Miss Greater Waterbury and Miss Brass City

Congrats to Miss Greater Waterbury Amber Caron and Miss Brass City Dana Brooks!

"Connecticut's Own Recipes" kickoff to benefit CT Fallen Heros

I was honored to attend a fundraiser for the organization CT Fallen Heroes on Saturday, March 28, at the Connecticut Culinary Institute in Hartford. Several "gold star" families were in attendance. They have lost their sons and daughters in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was so moving to hear their stories of sorrow, remembrance, and ultimately strength. There were cooking demonstrations and different vendors set up to raise money for the organization that aids families of fallen soldiers here in our own state of Connecticut.

During one cooking demonstration I even got to get up on stage! The chef was explaining how to cook a lobster, which of course was still alive! I tried to pardon the lobster, but ultimately had to give him a parting kiss farewell. I guess I don't have the power of presidential pardon quite yet....

Miss Shoreline

Congratulations to Marie-Lynne Piscitelli, Miss Shoreline 2009! I remember competing against her for the first time in Miss North Haven and she was so nice and so beautiful, I knew it was just a matter of time. I would also like to send a HUGE shout out congratulations to Brianna Smail! Hurray! She won Miss Shoreline's outstanding teen and thank goodness, because I don't know what I would do at state without her.

USO Show Troupe, The Liberty Bells, Launch

On Wednesday, March 18, I attended the official launch of the 2009 Liberty Bells. Because I have not learned any of the choreography I attended as Miss North Haven to support my favorite gals and my favorite organization in the world, the USO. Everyone was lovely and there was a great turnout. Such talent! Congratulations to Heidi, Miss USO 2009. Now we can be sister queens!

You may recognize the woman in the picture with me, that is the one and only Susan Powell, Miss America 1981! I was completely star-struck of course. I asked her if she had any tips for preparing for state. Her advice was to be yourself, and to enjoy every minute of it because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Truer words were never spoken.

The Fighting 69th of New York City Homecoming

Oh my goodness! I am so behind in all of my posts! I do have two really great excuses: 1) My external hard drive with all of my pictures crashed. I am still recovering. 2) School has been crazy! We are so close to finals and all of my professors are piling on the assignments. 

Okay enough excuses.... let me give you some updates!

On Saint Patrick's Day I helped the USO of Metropolitan New York welcome home our men and women of the one and only Fighting 69th Infantry Division. I spent all day making hot dogs (or cooking them at least) and I know I handed out what felt like millions of buns. Thousands of service members and their families were present and it was really a memorable event. Even the mayor of New York, Mike Bloomberg, said a few words, thanking the division for all that they have done in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

For more information on the USO remember you can go to www.usonyc.org. If you have a second please take time to donate a lot or a little so that we can keep doing what we do for our men and women in uniform.