Ruby
Gloria's mother, Ruby, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2010. She forgot lunch and sometimes forgot the stove, but put on a big-band record and she'd jitterbug across the kitchen.
Our story
How we got here
A nurse, her mother and a maple floor that wasn't finished yet.
Our story
How the dance hall came back
The dance hall
The Highland dance hall opened in 1946 and closed in 1989. Gloria's parents met there in 1958. In 2012 she bought it, refinished the maple floor and kept the bandstand.
Opening day
Jitterbug opened with nine members, a nurse, a cook and a record player. Ruby was the first one through the door, in her good shoes.
The socials
The last-Friday dance socials started in 2013 when a member's grandson brought his band. Now families, grandkids and half the county come.
Today
Almost fifty members come on a typical day. We added a memory care studio in 2018 and a second van in 2021. The radio is still on.
- 1946the year the dance hall opened
- 48members on a typical day
- 30songs on the morning playlist
- 5towns the van covers
Ratings & recognition · sample
- Readers' Choice · Best Senior Program
- County Chamber · Small Business of the Year
- Area Agency on Aging · Community Partner
- Alzheimer's Support Group · Partner Site
- Historic Preservation Society · Building Award
- Regional Hospital · Preferred Day Program
- Arts Council · Community Partner
- Veterans Coalition · Community Partner
Last Friday of the month. Wear your dancing shoes.
Come to a dance social, or bring your parent for a free day with lunch and the van. Call, text or book online.