Mayor's Shinning Star Award

Photos by Liston Abbott
On Saturday, April 25th, I became the proud recipient of the Hightstown and East Windsor Mayor's Shinning Star Award. What a night!!! One of the best evenings of my life. We raise funds and support organizations simply because we care and for no other reason. To be recognized for your efforts is thrilling! I thank my very best gal Pandora for nominating me. This coming Wednesday, April 29th, the event will be televised in our area on channel 27. During the gala dinner I received a Proclamation from East Windsor, a Certificate of Honor from Hightstown and a Certificate of Recognition from Mercer County. There were many friends and family there (over 400 in attendance) and I introduced my husband as Mr. New Jersey during my speech :) Great fun! Wish I could relive the evening.

Thank you Mayor Mironov, Mayor Patten, Pandora and the award committee. I am honored.

On April 26th I had the pleasure of attending the March of Dimes Walk in West Windsor. The best part of the day was seeing a previous co-worker, Tracey, who had twins which required special care at birth. We hadn't seen one another in 8 years and I had no idea of the difficult time she endured when her twins were born. Seeing Tracey, speaking with her and seeing photos of the twins soon after their birth gave such purposed to my visit, I was moved beyond words!!!

NAACP Gala and Awards Dinner

This past Friday I had the privileged of being an invited guest to the NAACP Awards Dinner and Gala. There I had the pleasure of meeting some of the most amazing people ever! Sitting next to the keynote speaker, I was amazed by the hard work she does to help others, especially teenagers. Her name is Janice Teetsell, a judge in Essex County. It was also a joy to watch my sister, Councilwoman Jacqueline Johnson, present a proclamation to one of the awardees (she is so well spoken - must get her to enter a pageant!). When photos are available, I will be happy to post.

Spa Day and Lunch with Former Mrs. NJ's and 09 Contestants

What a FABULOUS DAY! Recently some of the 2009 Contestants, Mrs. New Jersey 2004, Beth Leska, Mrs. New Jersey 2006, Susan Huntley, and I enjoyed lunch and spa facials. We had such a wonderful time talking, looking at photos of Susan and Beth's crownings, eating sushi and having soothing facials!! Thank you ladies for attending.

Queen of Hearts Foundation

This past Saturday I was honored to be an invited guest to Carissa Palumbo's "Queen of Hearts Foundation" fashion show and luncheon to raise funds for the American Heart Association. Carissa (in 2nd photo below) did an awesome job pulling this event together. Even with the pouring rain, many came out to support Carissa's cause and platform. Carissa is competing in the Miss New Jersey America pageant on June 20th as Miss Gateway. Photos courtesy of Richard Krauss Photography.
With the wonderfully vivacious Ashley Fairfield, Miss New Jersey America 2008
The event organizer, Carissa Palumbo, Miss Gatway 2009. Carissa did a great job as the MC and was a gracious hostess.