Categories: Community

Parkside Ellijay crowns Queen and King in 2018 pageant

2017 Once Upon a Time Pageant

ELLIJAY, Ga. – A night of laughter and fun, Parkside Ellijay Skilled Nursing Care, previously Gilmer Nursing Home, held its annual pageant for its residents on Feb. 23.

Activity Director Tammy Baker, right, hosts the Once Upon a Time Pageant with special guests 2017 Apple Queen Rachel Waddell, left, and her brother Caleb Waddell, middle.

The theme, “Once Upon a Time,” saw volunteers and employees of the facility dressed as Disney princesses and decorations from their movies to celebrate the evening. Local residents became contestants to be crowned King and Queen of Parkside for the coming year.

The evenings host and master of ceremonies, Tammy Baker, LPN, activity director, led the night through preliminary honorees before sitting down to interview the King and Queen contestants. The event also saw the honor of having 2017 Apple Queen Rachel Waddell and her brother Caleb Waddell crowning the winners and supporting the night as well as musical entertainment provided by Wesley Crider, world champion finger-style guitarist, sponsored by Homestead Hospice.

The preliminary awards of the night went to:

Volunteer of the Year – Susan Littlejohn of Build an Ark

Best Personality – Hayes Brown

Most Popular – Minnie Baughcum

Best Looking Female – Mary Jones

Best Looking Male – Willard Lee

2018 Parkside Ellijay Once Upon a Time Pageant King Paul Reeves.

The evening’s main event saw the King contestants first:

First runner up John Seiverling

Second runner up Arthur Collett

Third runner up Cliff Mooney

The 2017 King of Parkside Ellijay, Paul Reeves, was a contractor and producer and even once did a production with Whitney Houston. Reeves also took a few moments of his interview to sing for those present. He sang I Know, an old hymn that he picked himself.

2018 Parkside Ellijay Once Upon a Time Pageant Queen Reatha May.

As for the Queens, excitement mounted with each lady presented:

First runner up Dorothy Kirkland

Second runner up Reathia Dotson

Third runner up Joyce Mooney

The 2017 winner and now Queen of Parkside Ellijay, Reatha May, enjoys traveling across the states with her husband. With four children, May has one daughter and three sons. She has been married 53 years.

For more photos of this special night, check out FYN’s Once Upon A Time Photos on Facebook.

Lonnie Adams