Shrewsbury 'Golden Bachelor' Hopeful Makes It To Final Round

SHREWSBURY, NJ — The latest "Golden Bachelor" episode on Thursday night answered a single, but crucial, question: Would our local contestant Theresa be chosen to continue as one of the two women reaching the finale of the show?

And we found out the answer was a bittersweet "yes."

On Nov. 2, the bachelor on the show, widower Gerry Turner, 72, of Indiana, was in the position of choosing two of three remaining women to continue to the finale.

In the "hometown visit" episode, he met the families of the three, including a trip to the Shrewsbury area, complete with scenes of Red Bank and the Shore.

But in the rose ceremony in that episode, he chose only one woman, Leslie of Minneapolis. He said he couldn't bring himself to choose between New Jersey's Theresa and Faith from Washington state.

That show ended with Gerry so pained he told the host of the show on Thursday "I felt like I had an elephant on my chest."

"The Women Tell All" was the theme of Thursday's episode, but it also resolved the cliffhanger when Theresa was indeed given that second rose by Gerry.

Now Theresa and Leslie are the last two remaining as contestants for the final rose.

Many of the original 22 contestants on the ABC show about mature love were featured in this past episode, reflecting on their time with Gerry, pronounced "Gary."

They recalled the experiences set up by the producers to create camaraderie: the pickleball tournament, the costume photo shoot and some unique dates with Gerry, including a balloon ride, dancing at a diner and a helicopter hop to a yacht, among others.

He and Faith had a tearful reunion. After what they both felt was a strong connection - she had received the "first impression" rose from him on the first episode, her elimination was difficult for her to accept - as it was for Gerry. He said the last time he felt a nearly similar pain was when he lost his wife, his high school sweetheart.

But a theme throughout was how the experience helped all the women feel less "invisible," and made them feel they were not beyond the chance of finding love again, now in their 60s and 70s.

And "finding love" with Gerry is a real prospect for our Jersey girl Theresa, 70, as well as for Leslie.

Gerry has said he's been in the odd position of feeling "genuine love" for several of the final contestants. But his measure has always been, he said, to choose the person he "can not live without."

Next week, there is a "fantasy suite" episode, featuring a trip for the three to Costa Rica.

Then we all can take a break for Thanksgiving until the finale of the show on Thursday, Nov. 30.