THE NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB: THEY'RE BACK ... OR ARE THEY?

 

Denise Mechan, NJCC Showcase Co-ordinator and MSNJSA, INC., Corresponding Secretary, announced at the July meeting, that Cameo Showcases were to resume. When she passed out the schedule of venues for the rest of 2021, everyone was thrilled and excited about getting back to performing again.

 

Photo, courtesy Tom Mechan

The CLUB got off to a great start, as can be seen in the above photo.  It was a powerful lineup of eager performers at Crestwood Village on July 19th, and the ladies were at the top of their game.

Then, when August came, all of the Showcases had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 flareups at the venues they were scheduled for.  For the most part, they were notified ahead of time about the cancellations.  But, on one scarry occasion, they were already in-house and about to begin the show, when the activities director rushed into the auditorium and said one covid case had just been reported.  As a result, she told them to leave the premises immediately.  They left, each lady praying to herself, not to have been exposed to this dreaded disease.  Thankfully, as of this date, the ladies are okay.

 

Luckily, the Showcase at All Saints Episcopal Church in Lakewood, on Saturday, August 28th was not cancelled. The ladies entertained for the church's annual fund raiser and high tea social.  All Saints Church, a lovely white wooden building, dates back to the founding of the town of Lakewood, well over a hundred years ago. 

Father Juan enjoyed the show, and was delighted to pose with QUEEN Dorothy afterwards.

 

Dorothy Johnson, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2021, was the featured performer that afternoon.  An accomplished comedienne, she had the audience constantly laughing at her clever jokes.

 

The ladies began the Showcase with their signature number, "With Love, From Motown". and there was a "Summertime Sing-a-long" for everyone to join in.  Kudos to Joan Kaplan who recommended the CLUB to her church.  This was the third invitation.

 

And yet, another obstacle has come into play, and this time it is the weather!  Hurricane Ida has prevented the CLUB from giving their annual performance on the boardwalk at Kennedy Plaza, which had been scheduled for Wednseday, September 1st.  Hopefully, Johanne Santori/MSNJSA'06, and Chairman, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA, INC., will be able to reschedule another date before the weather changes.

 

 photo, courtesy QUEEN Dorothy

Meanwhile, QUEEN Dorothy maintains her own schedule of appearances around the State, promoting the positive aspects on aging.  A resident of Mt. Laurel, she was invited to Town Hall earlier this month, and was awarded a Proclamation of Achievement by the Mayor and Town Council. 
 

Although the present outlook may seem gloomy, the talented ladies of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB continue to remain optimistic.   Hopefully, no more Showcases will be cancelled. 

 

FYI.  SENIOR AMERICA, INC., held their 2021 PAGEANT, on Sunday, August 22nd at 5:00 PM.  Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was held virtually.  Here are the results:

QUEEN,  Laura Morgan,      NC

1st  RU,   Sherri McGhie,     DE

2nd RU,   Laura Lorenzo,     NY

3rd  RU,   Vanella Jackson,   DC

4rh  RU,   Janis Thomas,      W.VA