Page 3 - NBY-Nov2020

Senior in Action:
Senior in Action: Elvia Harris Unlocks Beauty in Others
Senior in Action:
Senior in Action:
Senior in Action:
Elvia Harris Unlocks Beauty in OthersUnlocks Beauty in Others
Elvia Harris
Elvia Harris Unlocks Beauty in OthersUnlocks Beauty in Others
Elvia Harris
Spotlight on Elvia Harris coronavirus shutdowns, all
by Marilee Marrero Stefenhagen our plans have been
temporarily suspended for
the foreseeable future.
Were you born in California? The Ms. Senior California
No, I was born in Tucson, Arizona. We pageants are run entirely by
relocated to San Diego in 1990 when my volunteers. It’s a hobby of
daughter was a freshman at the mine. The winner of the
University of San Diego, a private Ms. Senior California
Catholic University. My husband found pageant goes on to Atlantic
job listings in the area, interviewed and City, New Jersey to compete
was hired, so we were able to stay close for the title of Ms. Senior
by. We’ve loved living in the San Diego America. I was a 1st runner-
area ever since. up in the Ms. Senior San
It sounds like your family plays a Diego pageant. Peggy
central role in your life. Padilla, Ms. Senior
Absolutely! I come from a family of California 2009, recruited
seven; five sisters and one brother in me to the Board of
Arizona. My mother cooked all the time Directors. My former career
with 9 people in our household! She was in the beauty industry
showed me the way around a kitchen, for 27 years and a salon
and I enjoy fixing Mexican food. My owner for 18 years. I served
husband Eddie and I have been married on Clairol’s Hair Coloring
for 47 years. Eddie loves boating, and Board of Directors for
wants to be near the water in San Diego. Clairol’s professional
We recently downsized to a new home in products. It was a very natural
University City, close to UCSD in La path for me to get involved with
Jolla. We have two daughters, Anissa and the Ms. Senior California
Vanessa. Daughter Vanessa has two sons, pageant – a good fit. Some
Patrick and Dylan. My great-grandson senior women need to be
Anthony just started first grade. My inspired. It’s fun to wear
daughter Anissa is fostering a newborn “bling” and feel good about
baby, and I have been helping her, so yourself. I love helping women
being forced to be homebound by blossom at the pageants. Photos supplied by Elvia Harris
COVID-19 was actually a blessing. Another of my hobbies is singing
It’s been a nice experience to pamper professionally. My group is called
our newest foster granddaughter. We are SOUNDS DIVINE, a vocal jazz Do something every day that allows OK, NBY readers! Here’s your
very lucky that the whole family has performance troupe. Although we you to keep your head clear. challenge. Tell us how you plan to
remained healthy during these produced a CD, we haven’t been able to At this stage in your life, just stay spend the holidays. Are you trying new
challenging times. We’ve seen our perform gigs this year. Prior to the focused. recipes and sharing your cooking?
neighbors spending more time in their pandemic, we performed at Humphrey’s We’re hoping that 2021 will be the Scrapbooking, or writing your memoir?
yards and fixing their homes, even riding on Shelter Island and as opening act for year we can get back on track with Ms. What type of gifts are you searching for
their bikes – very heartwarming. A stay- the Concerts by the Bay near Seaport Senior California pageants. Visit our this year? We want to hear your story.
at-home project I intended to tackle was Village in a big, beautiful bandshell and website for more information at Submit c/o nbynews@juno.com or mail
organizing our family photos, but lawn area. During this downtime, I https://mssrcalifornia.net to Not Born Yesterday! P.O. Box 722,
helping with our foster baby took decided to revamp our repertoire. We Brea, CA 92822
precedence. meet via Zoom on Monday nights. It’s
Do you mind telling people how old great to communicate this way as we
you are, and what you do to remain so learn new technologies together. It’s
active and engaged in life? healthy to sing; singing releases
I am 75 years young. It’s amazing how endorphins and warms your heart.
wonderful it feels to be so fully Do you have any words of wisdom to
functional at age 75. There’s a definite share with NBY readers?
difference in our physical abilities today Yes, I do!
than our parents’ physical capabilities. Laugh out loud every day!
Hair coloring and exercising helps too! Be appreciative that you are still
Women have gym memberships and are vertical.
more aware of what works best for our Eat well and take care of yourself.
bodies. Look at your “senior” life as a big
I serve as Director and Administrator adventure.
for Ms. Senior California, which brings Try taking your dreams and turning
recognition and honor to women over them into reality.
the age of 60. There are typically 4-6 Life can be tough, but you’re a
preliminary regional pageants before the survivor.
statewide contest. However, with December 7, 2020 Ends Medicare Open Enrollment

November 2020 3