ORANGE — The town’s century-old curtain wasn’t the only thing new about the stage in the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium at Town Hall last weekend.
A plaque affixed to the stage reads: “Virginia ‘Ginny’ Colo Porcari. A lasting tribute for her talent and generosity which touched and improved lives, for sharing the beauty of dance and for enriching the town she loved.”
Dedicating the stage, specifically, was a symbolic gesture to honor Porcari, 89, a longtime dance instructor who taught thousands of children in Orange over 60 years, according to Maureen Riendeau, who was part of the Town Hall Restoration Committee’s effort to dedicate the stage.
Riendeau herself remembers taking dance lessons taught by Porcari, before she was in first grade.
“She is a sweetheart, and she’s been dancing her whole life,” said Riendeau, recalling that Porcari kept the cost of her lessons under $2 for more than 25 years in order to give every child, regardless of their family’s finances, a chance to dance.
“Everything was meant to be affordable. My mother and others use to buy the materials and make the costumes for her dances,” Riendeau said. “In high school, she would help choreograph the (drama and threatrical) shows. She’s just always been about volunteering and helping.”
Raised in Orange, Porcari began learning dance and performing with local instructors, the Frenches, as a child. Later, after studying in Boston, Porcari returned to work as a dance instructor with the Frenches, taking over and teaching on her own upon their retirement.
She performed and accompanied hundreds of concerts, plays, band performances and variety shows at local churches and schools, and frequently at town events.
Annual dance performances put on by Porcari were held for many years at Town Hall, and proceeds were often donated to the town. For the Orange Historical Society, Porcari led a fund drive that raised $50,000 for society repairs through a special series of variety shows.
At a young age, and as a wife and mother, Porcari knew she would have to be a teacher, over being a performer, in order to support her family, Riendeau said.
“This stage is a fitting tribute to someone who helped so many,” Riendeau said, describing Porcari’s impact as “legendary.”
“She knew she couldn’t go act, and had to raise a family, so she taught others to dance,” she said.
Those who have continued the dancing tradition in Orange, including instructors at The Dance Studio on North Main Street, were taught by Porcari, Riendeau said.
Riendeau said the stage dedication is an important way to recognize someone who typically shied away from taking any praise or special honors.
“She always seemed surprised if she got any honor,” Riendeau said. “If kids gave her a bouquet of roses after a variety show, she would say, ‘What’s this for? I just taught you to dance.’”
Porcari is currently in a nursing home, Riendeau said, and those who wish to celebrate “Ginny” and this honor may write to her at “Mrs. Virginia Porcari, care of Quabbin Valley Healthcare, 821 Daniel Shays Highway, Athol, MA 01331” to congratulate her personally.
Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.