FORT WALTON BEACH — Forty years after their founding, the Golddiggers continue to bring a smile to the faces of seniors in Okaloosa County with their singing, dancing and entertainment.
The group entertains seniors at nursing homes with music from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. They practice every week for their two to four shows a month.
Most of the Golddiggers were involved in the arts in their younger days, and joined the group as a way to continue performing.
“What you’ve got here are a whole bunch of old ladies with grease paint in their blood,” Dorothy Retzlaff said recently at a practice at the PASARDA Hall in Fort Walton Beach.
Some of their costumes are more than 20 years old, but director Theresa Emery updates them and sews new costumes herself.
Retzclaff was a drama major. Emery and her sister Anita Styring performed with their family growing up. Danielle Lamb was a prima ballerina in her native France.
“I had never seen a tap shoe in my life,” Lamb said.
Prior experience singing or dancing is not a requirement to join, however. For Ellen Dugger, the newest member, the Goldiggers’ slow pace and no-pressure atmosphere helped her catch up.
“If you don’t dance, you’ll learn,” Dugger said.
After 15 years with the Golddiggers, all her friends are in the group, Donna Calvin said. Despite health problems that prevent her from dancing, she found a way to participate by serving as the master of ceremonies for the shows.
“If I can get one laugh and two people who aren‘t crying, it‘s good,” Calvin said.
Over the years, the Golddiggers have become friendly with their audiences and meet with them after shows. Residents look forward to their performances.
“We do bring joy to them,” Emery said.
WANT TO JOIN?
For more information about the Golddiggers, contact director Theresa Emery at alteedestin@cox.net.
Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado can be reached at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.