Archive for September 27th, 2010

As we all know not every ingredient in your pantry makes a cake, but if certain ingredients are mixed together with love and care, you can create something delicious!  Tracy Queensberry has managed to combine just the right ingredients into Icing Smiles.  Icing Smiles is her nonprofit organization that she has poured her heart into, providing customized celebration cakes and other treats to families impacted by the critical illness of a child.  It is similar to the Make a Wish Foundation but for children and siblings that are celebrating their birthdays while undergoing medical treatments.

The creation of this incredible Cake started with the 1st ingredient, Tracy Queensberry.  Tracy was in the corporate world working for Marriott Hotels for several years prior to moving to Ohio.  She decided to be creative and do something on her own and something she enjoyed.  Thus, Icing Smiles was launched!  Partnering up with Ronald McDonald House in Ohio, recruiting several bakers and starting a fan base on Facebook, Icing Smiles caught on quickly, and in one year’s time her fans rose to 3,000.  A nonprofit called “A Kid Again Foundation” found her and also asked to be added to the batch of ingredients, adding and creating their own flavor to the mix.  One by one more was added to the mix: Normal Moments, Kate Sullivan’s Lovin Sullivan Cakes, Sweet Anne’s of Powell, Olga’s Creation’s of Detroit, and The Cakery of North Aurora – and it continues to grow.  Some of the main ingredients that make the consistency sweet is Mark Williams Photography of Dublin,  Cucurbita Cakes of Circleville,  Lovin Sullivan Cakes of NYC, Alliance Bakery of Chicago, Kid’s Cancer Crusade, and topped off with Honest Advertising of Dublin, OH.

Congratulations to Tracy who was also showcased in the Parenting Magazine for her giving heart which is the main ingredient into any recipe we put together for ourselves and others.  Thank you for giving so many SMILES to so many children on the best days of their life!

If you want to contribute to Icing Smiles please contact Tracy by visiting www.icingsmiles.org.

Have you ever wanted to know about what your pet was thinking, if so meet Sherry True.  She is a dear heart that is centered and giving to so many families and their animals.  Several months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting her during a difficult time in our families life, with our dog Lexie having had surgery and finding out about her cancer.  Many of my readers know about Lexie, our amazing family friend who is still here and doing well.  Meeting Sherry and having her insight into Lexie warmed my heart and helped me to feel comfortable with our decisions regarding her medical care.  She was so on target and knew my Lexie so well especially now during her journey of serious health issues.  Sherry knew immediately what activities Lexie enjoyed and which ones she was not so excited about.  Sherry is a true “pet whisperer.”

Watching this remarkable woman “speak” to Lexie, I of course was curious and was excited to find out more.  Knowing that Sherry had worked for 20 years in the corporate world, couldn’t help but wonder why the shift of careers.  Sherry created Spirit Paws in 2005, with the goal of providing alternative wellness for animals.  Sherry donates a portion of her yearly income to a local animal rescue, MAGSR (Mid Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue) and a portion of her monthly income to a puppy mill rescue.  She was a foster mom for Lhasa Apso rescue for two years and writes monthly articles for the GRREAT (Golden Retriever Rescue) and has been the topic of articles in Baltimore’s “Dog” Magazine.  Sherry works with local veterinarian Dr. Carin Rennings and is a staple at Pet Blessings events, giving away meditation CD’s and teaching workshops on animal communication among other topics.  “My passion has been and always will be animals.  There is so much to learn from them.  Our pets have become a part of our families, they are our “children”, our best friends and in some cases, our only relationship in the world,” says Sherry.

I wholeheartedly agree with her.  I can’t count how many times I’ve been having a troubled day and one look from Lexie and everything feels better.  How many of us have come home and cuddled with our pet, and talked to them about our busy days?  Pets never fail to be in tune with their owners, loving and caring for them.

Sherry also notes that “the pet industry (which includes foods, treats, toys, medical care, etc.) is a 40 billion dollar a year business.  We all want to do the best we can for our pets but many of us need guidance when it comes to medical or behavioral problems.  I don’t consider myself just an Animal Communicator.  I also treat the mind, body and spirit of the animal when healing them.  I work from the spiritual aspect of animals and their caretakers.”

Learn more about Sherry and Spirit Paws by visiting her website.

Attention High School Seniors, their families & College Advisors ~ College Tours at your door….

Faenita Dilworth is the owner of College Tours, which a unique concept is taking your child to various different colleges under one roof.  Faenita will take several students & their families to various Colleges and Universities in the Washington DC, Maryland and the East Coast Corridor such as: Georgetown University, University of Maryland, Rutgers, and Penn State.   Faenita will tell you that they take great pride in the service, that they provide to college bound students and families in the surrounding communities. They invite you to join us in promoting community development through the college experience – students today, citizens of the world tomorrow.

Presently they are looking for Corporate Sponsors for their September 9^th tour.  They will have over 100 College bound students excited and attending a tour of 10 Universities in Washington, DC and Maryland.  If you or you know of a company that would love to participate as a sponsor of this event please be sure to contact Faenita as soon as possible.  Always bear in mind this type of sponsorship will help in offering to students an opportunity to visit the various colleges in the region and quite possibly one of their dream schools.   For more information please contact Faenita Dilworth 410-262-6482 or email at F_Dilworth@yahoo.com

“FDTours promises to provide the best experience possible for our college bound students.  Students will meet with admissions advisors, confer with professional guidance counselors and experience peer to peer interaction. We welcome sponsorship from businesses and corporations to provide scholarships to deserving students”