Happy Homecoming!

Scenes from the 2012 Homecoming Parade http://youtu.be/WSdyHSToupQ

It's The Climb

Skylar and Caroline took the journey to Northern New Hampshire to attend the Miss Berlin-Gorham Scholarship Program and participate in an adventurous journey.  To learn more about the Duke of Edinburgh Award and prepare for next year's trip, please visit http://doenh.blogspot.com.

28th Annual Apple Harvest Day in Downtown Dover

Everyone on the seacoast knows, the best day of the year is Apple Harvest Day!  Today was a gorgeous day of apples, racing, music, pie contests and a carnival to benefit the Dover Children's Home.  Thank you to everyone at the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, Federal Savings Bank,  WOKQ, WERZ/Z107, The Shark, WTSN, The Bay, Bill Dube and Northeast Credit Union.  More than 25,000 people visited downtown Dover and Allie, Caroline & Skylar met every single one of them!

Miss University and Miss Strafford County 2013

From FOSTER'S DAILY DEMOCRAT By JANINE MITCHELL

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Rachel Rendina crowned Miss University by Jillian Granucci

DURHAM — The energy in Murkland Hall at the University of New Hampshire was bursting at the seams as host of the Miss University/Miss Strafford County Scholarship Program, Chris Saltalamacchio announced the top contestants.

Seats full of sorority sisters, fraternity brothers, fellow pageant titleholders, and friends and family gathered to watch 10 successful young women compete for a chance to be the next Miss New Hampshire.

Rachel Rendina, of Nashua and a senior at the University of New Hampshire, was crowned Miss University. Skylar Wood, of Littleton also a student at UNH, was crowned Miss Strafford County.
For the full story visit:
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120916/GJNEWS_01/709169929/0/SEARCH

Skylar Wood is crowned Miss Strafford County by Lauren Carter

Charity by Design

Please join Miss University Jillian Granucci at Alex and Ani 104 Congress Street Portsmouth for a very special Party with a Purpose on Wednesday night.

Miss University Details

We are so excited to introduce ten INCREDIBLE finalists for the 2013 Miss University and Miss Strafford County Competition on Thursday, September 13th at 8:00pm.

The contestant schedule for the day will be:

3:30p University Day Picnic Meet & Greet/Photo (optional)
Look for Miss New Hampshire at the Miss University Table #183
http://www.unh.edu/universityevents/uday/map.html

4:00p Arrival to Murkland
5:00p Private Interviews
Followed by Talent Run Through/Production Rehearsal
7:00p Finalist dinner of pizza and salad will be delivered
8:00p Competition
9:45p Crowning

Miss University Tickets:
$5 Advance Student* Tickets available at the Miss U University Day Table
Student* Tickets at the Door $10
General Admission Tickets $12
*with student ID

Contacts for the Day:
Chris Saltalamacchio, Host/Producer
Andrew Dolph, UNH A/V Production
Kim McGlinchey, Director of Scholarship/Education
Adria Farr,  Miss University Local Director
Sarahjayne Howland, Miss Strafford County Local Director
Amber Lilyestrom, UNH Program Advisor

Contestant Checklist

1. Resume*
2. Platform Statement*
3. Local Contract* with attachments, proof of residency (we will have a Notary on hand 9/13/12)
4. Headshot (email to StraffordCountyScholarshipProgram@hotmail.com)
5. Register online at MissAmericaForKids.org
6. Interview - Outfit (anything you'd wear to church or a job interview)
7. Talent - Costume and Background Music on CD
8. Swimsuit - Swimwear and Shoes
9. Evening Gown - Gown and Shoes
10. Opening Number - Red Dress/Outfit of your choice

For more information and sample documents please visit MissNH.com/Get-Involved/contestant.aspx

*Please mail to: Miss Strafford County PO Box 2072 Dover, NH 03821

DO NOT spend a lot on wardrobe. Wear your prom dress, borrow clothing from a friend or purchase second hand. We can help connect you with other Miss NH contestants to borrow wardrobe items. Miss University is a SCHOLARSHIP Program...Miss University 2012 won in a borrowed Swimsuit and Evening Gown.

