Dee Hostetler stole the spotlight when she sashayed into The Watermark at Morrison Ranch in 2018, becoming the retirement community’s first resident.

Her warm personality and energy are a perfect fit with the community’s groove, and her friendliness is appreciated by the other residents and staff.

The community wanted to honor their first resident, so it surprised Hostetler with a meaningful gift at the Morrison Ranch’s 5^th Anniversary Celebration.

A dancer since the age of 5, Hostetler has performed and taught the art nationwide — including on the stage of the local Queen Creek Performing Arts Center. To celebrate Hostetler’s lifelong passion, the community gifted her a seat that has a placard with her name in row “D” of the theater.

Molly Jacobs, who has performed with Hostetler and  serves as director of the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center, virtually shared the news with her friend at the anniversary celebration.

“Dee, your wonderful friends bought you a seat at the theater,” Jacobs said. “We just did 'Dolly,' and it made me think of you and our time together when we first started 'Annie.'”

Hostetler was surprised and touched when she learned about the theater seat, said Rebecca Mitchell, community life director at Morrison Ranch.

“She had tears of joy and was telling everyone what an honor this was to her,” Mitchell said. “She kept saying how blessed she felt, and how much she enjoys the other residents and living at the community.”

After recognizing Hostetler, the residents returned to commemorating the friendships and memories they built over the past five years at Morrison Ranch. They participated in a pie-eating contest, enjoyed barbecue specialties, and visited the cotton candy stand for a sweet treat.

Hostetler especially enjoyed dancing to music provided by a bluegrass band and joining line dances led by the Fred Astaire Dance School.