Square dancing: Good for body and soul

From Staff Reports

Folks are rediscovering the health and social benefits of square dancing, according to Nancy Francis, a "modern" square dancer.

The Ridge Rockers, a square dance club that meets in Pea Ridge, will sponsor lessons on Oct. 11. Grant Roth, Ridge Rockers caller, will teach the free class 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 11, in Pea Ridge Middle School cafeteria. There are 10 to 12 Saturday classes, for people interested in continuing. The first lesson is free. The cost for all the remaining lessons is $30 per person.

Francis said square dancing is high on the list for exercise and is fun.

"It's aerobic and low impact in nature, but exercises the whole body as a result of constant movement and quick directional changes," she said, adding that her 90-year-old mother participates. As concerns "who" the modern square dancers are, she said square dancing appeals to all ages, but two groups comprise the majority of their members -- "empty nesters" and newly retired.

Francis and her husband Howard had been retired for only a few years when they got into square dancing (about three years ago). Neither one of them were all that excited about exercise for exercise sake. Howard admits that she "railroaded" him into square dancing but that he is very glad she did and that he enjoys it every bit as much as she does. He said guys actually take to square dancing quite well as it fits well with the engineering, mechanical type of skills that a lot of guys "bring to the table."

The Frances dance at five local area clubs -- the Pea Ridge Ridge Rockers Club in Pea Ridge, the Kingsdale Squares Club in Bella Vista, the Plus & Fun Club in Springdale, the Ark-Oma Whirlaways Club (of Siloam Springs but currently dancing in Springdale), and the Lost Creek Promenaders Club in Neosha, Mo., as well as special dances in the tri-state area.

Three other couples -- Jayne and Marty Verostek, Judy and Ken Harms and Reba and Carl Posey -- agreed that square dancing involved good, clean fun, camaraderie, friendly people and great exercise.