FEATURED PHOTO: This is where caption text will go for featured photo. As a general note, captions should also be inputted into the caption section within the media library to help meet ADA compliance. CREDIT: Photographer Name (hyperlinked to their website or whichever landing page they prefer).

Did you know that government subsidies do not cover the cost of soap and other essential toiletries? Stacy Wiener learned this when volunteering at the Bradley Pantry where she witnessed families requesting soap and shampoo along with food. She found a way to distribute soap to the underserved population in a way that is kind, and preserves the dignity of the recipients. Stacy put her talent for knitting and crocheting to good use and created Soap S.A.C.K. (Supporting A Community with Kindness) three years ago. The concept is simple. Festive soap sacks are crocheted or knitted, filled with a bar of soap, and completed with a tag containing a heartfelt message. They are then distributed to food pantries, housing centers, veterans clinics, social service agencies, relief efforts and charities. What started as a local effort has blossomed into a national and international phenomenon. Meet Stacy Wiener to learn how a simple idea in Monmouth County gained traction around the world.

CM: How did S.A.C.K. initially get the sacks made and distributed, and how has it grown?

Stacy Wiener (SW): When I started S.A.C.K. in 2017, I was the only one crocheting/knitting sacks and purchasing the soap to fill them. After reaching out to several local knitting/crocheting groups and explaining the S.A.C.K. mission, they began to make soap sacks for me. However, I was the only one who was donating soap sacks to shelters, pantries and social service agencies, primarily within Monmouth County. A local story was picked up by USA Today two years ago, and within hours, I was receiving emails from all over the country asking me if they could do the same for shelters and pantries in their communities. As you can probably guess, I said YES!! Now there are volunteers in EVERY state as well as Canada, Asia, Europe and Australia. More than 100,000 soap sacks have been donated globally! I am so incredibly lucky to be part of this important mission of extending kindness, one sack at a time.

CM: Tell us about your family and whether they are involved in helping.

SW: My son, Aron, 18, just graduated from the Engineering Academy at Red Bank Regional and will be attending University of Pittsburgh as a Chemical Engineering student.  My husband, Bob, retired from Johnson & Johnson two years ago. We have two coonhound pointer dogs—Choliy and Molae. Aron coordinated a soap drive at RBR during his junior year. Bob is the “back office guy” (his words) for S.A.C.K. He has been solely responsible for the paperwork to get the 501c3 status, trademarking the logo, setting up and maintaining the website, etc.

CM: What are some of the challenges of S.A.C.K.?

SW: I am always in need of soap. It has been especially challenging since COVID—personal hygiene is more important than ever.

CM: What would be your dream way of advancing S.A.C.K.?

SW: I want to continue to inspire people to be part of the S.A.C.K community…and have soap sacks donated all over the world, so a corporate sponsorship, or an appearance on television, or other way to reach a large audience and advance the cause is my dream.

CM: Do you have any hobbies when not working on S.A.C.K?

SW: Besides knitting and crocheting, I love to read and walk the boardwalk. I live two blocks from the beach—I am definitely a Jersey Shore Beach Girl.

CM: Favorite quote?

SW: “Wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference.” Kevin Heath

CM: How can CM readers get involved?

SW: We appreciate the help! Readers can visit SoapSacks.com for sample patterns and information. They can coordinate soap drives, donate to S.A.C.K. through the website, donate soap through Amazon, (where we also have a Wishlist) as well as donate craft store gift cards to help offset the cost of yarn. We are also on Facebook (@SoapSACK) and Instagram (@soapsacks).

FEATURED PHOTO CREDIT: Cathy Padilla

After twenty years in the corporate world, Laura leveraged her teaching and mentoring skills to open Class 101 Monmouth County in Hazlet to help families and students navigate the college admissions process. Laura is passionate about helping high school students find their future, and shared information and tips about college planning and applications.

CM: How does Class 101 help students and families?

