Hop to it!

The Sock Hop has begun at the Cape Area Family Resource Center -- people are dressed in jeans and some, like Pat King, is totally decked out in a 50s-era skirt and bobby socks. Ben and Shelby Shell of Cape Girardeau are also here, cutting a rug, so to speak -- the Family Resource Center's wood floor is perfect for this kind of dance.

The Shells just celebrated their 51st anniversary and laughed when I asked if they used to go to sock hops on dates. They did -- and they are wonderful dancers. They said they support this event because it is part of a mission for Centenary United Methodist Church.

Michelle Wallace, 38, is the center's new director. She's in all pink, including a cute hair scarf, and said this is her first sock hop, ever.

She looks forward to seeing more folks arrive. About 30 tickets to the event were pre-sold, but she said having to cancel the dance twice -- once because of Hurricane Ike and once for a thunderstorm -- may have caused people to forget.

Tickets $20 a person, and include food; beer and wine are being sold separately and a silent auction is underway. All proceeds will be used to pay the tab for the center's new roof. The Cape Area Family Resource Center is at 1202 S. Sprigg St.

The party goes until 8 p.m.