The Age of Elegance

Another year has come to a close, and the fabulous ladies who make up the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT organization, and the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB, can rest in the knowledge that their continued efforts to promote the positive aspects on aging have been successful.  This year's Pageant at Harrah's was very a glamorous event, and one that the 11 contestants will remember for years to come.  Several contestants have joined the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB, and along with our reigning QUEEN, Diane DeLuca, have been performing in Showcases around the State.  Diane DeLuca, MSNJSA2016, is joined by the ladies from the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB  last August, as they participated in the Armed Forces Parade in Atlantic City.  QUEEN Diane entertained a crowd at Kennedy Plaza last July in another NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB Showcase. It was another great Showcase, as the ladies appeared together for the finale. Showcases at the Regency Adult Day Care Center in To...

Last Thursday, 18 ladies from the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB gave a stellar show in Atlantic City, at Kennedy Plaza, an outdoor theater,  located on the boardwalk, opposite the legendary Boardwalk Hall, at 5:00 PM.   The show included a variety of performances from grand opera, to Broadway, country, dance and female impersonations. Before the show is the all-important photo-op.  This year, this group portrait and several other photos which appear in this article, is compliments of photographer Lou Tate. Johanne Santori/MSNJSA2006, Administrator/State Pageant Director, was Mistress of Ceremonies.  During the show, she spoke about the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2017, and the search for contestants, and encouraged ladies in the audience to come forward after the show to sign up. As is the tradition, the reigning QUEEN always begins and ends NJCC Showcases.  Lovely Diane De Luca, MSNJSA2016, sang 2 familiar songs that the audience enjoyed. Nanc...

The annual Atlantic City Armed Forces Parade was set aglow last night with another great performance by the fabulous ladies of the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT organization.  The recent heat wave saw unprecedented crowds of locals and vacationers who flocked to New Jersey's popular resort city.   It seems that despite the heat, people lined the boardwalk for miles to honor, watch and enjoy the parade. QUEEN Diane De Luca, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2016, sat casually onboard the float before the parade.  But when the parade began, she sprung into action, singing, smiling, waving and throwing kisses to the enthusiastic crowd. In the top tier, QUEEN Diane was flanked on each side by Johanne Santori/MSNJSA2006, ADMINISTRATOR & STATE PAGEANT DIRECTOR and most recent QUEEN, Rebecca Orsatti/MSNJSA2010. Each year the ladies take their traditional photos before the parade.  They all wore the traditional patriotic colors of red, white and blue t...

The July 13th meeting of the fabulous ladies of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB was lively, energetic and filled with ideas for the club's future growth.  It was a time to strengthen the bond with members who came from different parts of the Garden State, and to welcome the new QUEEN and the Class of 2016 into the "Sisterhood".  The attendance was very good, despite the extremely hot and and humid weather.  Many ladies donated to the "food/goodies drive for our veterans", held by Diane De Salvo-Beebe/MSNJSA2014. The gown/shoe swap was also a success.  Diane Beebe, modeled a stylish shrug that she designed to wear with a gown.  It comes in white only, and is just enough coverage to keep the shoulders warm in air conditioned theaters and ballrooms.  She is willing to make them for a cost of $15.00 to $20.00.  The usual committee reports were given, with all indications point to the membership is cooperating with Director Santori to maintain the vitality and c...

The year long search for that "gracious lady who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans" is over, with one lady, Diane De Luca, who had it all.      Diane De Luca, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2016, took her first QUEEN'S WALK across  the stage of Harrahs Concert Venue Theater, Wednesday afternoon, at the conclusion of the Organization's time honored PAGEANT. QUEEN Diane joins the ladies who make up the QUEEN'S COURT 2016.  From left to right are: Wenona Brooks/Pennington, 4th Runner Up; Jeri Georger/Toms River. 2nd RU; QUEEN Diane/Linwood; Renee Tompkins/Wall Twp, 1st RU; and Hermine Bartee/Newark, 3rd RU. The QUEEN and her Court will be performing exclusively in NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB SHOWCASES, throughout the Garden State, in many age related venues. QUEEN Diane is a singer, and for her Talent Presentation, she sang "The Glory of Love" .  She posseses a warm mezzo voice, and her rendition of...

Sherri McGhie, captured the hearts of a discerning panel of judges and an admiring audience last year when she won the covetous title of MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2015.  The following October, she won fourth place in the National Pageant. It is hard to imagine why anyone could not wait to turn 60 years old, but that was Sherri McGhie's dream.  Her story began 20 years ago, when her Mom Norma, entered the MS NEW JERSEY AMERICA PAGEANT in 1995 and won.  Sherri was proud of her mother's success, and hoped that one day she could achieve the same. The first Mother/Daughter dynasty for the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT organization.  QUEEN Sherri unselfishly shared the spotlight all year long with her Mom Norma. In the years that followed, Sherri saw the fun and camaraderie that Norma shared with her "sisters" of the New Jersey Cameo Club.  Her skill in taking pictures, became helpful to the State Pageant organization and its service wing, the New...

The lovely ladies who make up the CLASS OF 2016 come from various parts of the Garden State. Seated from left to right are: Judy Panos/Lebanon; Hermine Bartee/Newark; Jeri Georger/Toms River; Winonah Brooks/Hopewell.  Standing are: Diane DeLuca/Mantua; Nancy Bassett/Lakewood; Renee Tompkins/Wall; Debra Britt Lady Dee/Pleasantville; Susan Martone/Toms River; and Irene Rose/Pennington (not in photo). The MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2016, is only weeks away, the exact day of which is: Wednseday, June 1st, Harrahs Resort Hotel & Casino, in the Concert Venue Theater at 1:00 PM. A "Meet The Contestants Luncheon" was held on Wednesday, April 27th, at the American Legion Post #166 in Lakewood, for 10 lovely women, aged 60 and over.  The event was co-sponsored by the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB and Johanne Santori, Administrator and State Pageant Director. Director Santori conducted the meeting, and introduced Sherri McGhie, MSNJSA 2015.  QUEEN Sherri shared some o...