Laura Ciccone (LC): Simple – we make college planning simple! We are the first comprehensive college planner in our region.The admission process has become so complex it is hard to know WHERE and WHEN to start. As a mom to a high school-aged child, I know how time consuming and frustrating the process can be. As parents, we do not want to be nagging our kids for three to four years to keep on top of planning for college. At Class 101, we work with students 1:1 to connect all the dots and make the process enjoyable for families – no nagging involved!

CM: What are students/parents most surprised to learn about the college admission process?

LC: For parents, it is how much has changed. Back in the day, we started the process at the end of junior year/beginning of senior year, received all communication via US mail, either hand wrote or typed our application, applied to a couple of schools and visited those schools maybe once before accepting. Today, students apply to an average of six to ten colleges, write anywhere from one to fifteen essays, and visit their top colleges two to three times. For students, it is how many colleges are actually out there. I spend many months with my students helping them find which of the 4000 colleges are a good fit for them.

CM: What is the benefit of working with Class 101 during the college planning process?

LC: For 23 years, Class 101 has been providing personalized, 1:1 services to help students and families navigate everything from identifying a college major to developing a college list to the presentation of their college applications. Our expertise and passion have helped more than 6,500 students attend over 400 colleges and universities, and earn more than $482 million in scholarships!! We are here to manage and guide you through the process, so your family can spend time together on what really matters.

CM: When should students start planning activities for college?

LC: Ideally freshman year. I know, kids are just learning how high school works! But your college application is a summary of ALL your high school years, not just junior year. Freshman and sophomore years are all about laying the foundation. I frequently get calls from juniors in January, asking what they need to be doing before applications open in August. It is hard to go back in time to create a good foundation. <h5″>CM: With the current pandemic, how has college planning changed? LC: Unfortunately, the Class of 2020 is taking the brunt of pandemic impact. We are seeing many recent graduates decide to attend college closer to home, either community colleges or state schools, than originally planned. For the Class of 2021 and those thereafter, not much has changed – we continue to help them find the right college fit – academically, personally and financially.

CM: Favorite quote?

LC: “Do something today your future self will thank you for.”

CM: What one tip should readers remember about the college application process?

LC: Early engagement in the process is a game changer! When it comes to maximizing college and scholarship opportunities, the earlier the better.

CM: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

LC: I love to travel but definitely do not do it as often as I would like right now. Work and kids keep me busy at the moment. When I am not working you will usually either find me on one of the many east coast soccer fields watching my daughter play, or entertaining family and friends in our backyard.

FEATURED PHOTO: Franki DeSaro & April Martines | CREDIT: Abby Devey

The divine and destiny are constants throughout their story and led them to cofound a sanctuary for single mothers, children, and animals, firmly based in faith and positivity. The Sanctuary is already helping families, and the vision is to expand to a residential program.

CM: What is the mission of Light to Earth Sanctuary?

Our daily mission is to lovingly awaken each person towards their God-given purpose, by supporting their inner healing journey- physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Our organization also helps animals and is Christian based, although we joyfully serve single mothers, children, families, and welcome volunteers, from all faith backgrounds. All feel welcome and at peace on the land; we are family.

CM: What types of events/services are held at the Sanctuary?

Many families at our farm have endured domestic violence, addiction, poverty, homelessness, loss of a loved one and much more. Presently, we offer one day workshops on art, cooking, and fellowship, and host retreats of various kinds on the farm for single mothers and their children. This year we created an organic community garden and all of the harvest will be donated to local families. Annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at the farm are magical experiences full of so much joy, gratitude, and love. Fellowship gatherings are personally one of our favorites. Believers of all denominations join to sing, make music, and pray for one another. Afterwards we all feast, laugh, rest, and enjoy life together over a shared meal.

CM: Describe the farm, and how it became the location.

