missbristol2009

10:53 pm: Illuminations
October 2, 2009

Unfortunately, too many people are affected by breast cancer every year. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and this event was extremely important to me. We were asked to attend this event and help hand out programs and flowers to the survivors. But the best part of this whole experience was listening to survivors talk about their stories and what Bristol is doing to help change this problem that we are facing. It was great to see all the positive attitudes that the survivors had. I am so glad that we were able to attend this important event.

I would like to thank Lisa Desjardins for including us in this important event.

10:48 pm: Mum Parade
September 27, 2009

Rain or shine, the parade must go on! And it did just that. Today, we all walked about 2 miles in the rain for the annual Mum Parade. It was so nice to see that people were still coming out to enjoy the parade even when it was raining. I still got to dress up but I was able to wear flip flops- which I received many compliments on.

I do not think people realize that the Mum Committee spends hours and thousands of dollars to put this parade on each year. I would like to thank them for all of their efforts in making the Mum parade such an entertaining time for the City of Bristol.

10:41 pm: Mum Carnival
September 26, 2009

Today was one of the first Mum events, which will be going on for the next three weeks. It was also our first appearance with Miss Mum 2009, Jessica. We were able to walk around and talk to some of the venders that were there and Abby, Jess, and I watched Emma and Jill go on some of the rides.

This was a great way to start the 3 week long festivities. Thank you to the Mum committee for putting together such exciting events for Bristol to enjoy every year.

10:33 pm: Miss Mum Pageant
September 25, 2009

Tonight was the night that we all had to say good-bye to Miss Mum 2008, Juli. I had the opportunity to work with and choreograph for 7 amazing young ladies who were competing for the title of Miss Mum 2009. Each one of them did an incredible job that night and I definitely would not have wanted to be a judge.

But, there could only be one winner and that winner was Jessica! She did a great job and it going to do a fantastic job as Miss Mum 2009. Abby, Jr. Miss Bristol, also competed for the title and was awarded first runner up. She looked and did a beautiful job.

I look forward to making some appearances with Jessica before my reign is over.

11:37 pm: Touch-A-Truck
September 4, 2009

Tonight the Imagination Museum had an awesome appearance that Juli, Abby, Jill and I got to attend. The parking lot was filled with different kinds of trucks from different companies that children (and us!) got to sit in! They also were able to honk all the horns-talk about a headache!!! There was also a limo there, which was our personal favorite! We also had the chance to help the children in the truck-bounce. It was great to see all the children have so much fun and enjoy this event as much as we did.

Thank you to the Imagination Museum for their continued support of our program!

02:42 pm: Harley Davidson Dream Ride
August 23, 2009

This morning, Que, Abby, Jill and I woke up early to attend the Bristol Harley Davidson Dream Ride to raise money for the Special Olympics of Connecticut. We helped sell raffle tickets which had a 2009 Harley for a Grand Prize! This ride started at Harley Davidson in Bristol and traveled 40 miles until they reached their final destination in Farmington. We also had the opportunity to go to Farmington and meet many new people. It was incredible to meet so many wonderful people who shared one common goal-raising money for Special Olympics!

We would like to thank Harley Davidson of Bristol and the SOCT for continuing to let us come and volunteer our time for such an amazing cause.

09:01 pm: Carnival Night
August 7, 2009

Today was a very exciting night at the Imagination Museum because the carnival came to town! There was so much to do including blow-up slides, games and face painting. Emma, Jill, Abby and I were put to work selling tickets. Jill and I also had to scoop fish because children were able to win fish at a certain game.

The best part of the entire night was when we had the chance to walk around and see everything. We colored pictures at the carousel museum table. Jill and I stopped at the karate booth and broke a board in half! It was so cool! There was also a DJ there and we were able to dance with all the children. Since Emma, Jill Abby and I are all dancers, we would never turn down an opportunity to dance! We danced to the "Cupid's Shuffle" and the "Cha-Cha Slide". The DJ also played the limbo song and Abby and I got to hold the limbo stick and Jill and Emma gathered the children and participated themselves. The children definitely had a great time and so did we!

