Nimble in his 90s: Classes keep South Strabane resident dancing
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Ted Sikora, 98, of South Strabane Township, participates in a Zumba class at the Cameron Wellness Center on July 23.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
“I’ll tell you what, it perks me up doing that,” says Ted Sikora about his three Zumba classes each week.
How many times have you broken your resolution to join a gym? Or, better yet, to keep going to the gym?
If you’re looking for inspiration to kick-start your fitness regimen, try visiting the Washington Health System Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center on a Monday, Thursday or Saturday morning and spending a few minutes in the Zumba class. Ted Sikora won’t be hard to find. He’s usually the only gentleman in a class full of ladies and he’s used to that.
“I’m always the only rooster in the henhouse,” he laughs. “I say they’re all my buddies.”
Ted is also used to always being the oldest participant in the classes. At 98, he out-dances folks who are decades younger than he is.
“I’ll tell you what, it perks me up doing that,” says Sikora about his three Zumba classes each week.
Zumba is popular dance fitness class that’s set to upbeat music with salsa, merengue and samba rhythms.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
In addition to taking fitness classes, Ted Sikora stays active in his garden.
“It’s good for you because it loosens you up, so I think that’s what keeps me going,” he says. “I always look forward to it.”
You’ll find Sikora at the Wellness Center for a few hours most every morning. He’s even started taking Aqua Zumba, which is just what it sounds like – a high energy, low impact Zumba class in the swimming pool.
Something else Sikora always looks forward to is planting a garden each spring. When he gets home from the gym, he tends to his large garden outside the South Strabane Township home he built in 1948.
“I’m really enjoying life at 98,” he says. “I have good health and I don’t have any aches and pains. I can still do whatever I want. I spent the other day re-sealing my driveway.”
Sikora lives there alone now. His wife of 61 years, Mildred, passed away 11 years ago. The two Washington-area natives married in 1947 and had three children. That brood has kept growing over the years and now includes 10 grandchildren.
“I have 18 great-grandchildren,” boasts Sikora. “One is 27 and she’s getting married the first of October, so I’d better get my dancing shoes ready for that!”
Sikora grew up in the Washington area and graduated from Trinity High School in 1937. He served in the Army during World War II in the European Theater as an airplane mechanic. After the war, he became a machinist by trade and retired in 1983. But retirement by no means meant it was time to take it easy. Ted is always moving.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Louis van Amstel of “Dancing With the Stars” posed for a photo with Sikora during a May master class at the Wellness Center.
“I don’t like to sit around,” he says.
His garden keeps him busy, and it’s doing well this summer.
“I have a lot of zucchini and lettuce and lima beans, some tomatoes,” he says. “They’re starting to come in.”
Sikora attended a master class at the Wellness Center a few months ago given by “Dancing With The Stars” professional ballroom dancer Louis van Amstel. The class focused on ballroom dancing as fitness, and it was packed. Sikora sauntered in and found a spot in the back row. Again, he was he only male student there.
During the hour-long class, he had a smile on his face the entire time, whether doing the paso doble, salsa or quick step.
“I keep myself moving,” Sikora said. “I did my Zumba this morning. I do Zumba about 3 or 4 times a week – regular Zumba and water Zumba.”
He’s always been active and used to belong to the Washington YMCA. When it closed, he joined the Wellness Center and is now one of 14 members there who are over the age of 90.
Observer-Reporter
Observer-Reporter
In this file photo taken in 2014, Ted Sikora, then 94, is shown packing orders to deliver for the Holy Trinity National Catholic Church in Canton Township.
“I’ve been a member ever since they opened up there, so I’ve been around a long time,” he says. “I call that my second home down there.”
Of course, the conversation turned to the question of how he stays so incredibly fit and healthy.
“I do have a great family circle and that keeps me happy,” he offers.
Sikora still drives and just bought a brand-new car before his latest birthday in March. As for health and longevity, Sikora credits his parents.
“I think it all comes from my mother and dad,” he says. “My mom lived four months past 104. She fell on the ice cleaning the driveway and broke her hip. She was still as agile as could be.”
That agility and longevity are in his genes, but he doesn’t take it for granted and makes it a point to stay active.
“I always feel that you can never have too many friends,” he adds. “I have a nice garden and I’m really enjoying life.”
So the next time you’re feeling lazy and searching for an excuse not to exercise, remember Sikora’s advice about staying active. Just head to the gym – you’ll probably see him there.