Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The Citadel Women’s Expo 2009, sponsored by Cary Medical Center, Haney’s Building Supply and Citadel Broadcasting, had a lot of winners this year, with a number of giveaways during the show’s two-day run, Sept. 12 and 13, at the Forum.
This year’s theme was all things tropical, with vendors donning Hawaiian shirts and decorating their booths to match.
“The approximate total of all the giveaways at the Citadel Women’s Expo 2009 was about $23,000,” said Lisa Miles, market manager, Citadel Presque Isle.
The largest prize — a kitchen remodeling package — was won by Tammey White, of Easton.
“The kitchen remodel was courtesy of Haney’s Building Supply, of Caribou. Entries were taken on Saturday, then again on Sunday, up until the time of the drawing.
The field was narrowed down to 10 finalists who then had to dig through a surfboard-shaped cake to find a small kitchen knob. Whoever found the knob, won the makeover,” explained Miles.
Finalists included: Diane Charette, Monique Stairs, Judith Metcalf, Vicky DeLong, Jennifer Raymond, Tammey White, Janet Fitzmaurice, Robin Doody, Beth Boone and Diane Dionne. Entrants donned rain ponchos, lined up on either side of the table where the cake was displayed, then proceeded to dive in up to their elbows in search of the illusive knob.
One contestant thought she’d found it, raising an item above her head and causing other entrants to pause from the search, but judges determined it was something other than the knob, and the search resumed.
A short time later, White let out a yell as she raised her right hand, bearing the crystal-clear knob, covered in cake and frosting.
White said she already had some ideas for her kitchen remodel job.
“I’ve got some big plans for what I want to do,” said White, as she turned to a friend, exclaiming, “All those years playing with Play-Doh finally paid off!”
White wasn’t the only winner at this year’s Women’s Expo. On Saturday, Bonita Cairns, of Fort Kent, took top honors at the limbo challenge.
As her prize, Cairns got to reach into a jar filled with coins, keeping as many as she could grasp in two hands in one try.
“I won in high school. I didn’t think I could still do it but my friend talked me into giving it a try,” said Cairns.
Lamar, of the “Bob and Sheri” syndicated radio show, that airs weekday mornings on Citadel’s 96.1 on the radio, served as emcee of the limbo contest and several other events on Saturday.
“It’s a beautiful day to visit the county. I really enjoy our time here,” said Lamar, who’s been to the event in the past and looks forward to returning to the annual show, should the invitation be offered. “This is great. I love meeting and talking with people. We have a great time here.”
Coconut bowling was another contest that saw contestants of all ages competing for the chance to grab coins from the jar. Ruth Parent, of Caswell, beat out about a dozen competitors for her chance to grab some lunch money.
“I used to bowl many years ago,” said Parent, whose friends noted they used to bowl on a regular basis. “It’s been a while.”
Lamar, Bob Lacey and Sheri Lynch, appeared on Saturday, answering questions offered up by the many visitors to the show. Later that evening they joined Lamar at the fund-raising auction for The CAUSE, raising money for disadvantaged youth in Aroostook County.
Lynch and Lamar got a first-hand look at handmade snowshoes, brought to the show by Brian Theriault, of Fort Kent.
“I don’t think Lamar’s ever seen snow,” said Lynch. “The craftsmanship is just amazing.”
“You’re living in one of the most beautiful places on Earth,” Lacey told the audience.
Visitors to the event had the opportunity to check out a variety of products, pick up some health tips and put their names in for a number of drawings. Winners included:
• La-Z-Boy recliner, valued at $900 — Charlene Soucy, Fort Kent;
• Remote car starter, valued at $300 — Marilyn Hickox, of Caribou;
• Traeger wood pellet grill, valued at $850 — Vanda Cousins, Mars Hill;
• Round-trip airfare for two from Presque Isle to Portland, valued at $872 — Kevin Sperrey, Presque Isle;
• Eden Pure heater, valued at $400 — Ann Hull, Caribou;
• Kayak package, valued at $800 — Danielle Brewer, Easton;
• Meat freezer fill-up, valued at $500 — Linda Caron, of Portage;
• Facials, manicures and skin care products, valued at $645 — Helen St. Pierre, Caswell;
• An aqua and diamond yellow gold ring, valued at $530 — Sheldon Corey, Fort Fairfield;
• Family clothing shopping spree, valued at $1,000 — Jessica Serfass, Fort Kent; and
• Twelve-month fitness membership for two, valued at $500 — Amber Shaw, Presque Isle.
“Plus we had 10 winners in our contests (hula dancing, hula hoop, ukulele, limbo and hairy coconut bowling). Each winner got to reach into a jar full of coins and keep whatever they pulled out with their two hands. Amounts varied from $38 to $200,” said Miles.
“In total, we gave away $600 in cash and another $250 in gas cards for our runner-ups that participated in the ‘have your cake and kitchen too’ contest. Our vendors gave away numerous door prizes worth approximately $5,000 combined.”
Organizers were pleased with this year’s event and are busy planning next year’s show.
“We had a wonderful time this year. We had a lot of positive feedback from vendors and visitors alike.
“We’re already looking toward next year and how to make it even bigger and better,” said Miles.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
HANEY’S BUILDING SUPPLY, of Caribou — co-sponsor of the Citadel Women’s Expo — had a lot of attention for their kitchen model on display at the show. Visitors to this year’s event had the opportunity to win a $10,000 kitchen remodel, courtesy of Haney’s. At right, Tammey White of Easton is pictured moments after finding the knob that won her a $10,000 kitchen remodel.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
DIVING INTO A SURFBOARD-SHAPED cake, 10 finalists hoped to find a kitchen knob as part of the “Have your cake and kitchen too” contest. The lucky contestant to find the knob earned a $10,000 kitchen remodel, courtesy of Haney’s Building Supply, of Caribou. The ladies gave it their all, with frosting and cake up to their elbows. But when it was all said and done, Tammey White, of Easton, found the knob to claim the prize.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
BEN WILLEY, 3, of Presque Isle, rode in style at the Citadel Women’s Expo Sept. 12.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
EMA MURCHISON, at left, and Kimberly Cray, both 3 years old, joined Ema’s mom, Christina Murchison, of Presque Isle, for a trip around the Women’s Expo, stopping for an occasional balloon and other goodies. The event was held Sept. 12 and 13 at the Forum in Presque Isle.