The farm is surrounded by breathtaking views of rolling hills, a true oasis of God’s creation on earth. Although we do not yet own the farm, the owner, Avram Schmied, a 72-year-old Jewish man, has lovingly allowed us to serve families here since 2018. He told us, “This is a very special piece of heaven right here on earth” and is grateful that his vision for the land’s “destiny and greatness” will continue. We are presently seeking to raise three million dollars to purchase the farm and call it our home! There is a custom built 6,500 sq. ft. three story home with apartment quarters, an 18, 000 sq. ft. barn/meeting space, two cottages, two working windmills, spring fed pond site and two fenced in pastures for horses, a shed with a root cellar, organic herb and vegetable garden, one acre poplar forest, and an underground fresh spring.

CM: What is most rewarding?

We love seeing people from all walks of life: diversity in ethnicities, faith beliefs, and experiences coming together to serve and support alongside one another. We did not realize we would also touch the lives of many of our team members and volunteers, who also have shared the varied struggles of our families. Some special memories include a young boy’s declaration that this had been the best day of his life and the other children begging their moms to stay or return soon. Some children had never seen the stars, the moon, or horses before! One mother shared she had not seen her daughter this happy in a long time. Another was hosting a fellowship gathering for women in recovery and seeing their hope. There is no greater reward than knowing and seeing love, joy and healing on the faces and hearts of those we serve.

CM: What is the biggest challenge?

Raising the funds to purchase our farm, and gathering the needed people-a grant writer, non-profit accountant, and a professional fundraiser-in order to reach the next level of our mission to create a 1-5-year residential program. Please visit our website to read our full miracle story and for ways to donate, join our team, attend our gala and more: lighttoearthsanctuary.org, or email us to schedule a farm visit or learn more here.

CM: Favorite Quote

“Faith doesn’t make sense, it makes miracles.”

CM: You mention public safety as a concern.

KS: Allowing untrained people to maintain big cats in their homes not only harms animals, it threatens public safety. Lions, tigers, and other big cats are powerful animals who can easily kill or severely injure humans. Private ownership of big cats endangers those living in the neighborhood, as well as first responders who are ill-equipped to handle situations where an animal has escaped. Furthermore, it fuels the wild “pet” trade, creating a financial incentive for people to capture big cats in the wild and breed them for the purpose of selling the cubs.

CM: What did we NOT see in Tiger King, regarding the cub-petting business?

KS: The cub-petting industry fuels a troublesome cycle of breeding and discarding big cats. Because cubs can only be “handled” for a few months, cubs are being prematurely weaned and forcibly separated from their mothers, often resulting in long-term psychological repercussions. Even at a young age, cubs’ teeth and claws pose a serious safety risk. Exhibitors may even drug the animals to keep them docile – sometimes on a daily basis and rarely under the supervision of a veterinarian, which can lead to long-term health problems. The cubs are discarded around 12 weeks old to be sold into the “pet” trade, to roadside zoos, killed, or even illegally “harvested” for their body parts. Cub-petting operations need new babies all the time. This drives rampant breeding in roadside zoos and at tiger mills.

CM: What laws currently protect the big cats?

KS: There are few federal laws protecting the millions of wild animals living in captivity in the United States, some of whom are kept in private homes. While some states have restricted or banned the private possession of certain wild animals, other states have virtually no regulations. Right now, the only federal legislation that governs big cats in captivity are the Endangered Species Act—for those big cats on the endangered species list, and the Animal Welfare Act, which requires only minimum care standards for animals held at roadside zoos, including big cats. These laws fail to adequately protect both big cats and public safety. The Animal Legal Defense Fund has documented countless serious violations of the Animal Welfare Act over the years.

CM: What is being done now to remedy this?

