Fourth time's the charm for pageant participant

COEUR d'ALENE - After three years of competing - and not winning - at the Ms. Senior Idaho America Pageant, Mary Ann Taibi said no more.

The Hayden woman was runner-up once, won the talent portion each time, but never got the crown she coveted.

"I was not going to enter this year," she said. "After three times, you get kind of tired, and it's all out of pocket expense."

Things change.

This year's pageant, which was set for Boise, was canceled because only four signed up.

So the organization's board wanted to select someone from Idaho to compete at the national pageant later this year - someone with past experience, with strong stage presence and of course, someone with talent.

That someone was Mary Ann Taibi.

"If you wait long enough, they'll come to you, because I wasn't going to them anymore," she said with a big smile. "Three times is enough. If they want me, they'll call me. And they did. I didn't even have to pray for it."

Taibi will attend the coronation ceremony April 17 in Emmett and officially be crowned Ms. Idaho Senior America.

"My friends, they want my autograph now," she said with a laugh.

Next up will be the national event later this year either in Las Vegas or Atlantic City with about 40 others aged 60 and older. Her husband of more than 50 years, Sal, will be her driver, escort, whatever is needed to show his support.

"It's what she wants to do," he said. "She practices as much as four hours a day. Not an hour and half or two hours. When she gets up, that's the first thing she's doing, after the coffee."

Meantime, the 72-year-old will be preparing to sing her old favorite, "Second Hand Rose." At home, she has her music room, complete with microphone, amplifiers and CD player.

The competition also includes an interview, evening gown and a 35-second presentation on the contestant's philosophy on life.

While she has confidence, she doesn't really expect to win.

"There's going to be some ladies that are a lot younger than I. They'll have great figures and they'll show it. I will not show it," she said. "I really just want to meet some of the ladies from the other states."

Taibi, a former Red Hot Mama and a member of the Lake City Tappers, doesn't get nervous.

"I just want to remember my lyrics," she joked.

Taibi has been the only North Idaho participant for years in the Ms. Idaho Senior America competition, generally held in the southern half of the state.

"They don't even know where Coeur d'Alene or Hayden is," she said. "I want to put them on the map."

One thing she isn't, is a big spender.

"I get most of my clothes at the thrift store," she said proudly. "The outfits I wore, the shoes were a dollar. The evening gown was $12."

The native of Rochester, N.Y., has three children and six grandchildren. She refuses to slow down and maintains an energetic, positive lifestyle marked by staying active, cracking jokes and speaking her mind.

"Well, I've got to get my point across," she said with a shrug.

"She's Italian," her husband added.