The 2016 Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant takes place Saturday, April 2, 4 p.m., at the Mesquite Community Theatre with the public invited.

Celebrating the “Age of Elegance” is always the theme of the Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant. In addition, along with the excitement of the competition, this year’s Pageant entertainment will include musical interludes performed by members of the Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra and Harmonic Strings Chamber for your listening pleasure.

This year’s five lovely contestants are very accomplished women, who now have agreed to add one more experience to their list of life’s achievements. Since January, they have worked diligently selling ads for the program book, selecting just the right gowns and jewelry, and practicing their talents and philosophies of life. They are anxious to share this next accomplishment with their families, friends and Mesquite’s community.

Pageant tickets are $15 and are available at Danielle’s Chocolates, Chamber of Commerce, Fine Arts Gallery, 2 DA 9Z Clothing Boutique and the Community Theatre Box Office.

Jean Hardman Jean’s worked in various National Laboratories in Idaho, California and New Mexico as an accountant and budget analyst. Jean met her husband, Maury, at their 40th high school class reunion and were married as they were turning 60. They are snowbirds, living summers in Pocatello, Idaho and wintering in Mesquite so they can golf all year long. Jean’s passion is truly her fiddle (or violin). This talent provides her an introduction to every community she moves to. She performs as a first violinist with the Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra. She hosts weekly traditional music sessions for audiences at Desert Skies Resort. She is in a Celtic music group in Pocatello, Idaho. Her other interests include sewing, bowling, beanbag baseball and fishing.

Jean Hardman
Jean’s worked in various National Laboratories in Idaho, California and New Mexico as an accountant and budget analyst. Jean met her husband, Maury, at their 40th high school class reunion and were married as they were turning 60. They are snowbirds, living summers in Pocatello, Idaho and wintering in Mesquite so they can golf all year long. Jean’s passion is truly her fiddle (or violin). This talent provides her an introduction to every community she moves to. She performs as a first violinist with the Southern Nevada Symphony Orchestra. She hosts weekly traditional music sessions for audiences at Desert Skies Resort. She is in a Celtic music group in Pocatello, Idaho. Her other interests include sewing, bowling, beanbag baseball and fishing.

Liz Merrill At 43 years of age Liz began to oil paint when she knew nothing about it. She never painted in school and never had a lesson. Liz says it is never too late to find enjoyment. On January 2, 2016 Liz and her husband celebrated 68 years of marriage. Liz has had the privilege of living in eight states and doing all the things she and her husband enjoyed like winter sports, golf, swimming, bridge and camping. For 30 years of retirement Liz and her husband spent six months in Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming and six months in Hawaii just doing what they enjoyed. Liz and her husband moved to Mesquite when they were looking for a place to live where her husband didn’t need to be on oxygen and Mesquite was an ideal place.

Liz Merrill
At 43 years of age Liz began to oil paint when she knew nothing about it. She never painted in school and never had a lesson. Liz says it is never too late to find enjoyment. On January 2, 2016 Liz and her husband celebrated 68 years of marriage. Liz has had the privilege of living in eight states and doing all the things she and her husband enjoyed like winter sports, golf, swimming, bridge and camping. For 30 years of retirement Liz and her husband spent six months in Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming and six months in Hawaii just doing what they enjoyed. Liz and her husband moved to Mesquite when they were looking for a place to live where her husband didn’t need to be on oxygen and Mesquite was an ideal place.

Kim Lyon Kim worked for the US Postal Service for 25 years as a letter carrier and retired five years ago. She also worked for the IRS for 10 years. Kim serves as secretary/treasurer for Country Meadows HOA, volunteered as secretary/treasurer for five years at congregation Brith Shalom and currently ushers at the Mesquite Community Theatre. She and her husband, Robert, retired to Mesquite three years ago. She loves the recreation and senior centers with all their activities. What Kim likes most about Mesquite are the wonderful people. She specially enjoys living in a small community and being able to take long walks everywhere.

Kim Lyon
Kim worked for the US Postal Service for 25 years as a letter carrier and retired five years ago. She also worked for the IRS for 10 years. Kim serves as secretary/treasurer for Country Meadows HOA, volunteered as secretary/treasurer for five years at congregation Brith Shalom and currently ushers at the Mesquite Community Theatre. She and her husband, Robert, retired to Mesquite three years ago. She loves the recreation and senior centers with all their activities. What Kim likes most about Mesquite are the wonderful people. She specially enjoys living in a small community and being able to take long walks everywhere.

Gail Laird Gail and her husband have lived in Mesquite a little over a year. Gail is a flight attendant for American Airlines currently on a medical leave. After a long and successful career in commercial property management, Gail decided to pursue her lifelong dream at 45 years old and became a flight attendant, surviving the required flight training also known as Barbie Boot Camp in Dallas, Texas. Her interests include golf, dancing and the rescue and welfare of abandoned animals, several of which she has adopted. Gail loves the natural beauty of the landscape surrounding Mesquite and has quickly adapted to the hometown friendliness of Mesquite and feels very fortunate to be living here.


Gail Laird
Gail and her husband have lived in Mesquite a little over a year. Gail is a flight attendant for American Airlines currently on a medical leave. After a long and successful career in commercial property management, Gail decided to pursue her lifelong dream at 45 years old and became a flight attendant, surviving the required flight training also known as Barbie Boot Camp in Dallas, Texas. Her interests include golf, dancing and the rescue and welfare of abandoned animals, several of which she has adopted. Gail loves the natural beauty of the landscape surrounding Mesquite and has quickly adapted to the hometown friendliness of Mesquite and feels very fortunate to be living here.

Judy Brittain Judy believes in living life to the fullest, enjoying friendships, meeting each challenge and being the best she can be. Judy has been a member of the Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation for five years. She also dances with the Mesquite Toes and is currently President. She is a member of the Mesquite Community Theatre and serves as treasurer for the theater and co-manager of the Theatre Box Office. Since she retired, she has constantly been busy in various treasurer’s duties and dancing. She and husband Phil have been married for 43 years. What she loves best about Mesquite are the wonderful friends she has made and the fact that Mesquite offers so much do all of the time.

Judy Brittain
Judy believes in living life to the fullest, enjoying friendships, meeting each challenge and being the best she can be. Judy has been a member of the Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation for five years. She also dances with the Mesquite Toes and is currently President. She is a member of the Mesquite Community Theatre and serves as treasurer for the theater and co-manager of the Theatre Box Office. Since she retired, she has constantly been busy in various treasurer’s duties and dancing. She and husband Phil have been married for 43 years. What she loves best about Mesquite are the wonderful friends she has made and the fact that Mesquite offers so much do all of the time.