Mrs. Maine Corporate America 2012 Continues Busy Appearance Schedule...

Maine Potato Blossom Parade, Northern Maine Fair Week and Riding a Horse, Oh My!

(July/Aug 2012)--Summer traditions continue throughout Aroostook County including Potato Blossom Week culminating with the annual Potato Blossom Parade. And this year, Mrs. Maine Corporate America 2012/Mrs. Aroostook County 2012 Shawn Cunningham had the exciting opportunity to ride in the parade with her Aroostook County sister queens in regal style.

There were more than 90 floats in the parade. It is historically one of the biggest and longest running parades in the state of Maine. I've often covered the parade for the tv station, but being IN IT this year, offered the opportunity of a different outlook. My sister Angela, my niece Kaydence, Gina and my friend Melanie all came with AJ to support me.

Wow, I'm BLESSED with great family and friends. But none above THE BEST husband in the world. He braved a hot day at a parade and pageants to support me. He's a keeper ladies, and he's all MINE! One thing didn't change, the HEAT! It was hot out there. But I shared some shade, water and sunscreen with my sister queens including Kelsie Wilson who's excitedly preparing for her Miss Maine Collegiate America state pageant. Bring the crown back to the county Kelsie, you can do it. She's an OUTSTANDING young woman I've gotten to know and love while seeing at pageants throughout the county. She's a former Miss Fort Fairfield Potato Blossom queen and now she's Miss Aroostook County. Her platform is promoting education and tolerance against antibullying in schools. She's an intelligent, talented, well spoken and well rounded young woman who's a credit to the county and this state. She'll make an incredible Miss Maine Collegiate America following in the footsteps of my sister queen Brittany Bearden, the reigning Miss Maine Collegiate America. 

The following week, (this current week actually wraps up Northern Maine Fair Week.) As I write this, THIS IS THE LAST DAY of the fair. And as years' past, its been an incredible experience. These last two years though, have been so remarkable for AJ and I as a couple because he joined the Fair Board. And through that rare and humbled opportunity, we as a couple have come to understand and appreciate even more the hard work and strong sense of community that makes this fair run like a well oiled machine EVERY YEAR. To the hundreds of volunteers, I say thank you for all you do. This is one of the most spectacular events in Maine and gets some recognition, but they certainly deservedly should get more. 
Everything from rides, Lil Farmers at the Fair kids exhibition

check out my story about Lil Farmers at the Fair.

http://wagmtv.com/news/lil-farmers-kids-day-at-northern-maine-fair

to the 4H club and animal programs, entertainment, harness racing, food, everything brings this community together. This is an event the whole family can enjoy, and in these days and times we need to nurture experiences like that because they're few and far between. 

And speaking of 4H, BIG THANKS to the Andrea and Meagan and the rest of the Aroostook Valley 4H Club for letting me do the story of their animals and training...AND letting me take a horse ride. I had a lot of fun. I looked like quite the equestrian.LOL.



A CLOSE-UP View, Ralph Lauren, et your heart out!

 Here's a link to the story:http://wagmtv.com/news/4h-baby-beef-and-animals-program

Now onto last night, where I had a great time last night helping to co-host the Miss Northern Maine Fair Pageant. Congrats to Carrie Winslow and her pageant team for putting on a GREAT event with seventeen contestants. These young ladies were amazing. And congrats to all the winners especially Emily Brawn who took home the Miss top honors. After many tries throughout the county in several pageants and always coming close, Emily finally got her time to shine in the spot light last night. It goes to show what happens when you never give up, always believe in yourself and work hard toward a dream. Kudos Emily.  

 

I love this time of year, but it also makes me a little sad. The end of fair week is a reminder that fall is in the not too distant future and behind that comes another winter. Summer comes so slow and goes so fast. You have to treasure each moment until it comes again next year. And I haven't been to Portage yet this summer...got to put that on my to do list. Hmmm, maybe that'll be my next entry! Don't forget to check out my official facebook page for more updates and pictures.

Here's the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shawn-Cunningham-for-Mrs-Corporate-America/266720333396374?ref=hl 

Mrs. Maine Corporate America and Team WAGM Support Annual Cloukey Challenge Two Day Golf Scramble

Mrs. Maine Corporate America 2012 and Team WAGM-TV Get on the Green To Support Special Olympics

(July 2012)--It was a day of sun, fun and fundraising at the annual Cloukey Challenge Golf Scramble in Northern Maine. The two day golf outing takes place at the Limestone Country Club in Limestone and Birch Point Country Club in Madawaska. As Mrs. Maine Corporate America 2012 and Mrs. Aroostook County 2012  AND proud member of Team WAGM-TV, it was an early day's start of 6am rise, and had to be at the Birch Point course by 7. But (thanks to my hubbie and uur friends' having a late night of too much fun...its was our friends' Tony Roy and fiance Katie bachelor and bachelorette parties in downtown PI) we were a bit late making it to the course the next morning. Not good, when its your husband's father and MY father-in-law's tournament. (The blame goes to AJ, Gary, JR, Tom, Tony, and many, many more...ah men! You gotta love'em) I was a good girl...in bed by 11. Anyway, that's why the guys pretty much slept the whole way to the course that morning as you can see, LOL.

Every year for MANY years, my father-in-law Rene Cloukey has coordinated this scramble to raise money for Special Olympics. We have an extremely active Special Olympics program throughout Northern Maine that garners a lot of community support, participation and volunteerism. As Sports Director and longtime Special Olympics volunteer, this is one of Rene's passions. To see the athletes give their best in a number of events... It inspires everyone to do the same in life, no matter what's thrown at you. And it is BY FAR one of the best community events the station supports. This is a great cause. 

