Good Luck Miss New Hampshire!

I'm excited for Lindsey Graham, Miss New Hampshire 2009 she is singing in Loudon at at NASCAR Race which will be on TV!! She is singing the National Anthem and is listed as a VIP on a few websites. I'm excited for her...Go Lindsey!

Miss Derry

Come watch Miss Derry tomorrow night at the Opera House in Derry NH at 7:00 pm to support 12 wonderful young women including me! It is going to be a great show....and it would be a great title to win. Danielle and her team host the biggest local scholarship program in New Hampshire. We spent all night tonight rehearsing and it is going to be a great show! Cheer loud for your favorite contestant!

Friday June 19, 2009 Derry Relay for Life

From Left:

Janine, Lauren, Katrina, Alysia, Governor John Lynch, Miss New Hampshire Lindsey Graham, Alicia (me)

Great Interview Question

Last night I was asked by a judge about Guantanamo Bay. I watch the news almost every day and feel like I keep up with current events more than most people do. Unfortunately when the judge asked me about Guantanamo Bay I drew a blank. I didn't know the answer then but I know it now and will be prepared to answer that question next time! Right after the interview I called my Dad and he was surprised I didn't know about it but gave me the heads up about what it is and what it's about. Right after he started explaining it I knew exactly what it was I just wasn't familiar with the name. Can't win them all...can't know every answer, and I'm only human.

Take away message:

I learned 3 new things during that interview process and it pushed me to go home and do some research. That is what is great about the Miss NH Program! I learn something new all the time!

Great Question!

Taste of the Nation Portsmouth

Today I volunteered all day until my Miss Derry interview at Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth to set up for Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation! It was a lot of fun setting up before the event. They sold over 800 tickets and it was a huge success despite the weather. The Taste raised over $100,000 to help end childhood hunger. I saw Emily Heubner who is on the National Share Our Strength team and works with Taste of the Nation's across America. I met her in January when I went to Washington DC to learn more about SOS. I heard I missed Billy Shore at the event too which was sad but I am sure our paths will cross soon. I got out of interviews at 9pm which was too late to go back to Portsmouth to enjoy all the delicious food...so sad. So my night consisted of SUBWAY-eat fresh :) I am excited to see all of the pictures from the event and to hear how well it turned out.

GABS Swasey Park Exeter Pavilion Concert Series July 2nd with Kelsey McDonald!

Come enjoy live entertainment and some delicious home baked goods!!!

I CAUGHT MY FIRST STRIPER!!!

 Steve Murphy (Captain) who took my dad and I out on the Merrimack
What a fun day yesterday was. There was a New England Saltwater Fly-Rodders trip on the Merrimack River. We met with Steve Murphy at Rings Island Marina at 1:00 and didn't get home until 11:00! I caught 4 fish and had about 6 that I almost had but they somehow got off the hook at the last minute...I still had the fly though so it's all good! At one point my dad, Steve, and I all had a fish fighting us on the line-it was pretty cool. My first striper was about 21 inches and my dad's was 23. Steve said now that we know what we are doing next time we are going to double our inches..........I told him I was just fine with the small ones. One of the stripers I caught was only about 12 inches and Steve made fun of me because I wanted to take a picture with it. It was a good day, the fish were out, and we finally caught something that swam and looked like a fish!

Farmers Market New Hampshire

http://nhfma.org/

There are over 58 farmers markets in the tiny state of New Hampshire find one near you!

Advice for the week pick 1,2,3,4, or all!

1)  Have dinner with your family once this week

2)  Take a 10 minute walk by yourself or with someone else

3)  Watch the news for at least an hour collectively this week

4)  Buy something local (It's really easy)

example: Have you ever heard of the Country of Origin Legislation (COOL)? well it is in effect now and requires all fresh produce to be labeled as to where it is from.  When you go to the fresh produce isle see where your food is coming from.  I bought blueberries this week 2/$5 at Market Basket in Lee from Holt, California!  It's local!  Mexico=NOT LOCAL....just check out the labels and see what you can find.  You will be surprised.  It's even better if you can find a farmers market near you!  Near me there are locations in Exeter, Durham, Portsmouth, and  Kingston....can't get more local than that!

Go out and do it!  I dare you.

American Idol Try Outs

So.....the try outs were interesting to say the least! We waiting outside in the pouring rain for 4 hours starting at 5:00am. We didn't try out until 5:30pm. A lot of funny things occurred from the time we got there to the time we left. If you want details ask me!!! It was a great experience and it was well worth my time to show up and give it a try.

