THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 3, 1996 TAG: 9605020157
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 30 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Prime Time
SOURCE: Pam Starr
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
Polish-born Anna Cummings sat with her back ramrod straight, hands resting palms down on her thighs, and waited patiently for the judges' decision.
And waited. And waited.
This was the third annual Ms. Sentara Maturity pageant and competition was keen. The other five contestants looked just as good as Cummings but didn't seem to have her sparkle, that extra something, that judges look for - even in a pageant for nursing home residents.
Sure, there were no implanted breasts, big hair or Vaseline greased teeth in this contest. And contestants didn't have to parade around in swimsuits in front of millions of television viewers, but they took the pageant, held at the Sentara Nursing Center in Virginia Beach, seriously.
So did the administrators. The dining hall, decorated with streamers and balloons and a long red carpet, overflowed with enthusiastic staffers and residents. World-renowned pianist George Riabikoff, great grand-nephew of Tchaikovsky, entertained the audience with classical music. Green Run High's ROTC and the Navy sent some of their finest to escort the women for each portion of the pageant.
Steve Minter, the boyish-faced administrator of the host center, served as master of ceremonies. The real stars, however, were the white-haired contestants.
Tiny Helen Poteet represented Portsmouth and sang for the talent portion. Hampton sent tall and elegant Jean Shattuck, who modeled a mink stole from Silverman Furs. Marie Hudson from Virginia Beach, who uses a wheelchair, read an amusing essay about getting older. Ms. Currituck, Edna Thompson, an expert seamstress, talked about sewing wedding gowns. Mary Lou Krummack, representing Chesapeake, gave a short reading.
But it was 75-year-old Anna Cummings of Norfolk who literally stole the show. The beaming and rotund woman, her hair pulled tightly back into a bun, sweetly sang a Polish tune. Before the applause died down, Cummings launched into a toe-tapping Russian folk song and got the audience to clap along.
Then, to everyone's amazement, Cummings ended with a hearty rendition of ``The Star Spangled Banner.'' She even hit those pesky high notes of ``and the rocket's red glare'' without a squeak.
``Whoa, she knows how to work this crowd,'' said an admiring spectator.
After answering questions in formal wear, the contestants sat in high-backed chairs to await the verdict of the four judges.
Finally, Minter had the results. The second runner-up was Ms. Virginia Beach, Marie Hudson. The first runner-up was Helen Poteet, Ms. Portsmouth.
And it came as no surprise when Anna Cummings was announced the winner of the 1996 Ms. Sentara Maturity pageant. Not even to her, it appeared. She leaped from her chair, accepted the dozen red roses, ran over to the throne and sat like a proud lioness.
``I'm very happy to be here and see everyone,'' she said in her Polish accent, clutching a scepter. ``I want to thank everyone.''
Although the general consensus was that Cummings would win, the judges said that she did not run away with the contest. Heidi Ketler, creative director of NewSource Communication, said that she had no idea who won when she turned in her scores.
``They were all so lovely,'' Ketler said. ``They've shown that old age is a lot of fun. But Anna put in that extra effort.''
Lionel Herd, a doctor with Sentara Life Care Corporation, also judged the pageant and agreed with Ketler.
``That energy level - to think that she's 75,'' said Herd. ``But it was hard to choose. I don't think there are any losers in a contest like this.''
Next year the men may even have a chance to get involved. Deborah Freeman, activity director for the host center, said that they're going to start a Mr. Maturity pageant.
``This is a great activity for residents - it builds morale and self-esteem,'' said Freeman. ``Too often you think of beauty in youth. It's nice to show that seniors are beautiful, too.''
NURSING HOME AND RETIREMENT home food has the same bad reputation as airline chow and college cafeteria grub. Not too appetizing, most of us would think.
Chefs and cooks who work in those places may disagree, but never get the chance to prove us wrong.
Until now.
On May 16 at 7 p.m., Marian Manor Retirement Community is hosting the second Golden Fork Award. It's a cook-off for all the chefs from long-term care facilities in Hampton Roads to show off their culinary skills. Laurmel Buergey of Marian Manor said that chefs will make all sorts of goodies. The food is judged on appearance and taste.
``Last year our chef, Andrew Seltzer, did a complete meal - it was a salmon dish,'' said Buergey. ``And we won! The purpose of this award is to show that nursing home food can be of gourmet quality, too. It's not just pap.''
Marian Manor is hosting this year's event because it won last year, when the contest was held at Manning Convalescent Home. Buergey doesn't know how many facilities are going to compete, but said that 160 invitations were mailed out to long term care facilities across Hampton Roads.
The event is open to the public. Call Marian Manor at 456-5018 for more information. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Ms. Virginia Beach, Marie Hudson, 75, waits in the hall before the
talent portion of the Ms. Maturity pageant at Sentara Nursing
Center. Hudson read an amusing essay about getting older and
finished as the second runner-up.
Left to right: Jean Shattuck, 87, Ms. Hampton; Anna Cummings, 75,
Ms. Norfolk; and Mary Lou Krummack, Ms. Chesapeake - and their
escorts from Green Run High's ROTC - await the judges' decision.
Cummings stole the show with her singing and won the competition.
by CNB