SENSE OF NORMALCY RETURNS TO MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA, INC.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc with many non-profit groups since early 2020, which has resulted in shut downs or long hiatuses.  Fortunately, for MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA, INC., it has only been the latter.  Operations have slowed down a bit, especially for its service wing, the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB, but it too, has reestablished a sense of normalcy which began in the Spring of 2021.

                                                                                Photo, courtesy Sherri McGhie

To begin, the CLUB assisted Terry Meade, Director of Pageants, by holding a "Meet & Greet Luncheon" for the  contestants in May at the Manahawkin Elks Lodge.  Standing behind the contestants are the members of the board of MSNJSA, INC.

Terry Meade produced a wonderful and glamorous MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2021 on June 3rd.

The venue was moved up north to Ocean County, and was held in the Clarion Hotel in Toms River.  There were 8 contestants, and Dorothy Johnson, from Mount Laurel was crowned QUEEN for 2021.

Diane DeLuca/MSNJSA'16 continues her bi-monthly "Happy Hour" Zoom meetings with CLUB members, on Monday evenings at 7:00 PM. It's a fun activity for members to relax, share their life stories, comment on currents events, and entertain each other with a song or a poem.

The NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB held their quarterly meeting  and luncheon on Tuesday, July 13th at the Manahawkin Elks Lodge. One item of particular significance on the day's agenda was to honor QUEEN Dorothy.

The BOARD and CLUB presented QUEEN Dorothy with gifts that included money, presents and a delicious cake for all to enjoy. 

                                                                                         Photo, courtesy, Tom Mechan

Members were delighted to hear of a NJCC Showcase that was booked for Crestwood Village, in Whiting on July 19th.  It was a large lineup of eager performers that day.  Delores Puzio, a treasured CLUB member was in the audience, and was included in the photo op after the performance.  She is standing next to QUEEN Dorothy, wearing her Queen's banner for Delaware.  

While reading this article, you may have noticed that no masks were worn in any of the photos.  Thats because the easing and lifting of restrictions by Governor Murphy made this possible.  

The best news of all came earlier this month, when Denise Mechan, NJCC Showcase Co-ordinator, emailed the schedule of Showcases for the rest of 2021, which starts in August and goes to the end of the year!  

Lastly, our parent organization, SENIOR AMERICA, INC., held its Pageant 2021, on July 26th.  It was called "Meet & Greet", a two hour event which was held virtually. QUEEN Dorothy looked beautiful and her comedy routine was hilarious in the Talent Presentation.  Hopefully, she will make the finals next month, which will be again seen virtually.  Please look for an email with the link to watch.