First round:

13 tables, 2 judges per table, audition = 30 seconds or until they say STOP YOU SUCK (well not really but basically)

What they are looking for: no idea!!!

My guess: You either have to be drop dead gorgeous, have an absolutely amazing voice, be funny looking, absolutely awful, dressed up in some silly costume... I'll stop my list there you get the picture.

So it was a good experience but 2 judges (joe shmoes) either say yay or nay and then you go to 3 more auditions before you can even see Simon which isn't until January.

Ok....so more details if you want to know more about it just ask! It was fun, I'm glad I went but not sure if I would ever try out again. I for sure would never take a plane anywhere to go and try out. I'd rather be Miss New Hampshire and say "I'M GOING TO VEGAS" (to compete for Miss America of course) than say "I'M GOING TO HOLLYWOOD!!!" (to compete for American Idol)

:)

Alicia

American Idol Wristbands!

I got 3 hours of sleep last night.  I woke up at 3:00 am and headed to Boston at 4:00am.   We were in and out to get wrist bands we didn't even have to wait!  Tomorrow they said we need to be there by 5:00am and get seated.  We hope we don't get rained on.  Wish us luck!

American Idol Try Outs

This weekend should be interesting!  I am trying out for American Idol.  I am excited to see how it all goes...and what it's like.  Will I actually get to try out or is this all just a big joke???? My dad really likes the show, he even DVR's it :) ohh how funny.  He always asks me if I watched the show.  Unfortunately I was very busy during the last four years of college and was studying, good thing though because college is expensive and I needed good grades-sorry dad.  Anyway I am just going for the experience and to see how it is, I have no expectations.  Wish me luck!

To Grandmothers House I Go!

My sister and I are going tomorrow to visit my Nanny, then my Grandma and Grandpa, and then we are going to take my cousin Michael out for Ice Cream.  I can't wait!

Farmers Market

Walk with a smile, look people in the eye when they are talking to you, and don't forget to be positive.  

That's my reflection today from the farmers market :)  I had a lot of fun today observing and learning.  Wende (the farmer from CatNip Acres) taught me all about planting garlic and potatoes today.  

Last week she gave me Scarlet Runner Beans and a yellow pear cherry tomato plant.  I brought them home and my mom planted them for me in a nice pot to bring to my apartment.  The Scarlet Runner Beans are eatable but the main reason I asked for them is because they attract humming birds and butterflies I can't wait!  Also, I just love yellow cherry tomatoes so I can't wait to have them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and mozzarella!!!  MMM soo good!  Thanks for planting them mom!  

Share Our Strength's Taste of The Nation Portsmouth

Don't Miss Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation Portsmouth!‏

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Share Our Strengths Taste of the Nation

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Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation


Taste of the Nation Portsmouth
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Strawbery Banke Museum
Marcy Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801



Don't miss your opportunity to attend Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation Portsmouth at beautiful Strawbery Banke. Guests will enjoy delightful tastes from over 70 participating restaurants, wine and beer. Celebrate the arrival of summer with live music, dancing and a fabulous silent auction under beautiful tented greens while helping us end childhood hunger in America.

Hurry! Online General Admission tickets are already sold out! VIP tickets available online. Or purchase General Admission or VIP tickets at: Portsmouth Brewery, Philbrick's Fresh Market, Blue Mermaid Island Grill, & Black Trumpet Restaurant.

My first day at the farmers market!

Today was interesting to say the least!  I drove to 107 High Road in Epping to find a beautiful 29 acre lot!  Wende is the farmer of Catnip Acres and she has so many different plants.  My Pa-pa Frank Lauriente used to own a family nursery not too long ago and my parents are very much into being out doors and have a huge garden at their house.  Not long ago I had my own little landscaping/lawn mowing/pet sitting business too.   I like being outside!  

Anyway I got to her farm and had no idea what I was getting myself into.  It is hard to set up a little stand at a market!  Wende had the jeep packed and ready to go.  It took me about 40 minutes to set up by the time I got to Exeter Swasy Parkway...my goodness!  

She had so many different herbs, vegetables, and plants!  She even had pineapple mint-pretty neat.  I had a lot of fun talking to people about the plants and her organic farm.  

Thank god my mom was there towards the end, she helped me put everything back in the jeep-what a task.  I swear you have to be good at math and spacing to pack that thing back up!  At the end of the day I was a little tired but it was such a neat experience I said I would do it again. Wende gave me a yellow pear tomato plant to take home and some sort of bean plant that attracts humming birds and butter flys.  I can't wait for them to grow! 

I'll post some pictures soon!  

