Get to know … Janet Collins

By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com

Janet Collins said that she was lucky enough to grow up in an active family – she spent her childhood in Omaha, Nebraska, swimming and ran and tried to keep up with her mother and siblings. She said that she took part in rather everything except the dance, which is ironic, considering that the ballroom dance has become a large part of her life, especially since about three years ago her retirement. She is now dancing competitive with her trainers from the S Style Dance Team. She and her husband of 15 years, John Schwartz, live in Palmencia.

Q: How did you get in a florida?
A: I moved here with my second husband. We lived in New York City at that time and I had a job with Hanes Hosiery who served the Macy's account. He was reduced by his job, so we looked at something new and almost bought a shop in Florida, but that failed. We moved here anyway and I got a job as a director for member services for the Sawgrass Country Club.

Q: What did you like about your job at Sawgrass?
A: I will never forget it. I loved every minute and particularly loved the members. We had a great staff. I actually met my present husband John when I worked in the Sawgrass Country Club. He was one of the members and we were friends. When my second husband died, John made me. He was very nice. Then he separated from his girlfriend and said he was interested in someone else … and that someone I was! However, he was very patient with me; We haven't married for eight years.

Q: When did you retire?
A: I finally decided that it was time to retire about three years ago. I thought it was time for the next generation to take over the takeover, and I have the feeling that I left everything in big hands. They all do it very well. I had friends who told me that they were bored when they were retired, but I knew that it wouldn't be me. I had been working since I was seven when I had a newspaper route with my brother.

Q: How did you dance with the ballroom?
A: I had taken lessons from dance Alday in Ponte Vedra Beach, but found a place closer to my home. One day I soon saw a sign for a new studio, so I went to the door. The owners got on the dance floor there and they invited me to the ceremonial opening. I went and now dance and compete with the S -Styles team.

Q: What dance styles do you do and which one is your favorite?
A: We all do genres. I have two trainers, one for smooth dancing, including Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Wiener Waltz. And one for Latin dances. It is so difficult to choose a favorite because all dances are wonderful – but I really love to make waltzes.

Q: How do you prepare for competitions?

A: I train about eight hours a week. I have the time to do this now where I am retired and I absolutely love it. My goal is to continue to get to a higher level and to dance until I am 100! We are preparing for a competition from March 5th to 8th in the World Golf Village, which is known as a first Coast Classic -Tancesport championships. It takes place over three days at the Renaissance Hotel and I would encourage everyone interested to check it. The dancing of the ballroom is so wonderful because the dance community is very accepting and not evaluating. You can also do this kind of dancing for your whole life.

Photo with the kind permission of Janet Collins
Janet Collins