Congratulations to Miss Wayne County 1993 Laurie Honbaum Appier's husband, Kevin Appier, on being inducted into the Kansas City Royal's Hall of Fame! Welcome to the Royals Hall of Fame!: Kevin Appier press conference notes Before his induction ceremony into the Royals Hall of Fame, former pitcher Kevin Appier reflected on his Kansas City career with the local media. The right-hander became the 24th member of the club’s Hall and was elected by previous inductees, select media, front office staff members and fans via online voting. Appier described the event as a great honor and noted that 39 family members and friends came to Saturday’s game to share the occasion. When looking back on his playing career, Appier said that he made a point to demonstrate complete focus each time he toed the rubber. “I had full concentration and intensity on every pitch,” Appier said. “I take a lot of pride in that.” Appier noted that his fondest memory was representing the Royals in the 1995 All-Star Game and making a franchise-best seven Opening Day starts. When asked whether he was more proud of tonight’s induction or his son, Garrett, winning the Kansas state title on the shot put, Appier answered in typical fashion, “Yes,” drawing a laugh from many media members in attendance who covered his career. Source: MLBlogs.com
By Ashlee Baracy The clock is ticking as intensity starts to rise. Preliminary competition is officially over and as I write this entry, the judges are sitting in a room down the hall discussing the top ten finalists. It is almost like a secret society meeting. This is all part of the judging process where each judge will score the top ten contestants that are given to them by the auditors a composite score that will carry over into the Saturday night final competition. In the meantime, the contestants have to try to relax and let fate ride its course, but it is easier said than done. Tomorrow night will be the final pageant for the Teen contestants and that means a night off for the Miss contestants, which also means even more time for the nerves to fester internally since their finals are not until Saturday. IMAGES: Behind The Scenes Countdown To The Miss Michigan Crown Thursday was an incredible showcase of a wide variety of talent ranging from impeccable vocalists and dancers to original performances with the saxophone, marimba, bass guitar and drums! If boy bands were able to become a craze why not a Miss Michigan girl band? It doesn’t hurt that they are beautiful as well as talented. I just may have to work on managing that!
 By Ashlee Baracy
The music is cued and the spotlights are up. Cheers echo off the historic walls of the Frauenthal Theater in Muskegon as friends and family of each contestant wave signs and noisemakers cheering for their favorite girl. As the curtains rise, it is at that moment that the butterflies let loose and we are that much closer to crowning a new Miss Michigan.
Each one of these young women have worked their whole lives at sculpting their intellect, morals and talent making them incredible contenders for the crown. As I look around backstage, I can see a wide range of emotions from nervous jitters to beaming smiles. I remember being in those shoes a few short years ago and this year I am honored to soak it all up again as the emcee.
Logistically, all the contestants participated in a ten minute private interview with the judges on Tuesday where they were drilled on questions about politics, current events, community service and more. It is nothing short of a nail-biting press conference. Wednesday and Thursday nights are the preliminary competitions where each contestant takes the stage competing in talent, swimsuit, evening gown and onstage question. After the 31 contestants compete in all phases of competition the field will be narrowed to ten who will re-compete in all of the onstage components of the competition, ultimately being narrowed down to five, then one… Miss Michigan 2011.
The question of the week is: Who will she be?
 Local 4's Ashlee Baracy Tells Her Story of Gowns, Glitz
The smell of hairspray mixed with a variety of gowns, glitz and of course a line-up of outstanding young women and we have got ourselves a pageant! Three years ago, I was in Muskegon at the Frauenthal Theater as a Miss Michigan contestant, two years ago I was on the same stage as the reigning Miss Michigan, last year I was there for the first time as a former titleholder and this year another dream is coming true for me as I take the stage tonight as emcee. Preliminary competition to the Miss Michigan Scholarship pageant starts Wednesday for the Miss and Teen contestants and will go through Saturday, June 18, when we crown Miss Michigan 2011. Who will she be? Follow my blog as I update you every night on the preliminary competition winners and give you a behind the scene peak at what it takes to make it to Miss America! In the meantime, while I take to the road to the westside of the state, you can see pictures of all the contestants at MissMichigan.org and enjoy some photos right here of our own Local 4 family with the authetic Miss Michigan crown! I think there is a little bit of pageantry in everyone’s heart! IMAGES: Local 4's Ashlee Baracy Crowned Miss Michigan 2008Ashlee Baracy Miss Michigan 2008
Source: ClickonDetroit.com
Local 4's Ashlee Baracy Tells Her Story of Gowns, Glitz
The smell of hairspray mixed with a variety of gowns, glitz and of course a line-up of outstanding young women and we have got ourselves a pageant! Three years ago, I was in Muskegon at the Frauenthal Theater as a Miss Michigan contestant, two years ago I was on the same stage as the reigning Miss Michigan, last year I was there for the first time as a former titleholder and this year another dream is coming true for me as I take the stage tonight as emcee. Preliminary competition to the Miss Michigan Scholarship pageant starts Wednesday for the Miss and Teen contestants and will go through Saturday, June 18, when we crown Miss Michigan 2011. Who will she be? Follow my blog as I update you every night on the preliminary competition winners and give you a behind the scene peak at what it takes to make it to Miss America! In the meantime, while I take to the road to the westside of the state, you can see pictures of all the contestants at MissMichigan.org and enjoy some photos right here of our own Local 4 family with the authetic Miss Michigan crown! I think there is a little bit of pageantry in everyone’s heart! IMAGES: Local 4's Ashlee Baracy Crowned Miss Michigan 2008Ashlee Baracy Miss Michigan 2008
ClickonDetroit.com
 Annette Kelly captures the Mrs. Michigan 2011 crown last week. Written by Diane Gale Andreassi
South Lyon resident Annette Kelly was recently named Mrs. Michigan United States 2011 and the causes she is representing during her reign run a lot deeper than a pretty face and nice figure.
