A valuable learning experience...Water Skiing.

Greetings Perham,
            Once again, it is so nice to be here in the EOT Focus for yet another week. This past week sure has been quite warm! Over the weekend I experienced the heat firsthand as I rode atop the Perham Express Train in the Detroit Lakes Water Carnival Parade. I love the month of July in our wonderful state of Minnesota.

            On Monday I was invited to spend the day with my roommate from college and her family at Gold Eagle Campground. Even though Taylor and I have only know each other for a year and a half, her family has spent many summers’ just miles from my home. One thing Taylor has always known about me is that I have never water skied before. She and her family changed that on Monday evening.

            Learning how to ski is a difficult task as it takes much coordination, strength, and control in the water. Giving water skiing a shot was a bit out of my character and I sure was nervous as I awaited my first attempt. Much to my surprise it wasn’t too bad as I made it half way out of the water my first time. After about a good twenty minutes of failing I succeed and experienced the thrill of riding the water. I’ll never forget the excitement. As I drove home Monday evening from the experience I realized learning how to ski is much like the risks we take in life. When we leave our comfort zones we try and try again before we ever experience success. Had I not left my comfortable seat on the boat Monday evening I never would have skied. Had I not auditioned to be in a community musical while in high school I wouldn’t have taken the stage as a lead character. If I never would have competed for Miss Perham I wouldn’t be writing to you today. We are given many opportunities in our lives to try new things, be challenged, and see ourselves succeed. This week I challenge you to take the next step towards a crazy dream, to lead a new idea, to share perspective you are fearful to share. And just maybe you will glide on the water of life with ease. 

P.S. My weekend in Frazee, soon to arrive!! 

Much love, 

Paige 

Parade of the Northwest and Bailey's Miss America's Outstanding Teen Send-Off

Today has been a busy and HOT day! But every minute of it was worth the little extra "glisten."

This afternoon I was a part of the Parade of the Northwest, the big finale to the Detroit Lakes Water Carnival Celebration in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The ride was a bit warm, but the smiles and "little water" from the crowd made my time well spent. Once arriving in DL I searched for any clue as to where the Perham Express was. This parade is one of the biggest in the area with over 100 entries. Luckily, I spotted some sparkly crowns, MAO crowns to be exact! I was then greeted by Siri, our Miss MN and the newly crowned Northwest royalty Rebecca and Sarah. I was so happy to see familiar faces. Thankfully, Cindy, the wonderful director of the Miss Northwest program, escorted me to my float.

Pre-Parade I had a chance to visit with Katie and Hailey, area Frazee ladies. I also had the wonderful opportunity to meet the newly crowned Miss Thief River Falls. Of course we snapped some pictures and visited with other float neighbors. It's always nice to meet people from around the state of Minnesota. I even had a chance to catch up with some ladies I met last summer. It was good to see them.  

Today I got to sit on top of the train instead of in the caboose. It sure was a great view! Seeing how parade watchers reacted to my spot on the train was quite hilarious. Some of them seemed worried about me! It was such a fun crowd today. 

After the parade I made the commute to Brainerd in support of our Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen and my good friend, Bailey. She and I met just three short years ago when we competed for the title of MMOT in 2010. She and I were 2nd and 1st runner up together. I am confident our positions after the crowning brought us together as great friends. At the Franklin Arts Center Bailey shared much of her wardrobe for her week at Miss America's Outstanding Teen. She looked stunning!

Bailey is an incredible young woman of God who embraces the Miss America Organization with her entire being. Her work with her platform "Alzheimer's through the Eyes of a Child" has become her tireless cause to create comfort for those dealing with the disease. I have never been more proud of a wonderful friend and sister in Christ. Best wishes Bailey as you head to Miss America's Outstanding Teen. I know you will shine.

Much love,
Paige

Miss Perham...a busy 24-7 job!

Greetings readers,

So good to be back here once again! I am eager to share we now have five ladies competing for Miss Perham 2012. Each and every one of them will bring something so unique to our local stage. Even though my year of service is almost completed I am confident my journey in the Miss America Organization will continue. It has been a bit bittersweet to start working on my farewell. I have so many incredible people in my life. Miss Perham, Miss Heart of the Lakes and the first ever Miss Perham's Outstanding Teen will be crowned on August 10th, 2012 at the Perham High School Auditorium. Hope to see you there! The show will begin right at 7 o'clock.