Run of Show

Eighth Annual Miss Strafford County & Miss University Scholarship Program

University of New Hampshire

September 13, 2012

MissStraffordCounty.blogspot.com

Reigning:
Miss Strafford County Lauren Carter, UVM BSN'11
Miss University Jillian Granucci, UNH BS'12

Campus Sponsors: Sigma Chi and Alpha Chi Omega

Program Advisor: Amber Lilyestrom, UNH MBA

Field Director: Betty Hughes

Local Directors: Adria Farr, Miss University & Sj Howland, Miss Strafford County

Host: Chris Saltalamacchio

Judges Chair: Nick Tzavalas, Sigma Chi President

Judges:
Hilary Levey Friedman, PhD (Daughter of a Miss America)

Liz Ragazzo, MA
Christopher Wood, BS
Sharon Harris, MBA
Michelle Buckley, Mrs. New Hampshire

Run of Show: National Anthem by Miss Strafford County's Outstanding Teen Opening Number
Judges Introductions
Meet Miss University 2012
Miss Apple Harvest's Outstanding Teen – Edge of Glory
Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit Competition
Meet Miss Strafford County 2012
Talent Competition
INTERMISSION
Evening Gown & OnStage Question Competition – escorted by Sigma Chi
Visiting Royalty (including previous Miss SC/U titleholders)
Miss Strafford County's Outstanding Teen & Pre-Teen – On My Own
Farewell Walks (flowers presented by Little Miss Strafford County)
Awards & Coronation

Outstanding!

All of us in Strafford County are INCREDIBLY proud to support Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen Eileen Kelley!  She is on her way to Orlando to represent the Granite State in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant.  Visit http://www.maoteen.org/ to purchase your tickets and special MAOT merchandise.

YOU can help vote for Eileen to become America's Choice https://fourpointsmagazine.com/maoteenamericaschoice

And help Eileen support the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
https://www.maoteen4kids.org/m.aspx?i=285918EEA+7+92623&e=2975888ADB

If you can't make it to Orlando, you definitely want to attend one of Eileen's Send-Off Parties:

• Friday, February 27th at 7PM in the New Hampshire Grands
• Friday, August 3rd at 7PM in New Hampshire's Capital - at Bravo Concord

Come wish Eileen good luck and enjoy a sneak peak of her wardrobe, talent, and evening wear for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. There will be a $10 admission fee to benefit the http://missnh.com/teen/ Organization.

Go Wild Eileen!

SS Miss New Hampshire Sets Sail August 5th

Weirs Beach, NH – Join Caroline Carter, Miss Strafford County's Outstanding Teen and Miss New Hampshire Megan Lyman aboard the M/S Mount Washington for the Annual Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program Cruise on Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 12:30p.

The scenic fundraising cruise around Lake Winnipesaukee includes a buffet lunch and special entertainment.  Tickets are $47 for adults and $25 for children under age 12.  The event is sponsored by CruiseNH.com and all proceeds benefit the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Fund.

Tickets can be purchased online at MissNH.com/merc/ or by calling the Miss New Hampshire Office at (603) 437-9027.

Congratulations!

Introducing the Miss Strafford County & Miss Apple Harvest Outstanding Teen Royal Family.

From left:  Eileen Kelley, Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen; Caroline Carter, Miss Strafford County's Outstanding Teen 2013; Allie Nault, Miss Apple Harvest's Outstanding Teen 2013; Megan Lyman, Miss New Hampshire 2012; Stephanie, Miss Pre-Teen Strafford County; Siena, Strafford County Princess; Makayla, Little Miss Strafford County.

Allie, Caroline, Makayla, Siena and Stephanie are excited to help crown their big sisters (Miss Strafford County & Miss University) on University Day (September 13th) at UNH.

For more information, email StraffordCountyScholarshipProgram@hotmail.com

Run of Show

Miss Strafford County and Miss Apple Harvest Outstanding Teen 2013

National Anthem by Meredith Eib, Miss Gate City’s Outstanding Teen

Opening Number - Finalist Introduction

On Stage Question Competition

Performance by Brittney Wigdorski, Miss PreTeen Strafford County

Introduction of Judges

Fitness Competition

Performance by Eileen Kelley, Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen

Talent Competition

Ten Minute Intermission

Evening Gown Competition

Introduction of Visiting Queens

Interview with Miss Strafford County and Miss University

Awards and Crowning

Go Wild! Thursday, June 21 at 8p

Miss Strafford County and Miss Apple Harvest Outstanding Teen 2013

Hosted by: Chris Saltalamacchio from MTV’s Made and

Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen Eileen Kelley 

National Anthem: Meredith Eib MissNHOT Talent Winner

Featuring Outstanding Finalists competing in  Interview, Fitness, Talent and Evening Gown

Thursday, June 21, 2012 

7:30 Doors Open and Pink Carpet Paparazzi Arrivals 

8:00pm at Cottage by the Bay 

Tickets $10 at the Door 

All proceeds benefit the Miss Strafford County Scholarship Fund and 

Miss NH Children’s Miracle Network Unified Fund 

MissStraffordCounty.blogspot.com   

MissNH.org/Teen
For more information email StraffordCountyScholarshipProgram@hotmail.com

Save the Date!

