Miss Teen NC Int'l: Shawn Blanton bike rally

Two weeks ago was the bike rally for State trooper Shawn Blanton. Two years ago, Shawn was shot and killed while on duty at exit 31 in Canton. The memorial bike ride is to raise money for the the Shawn Blanton scholarship. It was a lot of fun with great food and music! I felt like I should have been wearing leather from being around over 450 motorcyclers. His wife, Michaela, is perhaps the strongest women I've met in my entire life. Whenever someone asks me who my inspritation or role model is, she comes to mind. She's lost so much and in the midst of tragedy she turned the situation around to help others. She has every reason to give up on life but continues to press on. She is always there for me and I know I can trust her with anything. She is an inspiration to everyone.

Mrs. & Miss North Carolina International with Joy at 27th Annual Threshers' Pageant

Joy, Me, Kristie, and Natalie ~ 2009 Threshers Queen

Natalie, Kristie, Me

I had to have a photo taken on this little tractor!  LOL!

On Saturday June 26th we had breakfast, got dressed and then we were out the door to travel to the Denton Farmpark for the 27th Annual Threshers' Pageant.  It was a beautiful country ride to sit back and enjoy.  When we arrived it was very picturesque with the green grass, trees, and pond.  There was a general store, a church and a row of tractors sitting in a line.  It was going to be a relaxing day to spend with Joy, Kristie and the Threshers' Pageant Board including the reigning 2009 Threshers' Queen Natalie Caviness.  Girl time is good to re-charge with when you live in a house with five boys including Joseph!   

Joy was asked to be one of their judges this year.  The group of seven contestants all came into the interview site ready to answer their questions.  Kristie and myself were able to encourage each one and hopefully help put them at ease before their turn.  All the girls looked polished from head to toe in their chosen attire!  The judges were looking for the 2010 Threshers' Queen that would represent their community and Festival.

After judging was finished it was photo op time!  Kristie and Natalie as well as myself climbed up on the steam engine that was warming up for next week's Festival!  We all laughed when the steam engine started chugging back and forth....Whoa!  We jumped off and before the steam engine completely chugged off we took another photo in front with Joy!

It was time for the judges to eat dinner and Joseph was on his way to pick me up at the restaurant! 

I had a scheduled appearance that evening at the Kannapolis Intimidators Game! 
Saturday......to be continued!

Event Fashion ~ Flow by Tara Davis
http://www.flowbytaradavis.com/

Threshers' Pageant
http://www.dentonorator.com/id8.html

Mrs. North Carolina International
Cynthia Griner

Joy visits Charlotte with Mrs. North and South Carolina International Queens

Carolina International Director ~ Joy Pfister, Me, Shana

Embassy Suites 

The girls in our "sunglasses!" LOL!

  

My National Wardrobe Sponsor 

Tara Davis

We were all excited to see each other again!  It had been since our crowning moment on February 27th!  Joy was coming to Charlotte so we could view the Venue location for next year's pageant and then off to the hotel accommodations!     

I met Joy at the CPCC Overcash building.  Unfortunately due to a communication error Joy and I were not able to see the auditorium that day.  Shana got lost on the way so we met her at the Embassy Suites Hotel.  It was so nice to finally be together! 

The tour was enjoyable as we brainstormed as to what spaces were needed to have a successful orientation and pageant next year!  It was a bittersweet conversation as both Shana and I realized our reign would be over when that time arrived.  

The Embassy Suites on South Tryon is welcoming and a treat for your senses as you walk into the atrium and see the fountain!  The island meeting space amongst water is very inviting and therapeutic!  We are planning to have the contestant orientation in this space.  

Joy, Shana and myself then went to the Park Road Shopping Center Carolina Soda Shoppe, which is a favorite place of Joseph and our boys.  Joy and I ordered chocolate shakes, fried okra, and onion rings to split and Shana ordered a hot dog, fries and a soda!  MMM.....good!

We said our goodbyes to Shana and were on our way to my townhome so I could drop off my car.  As we  were sitting at a red light a lady misgauged the space between her car, a car parked on the left curb and Joy's!  You guessed it; ram right into Joy's pretty white Volvo SUV!  OMG!  It was a freaky full-moon Friday!  Her backlight cover was now sitting on the ground.  They both exchanged information and the usual procedures will be followed after there is an accident.

The next stop scheduled is to visit my National Wardrobe sponsor Tara Davis at her Flow by Tara Davis studio in No Da.  It was nice for Joy to meet Tara because she has been so generous in allowing me to use any of her samples in her studio!  Since I was crowned in February Tara has fashioned me with her past and current collections for most of my appearances!  This has been a blessing for sure!  

