MS. SENIOR JEFFERSON COUNTY

The Ms. Senior Jefferson County Pageant was held at Thirgood C.M.E Church. It is sponsored by the Jefferson County Commission and the Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens Services.  This is a fantastic organization that has so many valuable resources for seniors .  As a former caregiver I can't express how much of a blessing this organization was for me. Such a compassionate, caring staff with the love and patience needed when going through perilous times.

The pageant was organized by the Director, Janice L. Williams and her staff. The program began with a welcome from the Executive Director, Barbara Shores.

From there MC, Charles Crockrom, Director of Alumni Affairs had Miles College officiated .

In attendance was Beth Vick a former Ms. Senior Jefferson County. Beth entertained us singing,  I Could Have Danced All Night  as she gracefully whirled about the stage.

Beth Vick.  former Ms. Senior Jefferson County

Contestants must be 60 years of age and above.  The competition included contestants presenting themselves to the audience as the MC read  information regarding their hobbies and interests. During the evening wear segment contestants stepped to the microphone and gave their philosophy of life. Various talents were displayed by the contestants.

Contestants

There were three contestants. From left to right; Demetrius Singletan, Janet Roundtree Hudson, Yvonne Bradberry

Contestant # 1, Yvonne Bradberry exhibited her singing talents with a spiritual song. She was supported  by cheers from her friends at St. John Senior Center which she attends.

Contestant # 2 Janet Rouundtree Hudson marveled with her recitation of a Langston Hughes poem. She is affiliated with Senior Employment Training Program

Contestant #3, Demetrius Singletan demonstrated fancy footwork with her dancing skills. She was cheered on by her friends from Shepherd's Center East

Between phases of the pageant other entertainment included musical solos by Rev. Dollie Pankey and dance group Smart Moves.

There were three judges from various senior organizations around the city.

left to right: Demetrius Singletan, Janet Roundtree Hudson, Yvonne Bradberry

After tabulation of votes:

all were winners.

MS. CONGENIALITY: Yvonne Bradberry (third from left)

FIRST RUNNER UP: Demetrius Singletan (first from left)

MS. SENIOR JEFFERSON COUNTY: Janet Roundtree Hudson (second from left)

Ms. Senior Jefferson County will go on to compete in the  Ms. Senior Alabama competition. After the event punch and cake was served.  Such a pleasant event with positive attitudes from contestants and audience members.

THAT'S IT ***

Senior Volunteer Luncheon

I participated in relief efforts after last April's devastating tornado. For a short time I also volunteered at another site. This was my first luncheon. Read the captions for a short post of the events.

 


 

The band Act IV performed. the band consisted of a vocalist and three musicians.
The music was great with the vocalist singing tunes by Jill Scott, Anita Baker and other popular artists.




  

Sauteed chicken breast w/capers, sugar snap peas, red peppers, lemon pasta, rolls. Dessert was pound cake topped with fresh berries. Coffee, tea and water were the available beverages

The ladies below allowed me to take photos of them in their beautiful hats.

 

My computer continues to be possessed by the TIME-TO-GET-A-NEW-ONE virus. I am unable to group the photos the way I want. Blogger can sometimes be difficult also.

I enjoyed myself and meeting new people. I even saw a few people I knew. So far this senior citizen thing isn't so bad. There are perks.

Coming Soon**** Ms. Senior Jefferson County Pageant

EMBELLISHMENTS

 Embellishments performed a handbell concert at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

 

Andromeda was accompanied by a Power Point Presentation of nebulas, galaxies, and other space scenes taken with the Hubble telescope.

We were told by the Directress, Phyllis Kirk that the composer of Le Carnaval Des Animaux, Camille Saint-Saens, would only allow The Swan to be played in public during his lifetime. He stated that other pieces of the collection were only to be played upon his death. Other songs in the collection include The Kangaroo which was done haltingly symbolizing the hopping and stopping of a kangaroo. Elephant was another part of the suite. Persons with Long Ears brought to mind a rabbit or hare but we were informed it was a donkey. A very small violin about twelve inches was used to represent the sound of the donkey. Imagine someone unable to play the violin stretching the bow slowly across the strings which gives a braying sound, The Turtle was also one of the animals. The sound of The Cuckoo in the Middle of the Woods was done with a recorder. It was amusing in that the musician played the same two notes over and over until the end of the piece

To hear the Duke’s music played with handbels was a treat in itself.  Don’t Get Around Much Anymore was lively and put a fresh spin on Duke Ellington’s well known composition.

Pavane is best known as a more modern tune, Stranger in Paradise.

Polovetsian Dance No. 1 was a slow version of the can can. As an encore the version was done more upbeat with a humorous surprise for the audience.

Amazing Grace was played on bagpipes by Trent Bradford  as the handbell ensemble accompanied him. Adorned in  authentic Scottish apparel the bagpiper added realism to his performance.

  As an encore the company did a “remix” of Polovetsian Dance No. 1 with an  upbeat can can tempo. Along with this two of the handbell members had donned black stockings on their arms which served as legs underneath a wide skirt, lifted and swung side to side in can can dance fashion. Peals of laughter erupted from the audience .



THAT'S IT ***