Please mark your calendars for two important dates:
Miss Strafford County & Miss Apple Harvest Outstanding Teen (plus Pre-Teen, Little Miss and Princess) will be held on June 21, 2012 at 8p in Dover!  We will have a special pink carpet paparazzi arrival.

The theme for June 21st:  Go Wild!  For more information, please email  StraffordCountyScholarshipProgram@hotmail.com

Miss Strafford County & Miss University 2013 will be crowned on Tuesday, September 11 (University Day) at UNH.

Visiting the State House

I visited the New Hampshire State House in Concord on Tuesday, April 10th for a public hearing on Senate Bill 286 (Relative to a Controlled Drug Prescription Health and Safety Program).

Prescription Drug Abuse is New Hampshire’s and the Nation’s Fastest – Growing Drug Problem.

• In February 2012, the New Hampshire Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment (Governor’s Commission”) released “A Call to Action: Responding to New Hampshire’s Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic”, which includes sobering state data:
• According to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008-2009), New Hampshire’s young adults are abusing pain medication at a significantly higher rate than young adults nationwide.  New Hampshire’s rate of non-medical use of pain relievers by 18 – 25 year olds is the second highest among the states and territories.
• Between 2008 and 2010, the percentage of individuals entering state-funded substance abuse treatment for oxycodone increased by over 60%, while admissions for alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin either decreased or remained constant.
• The number of New Hampshire deaths resulting from oxycodone has more than tripled since 2000.  In 2010, methadone and oxycodone became the first and second leading agents in the cause of drug-related deaths in the state.
• Approximately one in five (20.4%) of New Hampshire high school students reported having taken a prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription at least once in their lifetime, while one in ten (10.4%) reported taking a prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription at least once in the last thirty days.  

In April 2011 the White House National Office of Drug Control Policy (“ONDCP”) issued a national call to action -  “Epidemic: Responding to America’s Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis” – which includes the following disturbing national statistics:

• One in three people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time in 2009 began with the use of a prescription drug for non-medical purposes.
• Over 70% of those who abuse pain relievers got them from friends or relatives while 5% obtained them from a drug dealer or the internet.
• Prescription drugs are second only to marijuana as the most prevalent drug of abuse.
• Overall, opiates represent 75% of all prescription drugs abused.
• Opiate overdoses are increasing due to abuse of prescription pain relievers.
• From 1997 – 2007 the per person milligram use of prescription opioids increased by 402%.
• In 2009, retail pharmacies dispensed 48% more prescriptions for opioid pain relievers than in 2000.

The Controlled Drug Prescription Health and Safety Program Created by SB 286 Will Be an Important Tool in Addressing the Epidemic of Prescription Drug Abuse in New Hampshire.

• SB 286 authorizes the Pharmacy Board to contract for the creation of a secure program to electronically collect controlled drug dispensing data from pharmacies.  Registered prescribers and dispensers will be able to access the data system before writing or dispensing a controlled drug.
• SB 286 covers controlled drugs in Schedules II – IV, which include the vast majority of misused and abused drugs including stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall; pain relievers such as oxycodone; and tranquilizers such as valium and xanax.  SB 286 does not cover any other prescription drugs.
• SB 286 is an important tool to:
• Improve patient care by providing physicians and other prescribers  with clinical information to avoid both under-prescribing and over-prescribing controlled drugs and by increasing referrals for addiction treatment;
• Reduce the diversion of controlled drugs; and
• Reduce controlled drug deaths.
• SB 286 protects patient privacy:
• Only registered prescribers and dispensers have access to program information and only then as it relates to a patient subject to treatment;
• The program is required to comply with all relevant provisions of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA);
• Program information is accessible to law enforcement only with a court order;
• SB 286 contains severe penalties for any person attempting to obtain or using program information in violation of the bill.
• New Hampshire is one of only two states that have not passed legislation to create a controlled drug prescription monitoring program.  New Hampshire is surrounded by states that have implemented such programs, making our state a magnet for individuals seeking controlled drugs.
• Both ONDCP and the Governor’s Commission recommend the establishment of an electronic controlled drug prescription monitoring program as an important and effective strategy in the battle against the prescription drug abuse epidemic.

