Week 11/71: We Need Maple Creemees In Maryland (aka Fair Week!)

The County Fair and a path forward!

Sep 13, 2025

Week 11 of 71 was a BUSY one! Happy County Fair Week

Weekend

Last weekend was our South County sign wave! We had a decent showing on the corner of Solomons Island Road and Mayo Road on Saturday morning and we had a great reception! The woman hanging out of her car (passenger side!) yelling “THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE!” was my personal favorite.

After that, I popped over to the Sheriff’s Car Show with a couple of Central Committee members and said hello - the mini Toyota Takoma was the winner in my book! Then trekked home to volunteer with my sons Scout Troop’s Yard Sale just in time for clean up (my husband was there all day!).

Sunday I spent some time with friends doing a meal prep class/session — which, my friend/client who hosted has it down to a SCIENCE. I learned so much and came home with some delightful meals for the week.

Monday

I really try hard to keep my Mondays open for client work - you know, to actually GET work done. I had lunch in Annapolis with some other women in my business Mastermind, and had an onboarding call with a new client. It was a productive day — and one where I didn’t work TOO late (though it was late…).

Tuesday

Tuesday was my Collective Lunch in Annapolis, which is always fun. I’ve mentioned this before, but being in a room full of powerhouse women who are completely supportive of other women makes me so happy.

I also popped over to the One Pasadena Meeting in Riviera Beach to hear about what they’re up to! I’ve enjoyed meeting them and appreciate their mission of combating hate and bias in the community.

Wednesday

Started the day by supporting the Pasadena Business Association's annual golf tournament. It was rainy and on the cooler side. But it’s always good to be able to introduce myself to new people and stand in front of an audience on the mic.

Popped home, grabbed kiddo from school and then hustled down to the County Fair! So fun. I loved the opportunity to meet community members, introduce myself, and chat with other candidates!

I personally have always been a big fan of the Fair. I grew up going to the Champlain Valley Fair in Vermont, and have so many fun memories from the summers spent there. A couple of summers ago, I finally got to go full circle and bring my kiddo (where I promptly introduced the family to Maple Creemees. I do firmly believe a creemee truck would do solid in Anne Arundel County. Maple creemees are a sign that God loves us and wants us to be happy.).

We have to address the elephant in the room — let’s all agree that political violence is terrible and has no place in our democracy. We also need to confront the rise of it — from Politico:

“Political violence is not random. Research shows it becomes far more likely under four conditions: when democracy is declining rapidly, when societies are divided by race, religion or ethnicity, when political leaders tolerate or encourage violence, and when citizens have easy access to guns. The United States checks all four boxes, and none of them are getting better. Violence also tends to spike around elections, which means the coming contests in 2026 and 2028 are poised to be flashpoints.” [Politco]

It’s gut-wrenching, and if we want our democracy to thrive, we need to shift attitudes and be accepting of those who disagree with us.

I posted something on my personal Facebook page, and a woman I know, not someone I’m close to, posted that she agreed with my statement even though we don’t agree on a lot of things. I replied back that:

“I recently saw a post that basically said we should all be want better for our children and their children. Thats my political philosophy -- how do we leave our county, state, country, better for those behind us than was left for us. How do we deflame violence and violent rhetoric? Its heart wrenching. We need more kindness, compassion and empathy . Thanks for commenting... and i believe -- we're probably not as far apart as you think — I've found this to be the case with MANY people i've met with on both sides of the aisle as of late. (always happy to have coffee or a cocktail and chat more.)”

Which is true. I’m hosting Coffee Chats in October and November, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, hear my story, and share what issues matter to you. It’s important to me to be accessible and open to conversations, so here I am practicing what I preach!

Thursday

It’s hard to believe 9/11 was 24 years ago. More than half a lifetime ago for me. I still remember being at home in Vermont. I moved into my freshman dorm at Northeastern that following Saturday. A friend messaged me to turn on the news after I woke up. Since I wasn’t working, I had slept in and gotten online around 9:30. The news was jarring and devastating to watch. I had never been to NYC so I hadn’t experienced that majesticness of the Twin Towers.

The impact of it all would be felt much later in my 20s, when women I met through the Junior League who worked in the towers had escaped death because they stopped for coffee. Or a roommate whose dad worked there who had gotten stuck in the tunnel on the way into the city. Or someone else who had a dentist appointment. My father-in-law himself lost colleagues that day (his story is fascinating, but not mine to tell. He worked for Nasdaq, so he had a role in getting the markets back up).

We can not forget these stories. The heroes who responded. The way our nation unified in the days and weeks that followed that horrific day. We cannot forget that we are all one nation, under God, and we cannot let our differences divide us.

Friday

Had coffee early for some campaign planning. You know what we realized as we were sitting in Severna Park at Rise Up? Pasadena lacks a great coffee shop. The loss of Second Alarm is huge for our community - I know it was a couple of years ago. And while there are coffee spots (Human Bean, Starbucks, Green Valley) sometimes, you just want a independent coffee shop to get a unique drink at and hang out in. Right? There are so many opportunities in Pasadena for businesses - a great coffee shop, there’s always room for fine or unique dining. I hear from so many people that they’re tired of Vape Shops, Storage Facilities, and Car washes. And I get it — but from a business perspective, what makes an area appealing? What makes a business want to move into a community? I want to tackle these questions and make Pasadena and District 31 home to more businesses that create jobs, and provide amazing services to our residents.

Friday was also our anniversary - 16 years! Fun fact: those of you who know me, may or may not know that my husband is a former Republican. Worked in Republican politics early in his career. Our wedding, (my Central Committee colleagues were highly amused by this) was actually at the Capitol Hill Club in DC. It was a spot where we spent many Friday nights at happy hour when he worked on the Hill. Not to mention, one of my old roommates had a membership there as well, so I spent time there before I met my husband. It was a beautiful venue, and right around the corner from the church where we got married.

I am so grateful for my husband. Without him, I wouldn't be able to do this — to run for Delegate. He’s been my biggest cheerleader - in life, in business, and in politics. I am truly blessed to have an incredible partner and best friend to do life with (as I said to him). He is my rock and my everything. Also, for anyone who may see me without him, he’s been playing kid taxi a lot while I hit up the events circuit and show up to anything and everything.

Campaign Updates

I am also proud to say I sent my first campaign email this week! We’re building our volunteer list (sign up here!) and of course, always raising dollar, dollar bills y’all. You can donate here.

For some perspective, this was in the email, “Here’s where your money goes: