The Age of Elegance

BERNADETTE DUDEK MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2009 Our reigning queen, Bernadette Dudek, is excited and is busily preparing for the upcoming MS SENIOR AMERICA NATIONAL PAGEANT 2009. Candidates from all over the United States and US territories will travel to Atlantic City, to compete for the coveted title of MS SENIOR AMERICA 2009. Queen Bernadette will represent the Garden State. The event will take place at Harrah's Hotel and Resort, during the week of October 4th through 8th. The Preliminary show, is Tuesday, October 6th, and the Final Pageant is Wednesday, October 7th. Both shows will be held in the Concert Venue Theater and will start at 1:00 pm sharp. Tickets can be purchased at the box office which opens daily during pageant week at 9:00 am. There are several stories about Queen Bernadette in this blog. Please click the months of June and July to read about her achievements. Also, her biography and photo are in Senior America's national website, http://www.senioramerica...

At Absecon Manor, Delores Puzio finds a willing dance partner. NJ State Pageant Director, Johanne Santori, entertains with a lovely song, at Absecon Manor The summer of 2009 was set ablaze by the stellar performances from the elegant ladies of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB. For the first time, Our Ambassadors of Love charmed audiences in the southern part of the State, in the cities of Ocean City, Absecon, Atlantic City, and Northfield. One evening in particular was a NJCC Showcase, on June 17th, at Greenbriar North in Marlboro for the Deborah Club Banquet and Ball. After the show, the ladies were invited to a lavish dinner. Many people from the audience stopped by their table to congratulate them on their fine performances. Then, on Sunday July 19th, the ladies performed on the boardwalk at the Kennedy Mall in Atlantic City. The weather was absolutely perfect, and many people packed the outdoor theater for the 4:00 pm show. This show is a special one for NJCC, because the show lasts two ...

Manchester Town Council President Craig Wallis read the Proclamation of Achievement, and Vice-President Councilman Fred Trutkoff presented the plaque to Queen Bernadette Dudek. An entourage of queens! Pictured from left to right are: Norma McGhie, 1995; MSNJSA State Pageant Director, Johanne Santori, 2006; Queen Bernadette Dudek, MSNJSA 2009; Jo Ann Gordon, 2008; and Josephine Araniti, 2007. The courtroom at Manchester Town Hall was alive with excitement, on Monday, July 13th, as family, friends, NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB ladies, and citizens of Manchester came to honor Queen Bernadette Dudek. A resident of Manchester who resides in La Renaissance Adult Community, Bernadette was awarded a PROCLAMATION OF ACHIEVEMENT by Mayor Michael Fressoli and the Manchester Town Council, for having won the title of MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2009. Bernadette was among 12 very talented and elegant ladies, age 60 and over, who came from all around the State of New Jersey, and graced the stage of the C...

Here are some photos taken by Debby Berger, which were in the PHOTO GALLERY , an online news publication, by THE TIMES, OF TRENTON, on Friday, June 5th. Many thanks to Debby for her coverage. Pianist Elva Lawrence, MSNJSA 1987, played a medley of popular songs that had the audience singing along. Operatic soprano, Josephine Araniti, MSNJSA 2007, sang "Signore, Ascolta", from Puccini's opera, TURANDOT. Emcee Helen Halpin McCarney, MSSA 2005, did several comedy routines. Here she is, imitating the legendary, comedian, Jimmy Durante. The following are the Talent Presentations from the Class of 2009, (not necessarily in this order): Not pictured is Eileen T. Renders, nutritionist, Egg Harbor Township. "A Presentation of Health Issues". Barby Jo Crema, singer, Oceanville. "The Best From This Moment On". Judith Webster, singer, Mahwah. "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair". Barbara Ross, tap dancer, Southampton. "42nd Street"...

Last year, Harrah's Resort and Casino became the new home of the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT. This year, the 2009 pageant was held on Thursday, June 4th. Elegant ladies 60 years old and over, came from different parts of the Garden State, and graced the stage of the Concert Venue Theater. The pageant began with a patriotic salute led by the Atlantic City High School Junior ROTC, and a stirring rendition of "God Bless America", was sung by New Jersey State Pageant Director, Johanne Santori. Helen Halpin McCarney served as Mistress of Ceremonies, and was assisted by Johanne Santori. A comedienne and fabulous entertainer, Helen's comedy routines, songs and impersonations brought the house down with laughter. At 93 years young, pianist Elva Lawrence, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 1987, delighted the audience with a surprise medley of songs, and had everyone clapping and singing along. Choreographer Melanie Brough staged a clever number for the contestants to the s...

Thirteen elegant ladies from the Class of 2009 had the opportunity to meet each at a luncheon that was sponsored by the New Jersey Senior America Cameo Club. The event was held at The Regency at Dover in Toms River, on Monday, May 18th. The luncheon was organized by President Delores Puzio, and committee, which included Lyn Gibson, vice-president, Cathy Clark, secretary, and Doris Criscione, treasurer. Also in attendance, was New Jersey State Pageant Director, Johanne Santori. This reporter spoke to several ladies afterward, by phone and asked them to comment on the luncheon and the upcoming pageant. Johanne Santori: All the ladies this year possess brains, poise, talent and beauty. Their preliminary interviews were so impressive ... each lady has a different, yet impressive resume. I expect great things from them all! Delores Puzio: I was very impressed at the friendliness of all the ladies at the luncheon. They talked to each other very easily, and were supportive of one another. The...

"Curtain up! Light the lights! They've got nothing to hit but the heights!" The paraphrased words of this popular song from the musical "Gypsy" describe the atmosphere at Harrah's in Atlantic City these days. The air is filled with excitement in anticipation of the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2009. On Thursday, June 4th, thirteen beautiful ladies who have reached the " age of elegance" , or 60 years and over, will grace the stage of the Concert Venue Theater, to compete for the coveted title of MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2009. This year's class started out with 15 women, but 2 dropped out for personal reasons. The thirteen gracious ladies who remain, have been busy sharpening their skills to impress the judges. They will be judged in 4 catagories: Evening Gown, Philosophy of Life, Personal Interview, and Talent. The time has come to reveal the list of the Class of 2009 to all our members, sponsors, patrons and faithful readers to our...