March 23, 2015 – The Southeast Georgia Health System Senior Care
Center-Brunswick crowned resident Rosemary Greer as
winner
of its inaugural nursing home resident pageant on Feb. 10, 2015. The local
pageant, which included 11 ladies vying for the title of Ms. Senior Care
Center-Brunswick, was the first stage of a competition that leads to a
statewide pageant conducted by the Georgia Health Care Association.
To compete for the title, the contestants were interviewed in front of
a panel of judges and answered a series of questions that included their
most beautiful sight, most memorable event, most embarrassing moment,
and favorite activity. Extra points were awarded for sharing a hobby or
talent. The judges evaluated each contestant on personality and physical
appearance in relation to their age, alertness
and
attitude toward life, participation in nursing home activities, and continuing
contribution to others.
The winner, Ms. Greer, used to be an interior designer and spoke about
the importance and effect of color. A former resident of New York, NY,
she is 83 years young and has lived at the Senior Care Center since October
2014. Ms. Greer now has the opportunity to travel to Stone Mountain, Ga.,
to participate in the Ms. Georgia Health Care Association pageant in April.
The first runner-up, Dorothy Walters, enjoys puzzles and sewing dresses
for children. She showed the judges a photo of a dress she had made and
a puzzle she completed while residing at the Senior Care Center. A Brunswick
resident, she is 90 years
young,
and has lived at the Senior Care Center since June 2011.
Another contestant, Marjorie Carter, enjoys arranging flowers and showed
the judges a floral basket she had arranged, one of several that served
as centerpieces during the pageant. A former resident of Hartwell, Ga.,
she is 95 years young and has lived at the Senior Care Center since April 2014.
A former resident of Homerville and Alma, Ga., contestant Zandra Miles
played the piano during the pageant. President of the Resident Council
at the Senior Care Center, Ms. Miles is 73 years young and has lived at
the Senior Care Center since December 2011.
Contestant Ethel Ward recited the preamble to the Constitution from memory,
something she learned when she was in the seventh grade. A former resident
of Darien, Ga., she is 81 years young and has lived at the Senior Care
Center since December 2011.
Additional contestants were:
- Ramona Amerson, formerly of Columbus, Ga., 85 years young, a resident since
April 2011
- Martha Baggett, formerly of McDonough, Ga., 82 years young, a resident
since February 2014
- Melba Clark, of Brunswick, 67 years young, a resident since June 2014
- Louise Lee, formerly of Thomson, Ga., 78 years young, a resident since
December 2013
- Wilma Ware, of Brunswick, 75 years young, a resident since February 2013
- Mary Wise, formerly of St. Marys, 78 years young, a resident since June 2013
Bryan Thompson, former mayor of Brunswick and Nunnally House coordinator
for Southeast Georgia Health System Foundation served as emcee of the
pageant. The panel of judges included Kelly Daniel, Meredith Deal, Felicia
Harris, Bobby Haven
and
Dorothy Ligon.
Many of the judges remarked at how impressed they were with the ladies.
One judge said, “It was so hard to be a judge because all of the
contestants looked beautiful and did such a wonderful job. I wanted them
all to win.” Another said, “It was truly inspiring to see
each of them so vibrant and full of life.”
Four Health System team members accompanied the ladies down the red carpet
during the pageant: Kerry Green, team leader, Facilities; Jeff Stewart,
Facilities; Paul Ransom, Guest Services representative; and Joe Thomas,
financial counselor. Also serving as an escort was James Chaney, the younger
brother of contestant Ramona Amerson.
Special thanks also go to the following businesses and individuals for
their contributions to the pageant: Faye Carter, Boni Chaney, Coastal
Pines Technical College Cosmetology Department, Cunningham Jewelers, Susan
Floyd, Heartland Hospice, Myra Korb, Morrison’s, Deborah Ray, RentAll
of Glynn, The Flower Basket, Winn Dixie and the Brunswick Campus Auxiliary.