First Competition - Miss Derry

Start buying your tickets now!  I'm competing for Miss Derry on June 26th!  The show will take place at the Adams Memorial Opera House in downtown Derry.  Miss Derry is always a treat they have a great board that works really hard to raise scholarship money and put on a great show.  I was sad I had to miss it last year, I was in Italy June 26-July 27th 2008.  I have the chance to win over $6,000.00!!!  That would really help lower my loan payments that I will have to start paying off now that I am a graduate YIKES!  Cross your fingers, come to the show, make some signs, and cheer as loud as you can for me :)

~Alicia

Check This Out: Go Support Erika!

I used to compete with Erika Lehman who is now the new Miss NH ANTSO.  I wish I could go to her fundraising event but I will be Fishing all day in Cape Cod with the New England Saltwater Fly Rodders.  I wanted to promote her event.  I hope you can go support her!  She is a good friend of mine that I met through the Miss NH Program.  I actually crowned her Miss University two years ago and then she went on to win the title of Miss Lakes Region where she then crowned me as the new Miss Lakes Region.  I know it sounds confusing but it was pretty neat!  We both went to UNH and she has a lot of accomplishments through both programs.  I wish her the best of luck!

A Dinner with Miss NH ANTSO Miss

Eat, drink, be merry....and help me fundraise for nationals :)

Host:	Erika Lehman
Type:	Party - Dinner Party
Network:	Global

Date:	Saturday, June 6, 2009
Time:	6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location:	Brothers North Restaurant
Street:	845 Lafayette Rd.
City/Town:	Hampton, NH
	View Map

Phone:	6037676063
Email:	erikaslehman@gmail.com

Description

Please join me for dinner in support of my fundraising efforts for nationals! 

Enjoy a fabulous Greek and Italian Buffet-style dinner and participate in some wonderful raffles, silent auctions, and socializing. Raffle/auction items include spa items, gift certificates, cash prizes, and original artwork/paintings by Erika. 

Feel free to move to the lounge after 8 forcocktails and live entertainment.

Tickets are $18 per person

Dress is nice casual/business casual (no holey jeans and muddy t shirts please)

If you would like to attend (I would love you to!) please let me know as soon as possible and I can bring tickets to you or put them aside to pick up at the door.

Hope to see you there!!!

You can also purchase a ticket online via paypal through the "donate" button on my blog! Just donate the amount you owe for the tickets and I will receive an email notification and have your tickets ready for you at the door :) 

http://www.erikalehman.blogspot.com/

Kayaking with Julie May 15, 2009

Julie and I went kayaking to celebrate being done with school!  I plan on buying a kayak once my funds are replenished from the dent that was made by a little thing called VEGAS.  I spent a lot of money.  I will be working hard this summer to save up some money to buy a kayak and all of the bells and whistles that go along with it!

First Fishing meeting with the New England Saltwater Fly Rodders at Jappa Flats - Plum Island June 2nd

My Dad and I went Fishing at Jappa Flats - Plum Island for our first fly fishing club meeting.  We had a lot of fun and there were about 40 fishers from the club.  I had a lot of fun but no one even got a bite!  I am looking forward to fishing this weekend my dad and I are going to Cape Cod with some members from the club and we hope we catch a few fish then!   

Graduation Lobster Bake at UNH hosted by the Alumni Center

The UNH Lobster Bake was our only event to celebrate graduation.  I was looking forward to a senior week but this was the extent of senior week.  It was a ton of fun!  It was a great event to bring all of the seniors together to enjoy a lobster meal or eggplant parm for the vegetarians.  Down below is a picture of me with all of my friends at the lobster bake.  If you were wondering I'm 22.

Miss America

I can't wait to go to Vegas for Miss America! My sister, my friend Justina, and I all went to Las Vegas last week to celebrate my sister graduating with as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and myself graduating with a Bachelor of Science for Nutritional Sciences! We had a lot of fun, we stopped by Planet Hollywood and knew I needed to go see the Miss America show this year. The show is January 30, 2010 at Planet Hollywood. This year there will be 53 contestants because they just added Puerto Rico...this will bring in even more viewers for a very exciting show. I can't wait!

I GOT A JOB thank the lord!

I will be working for the Whole Grains Council on a few projects. Last semester I completed a huge research project which analyzed whole grains. My boss, Cindy presented all of the information I gathered in Washington D.C. a few weeks ago. After working with them for the semester they hired me to work on some new projects and I am delighted to be on board with them! To learn more about whole grains visit:
http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/
make half your grains whole grains! Try a box of cherrios for breakfast...my favorite (besides grapefruit)!

