Defeat of Jesse James Day Parade

 Defeat of Jesse James Days in Northfield is one of my favorite festivals to go to! Alyssa and I started off the day at the royalty reception at the Northfield Middle School. We had breakfast and introduced ourselves to all of the other royalty in the parade. In the huge crowd of royalty, we were able to track down all 4 of the St. Paul Winter Carnival Princes. Each prince has his own embroidered sticker representing the "area" he represents. The North Wind Prince has a snowflake sticker, the West Wind Prince has a cowboy hat, the South Wind has a chili pepper, and the East Wind has a genie lamp. I happen to have a North Wind snowflake from 3 years ago but at the breakfast we were able to get a sticker from each prince...my life is now complete ;) The East Wind Prince told us that if he gave us a sticker we had to do something irresponsible so I quickly responded, "Let's go rob a bank!!" (not even thinking about the connection to Jesse James Days). After taking a huge group picture, we got on a bus and headed downtown to the reenactment. I have seen the bank raid reenactment several times but it never gets old. After the fabulous reenactment, we headed back to the parade line-up to wait for the parade, and when I say wait, I mean for two hours before we even got moving!! It was a long parade but it was a great one. I was able to see my high school principal and my high school speech team coach. Jesse James Days is one festival that you will find me at, every single year! I love the city of Northfield and I recommend that you attend the festival next year!!
Until next time,
Lauren

Waseca Wounded Warrior 5K and Fundraiser

 As some of you know, the Miss South Central pageant is based out of Waseca. Throughout my reign, I have come to think of Waseca as a second home. I have gotten to know so many great people from that community and come to love that community as much as my own. Within the past year, Waseca lost one of it's great citizens while battling over seas and another one of the great Waseca Warriors, Tom Block, was greatly injured. This last weekend I got to go home to give back to the Waseca Wounded Warrior fundraiser in which I got to meet Sgt. Tom Block. I started off the morning by running in the 5k. Over the summer I have been working my way up to hopefully run a half-marathon but this was my first "official" 5k. Before the race started, I was told that Sgt. Tom Block was going to lead the pack on the run. This was absolutely amazing to me because I was told that his doctors thought he would never walk again and that it was only a few weeks ago that he started training for the 5k. It was an honor to follow him through the 5k trail as he held the American flag with honor and pride. It was also an amazing feeling to be greeted by him as I finished the run.

 After the run, I headed over to the Waseca fairgrounds for the rest of the fundraiser. They had activities for the kids such as face painting, a clown, and a bouncy house. They also had 2 stages that had different bands alternating all day and all night. I had the pleasure of working for the silent auction, directing people to grab a bidding number and start shopping! After working the silent auction I headed over to the admission table to work for them for a while. I was so grateful to be able to talk with Sgt. Tom Block and thank him for his service. He taught me that no matter what life throws at you, you should never give up, you should always fight your greatest fight...you just might surprise yourself. I also got to see the great "Uncle Ken" which is always the cherry on top of the day :)

I am so grateful for our military troops. I know that without them, I would not be able to have the life I have today. Thank you to Sgt. Tom Block for his service and for showing me what determination can do, and thank you to the community of Waseca for such a great turn-out at the fundraiser. The fundraiser was a great success and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it!!
Love Always,
Lauren