MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News)- A group of seniors in West Monroe put on their dancing shoes to honor memorial day.
For the past 16 years, Ronald and Peggy Duhamel have celebrated Memorial Day this way. Shuffling and twirling, there's no place this couple would rather be.
"You use just about all the muscles in your body when you square dance." said Peggy Duhamel. "How many times do we do it?" Ronald asked Peggy. "4 times a week." She answered.
Ronald caught the dancing bug after he retired. Now members of several square dance clubs, he and his wife travel all over North Louisiana to dance. "wWe have time to rest when we're going from one place to another." said Ronald.
The Northeast Louisiana Square and Round Dancing Association sponsored the holiday picnic. Eating lunch and tapping their feet, many of the seniors also happen to be veterans as well. Including Ronald, a retired airman and with his son Joey calling out the dance moves, it's a family affair. "He has to say turn around daddy or turn around momma" said Ronald with a chuckle.
The picnic started with a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony and then they began to dance and continued for 4 hours straight. "Oh I love coming out here and dancing, because it's very good exercise for your brain and your body and keeps seniors like myself active." said dancer Linda Ricks, she has attended the picnic for 7 years.
"This is a chance for all of us to get together in one place, have a really good time and celebrate something that really needs to be celebrated." said caller Joey Duhamel.
Leaders in the association say they welcome new members and anyone can join. Click here for more information about joining the dancing club.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:01 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:01:27 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 23:20:46 GMT
DELHI, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Many expectant mothers make detailed plans of where and how they want to give birth, but sometimes even the most strategic planning, doesn't go as expected.
DELHI, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Many expectant mothers make detailed plans of where and how they want to give birth, but sometimes even the most strategic planning, doesn't go as expected.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:51:48 GMT
CARENCRO, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Lafayette Parish sheriff's deputies are investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy found in his grandparents' swimming pool.
CARENCRO, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Lafayette Parish sheriff's deputies are investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy found in his grandparents' swimming pool.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:23 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:23:16 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The Monroe City School System spends nearly two times what the closest comparable school district does on central office expenses.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The Monroe City School System spends nearly two times what the closest comparable school district does on central office expenses.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:17 AM EDT2013-06-18 13:17:15 GMT
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says all facilities at DeGray Lake and at Lake Greeson in southwest Arkansas have been reopened.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says all facilities at DeGray Lake and at Lake Greeson in southwest Arkansas have been reopened.
