The Age of Elegance

The collage and photos below were prepared by our newest NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB sister, Patricia Genovese. In the photo starting at the top row on the left: Delores dances with John McLaughlin; lovely Patricia does a stylish tap routine; Dale captures the crowd with a great country tune; Delores does a lively tap dance; the group poses with John. In the second row: Queen Rebecca dazzles the crowd with a selection from her current CD, "Starting Here, Starting Now"; another group shot of these fabulous ladies; Josephine sings "O Holy Night"; JoAnn invites the crowd to sing along with her. Bottom row: Agnes sings a country song; Johanne sings "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"; Delores found a willing volunteer to dance the jitterbug; Rebecca in an encore performance; and Sherri, singing the popular song, "New York, New York". Norma did the "old lady" comedy routine, but is not in the collage. From left to right are: Patricia Genovese;...

Contestants are scored in 4 categories. Talent is worth 30 points. Rebecca chose "Don't Rain On My Parade", from Funny Girl. Here she is electrifying the audience with her gorgeous alto voice. Becky, in a comedic moment from the song. One more commanding vocal, that leads to a glorious end! Other categories are: Evening Gown (20 points), Philosophy of Life (20 points) and Personal Interview (30 points). Rebecca glided effortlessly across the stage of the Concert Venue Theater, and then spoke eloquently and sweetly about her philosophy of life. The judges had just announced Rebecca as 4th runner up, and Ann Marie Pittman presented her with a commemorative plaque honoring her achievement. Congratulations to Rebecca for making the winner's circle, a tremendous achievement, indeed! As MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2010, Rebecca will resume her busy schedule of appearances throughout the State, spreading smiles and joy to those in need.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR QUEEN! REBECCA ORSATTI MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2010 WHO PLACED 4TH RUNNER UP IN THE MS SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2010 ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6TH AT HARRAH'S IN ATLANTIC CITY EVERYONE IN THE MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT ORGANIZATION ARE SO PLEASED AND PROUD OF OUR QUEEN, WHO REPRESENTED THE GARDEN STATE WITH BEAUTY AND GRACE, CHARM AND ELEGANCE, AND TALENT BEYOND COMPARE! WE WISH YOU MUCH LOVE AND SUPPORT AS YOU CONTINUE THIS YEAR OF YOUR REIGN AS MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2010. IT HAS BEEN A BUSY YEAR THUS FAR, AND THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK AHEAD FOR OUR LOVELY QUEEN TO DO!

Rebecca Orsatti, MSNJSA 2010, and the QUEEN'S COURT. From right to left are: Betty Pruitt, 4th ru; Patricia Genovese, 1st ru; Queen Rebecca; Marti Noel-Stier, 2nd ru; Leah J. Whelan, 3rd ru. The fabulous ladies of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB surround Queen Rebecca Orsatti, on the boardwalk in Atlantic City's Summer Solstice Parade, on Saturday, June 26. Rebecca Orsatti, was an honored guest at a Republican fundraiser in Linwood. In the photo, Governor Chris Christie, and Freeholder Frank Formica, acknowledge Rebecca for winning the title of MSNJSA 2010. Pageant fever has reached its peak these days, as beauty aficionados eagerly await the MS SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2010, an annual pageant for women 60 and over, which will be held during the week of October 3rd through 6th, at Harrah's in Atlantic City. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Senior America, Inc., and organization officials are planning several events to celebrate the occasion during pageant week. MS NEW JERS...

By now most of you who read our blog, know that I, Josephine Araniti, am the writer. It has been my pleasure to write about the New Jersey Senior America Pageant, its Queens, the Senior America National Pageant, and the "elegant ladies" of the New Jersey Cameo Club. The intent of this blog is to write about these truly inspirational women, as they journey through life after age 60. I have been a member of the New Jersey Cameo Club for 3 years, after I won the title of MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2007. Until now, I haven't written about myself, but I did have a busy summer, and I would like to share some of those times with you. Wall Township held a Memorial Day Celebration on the Town Green, and I sang in the chorus to commemorate the holiday. On Saturday, June 26th, I performed at the Greenbriar II Clubhouse auditorium, where I live, located in Brick. I have performed for my friends and neighbors for the past 6 years. This year's show was entitled, "A SALUTE T...

The Medford Central Record ran a story about our New Jersey Cameo Club sisters, who reside in Leisure Towne, Southampton, a 55 and over adult community, that was published the week of September 9th. Reporter Dubravka Kolumbic wrote a lovely feature article about our sisters, in which she highlighted their personal stories, and captured the essence of SENIOR AMERICA, INC., and the MS SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT organization. Thanks go to Lyn Gibson, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2000, for organizing the "elegant ladies", who were interviewed that day in the clubhouse auditorium. The ladies present were: Lyn Gibson, MSNJSA 2000; Elva Lawrence, MSNJSA 1987; Doris Liberta, MSNJSA 1998; Gloria Segal, Barbara Ross, Leah Whelan, and Marianne Szumski. Names of other past queens were mentioned, who either had moved away, or were deceased. The interview also included, an impromptu concert, and each lady performed her own specialty routine for Ms. Kolumbic. She uploaded the video onto ...

