Audio clip
Ginny Stone
More than 400 adults ages 50 and older competed in the annual Senior Olympics in May, a record turnout for competitors according to officials at Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors.
Winners of those athletic competitions advance to the state competition this summer with the exception of ballroom dancing, which is considered an exhibition.
With the growing interest in ballroom dance — thanks, in large part, to ABC’s popular “Dancing With the Stars” — Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors is offering weekly ballroom dance classes and monthly dance parties.
Ginny Stone, Senior Neighbors special projects director, said her objective is to interest more seniors in learning ballroom dance, with a long-range goal of increasing Olympians. Should enough interest be shown in the Olympic exhibition, then the competition might be upgraded to a competitive division.
“Our numbers were up this year. And there were a lot more people there watching than the year before,” Ms. Stone said.
Ms. Stone said ballroom dance classes are offered each Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. at the Senior Neighbors’ center at 10th and Newby streets. The monthly dance parties are held on Thursday nights at the same center with music provided by a disc jockey. There is a nominal charge for each.
“The Wednesday morning classes are regular instruction with steps taught. The Thursday dance parties draw more people than those in the lessons,” she said.
Leon Graham and his partner, Alice Barlew, won gold medals in four dances in the Senior Olympics.
Mr. Graham, who has been ballrooom dancing for four years, quipped “I’m not as good as the pros on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ but better than some (of the celebrities) who didn’t make it all the way through.”
Mr. Graham began square dancing in 1990, then tried round dancing. A friend who enjoyed ballroom dancing, encouraged him to give it a whirl.
“It’s good exercise, and the people you meet are very nice. It’s good camaraderie,” Mr. Graham said of his continued participation.
Ms. Stone said any senior adult wishing to enroll in Senior Neighbors’ Wednesday classes should call 755-6106 for class fees and other information.
Susan Palmer Pierce is a reporter and columnist in the Life department. She began her journalism career as a summer employee 1972 for the News Free Press, typing bridal announcements and photo captions. She became a full-time employee in 1980, working her way up to feature writer, then special sections editor, then Lifestyle editor in 1995 until the merge of the NFP and Times in 1999. She was honored with the 2007 Chattanooga Woman of ...
Or login with:
New Account