Junior Miss Black Oregon Pageant - I do believe that it was 1974, maybe 1975. It was my first beauty pageant, and my father encouraged me to enter, it wasn't a horrible experience, but I guess I was sad that I did not win, but I did get 2nd runner-up. I think this was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Portland near the Lloyd Center. Ah to be young again.........

GAME DAY - Today "kicked off" the University of Oregon's football season with an exciting game against the University of Houston Cougars. The bottom line is that the day ended with a 48-27 victory with the ducks over the Cougars, but more than the game ending up in the win column it was a special day for me because I was asked to be one of the "guest coaches" for the day. A program that the Athletic Department has to ensure that folks don't forget that the main reason for the athletes being at the University is to get an education. We were able to have breakfast with the players and the coaches, we hung out in the locker room before the game and we got the awesome opportunity of running through the tunnel and onto the field with the team. The noise from the stadium is like nothing you've ever heard before. We got to stand on the side lines throughout the game and had a nice lunch in one of the club rooms at half-time. After the game we ran back to the locker room with the team and heard the coach give a post game talk. I took over 150 photographs and probably would have taken more if my camera had not started acting up.....Here are just a few.

Going through the tunnel

Coach Belotti on his way out to the field

Ducky does push-ups for every point made by Oregon

It was a hot day in the high 80's, so they had the misting machine on.

Oregon's star quarterback Dennis Dixon and Mrs. Eugene at the pre-game meal. Dennis is my son's favorite player and a heck of a nice guy.

Game Day Guest Coaches on their way to Autzen Stadium

Today was pom-pom day. The photo is of 60 or so thousand pom-poms placed on every seat in Autzen stadium before the crowd arrived.

Ian and I on the field

Tailgate Auction 2007 -

Well once again I was blessed to have been a part of the University of Oregon/Springfield Chamber of Commerce Annual Tailgate Auction. This year was even more exciting than last years for me as not only was I there as Mrs. Eugene and supporting the Alumni Association, but I also donated my 2005 Harley Davidson Sportster 883 to be auctioned off. I hated getting rid of it, but being as I bought it brand new in 2005 and to date it only had 535 miles on it, I decided it was time to give it up. My husband doesn't ride and I spend most of my days driving my 12 year old from one after school activity to another and the bike sits lonely in my garage gathering dust. So as sad as it was to let it go, the good news is that it was auctioned off to a good home, and the money will go to a good cause.

There were other highlights to the evening; As many of you may or may not know, Springfield was almost the town that held the premier of the Simpson's movie this year. Well a couple of the auction items came from the Simpson's including several movie posters and the Simpson's sofa set. Everyone had a great time having their photo taken on the sofa. And Ian bid (using my my name) on the Simpson's poster. In the end he did not win the poster, but a very kind man who did win the poster actually gave it to Ian. THANK-YOU!!!!

Of course Coach Mike Belotti popped into give a pep quick talk to the sea of Duck football supporters and wherever the coach goes so does our beloved mascot Ducky.

It was a great evening and was only made better by the fact that I was able to share it with my family. This year not only was my husband there, but also my mom and my "Official Photographer" aka my son Ian, it was a great time.