick back and have fun.

"You know, they say that exercise is very good for arthritis. The girls (senior dancers) do use it for exercise and health reasons," he said.

"It is very true that line dancing is good for your health. When I am line dancing I have no pain at all, but when I get done my knees talk to me just a little," he said, laughing.

Though the dancing is what keeps Zonak volunteering at the center, he said the satisfaction of being able to teach something to others is also a motivating factor.

"I didn't know before I started this that I was able to communicate with people and teach them how to do something that they could really enjoy. Many of the dancers say that Wednesday is the best day of the week for them, that it is a time they know they will get to relax and enjoy. So that makes all of this a real pleasure for me.

"I never said I was a professional at this, but I do enjoy it, and I like to see others having fun. You know, seniors can really enjoy life a lot more by staying active . . . and line dancing is one good way of doing that."

-- For more information on the classes, call Zonak at (352) 726-6844.

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