A True Blue Friend Indeed

Teaching Dance Promotes Friends

By Christine Trask

Each glorious morning, I start my day with a cup of robust French roast coffee, and give gratitude to my Higher Power for blessing me with friends and family. One recent morning my new friend, Debbie Mackerwicz, a person who helps and supports, has affection, sympathy, empathy, honesty, mutual understanding and compassion, entered my mind.

We are both passionate about dance, and met one evening at the Naples, Florida, Arthur Murray dance studio, where we immediately became friends. This past year she tended to my care by feeding me, and staying with me through the beginning recovery stage of a surgery I underwent. Our friendship flourished during this time period as I found out more about her.

Debbie was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, in the year 1949, the older of two siblings. Her parents filled their home with the exciting sounds of classical, jazz, and big band sounds, and with the caring example to help others. Her father's passion for music drew him to New York to see artists such as Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, and Igor Stravinsky. Debbie's fond memories were dancing the Swing, and Lindy with her mother. Her family also spent time attending Broadway shows, and the ballet. She was so inspired by the Nutcracker that at age six she started ballet lessons, and continued throughout her high school years. Debbie's group of friends multiplied as she sang in the Glee Club, and became a cheerleader in high school.

Debbie's parents also taught their children about the importance of lending a helping hand to those in need. It was part of the family's activities to visit nursing homes, take part in church charitable programs, and deliver dinners to those who were ill or less fortunate.

During her college years of l967–72, she became the music director of her sorority's choir group, which won a competition that included all the Northeastern University sororities. After college, she married in 1972, and had three daughters who she brought up with the same musical education, and caring heart that her parents had given her. At nine, her youngest, Sacha, won a piano concerto competition, and was the soloist with an orchestra. Her middle daughter, Carrie, was a finalist in the Young Artist International piano competition, which was held in Washington, D.C. Her oldest, Cindy, has been singing throughout her school years.

Around l980, when Debbie's children were young, she volunteered at the elementary school in various capacities. She helped with end of the year shows by choreographing dances and working with the children on music, art, and poetry that illustrated the subjects being taught. She also spearheaded The Giving Tree in her church, which involved sponsoring families with children in need. She wrote their names, ages, sizes, and toy suggestions on paper ornaments to be placed on The Giving Tree. Everyone took an ornament, and later the gifts were delivered to those families.

As a trustee of the South Shore Conservatory in Duxbury and Hingham, Massachusetts in l989, she volunteered to help raise money for the arts, which resulted in a huge success due to her hard work, and dedication.

While raising her three daughters, Deb pursued ballroom dancing, English and Scottish country dancing, Balkan and Swedish country dancing, and belly dancing. In l995, she started to teach country line dance at dance clubs, and the Kingston Fitness and Athletic Center for one and a half years, and incorporated all her knowledge of the various styles of dance into her country line choreography. Her classes became so popular that she made headline news in the South of Boston March 1995 issue. She created classes where people could have fun together, and develop longtime friendships.

Also during l995, Deb became Program Coordinator for the local Council on Aging. She was responsible for creating enriching events, and activities for seniors in an environment in which they could have fun and get much needed emotional support through the friends they made. Deb offered line dance classes each week, and was available for a daily swing dance with any of the gentlemen who loved dancing, and just wanted to hear that beat, and dance to the music they had always loved. It took only five minutes, but it made their day.

Today, Deb is happily back in the dance world taking ballroom lessons from Andrea Marta at the Arthur Murray dance studio in Naples, Florida. She sings in a choir, and volunteers as a teacher of English as a second language at Grace Place in Naples.

If you are ever in Naples, Florida, please come and join Debbie, and friends on any Sunday evening at the Naples Beach Hotel's outdoor dance floor. As the old saying goes, "You can never have too many friends."