Every year Team WAGM-TV (made up of all our tv personalities and station staff) come out and go the green. I LOVE hanging out with station friends Chris, Ted S., Randi, Jenna. Missing this year was Ryan Carney who had to work, Josh Martin the handsome, handy and huggable hubbie of my galpal Laura Thomas who with almost one braved the heat but had a great cool spot under a tree for shade to be the looker for closest to the pin. I call Josh handy because you should see this guy build a parade float...wow!The winner would have walked away with some cool cash or evern better a brand new car thanks to a local cra dealership sponsor. I say Laura had an almost one because she's happily expecting so Baby Thomas made an eary debut to the Cloukey Challenge. But mother to be and baby to be were fine with Randi keeping them company under the tree. Congrats to Laura, Josh and Baby Thomas on a healthy, soon arrival. (smiles)

This year, we had two of our station newbies join us...Reporters Baha Eldin and Katie Zarrilli. And SADLY it was the last for my best girlfriend Gina Dipietro (G-FORCE) as I nicknamed her, moved to Indiana to continue the media career pursuits. And we wish her well and I miss her already. She's one of my best girls. BFF's forever.

Honestly, I'm clearly a golf novice but enjoy the pursuit. At least once a year. I have ZERO talent and ZERO patience for this sport. Eespecially playing next to AJ who'se like Tiger Woods, and Michael Phelps. He friggin excels at EVERY SPORT. I love him, but its nauseating. He fails at nothing. No I support my man. The one thing I CAN DO WELL is put. And we all did so well as a team...Me, AJ, Gary, Tony, Tom that we won the first and second half. We can in first. So I guess I didn't do that bad. 

Stunning Randi and Laura (trying to hide, she's so GORGEOUS, why is she trying to hide?)

I love doing this scramble. We had record numbers come out for the Cloukey Challenge this year. Everyone looks forward to this event, its a summer tradition. Can't wait until next year. Enjoy the pics. 

Don't forget to check out my official facebook page for more updates and pictures.
Here's the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shawn-Cunningham-for-Mrs-Corporate-America/266720333396374?ref=hl 

Mrs. Maine Corporate America's County Women Working and Winning Event a DRESS for Success!

Mrs. Maine Corporate America 2012 Launches County Women Working and Winning Networking Partnered with Dress for Success Maine and Momentum Aroostook

(July 2012)--Mrs. Maine Corporate America 2012 and Mrs. Aroostook County 2012 Shawn Cunningham launched the first ever County Women Working & Winning Networking Event at Wintergreen Arts Center in Presque Isle.

What a rousing success this event was with nearly forty women from all walks of life and careers turned out to the cultural center for brunch, and exchange of ideas, personal motivation and upliftment and networking. The event was sponsored by Momentum Aroostook, a civic organization of young professionals on the move to give back to the county community and featured Dress for Success Executive Director Kimberly Allen. And a huge thanks to my sister Momentum SC Committeemember Rachel Graves for co-hosting this event with me that day. She's the gorgeous gal in the hot pink dress. YOU GO GIRL!!!! 

This was the first time Allen ventured to the county and what a warm reception she got...not just from the July heat but the hearts of women wanting to get involved with this dynamic organization that empowers women throughout the state with career and life skills and enhancing professional image.

"This successful event started like everything else with an idea and a laid back conversation amongst women" says Shawn. "I asked some of my successful gals pals what would they think about having this event, and would they come...is this needed? And they answered with a resounding YES!!!!, The next thing was to put a committee together and get it moving." Shawn, who is a steering committee member of Momentum Aroostook brought suggested the event idea to the entire board and not only were they supportive, they excitedly formed a committee. This was all made possible thanks to the incredible teamwork of committee members Rachel Rice, Rachel Graves, Kelly Gumprecht and Reegan Brown. The event also featured "swag bags" of great gifts and gift certificates from two local businesses Wilder's Jewelry  and Merchants on the Corner both located in beautiful downtown Presque Isle. Allen, herself, also gave away goodies...beautiful African bead necklaces from Beaded for Life. To complete the bag, we had delicious chocolates. What girl doesn't want chocolate?

The delicious food was catered by local chef extraordinaire Gretchen Violette who works put of Wintergreen.

There were women wanting to start their own businesses, move in their companies, or launch their own nonprofits who attended. There were also women wanting to go back to school, women students and wanting to absorb more from the classroom of life who came. 

The event got so much feedback and was also featured on local WAGM-TV. A BIG THANK YOU to Laura Thomas, Randi Nissenbaum and especially Katie Zarrilli for reporting on this story, the coverage is deeply appreciated. Please check out the story via the link below.

                               http://wagmtv.com/news/county-women-working-and-winning

Some of the businesses and organizations that were represented by women in attendance included: The Central Aroostook Area Chamber of Commerce, Women Work & Community, Social ENVY PR and Event Planning Company, The University of Maine at Presque Isle, WAGM-TV, The Presque Isle Career Center, MMG Insurance Company, Remembering4U, Knot II Bragg Farms, The Seamstress by Terry Burtchell and so many more. Thank you to everyone who came. Kim, thank you SO MUCH for making the trip up to the county. I hope you had a great time and made some great county connections. Can't wait too have things started to DRESS FOR SUCCESS every woman in  need from this area. And I'm thrilled to have made such a dynamic new friend. BIG THANKS to Wendy Gilman Zubrick for allowing us to use the beautiful Wintergreen Arts Center space for this event, again thanks to Gretchen Violette for the food. I so appreciate it and we have to keep this going. By empowering women, we empower ourselves. This was a good draw. Women are still asking when they can attend the next event, which will probably be held next spring or summer 2013.

Don't forget to check out my official facebook page for more updates and pictures.
Here's the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shawn-Cunningham-for-Mrs-Corporate-America/266720333396374?ref=hl