Walk by Norway Pond here on a mid-week evening, and you won’t miss a frequent loud laughing chorus. Go further down to the pond, and you’ll see more than a dozen women gathered on the beach, dancing to popular tunes, and then repeating the same while swimming in water, all in aesthetic unison.
For about eight Wednesdays every summer, women from Hancock and neighboring towns practice here for a synchronized swimming performance as part of Hancock’s Old Home Day celebrations. Calling themselves the Synchro Sisters, they come from diverse age groups and professions – teaching, farming, therapy and dancing to mention a few, but swimming is not one of them. Jan Buonanno, the senior-most member currently on her 5th year, contacted Jess Lawler, from the MAMA Dance Studio in Peterborough, to choreograph the act. Ms. Lawler applies her professional experience in teaching dance, albeit with some variations, to suit the medium.
“The tradition is known to have started decades ago, but there was a long gap in between,” said Erica Fayrie, a yoga instructor in her first year with the group. “Amy Markus, the librarian at the Hancock Town Library, re-started this annual activity around 10 years ago. Since then it has been a regular feature of the Old Home Day events.”
Erica and her friends in the group, new and old, call it a sisterhood of sorts. Brianna Graves, the latest addition to the group, said, “This is a fun way for women to get out of their homes, meet other women and get together. This also eventually gives back to the community.”
The activity seems to benefit participants in other ways as well – Shannon McNamara, another novice member said, “The initial practice sessions felt intimidating, and it still does at times, but once you get it, it is very enjoyable and even improves your self-confidence.”
While the performers seem to have a great time cracking up together at their practice session goof-ups, their act is known to be a popular spectacle among the residents and the annual crowd.
This year’s performance includes a special feature – a tribute to David Bowie and Prince.
The show starts at 12 p.m. on Aug 20 (Old Home Day) on Norway Pond in Hancock and lasts for 10 minutes. See a full schedule of Old Home Day events at www.hancocknh.org/hancock-happenings.
(Anyone interested in performing next year, may leave word at the Hancock Town Library.)