KS: The Animal Legal Defense Fund continues to fight to free big cats and other animals from roadside zoos, so that they can be moved to accredited sanctuaries. Legislation has already been proposed. The Big Cat Public Safety Act (BCPSA) is a federal bill that would ban both the private possession of big cats and the direct public contact with their cubs. By taking cub-petting out of the equation, the BCPSA would eliminate the dangerous cycle of breeding and discarding tigers and other big cats. The goal is twofold: one, to prohibit people from keeping big cats in their homes as pets. And two, to curb the proliferation of big cats around the country. Only those who hold a USDA license would be allowed to own a big cat. Big cats belong in the wild or, in situations where captive animals can no longer safely be returned to the wild, in accredited sanctuaries equipped to meet their complex physical and psychological needs.

CM: Does this pending legislation impact the housing of big cats in all zoos?

KS: The BCPSA includes appropriate exemptions for sanctuaries, universities, and professionally run zoos as indicated by the endorsement from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Current private owners are grandfathered-in and are simply required to register their animals with the government to ensure that first responders and animal control officers are aware of the presence of these animals in their communities.

CM: How can citizens help?

KS: People can learn more about the laws and proposed legislation related to big cats in a webinar by the Animal Legal Defense Fund at aldf.org/TigerKing. But for this bill to become law, federal legislators need to hear from their constituents. Contact your legislators and urge them to support the Big Cat Public Safety Act, both for the safety of our communities and the well-being of big cats. People can take action at aldf.org/HelpBigCats.

FEATURED PHOTO: Kristina Henderson, Owner & CEO of Henderson Promos

In 2017, Kristina Henderson took the helm at a promotional products company, tripled sales in one year, and rebranded the company known today as Henderson Promos. Her ownership and efforts resulted in the company’s recognition as both a certified Women’s Business Enterprise and SBA Woman Owned Small Business. Kristina grew up in Colts Neck and credits her versatile background in preparing her for the many roles involved in managing a business. Perhaps most striking is Kristina’s ability to engage with people. She was awarded the titles of Miss Congeniality and Most Photogenic as a finalist in the Miss Massachusetts USA Pageant in 2016, and the Best Interview Award in the 2012 Miss New Jersey USA Pageant. She has a sense of adventure, sparked by her stint as a flight attendant at age 19, and an appreciation of service from her time in the restaurant industry. She studied journalism while living in Hawaii, finished her degree at Boston University, worked as a news producer in New Hampshire, fund-raised for the Human Rights Campaign in DC, and volunteered as a “discharge buddy” at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Kristina enjoys working with her husband Barton, co-founder and CBDO of Henderson Promos. He is an attorney admitted in New Jersey and New York and handles sales and community relations for the company. As she describes it, she “wakes up every morning and is blessed to have a job she absolutely loves.”

CM: What type of services/products does Henderson Promos offer?

Kristina Henderson (KH): We offer our experience in focusing on industry-specific on-trend promotional items and promotional apparel needs. Whether a customer is looking for a specific item like mugs, pens, t-shirts, tote bags, awards or just browsing our website for ideas, one of our 700,000 products is sure to boost any marketing plan.

CM: What tasks do you undertake in the business and which do you enjoy most?

KH: As the owner, my primary role is overseeing operations, from client intake to order fulfillment. I enjoy helping customers grow their business through branded item campaigns, gifting, and giveaways. When I see someone in the street or on social media wearing a t-shirt we made from an event it brings a smile on my face knowing we’re helping our clients amplify their message.

CM: Is there a particular promotional order that stands out?

KH: We always take a unique, clever, and impactful approach with our branding. While some clients know exactly what they’re looking for, other clients give us artistic liberty to broadcast their message. For instance, if a company in healthcare comes to us for ideas, rather than just suggest mugs or t-shirts, we give them tailored products like customized band aid and tissue packages. I love being a part of every order and making sure it’s exactly what my customer is looking for, from the logo design to the quality.

CM: What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

KH: I enjoy spending time with my husband, Barton, and my two dogs, Gatsby (a Paptese) and Kona (a miniature Australian Sheperd). If it’s summertime, you can find me on my boat on the Jersey shore; if it’s the winter, I will be traveling somewhere warm. We love spending time in Hawaii, where we take a break from our busy lives and focus on gratitude and living with the aloha spirit.