I would like to thank the Imagination Museum for hosting another fantastic event and allowing us to volunteer our time! We had a great time, as always!

11:16 am: Spider Man
August 1, 2009

Today Jillian and I had the opportunity to meet the famous Spider Man! He was a very nice man and made balloons for all the children at the museum. He even took the time to go into the bubble with Jillian.

Jillian and I helped out in the water room today! We were able to put children in the bubble, which is everyone's favorite part of the museum. Jill and I also donated to the United Way Fund which is an organization that volunteers time with children (that is were some of our toys from the toy drive went) and we thought it was important to donate to such a worthy cause.

We would like to thank the Imagination Museum for allowing us to come and volunteer our time.

12:01 am: Queen for a Day
July 12, 2009

Today Que, Jill, Emma and I went to the Imagination Museum to celebrate being a Queen for a Day. We were able to help the children make crowns to wear at the Arts and Crafts table. They made some amazing looking crowns that were decorated with feathers and jewels. The children really seemed to have a great time as they celebrated being a King or Queen for a Day!

I would like to thank the Imagination Museum for continuing to invite us to their amazing community events.

08:23 pm: Relay for Life
June 5, 2009

As I mentioned in previous posts, the Relay for Life and anything associated to the American Cancer Society is extremely important to me and this weekend was the all night Relay or Life. Abby, Jill, Emma and I worked really hard to raise money for this important cause and our hard efforts paid off! Our team goal was $1,000 and we raised close to $1,500!!!!

Jill and I went early to help my mom set up the survivor dinner which is where survivors and a caregiver are able to sit down and have a dinner with great food donated by many local Bristol restaurants. After this dinner, we met up with Abby and her family and we started setting up our campsite for the night. Abby, Jill, Emma and I were there for the survivor's first lap which was very emotional for some of us. Abby and I were the only ones brave enough to stick it out through the cold and rainy night! Thank goodness Abby and I had GREAT company-her mom, Jill's mom and sister, and my boyfriend also stayed with us that night! Emma's mom came back around 3:30am and Jill, her dad and Aunt came at 6:00am! Although it was cold, we certainly had a great time and we look forward to participating again next year!

Thank you to Danielle Rivard, who always goes above and behind for this event! I know so many people in Bristol appreciate your hard work and effort.

10:47 pm: Memorial Day Parades
May 25, 2009

Happy Memorial Day!! Bristol was a crazy city today and Abby, Jill, Emma and I had 2 parades to attend. The Bristol parade was in the morning and it was so nice to see people wake up nice and early to join us. Miss Mum, Juli, and I shared a car as we drove down the street waving to friends and family.

I would like to thank the City of Bristol for allowing us to attend this special parade. We had a great time!

I must admit that the Forestville parade is always my favorite because there are so many people there. This year was no exception! My dance studio, Dance Arts Centre, was there and dancing just a few feet behind me. The best part about this parade is I had a once in a life time opportunity to ride in a carriage! It was truly a Cinderella moment. I even had "sign carriers". My cousin, Spencer and his friend Ashley were nice enough to hold my sign and walk the parade route. They were the best! As I started down the parade route, my two 5 year old twin cousins jumped in my carriage and rode, waved and smiled with me for the rest of the parade. Having them with me made the parade even more fun and memorable. They promised they would ride in the Mum parade with me, so be sure to look for us!

I would like to thank Mr. Dave Pasqualicchio for providing me with my carriage and organizing a wonderful parade in Forestville, as usual.

11:47 pm: Memorial Day Events
May 24, 2009

God Bless America! This afternoon, Abby, Jill, Emma and I went to Memorial Boulevard to celebrate Memorial Day. There was so much to see and do and I never imagined all the different things that all the services have and use. We had the opportunity to climb in boats, trucks and airplanes which was really interesting. We even got to try on army vests and hold unloaded guns and those are so heavy!

