Performers over the age of 60 showcased their talents during three nights of competition in late July at the first-ever Senior Idol competition at Ocean Ridge Retirement and Assisted Living Center in Coos Bay.

Twenty-eight contestants turned out for the first round of performances on July 24, with the winners returning for the elimination rounds. Before an enthusiastic audience of more than 125 people, the finalists sang two songs each - and one performed a hula dance - to music that ranged from Elvis Presley to Frank Sinatra.

But it was a country-flavored novelty song about a squirrel gone bad and a Marty Robbins cowboy tune that brought top honors to vocalist Steve Balliet, of Lakeside.

Robert Gitmed, of the Allegany area, came in second after entertaining the audience with Bobby Darin's hit “Mack the Knife,” and the popular ballad “After the Loving.” Taking third place was the tuxedo-clad John Kight, who crooned Tony Bennet's “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” and followed it up later in the show with Sinatra's “My Way.”

The master of ceremonies and contest judge Timm Slater, who was joined by Coos County Sheriff Andy Jackson, Coos County County Commissioner Kevin Stufflebean, Sharon Thompson, Richard Robinett and Sonja Flowers at the judges' table.

“People had a lot of fun and got to show off their talents, and the audience enjoyed themselves,” Slater said in the press release.

Thompson, a former professional singer, sang during the intermission. The Ocean Ridge Jug Band also performed during the show's warm-up activities and Ocean Ridge Activity Director Mary Luther sang the national anthem and an intermission tune. Other performers included: Bob Green; Larry Green; Howard Foster; Lois McPherson; Ella Savery; Ralph VanHoof; Warren Wilson; Gail Mustapha; Virgil Comstock; Shirley Davis; Geri Gitmed; Edward Martin; Bud Simonson; Ira DeMichel; Dawn Altree; Rose Sandor; James Stonham; Nancy Border; Barbie Pool; Robert Wyrick; and Diana Vogt.