A family that dances together, stays together.

Well, at least for Lois and Max Adrianse and their daughter Terry Mercer, that sentiment rings true.

Lois and Max have been dancing together for more than 56 years, having met on a blind date when Max was a soldier at Fort Bragg.

They married nine months after they met and had their first daughter, Terry, 11 months later.

Today, the three of them are gearing up for the 20th Annual Senior Games of Richmond County.

This is their second year competing together.

As soon as Terry, now 56, turned 55 she joined in on the fun Max and Lois were having at the Hamlet Senior Center.

“I told them they had to keep doing the games long enough so I could join them,” Terry said.

This year Max, 78, and Terry will be participating in all of the field events except golf. They’ll do bowling, croquet, horseshoes, shuffleboard and line dancing.

Terry will also be competing in chair volleyball with the “Charlie’s Angels” team and cheerleading.

Lois, 76, is taking it a little easier this year because she’s still recovering from a mastectomy in November, but she’ll still be competing in the softball throw, football throw, shuffleboard, croquet, bocce ball and line dancing.

“Max just loves it,” Lois said. “The shot-put, the discuss and the jumping.”

“Yeah and I can still get away with that at 78,” he said.

Max and Lois have been competing in the senior games since 1995.

“It’s really been a lot of fun,” Terry said. “Last year I got to bowl with Mom and this year I get to bowl with Dad. We’re excited.”

Terry said while training for bowling last year, she and her father would race to pay for each other, but Max would just say, “It’s just good to have my little girl back.”

“It’s all about family,” Terry said.

All three of them said the Senior Games are a great way to meet new people and stay healthy.

Terry lives in Hamlet, but her parents live in Rockingham. The couple said they chose to come to the Hamlet Senior Center because of the large variety of programs offered.

“There’s nothing wrong with the other senior centers,” Max said.

“We just feel this one is the best,” Lois said.

“The senior games are really healthy for seniors,” Max said.

“It keeps us from rusting,” Lois added. “If you rest, you rust.”

The trio said those wanting to get involved with the senior games can train as much or as little as they want, and they can get all of their training at the Hamlet Senior Center where they line dance twice a week.

“I’ve heard people say they have too many ailments to do the games and we have a lady that’s 80 or 81 who dances with us every week,” Max said. “We have folks who have had cancer, hip replacements, and they’re still doing it and still going. Heart attacks ... I’ve had four myself and am on my second defibrillator, so if I can do it, anyone can. I think it really helps your health. It’s helped me a lot and helped me cut down on medication.”

The Adrianse’s also have three other children, Kim, Fred and Ronald, who all live out of town.

Terry, who taught in Richmond County Schools for 32 years, said she’s tried to get friends to join in on the action at the senior center.

“If you get someone to come once, they get hooked,” Lois said.

“There’s something for everyone here,” Max said.

The 20th Annual Senior Games of Richmond County are from April 19-May 11. The application deadline is March 31. Registration packets can be picked up at the Hamlet Senior Center. For more information about this year’s games, contact games coordinator Millie Wright at 582-7985.

Staff writer Eren Tataragasi can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or at etataragasi@yourdailyjournal.com.