Amherst PTA - Chili Cook Off

Amherst PTA - Chili Cook Off

Sunday Feb 8th, 2009

Amherst Middle School

The Chili Cook Off is an Amherst PTA sponsored fundraising event. Me and my girls went to the Chili Cook Off to support the PTA, but I also had the honor of being one of the judges who tasted ALL the chili entries for the honorable distinctions of "Best Overall Chili, Spiciest Chili and Most Original Chili". I love chili and thought they were all so yummy - my mouth is still on fire from some of the HEAT! Everyone had fun tasting all the different chili's while listening to a DJ and there was even a face painter and balloon artist for the kids - FUN!

Taste Testing and Judging the Chili Entries with Chili Cook Off chairperson, Cherina Cohen, PTA Vice President, Gillian Smith and PTA President Krista Hanks

With my beautiful "butterfly face painted" girls! The balloon artist even made the coolest pink balloon crown for me!!

National Wear Red Day - Go Red

National Wear Red Day

February 6th, 2009

On behalf of women everywhere, please join me to fight and beat this deadly disease.

You may not know this, but the number one killer of women is heart disease. And every year more than 460,000 women die from this largely preventable disease. National Wear Red Day is a day to recognize the women who have died from this disease, to build awareness of the statistics, and to encourage all women to make a choice to beat heart disease. This year National Wear Red Day is February 6. National Wear Red Day is for women like Theresa. As a busy mom, Theresa kept putting off a check-up, but called her doctor when she felt tired, short of breath, and started having back and chest pains. “I had a feeling that it was my heart, but all the tests were saying it wasn’t, “ Theresa said. Two months later, Theresa had a massive heart attack at a family birthday party. She was 38. You can read Theresa’s story at www.GoRedForWomen.org/stories.

As a supporter of Go Red For Women, the American Heart Association’s initiative to build awareness and raise funds towards the cause of women and heart disease.

Mrs New Hampshire International "Featured" on "Turn For The Judges"

I was "Thrilled" to be included as a "Featured Woman" for my work with the New Hampshire March of Dimes with "Turn For The Judges". Thanks so very much - I'm so Honored!

To view the Article - follow link:
http://www.tftj.com/Subscribe/features.html/457

Happy Holidays from Mrs. New Hampshire

Happy Holidays, Kala Xristouyena, Happy Everything!

On behalf of my myself and my family, we wish all our friends, family and supporters a wonderful Holiday Season filled with everything you can ever wish for! May you always have good health, peace in your soul, be successful in all you do and have love in your heart! God Bless you all!

Happy Holidays from the Alton Family

It's Sants Claus ~ I caught him in the act!!! The girls will be THRILLED ~ they were such good girls!!

Christmas morning

Aaawww....... me, my baby girls and their American Girl Dolls ~doesn't get better than this!

Amherst Tree Lighting 2008

Despite, the horrible power outages that the state of New Hampshire experienced and all the families that were in such disarray, on Sunday, December 14th, 2008 parts of the town of Amherst got power and so they went on and held their Annual Amherst Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Amherst Village Green. There were events running all day long for children and families alike. It truly is one of the nicest times of the year here in Amherst ~ I just love this town!

I, along with 2 of my fellow Girl Scout leaders (Dorothea Daniel and Tilea Toy) had the pleasure of introducing the Girl Scouts of Amherst and Mont Vernon and lead them as they joyfully sang 2 Holiday Classics "Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". They were so excited & they sounded Fabulous! Way to go Girl Scouts!

Introducing the Girls Scouts of Amherst and Mont Vernon at the Amherst Tree Lighting with 2 of my fellow leaders (Tilea Toy and Dorothea Daniel)

Some of my Brownie Girl Scouts ~ don't they look GREAT??

All the Girls Couts that ventured out on a very cold night to sing ~ so proud of all of them!!

Amherst PTA ~ Holiday Story Time

On Friday, December 5th, 2008, I had the wonderful pleasure of being part of the "2nd Annual Amherst PTA ~ Holiday Storytime" as a Guest Reader. It was held at the Clark Elementary School in Amherst, NH.

