The Age of Elegance

The major holidays are over, with the exception of New Year that is fast approaching.  It seems fitting at this time to review some highlights from the year 2018, and to give honor to those fabulous ladies of the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT and the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB. The MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2018 was held last June at Harrah's, and Suzie Neustadter was crowned this year's QUEEN.  Since then, she and her Court have been traveling throughout the Garden State, appearing at age related venues, promoting the positive aspects of ageing. It was a year long search for that "gracious lady, who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all Senior Americans."  Thanks to the efforts of Terry Meade, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA STATE PAGEANT DIRECTOR, and the encouragemsnt and support she received from Johanne Santori, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT ADMINISTRATOR, who made this year's Pageant an outstanding success. ...

Music lovers were treated to an evening of wine, women and song Sunday afternoon, when 18 fabulous women from the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB performed at the Laurita Winery in New Egypt.  Although it is open year round, autumn is the winery's high season, and people come from all directions to enjoy the fun activities and entertainment Laurita provides.  Theirs is an informal dinner theater format, which allows patrons to buy food, and drink, and bring them to the table, while watching the show. The GRAND DAMES CHORUS opened the show with the medley, "With Love, From Motown".  Their sensual and lively rendition was just the thing to stir up the audience, who, in turn, waited in anticipation for more great performances to come.  And they did.  There were songs from every genre, comedy and dance, and each lady performed to peak perfection! One act, in particular made a perfect way to end the first act.  Gymnast Debra Canale, invited the audience to get up...

The 38th MS SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT is now history, and a new National QUEEN has been crowned.  State QUEENS came from near and far to Resorts in Atlantic City last week, to participate in the annual week long Pageant which celebrates life after 60.  The Show began with entertainer Lou Parisi, who sang an original song he wrote, "The Little Girl Inside" , to the CLASS OF 2018, and ended with the crowning of this year's new QUEEN.  From left to right are: Alicia Windsong Diamond/VA-4th RU; Theresa Rothschild Hall/TN-2nd RU; Gayle Novak/CO-MSSA2018; Suzie Neustadter/NJ-1st RU; and Catherine Whitaker/UT-3rd RU.  Besides the QUEEN, the 1st Runner Up is a highly sought after position, and a discerning panel of judges found Suzie Neustadter, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2018 worthy.  If, for any reason, the QUEEN is unables to carry out her duties during the year of her reign, the crown and title goes to the 1st Runner Up.   Pageant we...

File photos With the MS SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2018 rapidly approaching, State QUEENS from across the "fruited plain" will be descending upon Resorts Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City.  The week long annual event begins Sunday, October 14th, and ends on Friday, October 19th. The 2 Preliminary Pageants are Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Final Pageant is on Thursday.  All Pageants are held in the Superstar Theater at 1:00 PM. Tensions run high during Pageant Week, as each QUEEN is hopeful of winning this year's National Title and Crown.  Suzie Neustadter, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2018 will represent the Garden State.  Since winning the State Pageant last June, QUEEN Suzie has traveled throughout the State performing in NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB SHOWCASES, in parades, as guest at non-profit events, and on radio and TV. Suzie recieved many awards and Proclamations of Achievement from legislators at every level of government.  As a resident of Margate,...

 professional photo, courtesy Carolyn Slade Harden Never for this QUEEN!  The year of her reign may be ending for Carolyn Slade Harden, MS SENIOR AMERICA 2017, but by no means is she going away.  Her national title will continue to be cherished and honored by the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT organization, and her "sisters" of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB. Since its beginning in the 1980's the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT has produced 3 National QUEENS; Laverne Stokes/MSSA'85, deceased, Jan Dickenson/MSSA'86, deceased, and Dr. Sandra Greco, M.D./MSSA'03.  Then, after many years, Carolyn Slade Harden/MSSA'17 made the 4th win for the Garden State. QUEEN Carolyn had a very busy year, which included appearances on radio and television throughout the State and across the country.  Thanks to a generous award from the National Senior Alumnae Association (NSAA), she made guest appearances at many MS SENIOR AMERICA STATE Pageants. ...

The long, hot summer did not deter the glamorous ladies of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB, as they came forward to complete their "expected rounds".  Denise Mechan, SHOWCASE COORDINATOR, scheduled showcases Statewide, while Johanne Santori/MSNJSA2006 and PAGEANT ADMINISTRATOR, planned the annual Showcase at Kennedy Plaza on the boardwalk at Atlantic City.  All photos, courtesy Mark Meade & Tom Mechan Mattison Crossing in Freehold had a theater, and the ladies gave a Las Vegas style Showcase for the residents to enjoy. Crestwood Manor in Whiting is also a favorite place to entertain, and there was also an auditorium.  This time, the ladies used the stage as well as the floor to perform.  Former NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB member Gloria Segal, (sitting in the wheelchair), was invited to sing a solo.  There was also a sing-a-long for the audience to participate. The Showcase at Arcadia Nursing & Rehab in Hamilton was held in the sunny atriu...