Cooperstown Center, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in the hamlet of Index, is inviting community members to join an attempt to set a Guinness World Record Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Participants may set a record for the world’s largest seated dance lesson. Doors close at 2 p.m.
Cooperstown Center is one of multiple Centers Health Care facilities in New York and New Jersey joining the effort. It is part of the organization’s fourth annual Care That Moves You program.
“Through interactive events held across its facilities leading up to the historic August 19 record attempt, Centers Health Care will bring together residents, staff, families, and local communities to demonstrate that movement is for everyone, regardless of age or ability,” the corporate office announced Friday, Aug. 7.
Cooperstown Center activities director Maribeth MacGregor said Tuesday, Aug. 11 that “movement always leads to doing more” while teaches people their limits.
The seated dance in chairs “lets us include as many people as possible,” MacGregor said, noting that some of the facility’s residents and patients have mobility difficulties.
“We have chairs that we will provide” to visiting participants, MacGregor said.
The organization’s corporate offices has developed a song for the dance, MacGregor said.
“It is a song that revolves around movement,” she said. At the Cooperstown Center, she said, the goal is to reach 50 participants.
Guinness World Records did not have a record listed for largest seated dance lesson on its website and could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
“We’re inviting the community to join us,” MacGregor said. Participants will practice starting at 2 p.m. when the doors close, with the regionally-coordinated record attempt beginning at 2:30 p.m, she said.
MacGregor encouraged community members who plan to participate to call ahead at 607 544-2600.