The grand finale of Morning Pointe Senior Living and the Morning Pointe Foundation’s “Seniors Got Talent” talent competition was held at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. The halls were filled with cheers and laughter as seniors from across the Tennessee Valley, ranging from 63 to 92 years of age, demonstrated a wide range of talents before a panel of judges and a live audience.
Building on the 10-year legacy of the “Senior Idol” talent show at the Morning Pointe of Hixson assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care community, the 2019 “Seniors Got Talent” competition brought all of the fun and excitement of the classic event to a wider audience, while providing guests with the opportunity to perform onstage for the first time.
Ernestine Eldridge, 92, a resident of Morning Pointe of Hixson assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care community, took home the first place $250 cash prize for a patriotic medley performed on the piano. Doug Smith, 65, of Dayton, netted second place with his rendition of “My Babe” on the harmonica and Ronnie Nicholas, 71, of Harrison, won third place with a comedic version of “Cat’s in the Cradle” performed on the guitar.
“God gave me the gift of music, and I’ve tried to use it to serve Him as best as I can,” Ms. Eldridge said during her acceptance speech.
“What a wonderful evening of performances to benefit the Morning Pointe Foundation and its work in providing nursing scholarships and caregiver support,” said Audra Hopkins, the executive director of the Morning Pointe Foundation. “Thank you to our wonderful co-hosts, NewsChannel9 Anchor Kim Chapman and retired NC9 Anchor Calvin Sneed, our talented judges, and to all of our sponsors, including TIS Insurance Services, RBA Employee Benefits Advisors, Spring Hill Suites Marriott, Heritage Funeral Home East Brainerd Chapel, Erlanger Behavior Health Hospital, U.S. Foods, Bloomhart Flower Company and the Alzheimer’s Association, among others.”