The Implementation of SB 286 Does Not Require State Funding

• There is federal grant funding to start the program and there will be user fees to maintain it once it is established.
• SB 286 expressly provides that no state funding may be used for the program and that if private funding diminishes the program can be terminated.

Support for SB 286 is Widespread and Bipartisan

• The 19 House and Senate sponsors of SB 286 include members and leadership from both parties.
• Entities supporting SB 286 include: 
• Members of the New Hampshire Medical Community: The New Hampshire Medical Society, the Pharmacy Board, the Board of Medicine, the New Hampshire Nurses Association; the Academy of Family Physicians; the New Hampshire College of Emergency Physicians; and the New Hampshire Hospital Association;
• The Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment;
• The Business and Industry Association;
• The Northern New England Poison Control Center;
• The Department of Health and Human Services;
• The Law Enforcement Community: the Attorney General, the Department of Safety, the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police and the New Hampshire Troopers’ Association;
• New Futures and New Hampshire Voices for Health; and Numerous Community Prevention Groups
• At the Senate public hearing on SB 286 more than 50 individuals and groups signed in support of the bill.  No one signed in opposition.
• SB 286 builds on the thoughtful work done by the House on HB 332 in 2011.

Source: http://www.new-futures.org/policy-reference/talking-points-support-sb-286-relative-controlled-drug-prescription-health-and

National Nutrition Month Media Tour

 I had so much fun visiting all of my favorite radio stations and bringing healthy snacks to Mike Pomp at WTSN, Dan Lunnie at The Bay, Karen Kiley at WOKQ, Greg Kretschmar at WHEB and Charles McMahon at the Portsmouth Herald to celebrate National Nutrition Month and build excitement for Miss New Hampshire 2012!  Starting April 1, YOU get to vote TWO finalists into the Top 12.

Not sure who to vote for?  Watch this:  http://youtu.be/QSua-m32JuI  and then click on http://www.facebook.com/MissNH
and http://www.MissNH.com to vote for Miss Strafford County!

Happy National Nutrition Month!  We celebrated at Portsmouth Regional Hospital with a MyPlate Community Education Class.  Learn how to make healthier food choices at www.choosemyplate.gov.

MyPlate provides tips and ideas to help you get started toward a healthy diet. Choose a change that you can make today, and move toward a healthier you!  Follow @MyPlate on Twitter for daily tips like:  'Drink water instead of sugary drinks', 'Enjoy your food - but eat less', 'Make 1/2 your plate fruits and vegetables'.

Let's get healthy and Fit To Win in 2012!

Time for Tea!

 

 

 

I attended my first ever tea party...and it was lovely!  Twenty Misses and twelve Outstanding Teens joined lots of little princess for a perfect party hosted by Pattie Lamontagne and the amazing Eileen Kelley, Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen 2012 - who was dazzling in her official debut as hostess.  Thank you to all of the volunteers who organized this wonderful event (which raised a little over $2,000), especially Audra Burns, Gerry (Audra's mom), Dr. Stephanie Mills, and all of the adorable guests.  Hope to see you at next year's Tea!

Sweet! My first Tree Tapping Celebration

On March 8th, I joined the New Hampshire Maple Producers’ Association, Governor and Dr Lynch, and a very excited crowd of school children for the Annual Tree Tapping ceremony to officially begin the maple season in New Hampshire.  The celebration was held at Fadden’s Sugar House, operated by Jim Fadden, Jr. and his family. Jim is a sixth generation sugar maker. His family has been sugaring the same 120 acres of trees since Thomas Jefferson was president. The sugar house is located in downtown North Woodstock NH neighboring Fadden’s General Store and Peg’s Restaurant, are all operated by the Fadden family.

The ceremony celebrates the importance of the NH maple industry. Maple sugaring contributes $5 million dollars to the state’s economy annually. The sugaring season typically runs from late February to early April. Last year, NH had a record breaking season with 125,000 gallons of syrup produced.  For more info visit the NH Maple Producers Association www.nhmapleproducers.com

Press Conference

2012 is the Year of the Girl

Best birthday party ever!  Mayor Dean Trefethen and I joined Dover's Daisy, Brownie and Girl Scout Troops for a special party at City Hall on March 12.  The Girl Scouts are celebrating 100 years of building girls of courage, confidence, and character.  In New Hampshire, former Governor and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, Nashua Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, and the late astronaut/teacher Christa McAuliffe were proud Girl Scouts.  (I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout too!)

To join Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, which served 15,600 girls in New Hampshire and Vermont, go to girlscoutsgwm.org.  (Lots more photos at http://www.facebook.com/MissStraffordCounty)