There were several local teachers and other special guests that read stories to all the children who attended. The children came in pj's and blankets to feel as if they were right at home reading with their family. There were also many prizes and muchies to to of the evening! The entire event was so warm and family friendly, truly a treat for all who attended!

Reading one of my favorite Holiday stories "Queen of Christmas"

Clark School was turned into a Holiday Storyland filled with entertaining story tellers, pj's, blankets, munchies and tons more fun!

Christmas is almost here ~ Happy Holidays to All!

Brownie Girl Scouts Troop 20910 ~ Making a Sweet Difference

I, along with 2 other amazing Girl Scout Leaders, have the joy of leading this incredible group of girls in their Girl Scout journey.

Brownie Troop 20910 of Amherst, NH wanted to do something that would help others during the holiday time. They decided they wanted to make something sweet so that other's could enjoy a special treat! They made M & M Cookie Mixes in Glass Jars. These cookie mixes along with canned goods were donated to the AJWC to help with the community wide Home Life Project. They worked really hard and Being a Girl Scout is about making a difference, and this was their way of making a small difference in the lives of many.

Our Brownie Troop's contribution to the Home Life Project that helps provide meals to many local families during the holiday season. A Brownie was Here!

"Royal Reader" at Little Einsteins Pre-School

I had the pleasure of being a "ROYAL READER" at my daughter's Pre-School ~ Little Einstein's Learning Center in Amherst, NH. Parent Volunteer's come in to read their favorite stories to the children. It was such a treat to be able to do this as Mrs. New Hampshire and as mommy all at the same time and share it with my baby girl and her classmates in their setting! As much as it was a treat for them, it meant the world to me to be able to have that moment with her! I don't think I embarrassed her too too much, she said she was proud of mama - doesn't get better than that!

The gang at Little Einsteins - they are just too cute - you just want to squeeze them all!
Reading one of my favorite holiday stories!

My 21 with 16 years experience Birthday!

Am I really getting older? Ok, yes, I am, but it's all good! I had one of the busiest days of my life but it ended with being together with my wonderful family. My husband and girls had this AMAZING cake made for me ~ I felt bad cutting into it because it was just sooo pretty! I love you and thanks for making it special!

Isn't this the prettiest cake ever???

A friend of mine says "age is like fine wine, it gets better with time" - I like it!!

March of Dimes ~ Signature Chefs Auction

Manchester Signature Chefs Auction
An Elegant Food Tasting Event
To benefit the March of Dimes

The 11th Annual Manchester Signature Chefs Auction took place on Monday, November 10, 2008 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at The Executive Court Banquet & Conference Center in Manchester. Over 150 people attended this exciting food tasting event, featuring food samples from over 10 local restaurants and other food purveyors. The following is a list of some of the organizations that participated: T-Bones & Cactus Jacks, Alphorn Bistro, Harts Turkey Farm, Piccola Italia, 3 C’s Cozy Culinary Café, Smuttynose Brewing Co, Pasquales Ristorante, The Granite Restaurant and Bar, Hannaford Supermarket, Magic Hat Brewing Company, Edible Arrangements, The Yard, Uno’s Chicago Bar and Grill, Van Otis Chocolates and Frederick’s Pastries.

The dollars raised through this event not only help fund March of Dimes research but help support your local communities through the community grants program and the newest initiative, the NICU Family Support Program at Children’s Hospital of Dartmouth.

The evening included menu samplings from many of the area’s most creative chefs and wine tastings provided by Southern NH Wine and Spirits. Music played for everyone’s listening pleasure, while both live and silent auctions helped everyone get a head start on holiday shopping! Attendees were also able to participate in exciting raffles and door prizes including 150 gallons of heating oil or propane courtesy of Rymes Propane and Oil.

In addition to the many March of Dimes volunteers that made this event possible, Miss New Hampshire 2008, Natalie Shaw and Mrs. New Hampshire International 2008, Irene Raissis Alton were also in attendance lending a hand to help raise awareness, support and funds for the March of Dimes. Event raised approx. $23,000.

It's always my pleasure to spend time and help the wonderful Karen Dennis, State Director for the NH March of Dimes

Sharing a moment at the Auction with the lovely, Natalie Shaw, Miss New Hampshire 2008