Alaska Music Awards

It was a huge honor to be asked to be a part of the first Alaska Music Awards. I truly believe in the importance of highlighting the gifts and talents of Alaskans and I certainly have a love for music (and dressing up!) so I was thrilled to be a part of this premiere Red Carpet event.

Not only did I get to share my Red Carpet walk with my handsome hubby, Lem and my pageant sister, Courtney Anderson who was co-hosting the event, I saw a handful of old friends who were also involved with the event. My friend and colleague Anna Castillo was there with her husband who was running the sound for the event. Anna and I worked together for several years at the Providence Center for Child Development and still serve on the Anchorage Association for the Education of Young Children board together. Like me and so many others, Anna works day in and day out to support young children and bring awareness to the needs of them and their families.
So much of the talent that was featured and awarded included young people. It was so great to be a part of something that was bringing attention to and honoring the positive things that our young people are doing in our community. It's so common to hear the negatives broadcast in the media and it's unfortunate that there are so many young people out there working for positive change in our world that don't get to publicity they deserve. One of my favorite acts of the night was only 15 years old and what an amazing and talented performer she is! Another nice encounter was our former high school classmate, Phil Crawford who performed at the event. Just a little shout-out to the Dimond Class of 1999! :)

I was honored to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Elvi Gray-Jackson. Her service with the Anchorage Municipality began 26 years ago and today she serves as a member of the Anchorage Assembly representing Midtown. During my presentation of the Award, I gave props to all the ladies who were in the crowd. I mentioned that I was excited to be there and that it was important to me enough to put on a sleeveless dress and open toes shoes, even though it was only 2 degrees outside (and the temp continued to fall well below zero that night!)


I also presented the Award for Best Country Artist. Country music has always had a special place in my heart. I'm pretty sure I was at least 12 years old before I knew any other kind of music even existed. I grew up listening to The Judds, Anne Murray, Randy Travis and was an avid Shania Twain, Dixie Chicks and Faith Hill listener through my high school years. Despite the cold, the crowd enjoyed a night of live performances by local artists and it was a delight to honor those who are sharing their musical talents and gifts with the world.

Thread's Winter Wonderland Celebration

Thread celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a Winter Wonderland Celebration at the Captain Cook Hotel this last weekend. Despite the near zero temperatures and frigid windchill, they had a spectacular turn out. My oldest daughter, Sycely and I joined over a thousand other folks for lots of free family fun: food, cake, Native storytelling, music and dancing with Fiddle Dee Dee, face painting, crafts and family portraits.

Thread was also holding a coloring contest at the event. They asked children to illustrate their Anniversary theme, "Growing through Generations." Sycely settled in to work on her picture (her and I planted flowers in the garden together) while I visited with some of the families at our table. One of the families sharing our table had a very special guest with them. Their little girl was hosting her cousin's Flat Stanley, all the way from Pennsylvania. They were excited to be taking some photos of Stanley enjoying some Alaskan family fun. I was, of course, quick to oblige when they asked if I would pose for a photo with Stanley for their cousin's class project.
The big highlight for Sycely was the free carriage rides provided by Alaska Horse Drawn Carriage Company. Despite the below zero windchill and 30 minute wait in said weather, she was determined to get her turn in the carriage. She was completely crestfallen if I even mentioned the opportunity to wait inside a few minutes to warm up, or do the carriage ride another time when it was warmer and we could enjoy a longer ride, so we stuck it out and got our three minutes of fun, squeeze under blankets with 9 other passengers, hoping our combined body heat would improve matters. In spite of the miserable cold and wind, Sycely's smile as we had our (3 minute) ride warmed my heart enough to make me forget how cold the wait was.

Alaska Association of Figure Skaters Christmas Show

I had a blast at the Alaska Association of Figure Skaters' Christmas Show at the Dimond Center Mall the weekend before Christmas. I'd have to say this was one of my favorite events so far- it had Christmas music, holiday costumes, lots of kids, skating and candy canes-what's not to love?!

The Christmas show has always been one of my favorite skating events, because I just love Christmas and of course, I love skating. I get a kick watching our younger skaters and remembering my early years on the ice, performing at this same rink. It's also fun to see other coaches' students that I don't get to see regularly at practice-it's always amazing how much they improve and grown over a year's time.

As part of the show's finale, I skated out and waved to the crowd, wished them a Merry Christmas and then handed out candy canes to the kids in the audience. As I skated around the perimeter of the rink, handing out candy canes and posing for photos, I was full of joy-for the Holidays, skating, family and my life. Being Mrs. Alaska has brought me opportunities to touch lives that I never would have had otherwise and I am so grateful that.

Military Family Reception/ ATT&T Holiday Tree Lighting

I was invited by Anchorage's First Lady, Lynette Sullivan to be a part of a holiday reception for military members and their families and the Town Square Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thanksgiving weekend. Hundreds of military personnel and their families gathered at the Performing Arts Center for food and drinks, free gifts, crafts, entertainment and even Santa Claus for the kiddos.

I had a fabulous time manning my station, doing crafts and visiting with the kids and their families. I especially enjoyed talking with all the little girls dressed up in their fancy Christmas dresses. I was so touched by the stories they shared and am so grateful to these families for the sacrifices they make in order to protect the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Many of these families were spending Christmas apart from their loved ones, while others were getting to spend just a week with their deployed spouse or parent for the Holidays. I can't imagine full-time parenting without the help and support of my husband and I commend those who are left no choice due to deployment. I was happy to take the time to thank these families for their service.

After the reception, over 1,000 people gathered on a chilly Anchorage night to watch as Mayor Dan Sullivan lit the Town Square Holiday Tree. I always enjoy events that allow my family to join me and the Tree Lighting Ceremony certainly was one such family friendly event! My family, bundled up and joined me at Town Square. As the festivities started, I had the opportunity to visit with Jackie Purcell, local weather forecaster and former Mrs. Alaska judge. It was fun to chat with her and share about my year as Mrs. Alaska. She helped determine my fate as Mrs. Alaska and it was great to share with her what I've been doing with the honor. A choir from a local Elementary performed some songs as well as a skit. Then, the big guy himself, Santa, arrived, pulled by a team of eight live reindeer! My family was thrilled to get to meet Santa's team after the tree lighting.