Kansas wins MENC Petition drive, Minnesota in second place

I'm proud to say that I came in second place with 2,170 signatures for the MENC National Association of Music Education petition drive! Kansas received 2,560 signatures for a first place win. MENC is the national platform for Mrs. America and has been supporting music education in our public schools. The winner goes to Vietnam for the Mrs. World pageant as well as their directors. Thank you to all who helped me get signatures and signed my petition!

Twins Versus Brewers Game at 7pm Sunday May 24th

What an exciting game! The Twins won against the Brewers! I threw out the first pitch followed by a U.S. Army General from Minnesota who was 6'5"! T.C. The mascott, caught my pitch and then gave me the ball on one knee, escoring me off the field! Adorable! Mrs. Ham Lake, Tamara Jett was in attendance along with her family and Larissa Bartram and her hubby. Our director, Carl Schway, was allowed on the field with me while I waited to pitch and had a ball meeting the players wives. My fellow co-host, Katina Forte's husband, Todd is helping me to learn to pitch this weekend so I at least make it to the catcher!

I had a hotdog, popcorn and beer, so I felt like a true Twins fan! Why did I feel like I was in the Brewers section? I had no idea there would be so many Brewers fans at the game...but only one strange moment with a Brewers fan jumping the security guards to run out onto the field. He was quickly tackled, cuffed and led out of the stadium...uh, maybe too many beers? In all, this game was one of the highlights of being Mrs. Minnesota!

Eden Prairie Kite Day Saturday

It was the perfect windy day for kite flying! Chloe had her Winnie the Pooh kite and held on tightly so not to lose it with the gusts that wrapped around it and lifted it high in the sky! A few kids almost lost theirs in a tree, but parents quickly recovered them.

The Teddy Bear Band was lots of fun to dance to and they had special games of "Simon Says" that allowed the kids to release some of that energy while they wiggled and danced.

Eden Prairie Senior Progressive Dinner May 21st

As a part of Senior Awareness Month, Eden Prairie Senior Center offered a progressive dinner for the local seniors and my daughter and I helped serve their final course...cheesecake and mini cupcakes that we brought them! The Seniors loved seeing Chloe help out and hand them their raffle prizes. I'm pictured with Mary Feltman & the director of the Senior Center who helped plan this wonderful event. At the top, John was one of the "hippest" seniors who attended the event.

Chloe's Blue frosting cupcakes were a hit...especially with one gentleman! I love this photo of him and Chloe showing their blue tongues!!

Ruby's Graduation at Northwestern College in St. Paul

After many years of study, my mentee's mother Ruby has now graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree! We are very proud of her and this accomplishment and now onto the workforce--may she find a job quickly so that she may feel the sense of security she needs for her family.
Pictured here is her family and Aunt Rose who has personality plus!! She's holding Chloe. Tyiteana's sister Tania and Chloe have so much fun together cause they're both 4!

If you know anyone who is a mechanic, would they be willing to donate mechanic work for Ruby? Her car has been out of commission for a week and cannot drive to job interviews! Thank you!

Monday, May 18th Eden Prairie Lions Club at 6:30pm

I had the honor of speaking to the Lions Club of Eden Prairie tonight. Gary Stevens, the previous President, invited me to speak about mentoring and to share my experience as Mrs. Minnesota with the members. I was very impressed with the sense of humor of the group as well as the altruistic spirit they displayed with their upcoming Schooner Days event and their many fundraisers this summer.

Gary Diamond invited me to call Bingo at Eden Prairie Schooner days which is fun for the whole family! I'll be there May 30th right after work at 5:30pm...come on by!

Here is a photo of me with Gary Stevens, Lions photographer & President & Brad Kolstad; Me & Jerry Biese ; The 2009-20019 Board of Directors and at the bottom is Gary Diamond.

Bingo with Golden Living Center residents in Wayzata

May is National Senior Awareness Month and in honor of that, I decided to go out into the community and meet with our elders and have a good game of Bingo! Although I haven't played Bingo in years, it isnt too tough thank goodness to remember! I called the numbers for multiple games and learned what Cover UP was--covering the whole board of numbers.

An adorable group, each with their own quirky personality, made me miss my grandparents! One woman sat in the back with a Hawaiian lei on and called out "yes!" every time she got a number and giggled...she really cracked me up. One gentleman kept calling BINGO when we were playing "Cover Up" and told me to "pick a good number"---in the end he wanted a photo of me on his lap!! Everyone got a great laugh out of that (photo above) After an hour of games, I made them rootbeer floats and chatted with many of the residents.

I'll be back in a week or so, to visit the Memory Care Department in full gown and crown to talk about the pageant! Stay tuned!

May 8th, Photo shoot with Clay Spann in Alabama

What an honor to shoot with Clay Spann, Makeup artist spectacular and photographer Extraordinaire and stylist! He really is the kindest and most creative man! Clay showed me the secrets of beautiful makeup and I think we produced some absolutely stunning photos---soon to be posted!

Premiere Modeling School Graduation Ceremony May 3rd

My pageant directors, Faith & Carl Schway also own Premiere Modeling School. My daughter was among the graduates today and had fun with Collanna, a bright and confident little girl, modeling on the "cat walk" for Moore Creative and several other local talent agencies.

Tami Krause, Mrs. MN International 2009 and former Mrs. MN America, was in attendance with Allison Stavrakis and Mandy, the Miss MN Int'l 2009 title holder.

I was a little worried that my daughter would get a little shy and not want to walk, but ended up being a ham! Chloe's favorite model was Sarah Sprayberry, Miss MN Teen USA 2008---she thought she looked like a princess! (and she does)

Thank you Faith and Bessie for working with Chloe and including her in this event!

May 3rd Apollo Male Chorus at the Hopkins High School

The most fun I've had at a musical event has been the Apollo Male Chorus Spring Concert Event at the Hopkins High school! An adorable group of sassy, singing senior men with a sense of humor I didn't expect! They did a fun complilation of "Ballyhigh" from South Pacific, replete with one of their members donning a Grass skirt, Coconut bra and Lei! Be sure to catch them next time they are in your area and they wanted me to alert everyone that they are available to sing at your event and seeking a wider range of male singers to join their ranks.

One of their members was honored by the men with his favorite song and a tribute to his 60 years with the Apollo Chorus! What dedication and love---I could tell this was a close-knit group who care for eachother and their love of singing.

During intermission, I shared with the audience my mission to obtain signatures for MENC's petition drive and found 100 people came to my table to thank me and sign it. Thank you Apollo Men's Chorus and see you at the holidays---can't miss that show!

Hoofers and Woofers Walk for the Humane Society May 2nd at 9am

The Humane Society had a beautiful day for their Hoofers and Woofers Walk in Alimagnet Park in Burnsville! Pat Evans, KARE Anchor was the host and I helped announce the largest fundraisers of the walk. I brought my 2 pomeranians, Dolce & Minnie to meet many other breeds and my daughter was most enthralled by the 2 kitties who were being pushed around in strollers!

April 26th Final Youth Symphonies Concert MENC Petition Drive

Today I went to the final concert for the Youth Symphonies. Hundreds of parents went to see their children perform---my favorite performances were the Phantom of the Opera pieces. I was able to get a few hundred signatures to support Music Education in the Public Schools. Please sign our petition until May 12th! http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/MrsMNMENC/index.html

Thank you!