A Night to Remember comes with dinner and dancing

 

story and photos by Linda Kaufenberg

Dr. Joseph Chan, executive director of Mercy Hospice, defended his 2009 title by winning the dance contest with Sharon Tinsman at  St. Edward Mercy Foundation’s Night to Remember.

Approximately 300 people attended the event which benefitted the Dr. John Ben and Sue Stewart Hospice Inpatient Unit. The 12-bed unit opened July 2008, offering hospice and palliative care with two staff physicians.

"We hope to raise $15,000," said Sarah Wilson, Mercy Foundation philanthrophy specialist. "The money will be used for capital expenditures for renovation of the hospice inpatient unit."

After cocktails, dinner and dancing, the feature of the evening, the Jack and Jill dance contest began. Dancers registered individually and were lined up across from each other as leaders and followers. A dice was rolled and the followers moved to the left the number called. The first dance was a rumba. Again the dancers lined up, dice was rolled and changed partners. The second song was a cha-cha.

During the break as the finalists were being decided, Marcus Coker and Janie Austin from Momentum Dance Concepts entertained with a demonstration of dance steps.

An hour later, three finalists — leaders and followers — were chosen and danced a waltz and a west coast swing. The audience participated in form of monetary donations for the couple of their choice. Third place was won by Darlene Morris and Charles Abel. Second place went to Nick Akins and Cara Young. The winners, Chan and Tinsman, received trophies and four private lessons and four group lessons from Momentum Dance Concepts.