The most important thing that we had the chance to do was listen to soldiers that came back from Iraq. It is because of these brave men and women that we still have our freedom today. We probably do not say "thank you" enough to them but their services never go unnoticed or unappreciated. I am so glad to be a part of a city that recognizes our soldiers both alive and those that have passed. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

11:24 pm: Scoops & Dreams Fundraiser
May 22, 2009

This year, my mom and I are captains for the Miss Bristol Relay for Life Team and we decided to have a fundraiser at Scoops & Dreams in Forestville. Proceeds from that night are donated to the American Cancer Society. Abby and I had the opportunity to scoop ice cream and I must say that it is a lot harder than it looks. Jill and Emma sold and decorated stars/moons and those proceeds went directly to the American Cancer Society. So many of our team's friends and family showed up and we had a great turnout. I would like to thank everyone who came out to this event. My team truly appreciates it!

I would like to thank Kim and Cheryl from Scoops & Dreams for allowing us to have our fundraiser.

12:05 am: Mothers Day Bouquet
May 6, 2009

Mother's Day is quickly approaching and The Garden Club was at the Imagination Museum to help children make flower bouquets for their mothers. Jill and I had the opportunity to help the children put their bouquets together. The bouquets were made from paper and anything the children wanted to decorate their flowers. They were beautiful!! Mothers all over Bristol are going to be so touched when they get these bouquets. And the best part is these are the best flowers of all because they never wilt or die.

Thank you to The Garden Club of Bristol and Imagination Museum for letting us come and help out. We had a great time.

11:53 pm: Forestville Duck Race
May 3, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen, DROP YOUR DUCKS!! Emma, Jill, Abby, Que and I went to the Annual Forestville Duck Race and even though it was rainy and cold, there was still a great turnout. This event is such a big deal that they close down the center of Forestville for the vendors and the people to enjoy the fun. There was food vendors, face painting, games and inflatable jumping pits for the children. Abby and I went around and handed out finishing flags to the children so that they could wave their flag and cheer on their duck. They loved the flags!

Emma and Jill had the opportunity to go to the starting line and watch the ducks get dumped. Abby, Que and I stayed behind and had the opportunity of introducing ourselves and thanking the Forestville Village Association for allowing us to be part of this event. I had the honor of announcing the ducks officially being dropped! It took about 30 minutes for the first few ducks to cross the finish line. It was very exciting event and I am glad that I had the chance to witness it firsthand.

I would like to thank Dave Pasqualicchio and the Forestville Village Association for allowing us to take part in such a funfilled and wonderful event! I look forward to attending next year and hopefully the weather will be better!

12:55 am: Butterfly Festival
May 1, 2009

The butterfly festival was the perfect way to start the month of May. Jill, Que and I went to the Imagination Museum to help with them with this awesome event. Since we have become professionals with arts and crafts, Jill and I went to help children with their butterfly crafts. They got to decorate butterflies out of paper or coffee filters. We even made some of them into butterfly necklaces! Many of the children told us about their personal butterfly stories. One little girl told me that she raises butterflies at her house which was really interesting to hear about.

I would like to extend my thanks to Doreen and the Imagination Staff for continuing to let us share in these amazing events that are offered to the children of Bristol. We always enjoy spending time there and we will continue to do so in the future.

10:42 pm: OM Show
April 17 & 18, 2009

Every year the Bristol Boys & Girls Club has an annual fundraiser and it's the OM Show. This fundraiser allows the children in Bristol to take part in things that they might never have the chance to do. This year, the BBGC send children to Florida! This is an amazing opportunity for these children and it is great to know that people give up so much of their time to come to rehearsals to produce this show every year. This is something that I have looked forward to being a part of every year. I get a chance to do what I love and have fun with people that I do not see very often. This show is something that I get to do with my cousin Misty. We have been doing this show together for years. We even audition together. My little cousins, Spencer, Madeline and Emma also participated this year. As you can tell, the OM Show is all about families and I know my family enjoys participating and coming to the show every year. This year's theme was "Living in America" and it was a fantastic show. Mary Lynn Gagnon and Ken Ferris work so well together and they produced an amazing show. Kimberly Doolittle was the choreographer and she did a phenomenal job, as usual!

