Miss Amazing Pageant

 Judges, emcee and helping hands

 The contestants before talent

Banners and tiaras ready for their new homes

 Such excitement, everyone gets a tiara

 Many family and friends were there to support everyone

A contestant on break

 A photo with my successor

Lots of Queens

 

December 7th I had a huge responsibility and honor of judging the Miss Amazing Pageant. This system was created by a teenager and it's purpose is to celebrate young ladies abilities instead of their disabilities. All state directors are teenagers who organize and find contestants for the pageant. Judging was difficult, many of the contestants were prepared to compete. I hope this pageant continues to grow and be recognized in the coming years. Good luck to all the girls at the nationals in Nebraska!

America's Hometown Thanksgiving Day Parade

 Abraham Lincoln started the celebrations

 Mayflower Replica

 Paul Revere on Horseback

 Big turkey balloon

 Big dedications to Boston Strong

 Boston Red Sox Champions mascot Wally

 This train acts as a food drive and viewers are encouraged to bring food to the parade for collection

Must have Santa

November 23rd I attended Plymouth's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the divisions of this parade are historically based and all follow a timeline. I was able to enjoy the parade from the VIP grandstand with my family. Lots to do and see, the festivities go on all weekend. After all this parade is ranked 2nd best in the nation!

Biggest Loser 5K Off-Road Challenge

 

Fenway Park was full of people on November 16th participating in The Biggest Loser Spartan Off Road Challenge. I was able to volunteer with the children's events. Children ages 4-13 ran a 1 mile course of stairs and obstacles to the finish line where each were awarded with medals. It was great to see so many kids participating in an active way and many running the course several times. Meanwhile adults had their own set of obstacles where they took advantage of every foot of Fenway's amenities top to bottom.

American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study-3

 

November 16th I committed myself to helping study cancer for the couple decades. Over the next 20-30 years I will be completing periodic surveys to help research efforts. In addition to surveys I had to have my waist measured and give blood samples which they will use in the event I get cancer in the future. Being able to be a part of this study is not something that comes around often and the same type of survey was done in finding the connection of smoking and cancer many years ago.

Promises for Purple

 

November 10th was the Promises for Purple Pancreatic Cancer fundraiser. This event fundraises for Dana Farber Cancer Institution and in its three years has raised close to $100,000 for research. This has helped in funding for the 4th leading cancer killer. I enjoyed getting to know the committee and helping them educate the public, sell shirts and pull opportunity drawing winners. I wish them many more years of successful fundraising.

Edaville Rail Run

 

 

On November 9th I travelled to Edaville Rail Road to volunteer for the Evaville Rail Run. This was the 14th Annual fundraiser for the Dorine Merritt Memorial Fund. Dorine was an 18 year old nursing student home for the weekend when she was killed in a car accident in 1972. Her family now puts on this event to raise scholarship funds. Participants could choose between a 2 mile fun run or a 5 mile trail run. I helped by getting t-shirts out to participants and cheering on the over 1000 runners as they crossed the finish line.

 

Lungevity Foundation's Breathe Deep Walk

 

Saturday November 2nd I attended the 8th Annual Lungevity Foundation's Breath Deep 5K Walk to raise funds for lung cancer research and support. So far they have raised over $200,000 from this event. There was so much going on from education, soccer, face painting, a dedication wall, people playing on the beach and lots of socializing. The opening proceedings had singers and speakers including caregiver recognition. It was a beautiful day in Boston to share in this event!

Upcoming Promises for Purple Event

I had the pleasure of sitting in on a committee meeting for the Promises for Purple Pancreatic Cancer Event last Friday. As they plan on getting the event underway it is clear how passionate everyone is about raising money for this cause and educating the public about Pancreatic Cancer and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Please join us on November 10th at Braintree High School, check in starts at 11:30am if you want to participate in the walk which starts at 1pm.

 

http://www.promisesforpurple.org/

 

Another way to support the Promises for Purple event is by grabbing a flyer and visit Uno's in Braintree on Nov 10th. All day they will be donating money from purchases presented with the flyer below.

 

 



State House

House Chambers with Rep. Cutler

 The Library

My husband and I in front of a previous Governor's portrait

 The Senate Chambers

 Out on the front balcony with Senator Kennedy and Representative Cutler

Wearing a Gold Medal for the Olympics with Natalie Cook

 My husband, I and Natalie the Olympic Gold Medalist for Beach Volleyball

 Taking pictures with some of the historical pieces

 Rep. Cutler's Aide Michael showed us around

My husband and I had the privilege of spending our wedding anniversary, October 16th, at the State House. We were given a tour through the building along with a few history lessons, had photos in both the House and Senate Chambers and met a few field trips along the way. I was introduced to the House of Representatives before they met for their formal session along with Australia's Volleyball Gold Medalist who was visiting while being inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame. Overall a great day and I thank everyone for the hospitality shown to me.