Serving Our Seniors Magazine July - September 2025

If I told you there was a pill that improves physical well-being, enhances balance, coordination, cardiovascular fitness, is shown to reduce Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia by over 70% while also boosting mood and social engagement – and the only side effects are fun and enjoyment… Would you take it? Well, there isn’t such an amazing pill, but there is something else that reaps the same rewards, IF you use it. It’s called ballroom dance, which has been shown to produce all of the health benefits, listed above. USA Dance Chapter 2094 offers monthly Community Dances. You don’t need any prior dance experience or even an existing dance partner. All you need is a willing attitude. Steve Valesquez who is part of USA Dance said, “I am a physics professor. If anyone told me I could dance, in my past, I would never have believed them.” Today he is a professional ballroom dance instructor and performs outstanding in dance competitions. He believes there are others out there, just like him. Fred Discenzo is Vice President of USA Dance, Sandusky Chapter. He, too, never thought of himself as a dancer. “I’m retired now, but I worked in technology. Ballroom dance is a great way to spend quality time with my wife, doing something we both enjoy.” They enjoy it so much, Fred and his wife regularly teach dance to people with Parkinson’s disease, classes for adults with cognitive challenges and classes for the Cleveland Sight Center for people who are blind. USA Dance Sandusky Chapter dances are held the third Saturday of every month at Vermilion VFW, 7576 Poorman Rd, Vermilion. Doors open at 4:30 pm. A lesson is provided at 5 pm followed by open dancing from 5:30 pm until until 8 pm. Steve explained, “You don’t have to have your own dance partner to participate. There is an etiquette with ballroom dancing. Everyone is asked if they would like to dance and it is understood that different people dance with one another, so everyone is included.” USA Dance invites you to experience the joys and health benefits of ballroom dancing. For more information call 419-921-1114. Tell them you read about it in Serving Our Seniors Magazine. Do Your Brain & Body A Favor… DANCE! L-R: Lori Disposti and Dr. Steven Velasquez Duane Mills, President of USA Dance, Sandusky 21