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Tappin’ in retirement
7/21/2010 10:12:43 AM
By Chad Kimberley
Splash Staff Writer
Profiles:
Florence Messer, Tap Grandma
While teaching elementary students, Florence Messer used to challenge her classes with a quote that originally was attributed to St. Jerome, the scholar who translated the Bible into Latin, "Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Till your good is better and your better is best."
Messer, who moved with her husband to Liberty Lake nine years ago, is making it a habit to not rest during her retirement years, as she taps her way around Spokane and Liberty Lake as part of the Tap Grandmas group, which features 40 grandmas and one grandpa and performs at venues ranging from elementary schools to assisted living centers.
Messer recently sat down over coffee with The Splash to share some of her thoughts on tapping, performing and becoming a bit of a celebrity among her grandchildren and other young kids in Liberty Lake. Advertisement
Q: How did you get involved with the Tap Grandmas?
A: We (husband Ross and herself) moved out here nine years ago, and I just felt like we left everything back East and didn't know anyone and was looking to make friends. Somebody told me about the group and invited me to come and see what I thought, and I have been doing that for about five years now.
Q: What is your background in tap or other dancing?
A: None. As a little kid, I always wanted to take dance lessons and, unfortunately, we weren't in a position for me to be able to do that. When I walked in (to the first practice) there they were doing their steps, and Joan Hamilton (who organized the group and is the dance teacher) said, "You are going to be fine." There are different levels in there, people who have had dance and some who have not.
Q: Was it tough to learn the tap steps or did it come naturally?
A: Remembering the sequencing of it was a challenge. I am pretty hard on myself, so I wanted to learn everything I could. I found out, interestingly enough, in order to get better at something, no matter what age you, are you have to practice.
Q: What do you enjoy most about performing with the group?
A: I enjoy the smiles we get from the audiences we perform for. We tap for seniors in assisted living places and we tap for elementary kids; seeing their enjoyment makes it all worthwhile. We are also a charitable group. We raise money for HEART (Homeless Education and Resource Team, a Spokane Valley collaborative program that helps Central, East and West Valley students), which helps with transitioning people that live in shelters or are down and out. We contribute to that fund.
Q: Where are some of the places you have performed in Liberty Lake?
A: The elementary school, which is where my grandson attends, and Guardian Angel Homes, which is where my mom was and I thought it would be nice to go there and perform, but unfortunately she passed away before we could perform there.
Q: What reaction do you get from kids and adults when performing?
A: Pretty much lots of smiles happen across the ages. The kids think I am a celebrity. I love going into assisted living places because sometimes we forget about elderly people, and I think that is wrong. If they aren't able to go out, we try to go in.
Submitted photo
The Tap Grandmas, along with one Tap Grandpa, pose for a group photo.
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Q: How often does the group practice?
A: We practice on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and that is pretty much for the more advanced people. The group has different levels in it, beginners, intermediate and advanced. The beginning tappers go on Tuesday and Thursdays. The practice sessions are an hour long.
Q: What is a favorite venue to perform at?
A: I do love the kids. At the elementary school we were tapping and finishing, and the kids said we should be on America's Top Talent. We do have our moments of messing up though, and we had a kid say, "I know next time you will do better."
Q: In what ways is your group like a small family or community?
A: I think that originally we were members of a group and everyone kind of did their own thing, and like anything else, we just kinda grew to be this one unit. What I like is all the people are respectful of each other and help you. If I had trouble learning, there would always be people to encourage you. A larger part of this group is made up of retired teachers so there is that commonality. We just enjoy each other. They do lunches together, plan trips together and they did a cruise together.
Q: What would you say to encourage other grandmas to join the group?
A: It is a great bunch of people. If you like to dance, we would be the group for you to be a part of. It is not only learning to tap but a social group as well. It gives you a chance to express yourself, and like many people, you have a lot of stress, and it is a good outlet.
Submitted photo
Florence poses with two of her biggest fans, her grandsons Jeff and Alex.
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Q: What do your grandkids think about you as a tapping grandma?
A: They think I am awesome! They tell me that all the time. I said to Alex the day we went to tap at the Liberty Lake Elementary School, "I get a little nervous and now even more so since you are going to be there." And he puts his arm around me and says, "Glamar (a combo of glamorous/grandma, which is what Messer's grandkids call her), you will be fine." This is coming from a 7-year-old.
Q: What do you enjoy most about living in Liberty Lake?
A: You know, moving from the East (New York), it is very different here. When we first moved in we would take walks and we would pass someone going down the street and they would wave, and my husband would say, "Do we know them?" I like the community spirit. I like the fact that is a little bit laid back, but the people are very friendly. It is just a nice place to live and is very beautiful.
Profiles:
Florence Messer, Tap Grandma
Age
Between 55 and 83, the age range of the Tap Grandmas group
Family
Husband, Ross; one daughter and two grandkids
Favorite tap step
"I like the steps that are more challenging."
Hobbies
Graphics work and fashion
Dream vacation
Florence, Italy
Book recently read
"The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein
Favorite TV shows
Law and Order and CSI
Work career
20 years as a teacher
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