So much to update, PART DEUX

For my continuation of the update, I'll begin with the SteelStacks Farmers' Market grand opening on Tuesday, May 10th. Not only is SteelStacks an important advance for economic sustainability in the Lehigh Valley, its Farmers' Market is also a splendid foray toward positioning fresh, local, organic eating at the forefront of health and wellness. Pictured with me here is Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, who helped me cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony; Lorraine Torrella, the manager of the Farmers' Market; and some beautiful Girl Scouts from Holy Infancy School on Bethlehem's Southside.

Just two evenings later I attended the "Rhapsody in Blue" dinner organized by the Lehigh County Democrats, an organization which my grandmother served in multiple capacities. My aunt has carried on my Mimi's legacy with the organization as both a member, officer, and candidate. We are so proud of my aunt for clinching the school board nomination as of Tuesday, May 17th, and can't wait to continue campaigning for her through November.

That weekend on Saturday my mom and I scoped out the Recycling, Electronics Drive featuring VIN Etching at Whitehall Public Works. VIN etching is an important part of auto theft prevention, a cause that has recently become important to our family due to four occurrences of auto theft affecting the vicinity of my mother's home. The VIN etching team is made up of Lehigh County Auto Theft Task Force members who work all hours as undercover investigators, so in order to protect the integrity of their work I don't have photos to share. HOWEVER, the Take Back the Streets Auto Theft Awareness & Prevention block party on my mom's block is upcoming on Saturday, June 11th, so I'll be sure to snap some photos at that event to share more about our progress with this cause.

I rounded out the week by attending EmPoWeReD Birth's presentation of Birth: A Play by Karen Brody. I was so moved by this experience as the play emphasized the importance of educating women and families about their birth options. Far too often I believe we are not properly or fully informed regarding decisions associated with childbirth, and far too often folks look at me like I have three heads when they realize I am researching my options even though I am not pregnant. My favorite retort is that I spent ten years longing for and researching my favorite car before I finally bought it, so why wouldn't I spend all this time learning about my options for what will be one of the most important days of my life? Needless to say, it was reassuring to be among an audience of like-minded individuals who respectfully consider each other's feelings and beliefs. Pictured with me here is the remarkable PRESIDENT of EmPoWeReD Birth, Mari Walsh Nebbaki, whose organization so lovingly and passionately enabled the production of the play.

Look next for a report from the KingSpry/Freund & Associates Spring Fling at the Crayola Factory in Easton, as well as some additional information about the aforementioned Take Back the Streets block party and this summer's Worthwhile Style fashion event.

Dream big!
KAM

SO MUCH TO UPDATE!

Hi all,

Hmmm...where to start...I guess where I left off last!

After World Penguin Day, my next pageant-oriented activity involved my photo shoot for the national pageant program book with Angie Carr of Angie C Photography. If you visit her website, you'll see me on the right of her portfolio page in a photo from our first shoot together, and let me tell you--she is AMAZING. Anyway, it took a lot of hemming, hawing, and unofficial online voting by my Facebook friends, but pictured to the left is my official nationals headshot. ALL of the photos are absolutely gorgeous and are viewable via her FB album located here.

Next up was my golf tournament...Wish Upon a Par...to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia. While all aspects of the day were fantastic, my favorite part was meeting Molly, a wish kid whose wish to be on a television show was granted a few years ago. She and her mom Colleen spoke briefly about Make-A-Wish and what wishes mean to families during the banquet following the golf. I was so impressed by both their story and by Molly's poise...future pageant girl, perhaps?! But to think that through this process we raised $1675 simply boggles my mind. It didn't even feel like work, and I can't wait to plan my third tournament in 2012!

Nearly a week later I attended the tail-end of the Community Lehigh Valley Music Conference on Saturday night presented by some of the same folks who bring us the Lehigh Valley Music Awards and Women in Art in Pennsylvania. Hubs and I walked in during a performance from Bonehead, who has also been known as Familiar 48 and had a radio hit in 2002 called "The Question." Very cool that we got a photo together!

That Monday was the Lehigh University Home Club's annual golf outing. While I couldn't be there due to my teaching schedule, I did sponsor a hole to support my post-secondary alma mater. It was reported that many coaches and alums were impressed that a hometown Lehigh girl became Mrs. Pennsylvania, so that made me feel quite good! :)

Although I have a few more events to report, I'm going to stop here for now and update again after the week is through. Not only am I unable to post more than five photos at a time, but my couch, hubby, and the latest delivery from Netflix are calling my name for some much needed down time! Stay tuned for updates on the SteelStacks Farmers' Market Grand Opening, the Lehigh County Democrats' "Rhapsody in Blue" dinner, VIN etching with the Lehigh County Auto Theft Task Force, and Birth: A Play by Karen Brody presented by EmPoWeReD Birth.

Dream big,
KAM