DANCE INSTRUCTOR ANITA ABBOTT IS SHOWN IN ONE OF HER PERFORMANCES

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Time Does Not Diminish The Beauty, Poise, Elegance Of Her Talent THE FORMER HAZEL MILES AND JOHN SHIPES PERFORM THE TANGO

Two Students Who Became A Permanent Dance Duo By Robert Latimer Hurst

Much has been said in most communities about the development of, or the lack of, the arts and those events that promote culture. It has been brought to my attention by Mrs. John Shipes that perhaps a former Waycrossan has been overlooked for her contribution to the arts in this city. She refers the late choreographer and dance instructor, Anita Abbott. It might be that, for the last few months, many older residents have viewed the demolition of the what was the late Ware County Supt. of Schools and Mrs. T.L. Everett's home on the hill; however, prior to that it was the Waycross Country Club and Anita Abbott's Dance Studio. And as a dance studio, it ranked high because it allowed, under its capable dance mistress, many young people of the town an introduction to the creative talents, poise and elegance that this discipline provides. It was a different era then. It was one in which many youngsters --boys and girls --came home from school to be ushered off to either piano or dance lessons. Although Miss Abbott was a pioneer in promoting arts into the schools, the courses in dance never really caught on here. But that did not stop those children from attending the studio on the hill --and, as one student remembers, the lessons did not gear themselves just to classical dance. "Why, we learned to jitterbug, too!" "Anita Abbott was a dance teacher who brought true culture to Waycross. She has been an unsung heroine in our local history. She gave us --and I speak as one of her former students --enjoyment during those dark days of the Depression," says Mrs. Shipes, adding that this educator, who was the daughter of a man who had been a director of Indian Affairs for the Western states, had gained much experience from travel and study because of her father. From those Roaring Twenties through the Depression on into World War II and after, Miss Abbott, who would be married twice, found time not only to instruct dance but also to prepare performances for many clubs and events that would entertain when it was necessary for people to be entertained. Her talent, for example, was featured in the 1924 Ware County Bicentennial that brought many guests from a distance to view the celebration, in which dance played a major role. Myra Lott, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Miller Lott, is remembered as one of Miss Abbott's students who continued her studies and became a professional dancer, tells Mrs. Shipes. And another student, Doris Lisenby opened her own dance studio because of her love of dance and the inspiration received from the teacher. Mrs. Shipes, the former Hazel Miles, found great love and enjoyment during her years as a dance student. She vividly remembers her mother aiding Miss Abbott as a designer and seamstress of costumes. "During the Depression, my mother's talent allowed me to take dance lessons," she smiles. It was a long time ago. It was a different time. But there they were, ready to learn --one, two, three, four --bashful, awkward, shoulders held back, arms extended, steps too short or too long at first, "Listen to the music," and they danced.