Introducing Mrs. Rebecca Orsatti, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2010, crowned on Thursday, June 3rd, at Harrah's in Atlantic City. Rebecca Orsatti, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2010, and the QUEEN'S COURT. Pictured from right to left are: Betty Pruitt, 4th runner up, Patricia Genovese, 1st runner up, Queen Rebecca Orsatti, Marti Noel-Stier, 2nd runner up, and Leah J. Whelan, 3rd runner up. The search to find that "gracious lady who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans" has ended. On Thursday June 3rd, the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2010 was held at Harrah's in Atlantic City. The Class of 2010 was made up of thirteen elegant ladies, all very impressive, as each contestant dazzled both judges and audience with her unique display of charm, witt, intelligence, and beauty. The crowd kept their own scores, and cheered along for their personal favorites, but in the end, everyone knew that the fate of these women rested ...

June 3rd is quickly approaching and Harrah's in Atlantic City will be buzzing with excitement as plans for the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2010 are well underway. The pagaent will be held in the Concert Venue Theater at 1:00 pm. On Tuesday, May 11th an orientation meeting was held for the CLASS OF 2010, at Leisuretown in Southampton. The contestants were treated to to lunch beforehand, which was hosted by Johanne Santori, MS NJ SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT STATE DIRECTOR, and trustees of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB. The hall was arranged by Lyn Gibson, MSNJSA 2000, NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB member, and resident of Leisuretown. Johanne Santori began the meeting with a warm message of welcome, and then explained the pageant process to the contestants. Dale Maglia, President of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB talked about membership and eligibility requirements to join the club. Delores Puzio, Showcase Director of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB, spoke of how the club spreads smiles and cheer by per...

MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2010 HARRAH'S RESORT & CASINO CONCERT VENUE THEATER THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2010 1:00 P.M. TICKETS: $10.00 (ALL SEATS) CALL: 732-323-9034 OR 609-412-1340

With winter vacation behind them, the "elegant ladies" of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB, did a record number of showcases in March, totaling 7. Two shows in particular, deserve special mention, Saint Francis Residential Community, and Saint Francis Oaks Retirement Community, both located in Denville, New Jersey. The shows were arranged by Bernadette Dudek, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2009. She often visits her dear godmother who resides there and it was her idea to bring the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB there to perform. Denville is a charming city, about 30 minutes north of Newark. Most of the ladies in the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB live in Monmouth and Ocean counties, which is located further south. So, the trip took almost 2 hours, but everyone was happy to go, since it opened up a new territory for the club. Both performances were on the same day, one afternoon, the other early evening. Bernadette's godmother was so thrilled to see and hear Bernadette, and she enjoyed everyone els...

January 2010 turned out to be a busy month of performing for the elegant ladies of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB. As a result, NJCC SHOWCASE DIRECTOR Delores Puzio declared the month of February as a time for everyone to get some well earned rest and relaxation. It turned out her timing couldn't have been better, since this month has made the history books as being the worst winter on record for most of the nation. Meteorologists across the country have reported record snowfalls in 49 of our 50 States. So, even though some of our lovely ladies may be in warmer climates at this time, they may still be experiencing record low temperatures as well. As we all dig out from under, let us not forget that VALENTINE'S DAY is tomorrow. Here's wishing all of our readers a wonderful and special day spent with loved ones. In closing, here is a thought for the day that I found from the internet: HEALTH is the greatest gift, CONTENTMENT is the greatest treasure, CONFIDENCE is the greatest fr...

Last month was an exciting time for MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA STATE PAGEANT DIRECTOR, JOHANNE SANTORI. The following interview in Q & A format is an account of her involvement with this year's MISS AMERICA PAGEANT. Q: When and where was the pageant held? A: At the fabulous Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. The pageant and related activities lasted 12 days. The final pageant was held on Saturday, January 30th, and was televised nationwide on TLC cable channel. Q: What is your title, and could you describe your job? A: I am a hostess. The 53 contestants are divided into groups. My partner and I took care of 9 women. As hostess, I am responsible for the welfare and comfort of the women in my group. I make sure that my girls understand their daily schedule, which include rehearsals, and other activites and events during the 12 days of the pageant. Q: How many years have you been involved with the MISS AMERICA organization? A: 20 years. In 2006, when the organization moved to Las Ve...

The year 2009 held numerous happy times for the "elegant women" who make up MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT. By reading past articles on this blog, one can get an idea of how hard the members worked all year long to make a difference in the lives of the people they reach. The holiday season was no exception. Ladies in the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB travelled to many parts of the State, giving Christmas and Hannukah shows. A special thanks to Rebecca Orsatti, whose repertoire included Hannukah songs. She lead the audience at the Congregation Oher-Shalom in Marlboro, in a fun sing-a-long. Rebecca is a professional singer and has appeared in Atlantic City casinos for many years. She has released a CD album of beautiful romantic ballads for easy listening, which is for sale, by calling her at: 609-344-7802. After spending a relaxing vacation in Disneyworld with her family, Queen Bernadette Dudek returned home to resumed her schedule of appearances. The photo at the top was taken...