Wednesday I was present at the Turtle Races in Perham. I stood proudly in the rain the entire morning as 317 people came to race their turtles. Luckily, Dan from the chamber, let me where his dark green 2XL sweater. Not to mention, with a huge turtle on the front. It was hilarious! I think I could have worn it as a cocktail dress. Good times!

I have a "funny" as I like to call it from this week. I love my job at Productive Alternatives. There sure never is a dull moment. On Monday I had a client approach me about my name being in the paper. As I weekly columnist I thought this individual was confusing "my appearance at the EOT Fair" with an article I had written. However, much to my surprise I was scheduled to sing the National Anthem at the fair promptly at 11:15 a.m. I will be honest, I am 99% sure I didn't know about it. However, the joy about living in a small community is that you know who to call. I spoke with the EOT Fair board and indeed they were excited to have me share the National Anthem. Wow! Talk about a busy schedule. I loved the appearance this morning it was such a nice addition to my day. I always appreciate the opportunity to honor America.

This weekend I will be in the Detroit Lakes Water Carnival Parade. I am so excited!

I have also included my article from the Focus this week. This one was really special for me this week. :) Enjoy.

Greetings Perham,

            Wow, if you are like my family you are doing everything possible to stay cool in this overwhelming heat. But hey, I am thankful for our short “season” of warmth before the snowflakes fall again. Living in a house with no air conditioning, however, can sometimes be a challenge. Thank goodness I have grandparents who leave on lakes.

            Speaking of family, I have always been one to adore my family. From my wide variety of grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins there sure is never a dull moment. Being in close proximity with my family this summer has been one of my highlights. Over this past week I have learned one important lesson about family. Families have an inseparable bond. Whatever comes their way the power of family can overcome challenges, celebrate success, and share joyfully in idiosyncrasies. There is no such thing as the perfect family. We as individuals define family. I encourage you this week to appreciate your family and embrace them as members of a bigger picture and circle of love. I will always be thankful for my family even in the midst of brokenness, as that is often what draws us together.

            Each and every week I am getting closer to the end of my reign as your Miss Perham 2011. I will be taking each and every minute to soak up the last few weeks and days. I am continually being reminded of the blessings I have experienced firsthand. The Miss Perham Scholarship Program is still seeking contestants for this years pageant. If interested please visit www.perhampageants.org.  I will be at the Turtle Races the next three weeks on Wednesday mornings. Please come visit us on the track. I would love to see each of you! Have a blessed week.

            

Much love, 

Paige 

Turtle Races, Miss Northwest and EOT Focus

        
My goodness! Where has the time gone!? I know I am a busy lady when my blog becomes about three appearances not just one. Goodness, I am so blessed to have such a wonderful community to become so involved in. :) 


For the past two weeks I have been visiting the Perham International Turtle Races. I sure have a great time. This past week we had 370 races! Wohoo! We even had a racer from France who came to visit. My time at the Turtle Races is a nice break from my demands of 50 hour work weeks. Not to mention seeing familiar faces is quite a joy! 


On Friday I sat in the visiting royalty section at Miss Northwest 2012. As the first runner up at Miss Northwest 2011, it sure was nice to reflect on who the person I was a year ago and how much I have grown as Paige Meyer. Sometimes thinking about it can be overwhelming. The Miss America Organization has helped me understand the direction I want to take in my life. I am so thankful for it. 


Congratulations to my lovely friend, Rebecca Yeh Miss Northwest 2012. Watching Rebecca compete was quite the thrill! Rebecca is such a humble, talented, and stunning young woman. I am so proud of her! 


I decided to include my last article in the EOT. 


Stay tuned! 


Much love,
Paige 


Greetings friends, 
        It sure has been a beautiful couple of weeks and I am glad to say I have been able to get to the lake. I hope you are enjoying the weather and time with friends and family. 
        Last Friday I was scheduled to be involved in the New York Mills Parade. I'll be completely honest, parades can sometimes be a challenge. Appearances that allow personal interactions with individuals often are my highlights. As I drove to New York Mills, just a short 15 minute drive from my home, I was already beginning to think about my plans after the parade. However, little did I know I was in for a little lesson.
        Time flew and before I new it the whistle blew!..and we where off in the streets of NYM. The one characteristic about parades that always stick out to me is the overwhelming amount of people involved. As I strolled the streets waving I saw many faces. Some of these faces were brightened by a smile, filled with fatigue, exemplified shy and nervous twitches, and some where faded with sadness. Each and every person I saw where at the parade for a different reason coming from a vast variety of circumstances. I saw single Mother's holding their children, elderly couples isolated in front of their homes, children who were wandering with no guardian, adults participating in destructive behavior, woman who were wearing head wraps because cancer had rid them from their hair.
        It can become so easy to be consumed by our selfish desires, own worries, own struggles, and own plans that we miss the hurt, joy, and lives that surround us.When I was in NYM on Friday I all most missed it. Going to a parade seems so uneventful in learning a life lesson, but I hope I never miss the opportunities I have to brighten a person's day, even if that does mean waving in a parade. Be sure to make let your smile shine this week!

