VALPOLIFE.com features a great article and photos from our Srbadija Folklore Group's  visit and performance at Sterling House in Valparaiso.

Members of the Serbian Orthodox Church, St. Sava presented their traditional Srbadija Folklore Dance to the seniors at Sterling House on March 22, 2012.

Enjoying the delightful dance were seniors Dorothy Modjski, Susan Gerhardt, and Florence Anderson. Dorothy said, “We all thought this was great. We enjoy those little kids.” Susan expressed, “I am from Michigan and lived close to Greek Town. It was really nice to hear music like this again and to see the dancing.” And Florence shared, “I enjoyed this very much. I love to watch the expression on the children’s faces.”

No one at Sterling House enjoyed the festivities more than Anna Spahic. She was in attendance with her daughter, Danica Thomas (also a staff member at Sterling House). While watching the program, she was moved to tears and soon her daughter followed. Anna explained, “Everything was beautiful. It brought back wonderful old memories. My daughter used to dance like that.”

Anna met her husband in 1948 in a Serbian camp. The church (St. Sava) sponsored her and her husband, Rodivoje, to come to this country. They were married when she was just 17 and the couple had 42 years together. She misses not being able to go to church every Sunday like she used to. That is why this evening was so special to her—St. Sava, with the Srbadija Folklore Dance, came to her.

Danicia said, “I was moved to tears watching my mom and also moved to see the younger generation still dancing and carrying on the tradition.”

Father Marko Matic, from St. Sava, came for the dance but also took time with Anna. Anna said, “We have a wonderful new priest. He takes time with the kids and teaches them about the old ways.” Two of Father Matic’s children, Dusan, a 6th grader at Ben Franklin, and Milena, a 4th grader at Hays Leonard, also performed for the seniors.

Camille Sisk, a freshman at Valparaiso High School, also danced for the seniors at Sterling House. Camille said, “I like that everyone gets to learn the Serbian culture and it makes me happy seeing people enjoying the dance.” Dancing with Camille were Caitlyn Baroevich, Marija Novakovich, Aleks Novakovich, Sarah Jackovich and Anja Avramovic.

Dawn Sisk, Marketing Manager for Sterling House, is the mother of dancer Camille. She said, “To be able to share my history with my family, because the people here are my family, I care about them all, but to also share this with my church family and my own family, it’s the circle of my life. To bring all three together is not something people ordinarily do.”

“The folk dance was one of many dances that will be performed for the seniors this year. This was International month in The Year of Music,” said Deenna Leffert of Sterling House. “We’ve had Blues and Jazz and we look forward to The 50’s, Rock & Roll and Country, just to name a few.”