Visiting our Veterans

http://www.va.gov/

Friday, November 20th was spent at the Danville VA Hospital/Health Care Facility. I had the pleasure - honor, really - visiting with Mr. Michael Hamilton, Director of the Illiana Health Care System, and then visiting four different wards. I've visited before over the years, and each time it's humbling to me. These people literally gave their lives to serve our country and keep us safe. What great love and compassion that is.

My Mom has told me about how my grandpas would talk about the USO Girls (they were both Army) and how much it meant to them having those ladies come to visit or sing. Visitors of any kind are really pretty important to our veterans, but for some reason "Beauty Queens" are a real treat and I was happy to be a special visitor for the day. I think I was pretty spoiled actually to get hand shakes, hugs, and even a few kisses from these wonderful people. One gentleman looked just like my Grandpa Zajicek (and he spoke like my Great Grandma Zajicek, which was wild) and I could have sat with him for hours.

Special thanks to Mr. Doug Shouse for arranging my visit as well as taking me around the facility and taking pictures. To Mr. Hamilton for taking the time to meet with me as well, for my very special pen, and for sharing information about the new buildings in progress to give even more freedoms and comfort to our veterans staying with them. And I even got to reconnect with a former high school friend who now works for the hospital in patient care and she walked us around introducing patients, so thank you very much, Suzanne!

VA Mission Statement
To fulfill President Lincoln's promise “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans. My heart-felt gratitude goes to the men and women who serve and have served our country, and to the men and women who serve our veterans at the VA. God Bless You!

I will have more pictures soon, but here's a couple for now.

The Night of Lights Holiday Parade

Danville:

My home town growing up is Danville, Illinois, and I had the privilege of being a part of the Night of Lights Parade in Danville this Thursday evening. The rain held up for a really nice event! It was good to come home and be a part of the a week long holiday opening!

http://www.downtowndanville.us/calendar.htm

As it turns out I also got to see all the fanfare for the Danville Vikings, my High School football team, as they are 12 and 0, and were playing in the semi-finals Saturday! Go Vikings!!!

Special thanks to Dee Lane, Mrs. Illinois America 1992, for providing my parade car, driving, and taking me in for the extended weekend I had as part of the parade, as well as a visit to the Veteran's Hospital in Danville the day after (her pancakes are awesome, by the way! It's like being in the most fancy Bed and Breakfast ever! My "room" - I should call SUITE - I stayed in with her is beyond beautiful, and she treated me like a true queen!) I am indebted to the goodness of many of my Mrs Illinois "sisters" as they continuously give and provide...God Bless you!!! I will have photos from the VA visit soon! Also special thanks to Karen McGinnis of Downtown Danville for arranging the parade entry and being so accommodating and helpful!

The photo in front of the Veteran's War Memorial is especially important to me because my grandfathers were Army vets, my Father-in-law is a Marine, and I was there for the actual dedication of this memorial when I was Miss Vermilion County AFL-CIO (Miss America Organization). Getting to be back there again was incredibly sweet!

PS - that dog had a lighted up outfit, and apparently is a part of the parade every year as a "reindeer"...too cute!

Jingle Mingle Parade in Burr Ridge

Saturday evening was spent in Burr Ridge for the 2nd Annual Jingle Mingle, an event filled with train rides, live reindeer, face painting, meeting the Mayor and Santa, and parade leading up to the tree lighting in downtown. We were so fortunate to have some wonderful 60+ degree weather! There were over 1,000 people in attendance this year! I had the opportunity to help with the tree lighting ceremony after the parade, and then visit with those in attendance taking photos and signing autograph cards. It was kind of fun sitting right down on the sidewalk with the children as they acted like they were talking to a "princess". That was a fun 15 minutes of fame there! Walking back to the car afterward, I had a family of 5 all take turns trying on the crown and taking pictures. As much as it is fun to wear the crown...because in truth, it is...it's even more fun to watch others try it on with such enthusiasm. Who knew something as simple as putting on a tiara makes so many feel like a million bucks?! :) Making others feel good is my favorite part of all of this!

http://www.shopburrridge.com/

http://www.triblocal.com/Willowbrook/Detail_View/view.html?type=events&action=detail&sub_id=115316

This event was especially fun for me since Eric and Elena were also a part of the parade with Eric driving the car - so generously provided by Castle Buick-Pontiac-GMC - and Elena riding along. She didn't want to sit up high with mommy, wanting instead to be next to daddy, waving and hollering "Merry Christmas!". Such a hoot! She also loved waiting for the parade because that meant she got to meet the firemen and see the truck, as well as help herself to the passenger side of the military jeep in the parade. She actually wanted to ride with them instead of us!!! ;) She was enamoured by Bebe the dog, who was with her grandparents, Marcie and Joe Aceto, who also made the trip out, after already coming out for the fashion show earlier in the day to be there for (and a part of!) the parade.

