Matinee idols

Some people think seniors stay at home and knit, Leslie Rudders said, when actually they are out there doing the "Hippy Hippy Shake."

Leslie Rudders, supervisor of Surprise Senior Services, was on hand Wednesday for the Senior American Idol competition at UltraStar Cinemas where Veronica Johnson, 69, of Surprise and Mary Lanham, 72, of Sun City West wowed the crowd with a high-energy routine to the song, "Hippy Hippy Shake."

The duo captured the grand prize with their rendition of the tune.

The "dynamic duo" - as one judge called them - was one of 26 acts that danced and/or sang for the standing room-only crowd. More than 250 in the audience cheered on the participants, who were all over the age of 50.

Rudders said this was the second time the center had hosted the competition. And there are plans to have an encore competition again in the fall.

"This was so much fun, and the audience really got into it," Rudders said.

Rudders said it's important to showcase talented seniors.

"Some think that seniors are sitting at home and knitting," Rudders said. "But they are out having fun, using their talents, sharing and smiling."

Judging the contest were representatives from SecureHorizons, which sponsored the event.

Johnson and Lanham won a $100 gift certificate and plan to split it shopping for clothes.

The women are part of the Desert Dancers group, based in Westbrook Village.

Johnson has been dancing for most of her life, she said, while Lanham started dancing about 15 years ago.

The women were stunned when they were announced as the grand prize winners.

"We're in a state of shock," Lanham said.

Other audience favorites included Ed Sibley, who channeled Tom Jones in a rousing rendition of "Delilah". Women shrieked and gave him a standing ovation and staff members of the senior center tossed their ID badges and keys to him. He won the ‘karaoke' category of the competition.

Noralee Dahl, 88, of Peoria charmed the audience with her acoustic guitar and vocals rendition of "Paper Roses" and placed first in the ‘other' category of the competition.

Rose Ann Russo, 84, placed first in the dance category with "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend." And Ed Forrest won the singing competition with "Mack the Knife."

The event concluded with the entire auditorium singing "Grand Old Flag" with the competitors.