Columnist John Katsilometes: How Miss (Senior) New York topped the competition at the Miss Senior America contest

Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005 | 10:09 a.m.

Fabulous Las Vegas runs Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach John Katsilometes at kats@lasvegassun.com or at (702) 259-2327 or (702) 812-9812.

Helen Halpin McCarney and Ross Perot were both born on June 27, 1930. The similarities appear to end there, as Halpin McCarney was sporting a sash and tiara Saturday night and Perot (to our knowledge) was not.

Representing the great state of New York, Halpin McCarney was crowned Miss Senior American at Imperial Palace on Saturday. The show capped the three-day pageant and drew a capacity crowd of more than 760 to the IP's Imperial Theatre. The uniquely entertaining production showcased 29 representatives from across the country, all of whom were required to be age 60 or older (but were not required to be "miss").

The pageant celebrated its 25th birthday this weekend. It is not affiliated with the Miss America Pageant -- which is rumored to be heading to Aladdin in January -- but does have its own rich history. As pageant founder Al Mott said Saturday, the first Miss Senior America competition in Long Branch, N.J., drew 16 contestants (all older than 80) and has since blossomed.

This weekend's contest featured Las Vegas entrant DeLois LaDelle, Miss Nevada. The 68-year-old LaDelle, a bubbly redhead, moved into the final 10 and put on a charming version of "I've Got Rhythm" -- ending with a furious tap-dance performance -- but was not chosen as one of the four runners-up to Halpin McCarney.

In an odd but inspiring scene, the champ was swarmed by happy tourists on the IP casino floor.

"I remember when I was making $25 a week as a dental assistant, so this is a great thrill," said Halpin McCarney, who performed a medley of showtunes capped with a campy "Over the Rainbow." "I know some of the other girls are upset, they are hurting and wondering why they did not win."

So why'd she win?

"I was born under a lucky star."

NoteMart

News-A-Rama: It was a busy week at Elvis-A-Rama, which (for today) is our city's finest Elvis-themed museum. The attraction on Industrial Road was given a boost in coverage after former Elvis impersonator Duke Adams helped recover more than $300,000 worth of Presley's jewelry that was stolen from the museum last year.

"I'm getting e-mail and phone calls from all over the country -- I'm getting e-mail from my family in North Carolina -- and we've seen a lot more business since that happened," Jen Thurman, Elvis-A-Rama's assistant manager, said Saturday. "There's a lot of interest and it's good for us -- I'm an Elvis fan, but I'm not a member of the Church of Elvis is God."

Elvis-A-Rama closes for good on Aug. 15; in September the business was purchased by CKX Inc. of New York, which plans to open a more expansive Elvis attraction on the Strip ...

Only the Lonnie: Our favorite former neurosurgeon/Nevada lieutenant governor, Lonnie Hammargren, was on hand Saturday at the IP. He reports that more than 6,000 revelers visited his sprawling back-yard tribute to Nevada history over Halloween weekend and Nevada Day ...

How many Rat Pack impressionists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?: Send me your best Vegas joke -- or I'll jump! The first Fabulous Las Vegas joke contest is careening to a close. The only rules are to try to keep it clean, keep it relatively short and it must have a Vegas theme. The winner receives a commemorative Las Vegas coffee mug and free publicity; we're announcing the winner on Thursday, the first day of The Comedy Festival at Flamingo Las Vegas and Caesars Palace.