Free pancakes were just an IHOP, Skip and a Jump Away!

Tuesday, February 23 was National Pancake Day. To celebrate, IHOPs around the country offered a free short stack of pancakes. In exchange, restaurants asked customers to make a CMN donation. I had the pleasure of spending time at Columbia’s IHOP along with Miss Missouri, Tara Osseck and Miss Spirit of St. Louis Melanie Collier. I think we all had a fantastic time mingling with customers, eating pancakes all while promoting the CMN and MU Children’s Hospital.

Melanie Collier, Miss Spirit of St. Louis; Tara Osseck, Miss Missouri; and I attended National Pancake Day at Columbia's IHOP. The event served as a CMN benefit for MU Children's Hospital. (Photo Credit: MU Children's Hospital)

I ended up staying for quite a while, helping servers take food to tables, and visiting with customers about the Miss America Organization and it’s CMN partnership. Right before I headed out, the manager, Eddie, approached me and even offered me a part-time job since the servers said I did such a good job helping . I guess my serving experience showed. Unfortunately, between the two jobs I currently have, and now Miss Missouri prep, I had to decline. But I told him I’d definitely be back for more shortstacks!

I had a fabulous time serving up shortstacks at the Columbia IHOP. In order to celebrate National Pancake Day, the restaurant provided free short stacks in exchange for a donation to the Children's Miracle Network. All the money raised at the Columbia location will benefit MU Children's Hospital.

I haven’t heard how much money the Columbia location raised, but I certainly saw a lot of people donating while I was there. This marks the fifth year IHOP has celebrated National Pancake Day. In that time, more than 1,400 restaurants nationwide have raised about $3.25 million for CMN. And this year, its goal was to raise $1.75 million for a total of $5 million in five years. Also, did you know that if you stacked up all the pancakes served Tuesday, that it would be about 20 miles high? That’s a lot of pancakes!

I’ll be sure to post what the total amount CMN received from the event when I get those numbers.

To making a short stack go a long way, Ag

Best Friends, Bands and Blizzards

This past weekend I made my first “official” appearance at Miss Audrain. I traveled to Platte City, Mo. for the Miss Kansas City and Miss Greater Kansas City pageants. I was so excited to see Lacey Fitzgerald, a former Miss Missouri and long-time pageant friend. She flew in from Los Angeles to emcee the pageant. It was also a special time because several other of my long time pageant friends were there. Kara Adams and Amanda Williams were both there to give up their titles, and it was so great to see them – even though it was only for a short time. I will miss them both at Miss Missouri this year. Seeing everyone was yet another reminder of how glad I am to be back!

Here I am pictured with my pageant gals Lacey Fitzgerald, Kara Adams and Amanda Williams

The pageant was great. It was so nice to sit back and watch, which doesn’t seem to happen often enough! Congratulations to the new Miss KC title holders, Kari Gai – Miss Kansas City and Lauren Alumbaugh – Miss Greater Kansas City!! I also have to give a shout to out The Mikey Needleman Band. They were performing on the stage with the contestants, playing all the music for each phase of competition. They did a great job, and put a fun little twist on the usual pageant scene! I was also lucky enough to get a free CD after the pageant, but only upon promising to spread the word about their band, so I hope this will suffice!

It was an interesting trip up to Platte City. I left Columbia in monsoon-like weather, which quickly turned to a snow-rain mixture, and that ultimately became a blizzard! Let’s just say traffic was pretty slow going by the time I reached Kansas City. But, I arrived save and sound. The snowfall continued throughout the night, and by the time I was headed to the hotel with Lacey, it was most certainly a winter wonderland. For some reason, my windshield wiper decided to fail me, and had flown off. So, Kendell Misemer, a veteran of the Miss MO organization, and one of the band members helped fix it! Of course, Lacey documented the occasion. I thought that moment was too priceless not to share. I may be a farm girl, but I am certainly no mechanic!

I had to get some help from Kendell Misemer and one of the band members so my windshield wipers would work! Thanks, guys!

Despite the slight setbacks, I still had a fabulous time! A weekend full of some of my best pageant friends, good music, and even the pretty (albeit dangerous) snowflakes made for a great weekend as a new title holder.

Oh, and I wore snowboots this time .

To living, learning, and awesome Audrain adventures, Ag

One Step Closer…

Hello and welcome to my newest blog, which will chronicle my awesome adventures as Miss Audrain 2010.  I’m a regular blogger, but I’m excited to share this one with you. I started my journey as Miss Audrain on February 14 and I cannot wait to see what is in store for me throughout the next year. I encourage you to check in with me frequently, as I plan to stay very busy with this title – in preparation for Miss Missouri and beyond.

Below is a copy of my post-win post from another blog I maintain where I mainly discuss my reporting and traveling adventures. Feel free to check that out as well!

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Well, the past couple of days have been pretty amazing! As I mentioned in my last entry, I am hitting the pageant scene again after taking the year off. I competed in Miss Audrain yesterday and much to my surprise, I won! I’ll be returning to Miss Missouri for the fourth year (a reminder of how much older I’m getting!).

I’m so looking forward to working with Bev, Megan and the rest of the Miss Audrain board – I think we’ll be a perfect fit. Mexico is a great location since it is close to Columbia and my hometown of Perry, so I plan on making many trips there over the next year. The community has already been so supportive and receptive, I cannot wait to see where this year takes me.

Myself (R) pictured with my sister queen, Courtney Thomure, Miss Audrain Outstanding Teen just moments after crowning. (Photo Credit: Brenda Fike, The Mexico Ledger)

I must say that last night, just a couple hours after winning I was walking to my car parked on the square. I was parked in front of the Hallmark store, and a gentleman was sweeping the snow off the sidewalk just outside of it. The man stopped for a moment and asked me if I was the new Miss Audrain, to which I excitedly replied “Why, yes! I am!” He then introduced himself as the owner of the Hallmark store and told me of his partnership with the Miss MO Org. He then proceeded to sweep all the snow off my car! This was an awesome gift to the new queen who was still wearing her open-toed high heels during a snowstorm (apparently my common sense went out the window upon crowning). So, thank you!! He also gave me a chocolate, which I gladly ate!

What was most exciting about yesterday was that my entire family was there to support me, along with some friends! Since the pageant was so close, they were all able to come, which is unusual for most locals I’ve competed in. I got so many hugs and well wishes after the crowning – it was indeed a memorable moment!

Many told me after the pageant, “Abby, we’re so glad that you’re back!” I am as well. Taking the year off last year really made me realize how much I missed this program, and I cannot wait to reconnect with everyone in the Miss Missouri Organization.

I don’t have much time until Miss Missouri, so I’ll be hitting the ground running. However, I’m so excited and feeling extremely motivated by the way things have worked out, so I couldn’t be more thrilled to be doing so! So, stay tuned for updates on “Abby’s Awesome Audrain Adventures.”

To new adventures and wearing snow boots,
Ag