May/June 2010!

Hi Everyone!

Memorial Day was a wonderful weekend to be Miss Litchfield County! Woodbury's national anthem was extremely humbling. Veterans complimented my voice, and I have never been so touched. To me, singing the anthem for veterans is the highest honor there is, and for them to appreciate it as well is just icing on the cake! The Torrington and Harwinton parades were wonderful as well! Mary, Jordyn, Tara, and I had so much fun together, not to mention Sammie! She spent the whole weekend with us as our little guard dog! :)

June has been wonderful so far, and it's only the first week! On June 5th, we had our Miss Connecticut 2010 production rehearsal. This is always a wake-up call that Miss Connecticut is much too close to be slacking off at all! Kirsten, Mary, Arlene, and I drove up to Norwich together and had a fun time on the long car ride! Our opening number is SO much fun to be in, and the production rehearsal is also a great time to re-introduce ourselves to all the other contestants that we haven't gotten to see in a while. After rehearsal, Kirsten and I had a voice lesson in Norwich as well. Brittany and Sarah Decker were also there, and they all sound amazing. Talent this year is going to be a wonderful phase of competition, maybe even more so than other years! My song feels great, and I CAN'T wait to perform it for all of Connecticut!

On Sunday, the 6th, I was honored to sing the national anthem at the Portuguese Festival in Waterbury. Miss Greater Waterbury, Alexandria Puglisi, was unable to attend, so they asked me. Such a meaningful event was very surreal to sing for. So many people came out to celebrate their heritage, and I was so excited to be a part of that celebration! After Waterbury, I drove to West Hartford for the Cycle of Life celebration at St. Joseph's College for Connecticut Children's Medical Center's pediatric cancer survivors. I arrived at 12:45 pm, and spent over an hour walking with Scott Organek and meeting the children. I met 3 very special patients who loved to play basketball. So, I got on the court, heels and all! It was so much fun and the kids were so happy to see me, it canceled out any pain I had in my feet! I also played Wii with the kids, and took pictures (to come). Scott introduced me to one of his favorite oncologists and the event's coordinator. Every time I visit Connecticut Children's, it reminds me how badly I want to work for them, for the kids. I can't wait to dedicate my life to making their lives better.

I would also like to announce a fundraiser that I am holding on June 19, 2010. Children's Miracle Network will benefit from a motorcycle show held at 509 Wolcott Road in Wolcott, CT at Sandy's TV and Appliance. We are asking for no crowns and sashes, but if anyone would like to sing, we will have a sound system and the opportunity. As Gail said, public performance is a wonderful opportunity! It is a $10.00 admission, and there will be hot dogs, hamburgers, and pizza for refreshment. There will be certificates and prizes, entertainment, and a burnout pit!! Sandy's TV and Appliance has also offered to donate a portion of it's proceeds to CMN, as well as the barber shop next door. Miss Wolcott will be there greeting and welcoming others to the town! Line-up for the bikes is at 11:30 and the show is from 1-4pm. I know this is the day after the gala. but this should be a wonderful event and I would love it if my Miss CT family would come and support it.

That's all for now! I will blog again, right before Miss CT arrival!!!!

CC (Cassandra) Mastrianni