It doesn’t take much to turn a church fellowship hall into a honky tonk.

Just ask the group of women who meet most Monday mornings at Assumption Catholic Church.

There is no sawdust on the floor, electric bull in the corner or flashing neon lights. No all that’s needed for this group of dancers is a small compact disc player, some good country music and friends.

The women who gather every week at Tuite Hall behind the Catholic church on Morgantown Road have been country line dancing together for years.

Exactly how long is up for debate among the group who used to be known as the “Boot Scooters.”

Some in the group say they started dancing at the now demolished Prentiss Hotel. Others think it began at one of the area hospitals in the mid-90s.

But where it started is no matter to these young-at-heart performers. What matters to them is the exercise and the camaraderie.

“It is chance for them to get together and have some fun,” church secretary Maureen Irvy said.

In fact, the women have so much fun that Irvy finds herself dancing too.

“I have to do it between phone calls,” Irvy said.

Even so, Irvy has learned most of the dances with help from the Boot Scooters.

The line dance repertoire is pretty extensive. From the Boot Scootin’ Boogie and the Electric Slide to the Tulsa Shuffle and the Chatahoochie, the women burn up the floor with their dance moves. In all the group dances about 16 line dances each week.

Out of all of the dances, pretty much everyone was in agreement as to which dance was their favorite.

“I like the waltz,” Wanda Mulvihill said as everyone else nodded in agreement. In fact, the waltz is so popular the group does it twice.

After dancing at area hospitals, Copiah-Lincoln Community College and the Natchez Mall the group has settled at the church for the last two years.

The group continues to welcome newcomers to show them how much fun and fitness can come from a little tush pushing and watermelon crawling.

Anyone interested in joining in the fun is welcome and can call the church office for more information at 601-442-7250.