It has been such a long time since I've written, but I (allegedly) will be writing more often.

This weekend (which JUST came to an end) I was given three wonderful opportunities to jump back into volunteerism, and it was terrific trip.

Friday night I modeled in the Eleganza Fashion Show at the gorgeous Greenville Country Club. The dinner/show event benefitted the Ministry of Caring Guild and it appeared (from the dressing room and the runway) to be a huge success. It was wonderful to see so many friends, especially Heather (Miss DE 09), Andrew (Mr. DE 09), and all of the wonderful Mrs. contestants and titleholders. Krista Brazell and I modeled great outfits from Mystique Boutigue in Wilmington. I first had on a slim fit black suit with a western style satin black shirt with blue buttons and trim, followed by an AMAZING Michael Kors microsuede camel jacket, white slim fit button down with blue accents, and jeans. We were treated like celebrities and some of us enjoyed a night out at Deep Blue in Wilmington afterwards. Thank you so much to Marci McNair, Mrs. DE US 2009, for the invitation to model.

Probably my favorite picture ever of Heather and I!

Marci and I

Andrew and I in our 'manly' pose


with the lovely Krista

Saturday morning I was a special guest riding in the Wesley College Homecoming Parade through the streets of Downtown Dover. My friend Shannon Reed was the parade coordinator and I can't thank him enough for the opportunity! It was great to see Heather and my driver Joe was terrific! Even getting caught riding in the rain without an umbrella and my CD not working could not have ruined my fun. I love parades! and GO WESLEY! The Wolverines defeated Frostburg 44-19 in the big homecoming game.

All decked out in blue and white!

Posing after the parade with my very sweet ride

Saturday night I joined old and new Cecil Manor friends to celebrate our wonderful bachelorette Nikole! She will be marrying Jim October 24 in Mexico. When I started working at Cecil Manor two years ago I never dreamed I would make these lifelong friends, and I am so thankful for them every day!

Nikole and I!

Sunday morning it was GORGEOUS outside!! I was invited to sing the National Anthem at the National Kidney Foundation walk at Rockford Park in Wilmington. Event coordinator Kimberly Hamm did a fantastic job and the crowd was wonderful. There was no microphone, so I tried to pump up the walkers before I sang and also thanked them for their commitment to volunteerism. As I sang they became silent and it was a very special moment as they cheered at the end. What a terrific morning!

The tents all set up and full of walkers

Kimberly and I

The rest of Sunday proved restful, as I joined Liza for church and then Tammy and I headed over to Milburn Orchards to see the pumpkins and buy some of their amazing apple cider doughnuts! Then Kelly joined us for lunch at Mayflower and the rest of the day was spent relaxing as I get ready to head to NYC for the day tomorrow to reunite with some great friends!


Besides all of these terrific pageant-related events, I am happily now a SUBSTITUTE teacher at Cecil Manor Elementary School and loving every minute of it. I am also busy planning my two local DE pageants for this season, Miss Rehoboth Beach (November 7) and Miss Brandywine (February 6), as well as the 2010 Mr. DE Pageant of course! I have gotten back into voice lessons (finally!) and even will be auditioning for a musical for the first time in over a year. Life is happy and stress-free so far this year so far, quite a change from just 6 months ago!


Lastly and sadly, please keep my best friend (and Miss Kent County 2009) Julie Fuller and her family in all of your thoughts and prayers. Julie's mother is fighting the end of a long battle with multiple myeloma (blood cancer) and they are in need of all of the positive energy we can send. Julie and her mother and both inspiring individuals and I am so proud to call them close friends.


All the best always,


Chris
Mr. DE 2008