CM: Do you have a favorite quote or philosophy?

KH: “Make Your Dreams of Today Become Your Opportunities of Tomorrow.” I know it sounds cliche but that quote was on a poster above my bed growing up and every day I would say to myself that I would make my dreams come true. With that said, I am living the life now that I have always dreamt about and I believe that is through the law of attraction, hard work, and never giving up.

When asked if the band plays original songs, Dr. Sykoff responded, “We are a cover band primarily, but the idea of writing our own music has always crossed our minds. It remains an aspirational goal. Scott (Woska) has written music in the past, and it would be his musical talent that would lead the band into this new undertaking.”

Particularly unforgettable to the band are the annual performances for the Zilinski Foundation – an organization dedicated to supporting wounded veterans and providing them with trained support dogs.

“At each of these galas with 350 plus guests, we meet wounded veterans coping with all kinds of devastating disabilities, slowly working their way back into civilian life,” said Dr. Sykoff. “Participating with the Foundation to help raise money to support these veterans manage overwhelming medical expenses is an unforgettable experience. Knowing our efforts help these veterans recover from both the complex physical and emotional wounds of combat remains the most memorable experience.”

An event performed last month is especially close to their hearts and a very different format for the group. “We embarked on an unusual and special technological project,” explained Dr. Woska. “We unfortunately lost our singer Erin Patrick to cancer three years ago. She was with us from the very beginning and is very special to us.”

Dr. Lessing brought Erin to the band having met her when his daughter and Erin sang in a high school choir together. He expressed how meaningful this event was to them all. “The Docs of Rock performed a special tribute to honor Erin’s talent and spirit along with the Monmouth County SPCA, a charity she supported. Using computers, screens, video footage and studio recordings we attempted to bring Erin ‘back to life’ as she sang ‘live’ with us on stage for her family and friends and supporters of a great charity.”

Looking back on the last six years, Dr. Lessing reflected how he feels the power of music is well known yet poorly understood. He refers to himself as “grateful” for being able to “channel that mysterious and joyful energy from the stage to the dance floor.” Dr. Sykoff, speaking for the band added, “The Docs of Rock has become a charity band giving back to our community by supporting worthy causes that improve the lives of others. Many underserved and isolated people living in our community are in desperate need of the services. These non-profit organizations provide social, emotional and psychological sustenance and, most of all, hope. Combining this humanitarian commitment with our love of music remains an opportunity for which we are forever grateful.”

CM: Is there a success story that stands out to you?

Christina: (Laughs) I’ve had husbands call and tell me to keep doing whatever I am doing for their wives, because it is helping, and I tell them not to forget they can always purchase gift certificates. Women joke and tell me they “used to be ugly.” But one client who stands out is a young woman who came to me with severe acne. Within 18 days after starting treatment she looked like a completely different person. A man at the gym where she attended for three years didn’t recognize her. She broke my heart when she reflected that she felt the acne was a type of handicap, that she never realized she had gotten used to the way people looked at her differently. Now she is more confident.

CM: What are the advantages of using Scheál products?

Christina: Unlike manufactured products, which are made months in advance with preservatives, I personally make fresh batches of Scheál products each week. They have a distinct vitality, and the beneficial results on all types of skin are noticeable very quickly. I use only organic ingredients based in aloe, cucumber and chamomile, and they are extremely healing. They calm the skin and allow the skin to heal. Skin is alive and wants to be our best friend. But we tend to fight against it, and try to rip it off, or mask it or laser it. When skin is calmer it will look softer. As we age, and from sun damage, we get more dead skin which makes our skin appear thicker and makes us “turn into a raisin”. I help get rid of spots and the thick skin. I love to make the skin glow!

Scheál Organics are available for purchase. Visit scheal.com and Facebook for more information on services and products.

