Sunday, June 06, 1999
Special dancers will have a ball at convention center
Event for disabled and senior citizens
BY ALLEN HOWARD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
About 1,500 of them will be there, dancing a waltz, a jitterbug, foxtrot or a slowed-down version of the electric slide. Some will just watch.
They will attend the Senior Citizens and Disabled Person Ball from 12:30 to 6 p.m. June 16 at the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center, Fifth and Elm streets.
This year marks the 25th year of the ball. It was started by the late Lucille Chenault, a former president of the Senior Citizens Task Force, which planned activities for seniors.
“I have attended every ball since it was started in 1974,” said Frances Southall of College Hill.
Mrs. Southall, 79, said she doesn't dance, but she likes to watch others dancing. She comes for the social atmosphere, she said.
“This is the most beautiful affair I have ever seen,” Mrs. Southall said.
“It is a joy to see how some of the people dress up for the ball. Some men in wheelchairs who can't move will dress up in suits, ties and top hats. Some women wear formal gowns.”
While Mrs. Southall is a non-dancer, many her age and older find dancing to their liking.
“I saw one man last year much older than I who stayed on the floor for every dance. And he only danced with the younger women,” she said.
The ball was a pioneer in the area of social activities for seniors as a part of the Cincin nati Model Cities Program of the early 1970s.
It was aired on CBS' Sunday Morning program by the late Charles Kuralt in 1985. Mr. Kuralt came to Cincinnati and interviewed Mrs. Chenault, who attended every ball until her death in 1989.
She said she dreamed of the idea when she was in a nursing home and met patients who were lonely and didn't have visitors.
She promised them that if she got out, she would do something to bring all the elderly, disabled and confined persons together at least once a year.
The first ball drew about 1,500 people, said Doris Brown, who has coordinated the ball for 25 years.
“We expect about that many this year,” Mrs. Brown said. “We have sent notices to about 60 nursing homes and we request how many people are coming, if they are in wheelchairs, (use) walking canes or whatever.
“We assembled this information in order to provide specialized transportation,” Mrs. Brown said.
She said the transportation is financed by the Cincinnati Hamilton County Community Action Agency, a social service organization.
Former state Rep. William L. Mallory will serve as master of ceremonies. Mr. Mallory also was finance chairman for the ball for 21 years. His son, state Sen. Mark Mallory, now serves as finance chairman.
Seniors who would like to attend may call Mrs. Brown at 569-1840, extension 55. There is no charge for tickets, but donations are accepted.
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