Special thanks to Lisa Scheiner of the parade committee for her hard work in making it a successful year #2 for the parade (from 500 to 1,000 in attendance in one year is huge! Congrats!). Wishing you many, many more! To Dehn, a good friend of the Aceto Family, and the person responsible for making Mrs. Illinois a part of the Burr Ridge Parade, to Joe and Marcie Aceto for coming out and spending the evening in Burr Ridge with us, to my brother-in-law, John, in partnership with Castle Buick-Pontiac-GMC, for providing our parade car, and for my husband, Eric, giving so much of his day for all of the events by being chauffeur and chaperon making it all work perfectly(although, I think getting to drive "the corvette with only 6 miles on it" made it a pretty sweet deal for him ;)!!! ).

Car provided by: http://www.castleguy.com/

Many Thanks!

Barrington Junior Women's Club Fashion Show

I was invited by Tracey and Zzazz Productions to once again join them for another Fashion Show Fundraiser, this time in Hoffman Estates for the Barrington Junior Women's Club at the Stonegate Conference and Banquet Centre, Saturday. This was another great opportunity to be a part of a stellar show filled with beautiful designs and lovely ladies showing them off. I consider it an honor to get to walk with them.

http://bjwc.org/tiki-index.php

My thanks again to Tracey, for incorporating Mrs. Illinois in her events as a part of her reign. That in itself is an amazing gift.

http://www.zzazzproductions.com/

Thanks again to Jason Pawlowski for giving his afternoon to document the event, and to Marcie and Julie Aceto for taking time out of their schedule to attend.

More Dream a Little Dream Photos

-Before I left. Yep, that's toilet paper on the floor by my feet. Diva was in that first thing this morning...it can NEVER be easy getting out the door!!! ;)

-One of the many young ladies I got to take photos with and talk to during the event. I want to praise each and every mom, grandma, aunt and sibling (we had a grandmother at our table who brought her granddaughters to the event!) who brought along young ones like these. This is a great lesson in understanding the preciousness and fragility of life. Our health is a gift, and we can take advantage of that and use it positively by getting involved in events, walks, and service projects to give back. Sharing our "gift" is immeasurable. Just ask Mr. Taylor, Ellen's dad.

-The beautiful Ball Room. I was loving the chandeliers!

-With Sweet Carol, who has been the contestant coordinator for many years for Mrs. Illinois America. She really is generous in her time and kindness.

-With Robin Robinson of Fox Chicago News at 9:00pm...that woman is SO tall and SO beautiful! She and Jeff Goldblatt, also of Fox News, were our Masters of Ceremonies.

Dream a Little Dream... With Me

Sunday was the 15th Annual St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Fashion Show Benefit.

http://www.tg.stjude.org/?tngsourcecode=THWKEYWDO10&plt=THWGOTXTDO10148&gclid=CPy0nK2__J0CFRPyDAodNDMXqQ

About the fashion Show/Event:

Over 40 years ago, the late entertainer Danny Thomas envisioned a dream that "no child should die in the dawn of life." He developed a plan and believed that his dream could come true. It is through a collective effort of doctors, researchers, donors and volunteers that this dream is becoming a reality. Supporters of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the Chicagoland area contribute to Danny's dream in many ways. For the past fourteen years, the Annual Dream a Little Dream Fashion Show, benefiting St. Jude, has raised over $1.3 million and annually draws more than 900 guests.

http://www.shaker.com/stjudefashionshow/

This year, we surpassed that record with over 1,000 guests, and had a last minute move the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont due to the numbers.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g36630-d224781-Reviews-Hyatt_Regency_O_Hare-Rosemont_Illinois.html - Special thanks to their accommodations and extremely excellent service. Please patronize this generous establishment. The ball room was AMAZING!

Saks Fifth Avenue was the featured show, and did an amazing job puting on a spectacular runway affair.

