Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
LYNNFIELD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A group of seniors at the Lynnfield Senior Center have become a local sensation with their dance group known as the Pomtastics.
The cheer team formed three years ago and has been entertaining their community ever since with their elaborate dance routines and shiny pom-poms.
The group’s leader and director, Joie Edson, is a former cheerleader for the Patriots. She said that many of the women have always dreamed of performing, and this is their shot.
“A lot of them say ‘I always wanted to be a cheerleader’,” she said.
Edson also noted that participating in the group is a workout not only for the body but also for the mind.
“They have to learn movement patterns that I don’t always cue out, but they have to keep in their head,” she said.
She said that kind of brain activity can stave off the mental effects of age. The group includes age ranges from 60 to 86, which is older than some of the nursing home crowds they've performed for.
“The girls in the Pomtastics have a real sense of a team, because they have to work together to perform a routine, but they have to get along,” said Edson.
The squad of seniors has been seen by thousands, and has performed during the Celtics halftime show three times so far to raucous applause.
"The first time was so frightening, I almost threw up," said Pauline Finberg, of dancing in front of thousands of fans, "But the crowd reaction was nuts. Absolutely nuts!"
Pauline was the person who pushed for years to create this group after watching the 2019 movie "Poms." When the senior center eventually found Joie Edson, she was thrilled and admittedly, a little intimidated.
Pauline said the group has been therapeutic to participate in, as a form of escapism and getting away from daily troubles.
“You just start listening to the music and all of a sudden, your mind just goes to another place,” said Finberg.
You can check out more about the Pomtatsics on their Instagram page by clicking here.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.