An 1836 Nutcracker for Breast Cancer

I recently finished The Nutcracker with Northeastern Ballet Theatre on the weekend of December 4th.  And now tonight is opening night at the Music Hall in downtown Portsmouth, NH with Great Bay Academy of Dance.  The 1836 Nutcracker runs through Saturday evening December the 18th.  Also, for every ticket that is purchased ten percent of the proceeds will benefit the York Hospital for Breast Cancer research.  Hope to see you there for a great show and a great cause!  Video clips will be posted shortly.

Dover Holiday Parade

Sunday, November 28th was the annal 'Miracle on Central Avenue' Dover Holiday Parade.  I was honored to be asked back as Miss Winnipesaukee and a proud Dover native.  Large crowds filled with excited children covered the sidelines of Central Ave. through the city of Dover.  What a great afternoon with Kamilah Fucci, and Lauren Percy (Miss Strafford County and Miss Strafford County Teen).  For more information on Dover, NH events visit www.ci.dover.nh.us.

Circus for Bella

 Saturday, November 20th a few of the local title holders volunteered at a fundraiser called Circus for Bella.  Bella is an eight year old girl from Londonderry who lost all of her limbs to a life threatening infection.  Circus for Bella sold out two shows at Pinkerton Academy!  The title holders worked concession for one show and got to watch the other.  Here with me is my little friend Keira who was sitting next to me for the circus.  We both loved the show.

Miss Rockingham County

Saturday, November 13th was the Miss Rockingham County scholarship pageant at Salem high school.  Here with me is a future Miss University contestant, Heather, a friend of mine also from University of New Hampshire supporting the Miss Rockingham program on Saturday evening.  A huge thank you to Paula Moore, the director of the Miss Rockingham County title for nearly a decade, for her everlasting dedication, hard work, and thousands of hours devoted to the Miss NH organization.  We all love you Paula.  Also, a warm welcome to Joy and Justine Barker who are now the new co-directors of Miss Rockingham. 

Miss Berlin-Gorham 2011

 November 6th I attended the annual Miss Berlin-Gorham pageant held at the Gorham Middle School.  Six talented local women competed for the coveted title, scholarship money, and a spot earned at the Miss NH 2011 competition.  Congratulations to the newly crowned 2010 Miss Berlin-Gorham, Jennifer Clements. 

Kathy for the Cure

October 30th was the annual 'Kathy for the Cure' fundraiser hosted by Kathy Kerrigan, a local fitness expert and breast cancer survivor.  The day consisted of nine hours of a variety of fitness classes in Pilates, Zumba, Belly-dancing, Yoga, TRX and more hosted at the Oyster River High School in Durham, NH.  I had a wonderful time participating in a couple classes for the cure.  All proceeds went to the Beyond the Rainbow Foundation which provides support and financial assistance to Exeter Hospital cancer survivors.  Last year her event rose over $6,000 and Kathy hopes to surpass this as the donations continue to come in.  For more information or to make a donation visit beyondtherainbow.org. 

5k Carving a Trail of Hope

 Sunday, October 24th I volunteered on the 5k run/walk course in Candia, NH for the Carving a Trail of Hope 5k to benefit the Children's Miracle Network.  Over 70 runners and walkers came out on the crisp October afternoon and took to the beautiful trails of Candia for a great cause.  Here with one of the runners Meghan Loring, and Miss NH contestant, Tina Gebhard, Miss Winni director, and in front of the Candia trails.  Hope to see you there next year.

Family Halloween Party

 Saturday, October 24th Miss Weirs Beach, Chantel Mccabe, and myself made an appearance in costume at the annual spooky Family Halloween Party at Funspot in Laconia, NH.  Close to 2,000 people walked through the doors that night dressed as princesses, vampires, birds, ketchup, and more!  Chantel and I had a blast juding the annual costume contest in six different age categories who all won fabulous prizes.  Thank you to the Miss Winni directors, Tina and Gary, and to Pat Kelly for a wonderful night for all ages.

