Sierra Mountain Times

 Hi-Steppers at the Murphys Irish Days Parade.

By Rose Marie Durham

The swingin’ begins quietly. It’s early in the morning in downtown Murphys and there’s very little activity. Except for some of the businesses on Main Street preparing for their first customers, the community-at-large has yet to come fully alive. But a block over on Church Street, where the historic Masonic Hall stands, a number of vehicles are pulling into the parking spaces in front of the building. More than two-dozen not-so older women dressed in athletic togs emerge from the cars. Each carries a mat and a bag of exercise equipment as they walk confidently into the Hall. And that’s when the swingin’ begins.

Members of a senior’s exercise group aptly named the Murphys Hi-Steppers, these women meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to begin a workout that would leave many gals half their age (and some men, too) gasping for air. Ranging in age form 63 to 87, their fast-paced routines are hardly ordinary, though there are no Superwomen here. Just energetic ladies who want to keep healthy as long as they can. And yet, most have been affected by illnesses that have taken a toll on them, both in the past and at the present. They’ve survived, among other maladies, breast cancer, heart disease, severe spinal conditions, broken bones and major surgery. They’ve lost loved ones, too. But that hasn’t stopped a one of them from taking an active part in their Swingin’ Sisterhood.

Started some 14 years ago by instructor Ellie Cullinan, (dubbed by some as The Boss) the group works out for a full hour three days a week. They travel to Murphys from communities up and down the Highway 4 corridor all year long, and in every kind of weather, to meet – and sweat – to the beat of the music that Ellie selects for different routines: all types of dancing (eat your heart out, Dancing with the Stars) which is not only fun, but gets the blood pumping; basic stretching (helps to get the kinks out early in the day); pumping iron with hand-held weights (No, Gov, you can’t join in: women only; and a flat on the floor exercises (no sissies here) mixed in with sessions of Pilates and Yoga.

Each month they meet for a luncheon scheduled at either a local restaurant or at someone’s home. Some luncheons have themes, such as the St. Patrick’s Day get-together where the required attire is – you guessed it – any thing green. At the annual Halloween Costume Party, creative juices kick into high gear when the ladies show up in some wild-n-crazy get-ups. The Christmas Luncheon, befitting the season, is more dignified. At this event members gather to celebrate the holiday with good food, a gift exchange and some old-fashioned caroling. Also included in the Swingin’ Sisterhood’s list of outings are bus trips to the Reno/Sparks area, a trip to Hawaii (every other year), and participation in the Murhpys’ Irish Day Parade.

The cost to belong to the Murphys Hi-Steppers is $30 a month per person, exercise equipment not included; each individual supplies her own. For more information, call 728-1211.