THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 2, 1995 TAG: 9512020563
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By KATRICE FRANKLIN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Decked out in a red, short square-dance dress with matching petti pants, Barbara Tennyson will look just like all the other dancers in Bayside Middle School's cafeteria Sunday afternoon.
But once folks get a look at her twirling skirt and circling moves, Tennyson said she'll distinguish herself quickly.
``The more complicated the step, the more I like it,'' said Tennyson, who has been square-dancing since 1984. Tennyson will be flaunting her talents at the 25th annual Dance for Joy, a hoedown held each year to raise money for the Joy Fund. Sponsored by the Tidewater Square Round Dance Council, which includes more than 22 square-dancing organizations in Hampton Roads, the event raises money to buy Christmas toys and clothing for more than 30,000 needy local children.
The 60-year old fund-raising campaign was started by The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star.
Children are selected from a list complied by local clergy, school principals and welfare agencies. Cash coupons are mailed to the parents of the children. The coupons can be used only for clothing and toys at selected stores.
Last year, the organization's shindig contributed $1,250 to the holiday fund. Joyce Yeomas, chairman for this year's Dance for Joy, said the council is hoping to give $1,500 this season.
``The last couple of years we've done it, we haven't raised as much as I'd like us to,'' said Yeomas. ``Square-dancing is becoming less popular.''
Yeomas and Tennyson said square-dancing changed their lives after their marriages ended several years ago.
Two years ago, Yeomas remarried in a square-dance wedding, as a salute to the hobby that brought them together.
This year's annual Dance for Joy is scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Anyone wishing to attend must purchase a $4 Dance for Joy button at the door. by CNB