Miss Senior Spectacular 2012 chosen

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OTTAWA  - Talent was the main category last Saturday when 10 Putnam County women competed to be named Miss Senior Spectacular 2012. This year’s winner, Reta Winkler, Leipsic, displayed talents in both cooking and creativeness.
This was the third year the Miss Senior Spectacular was hosted by the Ottawa Senior Citizens. Prior winners were Pat Nienberg in 2010 and Frances Salsburey in 2011
"The Miss Senior Spectacular is a day for us to celebrate the beauty in each of us, what makes us special. We get to enjoy a variety of foods, share stories, and get to know each other better, which always brings a few laughs and even tears. It truly is a 'spectacular' day,” said Tammy Evans, assistant director of the Ottawa Senior Center.
Each contestant brought a special food item that was judged on taste and also presentation. This year’s entries included a wide variety of foods including baked goods, salads, and snack foods.
Winkle had a special story on the platter holding her homemade cinnamon rolls.
“This is 60 years old and I made it,” the 84-year-old great-grandmother said. “I was in Extension Club in Sandusky Michigan and they gave us these flat silver disks to work with.” Winkler said she used a muriatic acid to do the etching of the pattern and a special tool to crimp the edge.
Winkle and her late husband Whitey Winkler had three children, 6 grand children and 9 great-grandchildren.
“This is great” Winkler said after receiving the honor. Smelling the bouquet of tulips she received Winkler, said tulips had been her husband’s favorite flower.
“I want to show off my crown to my friends,” she admitted.
"Reta has been an active member of the Senior Center for 12 years. She is a friendly and fun-loving lady who enjoys playing cards with us,” said Evans. “We always enjoy her company, and I'm tickled that she won. She is a great example of our slogan: Active Through the Ages."
Creative talents of the women were also judged when they were given black pins to decorate showing their personality. While judges tallied the scores, the women enjoyed games.
The runner-up was Helen Meyer, Ottawa. This year’s “People’s Choice” winner was Mary Limpach.