Vicki Randall as director of the local activity first introduced the business manager Irene Rangin who explained the revival of the pageant and the success it has had for the past three years. Vicki encouraged businesses to become involved as sponsors of contestants as well as contributors to the scholarship fund by advertising in the keepsake program that is created for each event. Vicki then introduced the main speaker, Mackenzie Ross who is the reigning Miss Brainerd Lakes.

Mackenzie has just returned from serving as a volunteer White House Intern. She took the time away from CLC to serve in this capacity where she met many politicians and came to appreciate the difficulty of being in the public eye. The skills she has been acquiring through this kind of activity as well as speaking before area service clubs will hopefully help her achieve her goal of becoming Miss Minnesota.

Mackenzie plans to transfer to the University and major in political science although she did say she wasn't planning a career as a politician. Of course Mike Boen had to ask her if she planned on running for sheriff since she has had first had experience with the voting system through her father, Dick Ross.

Mackenzie did then explain that her "platform" for the Miss Minnesota contest which will be held on June 16th is based on an effort to encourage young people in the 18-14 age bracket to become more politically active and above all to vote in every election. She remarked, "We have to convince them that voting is a privilege given to the free and the brave." She will also crown the new Miss Brainerd Lakes who hopefully will not be our jokester lawyer who introduced himself today as the 2007 Miss Brainerd Lakes. President Mau complimented Mackenzie on being such a role model for the community.

Previously she worked in health care at both St. Joseph's and the Mayo Clinic. Good Samaritan is the largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and is home to more than 27,000 people in 24 states.

Tina is married to her "first" husband (she likes to keep him on his toes) and they have a son in sixth grade. Her husband Andy is an aviation nut. Her hobbies include bicycling, gardening, traveling and painting.

Her involvement with Sertoma has included the Rookie Party, Ditch Pick, and Gossamer Ceiling. Tina's Sertoma sponsor is Paul Gropper. Thanks Tina for taking on a leadership role in Pipe and Drape for the Chamber show.

• Pam apologetically threw in her happy fine dollar--she was celebrating the fact that Vern was really at Sertoma last week. All kidding aside, she also wishes to thank Veronica Jensen and Brian Lehman for making the experience of selling Jaycees Fishing Tickets at the Checkered Flag on Saturday morning fun as well as rewarding.
• Art Becker claims he is a Jaycee--he had to join twice because he is too old. He was also signing autographs for his appearance in the video on the elderly.
• Welcome back Todd Dunlap--did you want to be related to Tina?
• Speaking of Tina, she did manage to put President Mau in his place even before the Sergeants got to him with her remark, "This is my day!" Perhaps Steve was a bit shook up--ask him about his "rescue" from hours on the ski lift at Ski Gull.
• The Pam Bye, Mary Marana Chaparral advertising committee did a good job today, but they also paid for it.
• Inquiring minds want to know--does Jinny know who sent her roses or did she send them to herself as a certain Sergeant asked today.
• Our own Bonnie Cumberland struck a note for feminism as she successfully defeated Steve Wenzel in a calf feeding contest. Way to go Bonnie.
• Thanks Mike Boen for sitting with the high class people today.

Kari Barnes and her assistant Cathy Picek are the go-to folks for Pipe and Drape information.

Need awards? Did you lose your pin? Tami Webb (tamiwebb61@yahoo.com) is the person in charge of awards and meeting paraphernalia.