Vicki Eckman, Founder and Director of the Mesquite Toes Tap Team announced her retirement as of June 8.  A party was given in Eckman’s honor on May 19.  Photo by Teri Nehrenz

Vicki Eckman, Founder and Director of the Mesquite Toes Tap Team announced her retirement as of June 8. A party was given in Eckman’s honor on May 19. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

With every new beginning there eventually has to come an end, sort of. Vicki Eckman, founder and soon to be former director of the Mesquite Toes Tap Team announced in late April that she will be retiring and she’s not dragging her feet about it. On May 19 a party was held in her honor by friends and fans to say good-bye for now; Eckman’s retirement officially takes effect on June 8.

Eckman may be stepping aside as director of the Toes but she’s not done with the dance. Eckman will be spending more time with family after retirement with a large portion of her time focused on her granddaughter who is seemingly following in grandma’s footsteps.

The question now is, “What’s happening with the Toes?” The answer to that is an easy one. They are putting one foot in front of another and moving on. Plans are already in the works for the beat to go on and the MTTT to continue their toe-tapping reign in Mesquite.  Eckman said, “I’ve helped to develop great leaders for this program. We’ve got great dance instructors, great team leaders and ladies with a lot of heart. They’ll do well.”

The Toes are taking baby steps in the transition. They have formed a steering committee to choose which direction they will be stepping.

:  Mesquite Toes Tap Team members and supporters gather around the ‘Queen of the Dance’ during Vicki Eckman’s retirement party at the Mesquite Lutheran Church on May 19.  Photo by Teri Nehrenz

: Mesquite Toes Tap Team members and supporters gather around the ‘Queen of the Dance’ during Vicki Eckman’s retirement party at the Mesquite Lutheran Church on May 19. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

They can already stand on their own two feet and are stepping in the right direction. Plans are in the works for the yearly Christmas Show, Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant and an open house which will be scheduled sometime in October where potential tappers can try out four different classes for free and decide if it’s something they want to sink their feet into.

The Toes have also formed a committee that will interview potential artistic directors who have a knack for fancy footwork. If you are he/she, then hot foot it over to the Toes studio and take a walk on the wild side with the Mesquite Toes. The ladies are foot loose and fancy free and they don’t tip toe around when it comes to the dance.

The new director will certainly have some big shoes to fill. Eckman has taken her ladies and now men all over the world and she’s not afraid to go toe-to-toe with anyone when it comes to negotiating those performances. The Toes performed during the half time show at a New York Knicks basketball game. When you hold Eckman’s feet to the fire, she pulls through in size 16 style.

Eckman’s granddaughter is in for a real treat when this grandma digs her heels into something she puts her best foot forward, thinks fast on her feet and gets her foot in many doors. Eckman may be retiring from the Toes but she’s not retiring from performances; the shoe is just on the other foot now; her grandaughter’s foot. Eckman will be making sure her granddaughter is taking steps in all the right directions. With grandma behind her, she’s bound to be one step ahead of the others. Break a leg!