Dancing With The Stars couple Bob and Marcy Wagner demonstrated their dance recently at Miller’s Assisted Living Community. The couple will dance the Argentine Tango to the tune of “Por Una Cabeza” on February 7th at Swan Lake Resort. They are dancing to raise money for the Marshall County Neighborhood Center. The Wagner’s used their time at Miller’s as a practice session and to bring attention to the needs of the MCNC. They also danced with several Miller’s residents and shared a brief history of their life story.
In February of 1987 Robert (Bob) Wagner waltzed into the life of Marcy Eckhoff. Marcy’s friend Beverly Santicola “dragged” her to a dance party at Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Mishawaka. That is where Bob whirled Marcy around the dance floor and stole her heart.
Through the years the couple continued to take dance lessons and dance; however, just over three years ago Marcy had a stroke and was hospitalized for three weeks. She muddled through months of speech, occupational and physical therapy at apex Therapy in Plymouth. She honestly never thought she would dance again. Marcy was not only left with speech challenges and weakness on her left side; but, her balance was almost non-existent.
Two years ago Bob encouraged Marcy to try dancing again. They traveled to Mishawaka to work with Bryan O’Day at Dance Sport on the Plaza. Their first lesson as a disaster – or so Marcy thought. However, Bob and Bryan were so encouraging she knew she had to keep trying. Marcy could not do an underarm turn nor any turn for that matter without getting dizzy and way off balance. They continued for a few more months and then decided to study dance under Mewsette Cartwright at Lifeplex Dance Academy. She found Mewsette so understanding, compassionate and encouraging they continued attending class.
Today you will find Bob and Marcy practicing and preparing to dance the Argentine Tango as mentioned at Dancing With The Stars. Their journey has seemed long and tedious, but they will be at Sawn Lake Resort on February 7th. They feel blessed and honored to participate and give back to their community by “dancing for donation”. The donations help at least 400 families in the Marshall County community each year. Dancing with the Stars is the brain child of Karen Barden and is the major fund raiser for MCNC. Just one vote pays for two grocery deliveries for seniors. Eight votes gives families in need access to the center for help with food, heating costs and more. With twenty votes four families will be helped with heating costs and the donations are tax deductible.
To help your community go to http://www.events.org/neighborhoodcenter and cast your vote. To vote for Bob and Marcy Wagner simply choose their names. Donation checks may be made payable to MCNC (put the dancers name on the memo line) and send to:
Karen Barden, Marshall County Neighborhood Center, 2514 Winding Oak Dr., Plymouth, In. 46563.
Photo Caption:
Bob and Marcy Wagner shared their life story and demonstrated the Argentine Tango at Miller’s Assisted Living Community. They will also take part in Dancing With The Stars on February 7th.
