The
Country Diamonds team was formed by three women who enjoyed line dancing
and as a result of that love and the desire to exercise, they wanted
others to participate and gain the benefit of an exercise program that
was fun to do.
The doors of the Fellowship United Methodist Church of Bossier
City opened for the ladies to begin an outreach to the community.
That was January of 1997.
From there, the ladies branched out to the Shady Grove Community
Center.
Classes are still being given every Monday night and Thursday
afternoon.
In
April of 1998, fifteen ladies, 50 years and up formed a dance team and
began performing at numerous nursing and retirement homes in the
Shreveport/Bossier City area.
In association with the country and western band
“Crossroads,” the ladies began dancing at the VFW in Bossier City,
the Isle of Capri, and festivals such as “Good Ole Days” in Hall
Summit.
They performed at the Neon Saturday nights a couple of years.
Being over “50” entitled them to perform in the Senior
Olympic Games of which they claimed first place each of the three years
they performed in the Northwest Louisiana Division.
They went to Baton Rouge their second year and won third place in
the State Senior Olympics.
Their ministry has included other places such as the Highland
Center, Schumpert Cardiac Rehab, Barksdale Commissary, the American Rose
Center’s Christmas in Roseland, the Bossier Council on Aging, Bellaire
Baptist Church’s Golden Eagles, the Lifeshare Blood Center, the Red
River Revel, South Bossier Baptist Church Christmas Party, and many
other festivals such as Mudbugs, Holiday in Dixie, Sunflower, Hughes
Springs, to name a few.
During their performances audience participation is encouraged by
the ladies, not only energizing them, but the fun is shared by all.
Our
distinctive and high-energy style of dancing has set us apart from the
other senior line dance teams in the area.
The “baby boomers” are well represented in the group as well
as our highly energetic over “60” girls.
They are all very dedicated and their love for the dance shines
through as they perform with great enthusiasm, delighting those all
around them.
You may see time in “diamonds” or you may see them dressed
for the season, in costume.
No matter what though, smiles will be given and love will fill
the room because these ladies, The Country Diamonds, do sparkle and move
for all to see!!!