 

Meet Anna Landre, a recent valedictorian of Freehold High School and now a junior in the prestigious School of Foreign Affairs at Georgetown University. Anna calls herself a “disabled woman” but challenges us to view disabilities not as afflictions or defects to overcome, but rather as a normal part of human diversity. Anna has spinal muscular atrophy type 2 which causes progressive muscle weakness and breathing difficulties. She requires a wheelchair and 16 hours of assistance each day to aid her breathing, her use of the bathroom, and getting in and out of bed. Georgetown nursing students assist her, and this successful home health arrangement allows her to live independently, attend classes, and maintain a 3.9 GPA all while writing a column, Discussing Disability, for Georgetown’s publication The HOYA.* What began as a report on Anna’s intrepid fight with her insurance company to preserve her life-saving care, has evolved into an eye-opener on the perceptions and myths of what it means to be disabled. She is an eloquent and thoughtful spokesperson for what she deems an often-overlooked minority.

“I stopped drinking coffee in the morning,” recalled Anna. “It wasn’t because I wanted a caffeine detox or a switch to tea. Instead, my insurance company was threatening to cut my aide services. I was trying to reduce my drinking to a minimum, preparing myself for the fact that soon I might not have someone to help me to the bathroom when I needed it. For disabled Americans like me, devastating cuts in care are almost routine.” The dreaded devastating cuts did arrive last year. Despite no changes in her circumstances, the insurance company declared it was slashing the permitted aide services to 10 hours per day. It did not matter that the cut would require Anna to leave her college program, her internship opportunities, and her goal of a productive, independent life. “Each battle upends my life and that of my family,” said Anna. “I had to appear in court to defend my need for aide services against the testimony of a team of corporate lawyers sent by my insurance company. In what was possibly one of the most humiliating situations of my life, I was interrogated about every nuance of my disability in front of a courtroom, desperately hoping that the judge — who has no medical expertise — would believe me when I explained my own needs. The worst part is knowing fights like this will never end; for the rest of my life, I’ll be dreading a letter in the mail telling me that my care is gone for good.”

The administrative law judge did overturn the cut and ordered the insurance company to reinstate the 16 hours. The relief was short-lived. The New Jersey Division administering the Medicaid program reversed the judge’s ruling and reinstated the 10-hour maximum. This action precipitated Anna’s year-long battle, challenging the reversal and exposing the processes too many other students also face. A settlement was finally offered restoring her care, but Anna was reluctant to accept it because she worried others would not benefit. She signed on only after Senator Vin Gopal (Monmouth County) urged her to accept the deal, promising to pursue legislation to end the problem.

What does Anna feel our society gets wrong about being “disabled”? When reflecting on growing up with the disabled label, Anna realized a disability is not viewed as one’s identity. “The word carried a heavy negative connotation, implying someone who was to be pitied, cared for, and protected,” shared Anna. “It wasn’t an identity; it was a defect. Disabled people are America’s largest minority. For other minority groups, we tend to understand that their adversity is caused by external factors. For disabled people, the source of adversity is assumed to be internal, caused by some sort of medical problem. Many difficulties that disabled people face are not inherently caused by their disabled body, but instead by their environment. For example, the fact that I can’t walk is a problem largely because I can’t use stairs and thus do not have access to certain places…In other words, stop feeling sorry for me because I can’t walk upstairs and start helping me build a ramp instead.”

Anna pointed out the power of the media plays a large role in shaping our perceptions. “Pitiable and pathetic disabled characters exist either to convey another character’s charity or an emotional lesson for the audience.” Or, there is what Anna describes as “the super crip” stereotype, whose narrative is consumed by the pursuit of ‘overcoming’ the disability, implying that a person must eliminate disability to achieve success. Anna believes true acceptance of disabilities may gain ground if the media begins to help reshape the narrative.