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Entry.jsp?site_refer=360i+G&kw_refer=saks+fifth+avenue

We met darling Ellen Taylor, a 5 year old patient of St. Jude's Hospital in Tennessee, who serenaded the audience with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", and I don't think I saw a dry eye in the house. We then listened to her father speak about their personal story and his gratefulness to St. Jude's Hospital and the supporters. What a truly strong, beautiful family. I enjoyed getting to talk to little Ellen and her friend, Laura...and their "babies", as well as take time visiting with her father. I am speechless...

I also got to be a part of the event by announcing the "Big" Raffle Prizes at the end of the event. All helping fund the hospital and save lives...and there were some pretty amazing things to be won. But as one of the speakers mentioned, even if you don't take home a prize, your purchased raffle ticket is helping a child win his/her battle with cancer. That alone is THE prize.

Special thanks goes to Marcie and Julie Aceto for coordinating the event and getting some of the Mrs. Illinois Family to come along in their support: Carol Gunnell, Karen Cline and her daughter, and Michele Barber were also in attendance and it was so nice to see Carol again and get to know Karen and Michele better. Thank you so much for your time and gift ladies!

Photos are:

-Little Ellen Taylor, with a big set of lungs, in front of over 1,000 guests...now that's courage...although, considering her battle with cancer, this is probably small potatoes to her! She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at 3 years of age.

-With Secretary of State Jesse White ( a very nice gentleman, by the way!)

- Fashion Show...WOW!!!

-Group Shot of the Mrs. Illinois Delegation

I'll have more photos in another post

Fall Fashion Show Fundraiser

I had the distinct privilege of being a part of the Naperville Junior Women's Club Fashion Show Saturday: Simply Elegant, an Afternoon of Style.

http://www.napervillejuniors.org/Fashion%20Show.htm

Held at the beautiful Bobak's Signature Events & Conference Center in Woodridge. It is a beautiful place!

http://signatureevent.com/

The event was choreographed by the illustrious Tracey Tarantino of Zzazz Productions, who not only is the choreographer for Mrs. Illinois America every year, but a constant in the fashion show realm as spokesperson, emcee, choreographer, et al...I am in awe of her!

I got to wear some amazing outfits, including my favorite designer from Chicago, Sylwia...her designs are to die for! And Diamonds by Costella Jewelry!!! WOW! I got to wear some amazing pieces, I'd never thought I would ever see anything like that! Diamonds are a girl's best friend!

Also thanks to Supporters: Thomas Orthodontics, Suzanne and Leo Hart, Bri Zan, E-nopi, Fastrackids, Fusion, Synergy Institute, York Furrier, Zazu'.

http://www.zzazzproductions.com/

Special thanks to Jason Pawlowski for the the awesome photos and the time he gave to the event. Also thanks to Marcie and Julie Aceto for attending and coordinating the event for me along with Tracey Tarantino. I am so grateful.

A little NJWC info:

The Naperville Junior Woman’s Club (NJWC) received its charter on February 22, 1967. Twenty four charter members founded the club on the principles of providing service, education and culture to the community.

Benefitting: Safety Town and 3 Local Charities - Blessings

Sisters...Sisters...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYZbgG4D2oA

Now, let me start by saying I have a fond love for this because my little (ONE OF) sister, Sally, whom danced to this number in tap class many moons ago...and she IS my sister...but there are some other sisters I am so very fond of! Julie, my "chosen sister", whom I am eternally grateful for...kisses! Some other former Mrs. Illinois' who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make this an exceptional experience for me and to be my example. I love you so as well! And that of the Mrs. America Class of 2009/2010...They are ALL beautiful sisters.

I got to be with one of my "sisters" this weekend. Christy, Mrs. Kentucky, was in Chicago for a Jazzercise Conference and we made a point to meet up. After spending the evening with Christy and her lovely friends, I so wish we would have had the 2 and 1/2 weeks we normally would at Mrs. America, because I would have loved to have had more time with her ahead of time. She is a darling, real to the core, and a HOOT AND A HALF!!! And her friends with her were beyond what one would expect when it comes to southern hospitality. They brought the loving south to my doorstep, and I took in every ounce! All of these ladies are beautiful inside and out, and I am so ready to move to Lexington just because of them! ;0)

So cheers to Jazzercise, to Christy and the brilliant "k's", and to all the good ladies of Mrs. America. Bless you for being what this is all about!

A New World Record Achieved!

It's officially in! Posted at Thrill the World:

NEW WORLD RECORD

Thrill the World has announced that they beat the world record. This year there were 22,923 people dancing at 278 events in 32 countries.

In addition, Thrill The World raised over $85,000 for 80 charities!