New York Mills Parade...Lesson learned!

Friday I was scheduled to be involved in the New York Mills Parade. I'll be completely honest, parades can sometimes be a challenge. Appearances that allow personal interactions with individuals often are my highlights. As I drove to New York Mills, just a short 15 minute drive from my home, I was already beginning to think about my plans after the parade. However, little did I know I was in for a little lesson.

After finding the Perham Express train in the chaos of parade line-up, I snatched parking spot and walked a couple blocks (in four inch heels) to greet my drivers. While waiting for the parade to start I visited with KLN float volunteers, received some licorice, and visited with fellow friends.

Time flew and before I new it the whistle blew!..and we where off in the streets of NYM. The one characteristic about parades that always stick out to me is the overwhelming amount of people involved. As I strolled the streets waving I saw many faces. Some of these faces were brightened by a smile, filled with fatigue, exemplified shy and nervous twitches, and some where faded with sadness. Each and every person I saw where at the parade for a different reason coming from a vast variety of circumstances. I saw single Mother's holding their children, elderly couples isolated in front of their homes, children who were wandering with no guardian, adults participating in destructive behavior, woman who were wearing head wraps because cancer had rid them from their hair.

It can become so easy to be consumed by our selfish desires, own worries, own struggles, and own plans that we miss the hurt, joy, and lives that surround us.When I was in NYM on Friday I all most missed it. Going to a parade seems so uneventful in learning a life lesson, but I hope I never miss the opportunities I have to brighten a person's day, even if that does mean waving in a parade.

Many blessings,
Paige

Right Back at It!

A busy week for Miss Perham!!

As many of you know I recently returned from LA. Well, life has not slowed down a bit! However, I am glad that I am in one location!

Last Thursday I began working right away which sent me into another whirlwind at home.

As some of you may know, I have two jobs this summer. However, I like to say I have three! During the week I work at our local grocery store bakery (which gives me a 4:15 am wake up time I must add) as the official donut froster. It sure gives me room to use my creative side. The other half of my week is spent at Productive Alternatives, a nonprofit that works with vulnerable adults, as a program assistant and job coach for our clients. And of course...Miss Perham!

This week's whirlwind has been crazy, but worth every minute.

Last Saturday evening I attended the Miss Brainerd Lakes and Miss Baxter Pageant. Seeing all of my lovely friends from Miss Minnesota was so refreshing. I sure did miss the girls that I got to know so well at Miss MN these last few weeks. Congratulations to Heather Erickson, the new Miss Brainerd Lakes, and Maren Goff the new Miss Baxter. I am eager to see where this year takes the two of you.

On Monday I made a stop at Lakess 99.5 in Perham to record a radio announcement for the Miss Perham Scholarship Pageant coming up on August 10th. I must admit my reign is almost complete. I don't like to use the word "over." Not only does it make me sad, but I know I still have work to "complete" in the Miss America Organization. Thanks to the wonderful and talented Dave Howey he and I recorded a PSA asking for contestants for Miss Perham and the first ever Miss Perham's Outstanding Teen. Dave also helped me edit a track I will be using the night I crown my successor. I am so eager to share what I have planned!

Tuesday afternoon I had one last official photo shoot as Miss Perham at Photo Magic in Perham. Each year they sponsor a photo of the current titleholder in her evening gown after she returns from Miss Minnesota. It felt so good to be all "dolled" up again. I will be seeing the images next week. I can't wait!

This evening, the 4th of July, I had the priveledge to honor America with the National Anthem and God Bless America at the grand opening of Tuffy's Stadium at Kruger Field in Perham. My community has been working on a beautiful project at our local baseball field to renovate the entire atmosphere. I am proud to say the new stadium and field look fabulous. The firework show to conclude the evening was the lace to the baseball! :) A HUGE thanks to all of the donors!

Happy, Happy 4th everyone! I hope you had a blessed day with friends and family. May you continue to be thankful for the people who have given their freedom for yours.

Much love,
Paige

Much love,