Due to my school and work schedule, I was not able to fully participate like I usually do. I was able to perform a tap duet with Kimberly Doolittle while Steve Lavoie sang "American Woman". Kimberly and I worked together to choreograph this tap routine and we had a great time. Even though my part was small in the show, I am very happy that I was able to participate in someway.

Abby also participated in the OM Show with our dance studio, Dance Arts Centre. They performed "River" which is a beautiful lyric routine choreographed by Mark Simpson. I heard nothing but great things about that dance and all the dancers in the number did an incredible job.

Unfortunately, due to the craziness of helping people change for their dance routines, I did not get an opportunity to take very many pictures. But hopefully everyone was able to see the show this year!

10:19 pm: Edgewood Opening Day
April 18, 2009

PLAY BALL! Today was a beautiful day for Opening Ceremonies at Edgewood Little League Baseball Season and Jill, Abby, Que and I were there to welcome the baseball players. All of the teams that play at Edgewood were announced and all gathered on the field for the ceremonies. Que sang the National Anthem and did a great job. I had the privilege of throwing the first pitch and I actually did a really good job! I was impressed with myself considering I have never played baseball in my life. Jill and Abby helped with the raffle and they gave away some really great prizes.

I would like to thank the Committee at Edgewood Little League for allowing us to participate in their Opening Ceremonies. I would also like to thank them for their generous gift of Dunkin Donuts gift cards. We really appreciate your thoughtfulness.

12:02 am: Rotten Sneaker Contest
April 17, 2009

The Imagination Museum was certainly stinky today and Abby, Emma and I were there to witness it! Tons of children gathered today to have their sneakers judged to see if it was the stinkiest sneaker in Connecticut. This contest was such a big deal that Channel 30 was there along with The Hartford Courant and Bristol Observer! I had the privilege (if you want to call it that?) of being a judge. There were definitely a few times when I wanted to pass out!! Chic-the-Magician actually passed out and we have to use smelling salts to wake him back up! Georgio Sneakerelli was also on hand to judge. He came all the way from Italy to show us some of his new sneaker ideas. The new idea this year was the "Sneaker Snack". He put fruit roll-ups in the sneakers in case you were walking and got hungry...you can just eat a snack. YUCK!!!

We judged so many sneakers, but one stood out above all the others. Trinette's sneakers were BY FAR the smelliest of them all. She won $200 and a chance to compete in the National Rotten Sneaker Contest, which is sponsored by, none other than, Odor-Eaters! Thank goodness we had some of that on hand today for all the smelly sneakers that came through.

I would like to thank Darlene for allowing us to be a part of this televised event! It was an honor to be a judge!

09:26 pm: Egg-stravaganza
April 11, 2009

Happy Easter! Emma, Jill, Abby and I started the Easter holiday season off right. We spent the morning at the Imagination Museum helping children with arts and crafts. We helped children make butterflies out of coffee filters and they made some beautiful butterflies. We even made some of our own. And what would Easter be without an Easter Bunny? But there is a catch...we made ourselves into Easter bunnies with the craft materials! We are so creative!

Due to prior commitments, we were unable to stay for the big Easter egg hunt but we helped make sure everything was all set. We helped cut stickers for decorating eggs and cut fabric for bonnet decorating. I wish we had been able to stay for the egg hunt but I am sure that all the children had an amazing time!

Thank you to the Imagination Museum for continuing to invite us to all of their events. We always have a great time when we go there.