Through her own life choices and experiences, Anna demonstrates her belief that success is not incompatible with disability. At Georgetown, she and others are working to create a Disability Alliance on campus to build community among disabled people and allies, practice activism, and educate others. And there is no summer break from action. She spent this past summer in Brazil in a cultural and language immersion program through the US State Department’s Critical Language Scholarship program. In Brazil, Anna experienced many access issues but found the people to be very helpful. Her favorite parts of the experience were perfecting her Portuguese and working with a non-profit focused on advocacy and services for the disabled. The summer before, Anna interned with a public relations agency in DC. This led to another legal issue. “The internship was my first paid job, and getting a paycheck meant that I almost lost all my Medicaid services. I’ll be in quite a dilemma when I graduate from college–do I start an entry-level job with an income that will be too high for me to legally keep my disability services but still too low to actually allow me to cover those costs on my own, or do I just forego ever having a paid job, essentially throwing away a degree (which I’ve taken loans to fund!)? I’m racing against the clock to try and change these regulations before I graduate.”

What is next for Anna? “I’d like my future career to entail fomenting the inclusion of people with disabilities in both the United States and developing countries, particularly in Latin America. People with disabilities are the world’s largest minority, and populations are even greater in developing countries. And since one of the most successful legislative exports of the US is the Americans with Disabilities Act, our country is uniquely positioned to help. Though, as I learned in Brazil, we also have a lot to learn from other countries.”

 

After decades working in the medical field as a nurse, teacher, and hospital specialist to doctors, she and her late husband created their own Real Estate Development Company. But it wasn’t until she took her first ballroom lesson that Patti found her true spark in life and her love for competing in Ballroom Dance Competitions. Ranked first in the U.S. in American Rhythm and second in the world in the same category, meet your neighbor – Patti Izzo.

My history with dancing:

I had ten years of ballet, tap dancing, jazz, and gymnastics classes. Along the way, I always danced in front of the television while watching Dancing with the Stars. I was mesmerized by the show! I studied and copied the female dancers on TV while wearing my character heels from doing community theater. I decided I had to find a ballroom to take lessons, and Brian Stark, a gifted professional teacher, returned my call in 2011. Brian, who is from Indiana, became my teacher and is my competitive dance partner to this day. I had never taken a step in Ballroom-type dancing before, though I did have one advantage – my parents were avid social Jitterbug and Swing dancers, though they had no lessons. They were very musical and very happy people. My dad also played the piano but did not take lessons.

Why I started to compete:

I have been actively competing in Ballroom Dance Sport for eight years, and it has improved my life tremendously on many levels. I stay physically and mentally fit and look forward to performing our choreography in beautiful costumes. Dance also allows me a healthy break from the everyday running of my company. The traveling and socializing itself, is amazing. The feeling of belonging to an international ballroom family is indescribable. That alone would be enough, but to win World and National Titles, and many other unexpected awards in my divisions is the best feeling in the world! I have made lifelong, precious friends, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

My dancing went international at the Blackpool Dance Festival in Blackpool, England: 

When the Blackpool Executive Board decided to open the competition up to couples who were professional/amateurs, we competed. I wanted to make history just to say we were there on that inaugural day and danced on that sacred floor. We made the podium and placed second. We won a World Title on the debut of professional/amateurs competing in Blackpool, England in our American Style Division. This past May, we returned to Blackpool and were fortunate to receive another World Title placing second again. It was a dream come true. A few months ago, we competed in Prague, Czech Republic, and placed in the top five. This is our eighth year competing around the world and I couldn’t ask for more.

Why I recommend Ballroom Dancing to everyone, especially those who are my age: 

I’ve spent most of my life taking care of the health of others, and now I recommend Ballroom dancing as a Life Changer for so many people. There are so many styles and levels to choose from. One phone call took me from dancing in front of the TV to creating so much fun. And traveling the world with incredibly talented and amazing people is more than I ever expected. This pulled back the curtain on a secret world of beauty, skill, and fun. Take Ballroom lessons and live your best life! Find your Joie de Vivre!