The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Silver Senior Steppers performed at the LaHarpe Davier Health Care Center on Tuesday, August 31st.
In 1993, George Strah and Dr. Benson, a chiropractor, both from Fort Madison, Iowa, felt there was a need for seniors to get more exercise. They came up with the idea of line dancing. It is good exercise - physically, mentally and socially.
The group started with 3 ladies and now has grown to around 30. They perform at nursing homes, senior centers and alternative care homes around the area. The ladies are from Danville, Iowa, Fort Madison, Iowa, Denmark, Iowa, West Point, Iowa, and LaHarpe. Their ages range from 58 to 91! They are volunteers and practice every Tuesday at the Newberry Center in Fort Madison, Iowa.
Betty Houston, Betty Pumphrey and Jean Todd get the music and tapes ready and co-ordinate the dances. Mary Strah books all the engagements, which run around 28-30 per year, for the group.
Performing at the LDHCC were the following: Mary Strah, Ora Hafferty, Lola Morrow, Cleda Taapken, Jane Stanford, Wanda Coles, Marjorie Marsh, Anna Mary Dillavou, Pat Walljasper, June Ault, Jean Todd, Betty Pumphrey, Pat Wright, Jerry Meeks, Laura Gullwell, Joyce Krogmeier and Helen Mapes.