Both her children have medical problems. Jack, 6, has Type I diabetes and William, 3, was recently diagnosed with autism. The reason she got involved with the pageant, more than anything else, was so she could have a platform to discuss children with special needs.
“First and foremost I am a mom of two children who have special needs,” said Kelly, 34.
“When your children are diagnosed with special needs it can be very, very overwhelming and you are going to be sad and distraught. But, I would highly encourage them (parents in a similar situation) to turn around that energy, reach-out to people to support them, and become an advocate for your child. When you become an advocate you become empowered and can make a difference in your child’s life and other children who are afflicted with that as well. Being a mom that has two children with special needs was overwhelming.”
Annette’s personal journey is the inspiration behind a group called Parents Plus, Restoring Hope for Parents with Special Needs, an outreach program to provide a voice for mothers of special needs children.
Kelly talked about these causes during the Mrs. Michigan United States 2011 pageant held May 21 at the Trenton Village Theatre in Trenton. Holding the title of Mrs. Southeastern Michigan, Kelly was one of eight regional delegates who were judged on a personal interview, physical fitness in a swimsuit, an onstage question and evening gown presentation.
She goes on to represent the Great Lakes state at the Mrs. United States Pageant July 28-Aug. 4 in Las Vegas, and will compete among 53 contestants at that level.
Talking to other parents of children with autism, Kelly said, she learned that autism is becoming more prevalent.
“One in 110 have autism and one in 70 boys have it,” she said. “It really became obvious to me that there needed to be a mom out there who has a voice who can speak on behalf of parents who have children with special needs. I’ve taken it upon myself to be that voice this year. My ambition is to raise awareness of autism, but specifically on autism insurance reform. My husband and I sold our home, because the cost for care for our child was so profound we needed to downsize.”
 Annette Kelly waves to the crowd moments after being crowned Mrs. Michigan United States 2011. Congratulations to Miss Wayne County 1997, Annette Hohl Kelly, on winning the 2011 Mrs. Michigan United States title Saturday night. Annette looked amazing on-stage, and we know she will do a fantastic job at the Mrs. United States pageant this summer in Las Vegas. Please click here to see photos from the event.
Ashlee's Mom Opens Up About Her Fight Against Breast Cancer  When Ashlee Baracy and her mother Janet lace up theri sneakers for Saturday's Susan G. Koman race for a cure there will be loved ones walking with them.
Janet's aunt Dorothy was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 43. Several years later her cousin Cheryl discovered a tumor at 43. 8 months after her own 43rd birthday it was Janet's turn.
"I was just in the shower and I discovered a lump," Janet said. It was stage 3 cancer. It was not terminal but very serious. She had to break the news to her only child just days from her high school graduation. “I didn’t have it in me”, Janet said, “ I couldn’t do it. My husband told her. It was the hardest thing we’ve ever done. I was more worried about Ashlee than I was myself.” The Journey Local 4's Ashlee Baracy Traveled With Her Mom To Beat Cancer Ashlee had several scholarships from out of state schools and was going to pursue a career in engineering. That changed after her mom’s diagnosis. She decided to stay close to home and attend the University of Michigan. Janet underwent aggressive chemotherapy, radiation and a mastectomy. Ashlee discovered the depth of her mom’s toughness and her father’s love. Ashlee said, “I’ll never forget my dad holding her hand when she was just waking up from her mastectomy. He turned and told her she was beautiful. That’s when I realized what true love is.” To earn scholarship money Ashlee entered pageants and began winning and eventually became Miss Michigan. She won the crown with a self-choreographed lyrical dance to the theme of the Race For The Cure. Whether you plan to come out to the Race this Saturday or not, consider sparing an extra dollar. You can easily donate online by clicking here. Previous Stories:
 We love it when our formers continue their volunteer efforts!
Congratulations to Miss Wayne County 1997, Annette Hohl Kelly, who is now an offical spokesperson for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation! She will be serving on behalf of the "Kids for a Cure" program throughout southeastern Michigan, talking about the work of JDRF and the importance of finding a cure for type one diabetes. Annette will travel to schools and help children with this disease answer questions from their student bodies about diabetes.
Congrats, Annette!
TUNE IN ALERT! Be sure to watch our very own Miss Wayne County 1998 and Miss Michigan 1999, Audrie Chernauckas Jeffords, and her family hunt for a house on the popular HGTV show House Hunters! The episode airs Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 10:00 PM E/P! After nine years of Las Vegas living, Audrie and Bill are returning back to where it all began - Michigan. This couple first met in the 5th grade, and have been together ever since. After being crowned "Miss Michigan", Audrie, a long time dancer, performed with Siegfried and Roy in Las Vegas. She and Bill lived happily in the desert until the birth of their son, William. They missed their 'home,' and wanted William to grow up in the same environment where they first met. So they packed up their things and moved into his mother's 2-bedroom condo in Livonia, MI, where they've been living for the last 9 months. Although they're grateful to have a place to crash, this couple can't wait to find their own house. Thus far, they've been really disappointed in their search. They thought with their budget they could have their pick of properties in the Midwest, but with the decline of home values in Michigan, not many people are putting their houses on the market. Will they be able to find a place that works for them or will they be forced to stay even longer with Bill's mother? hgtv.com
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