Making Strides Dover, NH

Sunday, October 17th was the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk Dover, NH at Henry Law park.  I was so proud of my team, Pink on Ice who exceeded our personal goal of $1,000!  It was an also a honor to be asked to help open up Dover Strides with a Zumba warm-up right before the three mile loop.  Dover, NH rose over $92,000 for the American Cancer Society which goes to support all of the many programs which help thousands of women, and men, battle their way through breast cancer every year.  Last year Dover Strides rose $62,000 in 2009.  Each donation made helps make more strides towards a day where no one has to worry about losing loved ones to breast cancer. A huge thank you to the Dover Strides committee headed by Allison Alper, to all the teams decked out in pink, and to all the local supporters.  Check out the article Fosters for a great write-up and pictures of the event at fosters.com.

Hosting Macy's Shop for a Cause

October 16th was Macy's annual Shop for a Cause where Macy's stores across the nation donate 25% of proceeds from a purchased coupon to local charitable organizations such as Make a Wish, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and local food pantries.  It was an honor to be asked for the third time to be the emcee for the 2010 Macy's Shop for a Cause fashion show.  Here with the 2010 Miss NH models and with Kevin Neal, manager of Macy's Newington, NH.  Thank you for supporting such great causes.

OneBlaze Northeast Conference

October 8th-10th I was one of the leaders for the OneBlaze Northeast Conference held at Camp Brookwoods in Alton, N.H.  Over fifty teenagers from NewFrontiers churches across New England and Canada came together for a long weekend for guest speakers, times of worship with the 'Youth Band' (led by my brother Zach Silk, pictured with the guitar), and to perform different service projects down-town Dover, NH.  One of them included cleaning, and re-painting the Dover skate park!  Can you spot Miss 'Winni' in front of Lake 'Winni'?  Or her little sister Tiffany?  For more information on OneBlaze conferences go to oneblaze.net.

NH's first BJs Pink Picnic

Friday, October 8th I was asked to emcee NH's first BJ's Pink Picnic hosted at the Hooksett, N.H. BJs location.  Through the month of October BJs Pink Picnics are happening all over the U.S!  It was an honor to host the first one in the granite state.  Pictured with me is Dr. Roshani Patel and Dr. Gerald Gehr from the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center in Manchester, NH which is only 1 of 40 National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Centers nationwide.  Dr. Gehr mentioned how many males he works with who are in treatment for breast cancer in N.H., and Dr. Patel blew my mind when she said the  latest research this year shows that if a person spends a minimum of two hours of aerobic exercise per week then your risk of getting breast cancer is lessened by 50%.  The Norris Cotton Cancer Center is working closely with Exercise Physiologists on developing exercise programs soon to be infiltrated into other hospitals, and health care centers.  Take time to find two hours a week, to learn your family history, and also to schedule your yearly mammogram.  It could save your life. 

Apple Harvest Day

 Saturday, October 2nd was Dover's annual Apple Harvest Day. For credit towards my dance major I spent the whole day working at the University of New Hampshire's Theater and Dance station promoting the 2010-2011 season at Johnson Theater.  For a complete schedule of the UNH Theater and Dance Department go to www.unh.edu/theatre-dance.  Come see Miss 'Winni' in the leading role on March 30th-April 3rd 2011 for the UNH Dance Company performance. 

Tanger Outlets Fit for Families 5k

September 25th was the Tanger Fit For Families 5k run/walk in Tilton, NH.  The intent of the second annual event was to bring the community together and encourage a healthy, happy lifestyle and fight Breast Cancer.  Proceeds from the 5k went to the LRGHealthcare.  All of the Miss NH local titleholders were invited to volunteer during the race.  I had a great time quickly handing off cups of water to the runners on the course!  Special thank you to our Miss NH sponsor and chair of the Tanger event, Mike Buescher.

Gilford Old Home Day

 August 28th was the annual Gilford Old Home Day Parade!  What a perfect day for the thousands of people that gathered down town Gilford, NH to see all the floats, fancy cars, and of course a special appearance by Miss Winnipesaukee and Miss Weirs Beach 2011.  My sister queen and I won first place out of all the parade participants.  A great smile, eye contact and a piece of candy for the judges was our trick to winning the award.