Published: September 11, 2007 08:53 am      

A Moody winner

By David May
editor@mineralwellsindex.com

Pat Moody was in a mood to celebrate Saturday evening after she was crowned the second ever Ms. Solaris Senior Palo Pinto County.

Moody, who competed with nine other senior ladies, entered the pageant as Ms. Elliott and Waldron Abstract Company and was escorted by her special friend, D.J. Kinson.

“I’m flabbergasted,” Moody said after receiving her crown. The pageant, attended by several hundred people in support of the 10 contestants, was staged at the Mineral Wells High School auditorium.

During the interview portion of the competition, Moody recited a poem:

“When I promised I’d do this pageant,

“I promised I’d do my best.

“And I figure if I win,

“I’ll have a cardiac arrest.”

She said afterward she thought she might “be having that cardiac arrest.”

“I am really excited,” Moody said. “They talked me into it. I said if it was to raise monies for the seniors I would do it.”

Proceeds from the second annual pageant benefit the Mineral Wells Senior Center.

Besides being crowned Ms. Solaris Senior Palo Pinto County, Moody also captured the congeniality and talent awards. Moody had performed “Old Rugged Cross” on the piano, and added a humorous recitation of a poem entitled, “Three Little Words.”

Taking first runner-up honors was Ms. Double H Tire Gwen Harrelson while Ms. Farm Bureau Insurance Ruth Kimbrough accepted second runner-up.

There were several other highlights throughout the pageant. Among those were Ms. Kelly and Company Dolly dePritore’s vibrant performance of “Climb Every Mountain” and the western dance performance by Kimbrough. Ms. Chicken Express Willie Mae Hubbard displayed some her many quilts, saying, “I always made it a habit not to do for one that I couldn’t do for all of my children.”

Another of the lighter moments came during the interview portion of the contest when emcee Allen Williamson asked Ms. J&W Painting Alene Veach, who is the mother of eight children, to give some parenting advice. She said, “I would say don’t have eight children,” drawing laughter from the audience. “I would space them out a little better. I was nursing one while dragging another.

Other contestants were: Ms. Better Bail Bonds Lillian Hill; Ms. Pythian Sisters Betty Scott; Ms. Resort Lodge Audrey Smith; and Ms. Medical Pavilion Genny Tarkenton.

Judges for this year’s pageant were Kathy Boswell, Dr. Mark Bumpas, Ira Mercer, Mike Smiddy, Melanie Weatherly and Mary Sue Withers.