NEVER Forget

This week's blog is dedicated to all those affected by the 9-11-01 tragedies.  The victims, the families, the survivors, the first responders, the military and the numerous citizens who helped their fellow man in any capacity!  Our prayers are continually with those who still suffer and remember the horrible events! 

I still remember hearing the news and trying to get home from my office on 18th & K Streets NW Washington, DC - two blocks from the White House.   At that point, there was no way that any American couldn't be affected - some how.  For 51 beautiful women, it was very trying - worrying about their families and loved ones. 



In September 2001, the Mrs. America pageant was taking place in Honolulu, Hawaii.  One of the contestants was the infamous - now famous, Omarosa Manigault {Stallworth} who competed as Mrs. District of Columbia.

Always a pageant girl,  Omarosa with good friend and Mrs. Galaxy 2008, Darlene Deeben

The winner of that pageant, Nicole Brink of Indiana Mrs. America 2001) went on to win the title of Mrs. World 2002!  

Take THAT world!  You can knock us down, but you'll never count us out!  U-S-A, WE'LL NEVER FORGET

Hurricanes, Sunshine and Crowns!!!!!

As you can imagine, here in the Mid-Atlantic region, we are bracing for Hurricane Irene.  After an earthquake earlier this week, no one is really looking forward to yet another "mean" act of nature. But in scouring the internet to make sure that I am all prepared - reading about what Floridians do when the threat of hurricanes arise, imagine my surprise this morning when I realized that three of the major Mrs. crowns won in this year have all gone to women from the Sunshine state :-)  Coincidence???

No seriously! Clearly something is going on down there in beautiful Florida, the sun, the water, the beaches.  Look at the list below to see the lovely beauties.

Mrs. America 2011 - April Lufriu from Tampa, crowned at the national pageant in April (the irony right?) at the Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia.

Mrs. United States 2011 - Shannon Ford of Miami/South Florida, crowned August 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mrs. Galaxy International 2012 - Kellie Lightbourn, who competed as Mrs. North America Galaxy in the pageant although she is from Florida, won her title on August 6th in Chicago, Illinois.

I wonder if another state can pick up this dynasty and run with it.  Whatever works, pageant peeps, whatever works!