By JANET McGREGOR

Contributing Writer

Twelve lovely ladies vied for the title of Ms. Southland Nursing Home and chance to go on to the Georgia State Nursing Home Beauty Pageant recently.

"Next to Christmas, this is our best event, the one the employees enjoy the most. There is more hands-on with residents from the make-up and hair to taking contestants for a special luncheon," said Lyn Williams, activity assistant.

This is an entirely volunteer effort by the Southland staff. According to Williams, there were more in-staff volunteers than in any of the past eight pageants. The enthusiasm and concern of the staff were clearly evident in their handling of the event from the treatment of the contestants to the decorations and refreshments served.

The annual pageant was held outdoors this year and was well attended as always. Contestant family members, their guests and members of the public rounded out the crowd.

Numerous volunteers from the public helped the Southland staff make the event a first class affair. The contestants were escorted to the judging floor by members of the Marine Aviation Logistic Squadron 42. The Marine escorts were in full dress uniform. Ms. Connie Ferguson from Fayette Community Hospital provided music and State Court Solicitor Steve Harris emceed the ceremony.

Each contestant, dressed "to the nine's," promenaded to a beautifully decorated "arbor look" judging platform. Harris gave a brief description of their life and interests and asked them a variety of questions. The twelve contestants were judged on their personality and physical appearance in relation to age, ability to communicate, participation in home activities and their attitude toward life.

The contestants' ages ranged from 75 years old to 102. They answered questions such as, "what is the most remarkable thing you ever did," "what is your favorite activity" and "why and what do you feel is your most remarkable accomplishment in life?" Family ranked high among the contestants as the accomplishment or thing they were most proud of. Franklin D. Roosevelt received a few votes as the famous person most admired.

The entrants all displayed a positive attitude toward life, reciting incidents and eliciting some chuckles from the audience. Family member's cameras were clicking throughout the event and all of the contestants received a round of applause.

Ms. Virginia Arnold, 82, was the winner of the Southland title. A scrapbook of the event has been put together and forwarded to the State for consideration to be entered in the Georgia State Nursing Home Pageant. Nusing Homes throughout the state have contests similar to the one at Southland. All winners are entered for the state contest, however only a few are selected.

The first runner up, Ms. Mary Ann Walters, recited one of the many poems she has composed in her life-time. She began writing poetry at age 11. Her poem, Puppy Love, received a rousing ovation from the audience and left them "wanting to hear more."

Second runner-up was Nettie Knight, who recently turned 102; third runner-up was Hazel Buchanan, 86; and fourth runner up was Emma Harralson, 89. Other contestants were Annie Beauford, 83, Katheryn Pittman, 81, Yevette Pizar, 81, Rhea Benninghoff, 88, Louise Owensby, 80, Lecy Blue, 88 and Annie Harris, 92.

The judges all concurred that choosing the winner was a difficult choice.

"This is the second time I've judged the pageant and it was just as hard this time as the last. There are so many lovely ladies and all of them have a great attitude about life in general," said judge Greg Dunn, Fayette County Commissioner.

Judges for the pageant were Senator Rick Price, Commission Vice-Chair Greg Dunn, Dr. Tom Williams, retired Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Mr. Andy Carden, Executive Director of Fayette Senior Services; Mrs. Debbie Lenox, "First Lady" of Peachtree City; Janet McGregor, owner of JMac Marketing and The Citizen's Prime Timers writer; and Mary Lou Marshall, Social Worker for Fayette Community Hospital.

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