'Maryland Senior Idol' Held to Benefit The Maryland Food Bank

Singers joined Wednesday afternoon in the Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park to share their talents and support the Maryland Food Bank during the Fifth Annual "Maryland Senior Idol" competition.

Sixteen men and women entered the contest sponsored by the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks.

Sterling Dorn of Prince George's County won the competition with his performance of "It's Not Unusual."

Dorn was born in Washington, D.C. and is married with two daughters and four grandchildren. He is retired from the U.S. Air Force and Civil Service. He sang a solo for the first time in a church when he was five years old.

Mallory Anthony of Baltimore County took second place with her rendition of "Getting to Know You."

Anthony is a retired physical therapist and is certified in hand therapy. She has a master of medical science degree and has been a member of several local bands throughout the years.

Other contestants included: Willie Alston of Baltimore City, Carolyn Butler of Prince George's County, Chuck Fisher of Baltimore County, Edward Harne and Rebecca Mills of Washington County, James "Speedy" Kiniel of Baltimore City, Virginia Kraft and Leo Mahoney of Harford County, Danny Laswell and Louis Redd of Howard County, Howard Powell and Harold Staley of Frederick County and .

Judges for the competition were Cathy Johnson, Damon Foreman and Russ Margo. All three are experienced musicians.

Last year's winner of the competition, Valerie McIntosh, performed "His Eye is On the Sparrow."

The entire cast and audience joined to sing "God Bless America" at the end of the program.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said in a program message it took dedication and good planning by many people to make the competition a success, and the skills of the participants are appreciated.

"We value our seniors living within our local communities. Today's event highlights the great talent of Maryland's senior population," she wrote.