I will also be working at 3 different farmers markets: Exeter, Durham, and Kingston
I will be selling crops for catnip acres of Epping. This will be a great opportunity to meet people who are growing locally. It will also be a great opportunity for me to encourage people to buy fresh local produce to help nourish their bodies. After all....I am a nutrition major! I will do anything involving food, friendship, nutrition, and community! http://catnipacresherbfarm.wordpress.com/photos/

The first fish of the season!

My dad and I went fishing yesterday (Sunday) right after I spent the entire day judging the idol competition. We caught our first fish of the season. My dad and I went with our neighbor Rich so technically he should get some credit too! It was Rich's first time fly fishing so we all had a blast. My dad caught a 23 inch BEAUTIFUL striper. I remember I used to watch a fishing show when I was little on TV and the fisherman always kissed the fish before he released it....I might make my dad do that with his next fish! Pictures to come.....

Karaoke Idol

I had a lot of fun on May 31st judging the 3rd annual Exeter Karaoke Idol competition. I have been a celebrity judge for 3 years and have seen a lot of talent. This year I was lucky enough to judge alongside Mark Ericson from WOKQ's morning waking crew. It's my favorite radio station....country of course! Sandy Martin has organized the Idol competition for 3 years and it truly gets better every year. I can't wait to judge again next year.

I DID IT

Yay!!! Congratulations to all the UNH graduates. I am so excited to say I finished 4 extremely hard years at the University of New Hampshire and I finished CUM LAUDE. I am proud of my accomplishment!

Miss Derry Fundraiser at Sharky's Go Play!!

I stopped by Sharky's and Dover Bowl today to support the fundraiser for the Miss Derry Scholarship Program. I will be competing for Miss Derry on June 26th and I wanted to thank the employees of Sharky's for supporting such a wonderful program that has really changed my life.

I encourage everyone to stop by and play a game or two to support the Miss Derry Scholarship Program!

Rock Star

I graduate in a few days and can't wait. A lot of my friends are sad but I have had a great four years at college and will carry all of my experiences for the rest of my life. I'm excited for whatever comes next in life. I am looking for a part time job for the summer so if anyone has any ideas contact me! My main focus is to volunteer every chance I get and to fish with my dad this summer.

Triathlon

My sister Jess was in a triathlon last weekend. I had a lot of fun watching her compete and was really excited she came in 4th place for her division! Congratulations Jess! It looked like she had a lot of fun. She bought a really nice bike for graduation and she said it improved her time. I plan on doing at least one this summer...it really was an inspiration. I was a runner in high school and loved track. My sister is a great swimmer, I didn't get that gene but I'm not bad! I love to bike so we will see.

All of the triathaloners had numbers all over their bodies....ages went on the calf. I saw people who were over 60 doing the triathalon and having so much fun! If they can do it so can I!

My Professor Dr. Joanne Burke

http://unh.edu/news/campusjournal/2009/May/13burke.cfm

Profile in Sustainability: Joanne Burke

May 13, 2009

Joanne Burke, clinical assistant professor, department of molecular, cellular and biomedical sciences

Why is nutrition an important part of sustainability?

Nutrition and sustainability are inextricably linked. Healthy soils and waterways and environmentally respectful food production give rise to wholesome foods, supporting our health and nutritional well-being. Social, economic, cultural and political factors impact food production, access, and health outcomes. As a profession, nutritionists are trained to view the health role that nutrients in food play in health promotion but have not historically considered the food system used to produce these foods. As we become more aware of how food production and dietary practices impact our environment, it becomes apparent that sustainability must be integrated into nutrition practices.

What role can all of us play in addressing the issue of food security?

There are a variety of interconnected ways to take action. Becoming involved in food and agriculture policy decisions has far reaching impacts. Joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program supports local farmers, builds capacity, and provides you with healthy foods. State, regional, and national policies and practices also are needed. Most of the US Farm Bill supports large agribusiness with few resources for small and mid-size producers. One out of eight Americans do not have access to healthy diets. Food banks provide short term food access, but were never intended to be a long term solution to failed economic and social policy. Long term system-wide strategies that promote healthy, accessible food systems and livable wages are needed.

What motivates you personally to be involved in sustainability?

I find it unacceptable that we live in a country that advertises itself as the world’s breadbasket yet far too many of our citizens go hungry. Growing up, I watched as my parents tried to make a difference. My dad worked on civil rights issues while my mom assisted Cuban refugees in our North Miami parish. Armed with the belief that individuals can and should make a difference, I find it ethically rewarding to be playing a role in advancing food security and sustainability. My husband and I hope our children, grandchildren and future generations benefit from the sustainability work we are collectively engaged in.