Dancing Queens and King of Salisbury

By Ollie Mae Carroll, Coordinator

The Dancing Queens and King Group was created in September of 2017  and sponsored by the City of Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department under the auspices of Healthy Rowan.

Alyssa Smith, director of Healthy Rowan, cited a study from a 2017 collaboration between Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health institute which revealed that Rowan County ranked 73rd out of 100 counties in N.C. in health outcomes.

Rowan County had the lowest health ratio among the surrounding counties: Stanley ranked 40th; Cabarrus, 14th; Davidson, 61st; Davie(12th).

In 2017, Healthy Rowan Coalition was formed to educate, collaborate and advocate to improve health outcomes. Rowan County now ranks 59th.

The Coalition’s mission was to begin a transformation in our community toward increased physical activity, to help improve overall health and fitness and reduce the risk for obesity and chronic diseases.

Based on this information, a linedance exercise group for mental and physical exercise was proposed to the city of Salisbury’s director of Parks and Recreation, Nick Aceves, and was implemented, utilizing a population of seniors age 55 and up from the West End of Salisbury. Classes were held at Hall’s Gym on West Bank Street twice a week under the direction of a qualified instructor.

The exercise group was named the Dancing Queens and King of Salisbury. During the last two years, the group was invited to perform at nursing and retirement homes, city health fairs, health awareness programs, churches, parade, sororities and health programs.

The group won Bronze  at last year’s  Silver Arts Competition in the Performing Arts category.

The group has donated monies to Hurricane victims, high school basketball teams and has volunteered at the Rowan Helping ministries.

February volunteers include Amanda Allen, Elaine Corpening, Bessie Bush, Vanessa Lawler and Dottie Miller;

Sharon Brown, Helen Corpening, Sandra Hughery and Pat Jamison;

Laura Littream, Ann Simpson, Dee Brown, and Tanny Reddick;

DJ Nelson Geralds and Norma Henderson.

To learn more about the group, email oomaecarroll@aol.com or call 704-/267-5299.