Chester County Edition
September 2013
Vol. 10 No. 9
And the Winner (Still) Is … Outgoing Idol Reflects on Yearlong ‘Reign’ By Lori Van Ingen Newly named 2012 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL Vickie Kissinger thought it had to be a prank call on her voicemail. Someone claiming to be a producer from NBC wanted her to return the call. But it was no joke. NBC had seen a clip of Kissinger at the PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition and sought her out for their new reality show, The Winner Is ... Over a period of five days, Kissinger passed auditions and interviews for the new show, which features the pairing of six contestants or groups of all ages who perform a song of their choice and let 101 voters decide who did better and would go on to compete for a chance to win $1 million. “They wanted a diverse age group,” Kissinger said. But after getting the green light from each of her interviewers, Kissinger declined to be part of the new television series because her first grandson was due at the same time the show was taping. “That was the hitch. It was just not good timing,” Kissinger said. “But it was thrilling. It was very flattering that NBC sought me out.” Besides the call from NBC and her new grandson, Kissinger said this past year since winning the PA STATE SENIOR IDOL has been “fantastic.” Kissinger has been kept busy with a move to downsize her home and with please see WINNER page 15 2012 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL Vickie Kissinger performing at the Northern Lancaster County 50plus EXPO in Lititz in April.
Inside:
Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s Patients page 4
Happy Birthday, Rose Marie page 12