We were now on the road to Lexington for the Threshers Pageant.

To be continued................

Event Fashion ~ Flow by Tara Davis

http://www.flowbytaradavis.com/

Pease Auditorium

http://arts.cpcc.edu/performance-venues/pease-auditorium        

Embassy Suites

http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/CLTTYES-Embassy-Suites-Charlotte-North-Carolina/directions.do

Carolina Soda Shoppe

http://www.parkroadshoppingcenter.com/store4-carolinasoda.htm

Mrs. North Carolina International 

Cynthia Griner 

Miss NC International is the special guest at Slam Poetry Event!

Hello everyone!!

While I was at HIV Advocacy Day back in May at the State Legislative Building in Raleigh, NC, I was blessed to meet Robert Childs, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition. We connected immediately, and he invited me as a special celebrity guest to a fabulous poetry event with awesome slam poet Jon Sands and wonderful acoustic guitarist John Sebastian in honor of HIV Testing Day on June 27. The poetry event was at Nested and Perched Arts Studio in Carrboro, NC, and it was packed. I was truly moved by the guitar stylings of the fabulous John Sebastian, and the poetry that came from Jon Sands was beyond inspiring. He is truly a wonderful artist, and I am so blessed I was able to attend such an awe-inspiring event. I was also graced with the beautiful artistry from the wonderful Paige Travis, and I chatted with the creative and beautiful proprietor Jenny. Along with being part of this event, I have partnered with both Robert and Jon Sands for future events! All in all, it was a fabulous end to a wonderful weekend!

Thank you for reading my blog!

All of my blessings,

Kristie Tobias
Miss North Carolina International

"Come to me with a thankful heart, so that you can enjoy my presence." Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Miss NC International serves as Mistress of Ceremonies at Be Safe 2010: HIV Testing Day!

Hello everyone!!

I had the honor of serving as Mistress of Ceremonies for Be Safe 2010 at Festival Park in Greensboro, NC in honor of National HIV Testing Day on Sunday, June 27. The event was organized by the Region 3 health organizations including Piedmont Health Services Sickle Cell Agency, Guilford Community AIDS Partnership, Nia Community Action Center, Nia's Ark, Guilford Cares, Triad Health Project, Love and Faith Challenged by HIV, Bennett College for Women, Family Life Council, Center for New North Carolinians, and Women's Inc. The event included wonderful performances by 8 different groups and solo artists, HIV facts and education presented by yours truly every 15 minutes, HIV Testing, food vendors, and information booths. We were able to test over 50 people! The event was a huge success, and we were able to educate the Guilford County community on HIV/AIDS and the impact it has on our citizens. As the Education Leader for Campaign to End AIDS-Carolinas, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect venue to really share the purpose behind my platform One Life to Love. It was amazing to connect and impact the community.

Thank you for reading my blog!

All of my blessings,

Kristie Tobias
Miss North Carolina International

"He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:2

Miss NC International at the Southeast Thresher Pageant!

Hello everyone!!!

One thing every woman truly needs is a girls weekend! Well this past weekend, July 25-26, I had a fabulous impromptu girls weekend with the fabulous North Carolina International queens and our even more fabulous director. We had a great time as usual, and I am even more excited about going to Nationals in just 3 short weeks! We joined Joy as she judged the Southeast Threshers Pageant in Denton, NC, and watched as a beautiful, smart and sweet young lady was crowned the new Southeast Threshers Queen. It was fabulous being part of such a big history in such a small town. All in all, the weekend was a success! I look forward to re-connecting with my sister queens and our wonderful director in Chicago!

Thank you for reading my blog!

All my blessings,

Kristie Tobias
Miss North Carolina International

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18

Miss NC International at Rock the Red Skate Jam!

Hello everyone!!!

On Thursday, June 24,  I was excited to participate in and help out with one of my national organizations, The Red Pump Project, and the first ever Rock the Red Youth Skate Jam benefiting HIV/AIDS and providing awareness to all. I also had the opportunity to collaborate with The Fierce and Fabulous Mentoring Group and bring my mentee and her three cousins to this wonderful event along with being joined by the founder of The Fierce and Fabulous Mentoring Group and more mentors and mentees. It was such a successful event, and I relived my old roller derby days with  my awesome skating skills! I am proud to say I managed to stay on my feet the whole time, even when all of the mentees decided to jump on me for a picture! It was such a great time, and a wonderful way to educate the community on HIV/AIDS.

Thank you for reading my blog!

All my blessings,

Kristie Tobias
Miss North Carolina International

"And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Mrs. North Carolina speaks at the Rotary Club of Mint Hill

The Official Rotary Club of Mint Hill Banner

Ken, Tina, Joseph, Me, Alvin, Tonya

Alvin honoring me with a gift.  He gave me the official

Rotary Club coin that is a symbol of their service to the community. 

Front of Program

Program details

On June 24th, I was invited to speak about my journey as Mrs. North Carolina International and my PURPLE PASSION 4 Alzheimer's work.  It was a casual gathering with the Rotary members as we enjoyed lunch together and talked.  We all shared stories and a lot of questions were directed to both Joseph and myself about Alzheimer's disease, PP4Alz, and our programs.  It was a great way to practice for interview with the National Judges! 

Rotary International is the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self.

The Rotary Club is a good fit with PURPLE PASSION 4 Alzheimer's because of the service it provides to the community.  The Rotary gold coin Alvin so generously gave me is engraved with "The Four-Way Test."

It is an excellent symbol to read every so often to keep me grounded through my Alzheimer's Advocacy.  

Of the things we think, say, or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

I have been asked to speak at other Rotary Club Chapters in the near future, and I am seeking membership with the Southpark Rotary Club.  The Rotary International Office is located in Evanston, Illinois and Joseph and I are planning to stop by during our trip next month to Chicago.    

Rotary Club International

http://www.rotary.org/

(wording in above article)

Mrs. North Carolina International Cynthia Griner spoke to the Mint Hill Rotary Club last week. Griner was crowned Mrs. North Carolina International 2010 on February 27th, 2010 at Southwest Guilford High School in High Point, NC. This was her second time competing in this prestigious pageant, which honors married women through-out the country and the charitable work that they perform. As a state title holder, she will now compete at the National Mrs. International 2010 pageant in Chicago, IL on July 17th, 2010. She spoke to the club about PURPLE PASSION 4 Alzheimer’s, an organization that seeks to raise funds and awareness of Alzheimer’s, with particular concern for the CAREGIVERS of Alzheimer’s patients.

Mint Hill Times 

http://www.minthilltimes.com/?p=5457

Event Fashion ~ Flow by Tara Davis

http://www.flowbytaradavis.com/

Mrs. North Carolina International

Cynthia Griner

Miss Teen SC International 2010 does makeovers at the shelter

Today was awesome! I went to the Haven to have a girls day! We watched Shrek, and I did hair and make up for each girl who wished to have it done. I have to say it seemed to be a little escape for each of the women there! The young girls loved it as well. Next sunday I will be having a day for the boys there, and I can't wait to see them all again. I am happy to say a young lady Joy that I had the honor of meeting on my first visit was not there today. I am so happy that she has found a home and has left the shelter. God is great!

                                     
 

Mrs. North Carolina International speaks at Kiwanis Club of Mint Hill

The Official Kiwanis Club of Mint Hill Banner

Sharing my PURPLE PASSION 4 Alzheimer's work

(another speaking photo not so complimentary) LOL!

Tina, Joseph, Me, and Jack 

Program was printed especially in PURPLE

I was asked to be a guest speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Mint Hill June meeting Wednesday afternoon.  Joseph and I enjoyed a lunch during the meeting at a local town restaurant.  It was a small group, due to some members being out of town for the annual Kiwanis convention in Las Vegas.  Road trip.....not!

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Their members develop youth as leaders, build playgrounds and raise funds for pediatric research. We help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor the disadvantaged and care for the sick. Working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. And along the way, club members share friendship and laughter.


I spoke as the members ate their lunch and this allowed me to have the opportunity to share my PURPLE PASSION 4 Alzheimer's work.  My part of the program soon became a very cleansing conversation.  Some of the members spoke up and shared their experience from a family member's perspective whose loved ones had been afflicted by Alzheimer's disease.

Jack began to tear up as he spoke highly of his mother Margaret Gragiamo and he was deeply saddended by his loss.  He had to intervene with his family when his mother became very ill and depressed from Alzheimer's.  He knew that it was time for his mother to be placed in a home that would be qualified to take care of her.  Jack with strength had to convince his family members this fact.  "They wanted to just let her be by herself.....all alone at her home.  It was important to remove her from her normal surroundings to one that was nurturing that included a stimulating environment as she progressed with Alzheimer's disease."  Jack's mother began to show the signs of Alzheimer's at the age of 72 and she lost her battle with the disease at age 82.

PURPLE PASSION 4 Alzheimer's is concerned with the "Quality of life" for an Alzheimer's patient and their Caregiver.

Kiwanis
http://sites.kiwanis.org/Kiwanis/en/home.aspx

Event Fashion ~ Flow by Tara Davis
http://www.flowbytaradavis.com/

PURPLE PASSION 4 Alzheimer's
http://www.pp4alz.org/

Mrs. North Carolina International
Cynthia Griner