Dedicated to My Dad, James F Hamilton

These are my parents before tragedy struck.

Being Mrs Maine was dedicated to Carolyn and James F. Hamilton. On December 17, 2004, just about 3 short months after me, my husband and four children moved to Maine from California, he collapsed in his home in Minnesota. My brother Shane saved his life by calling 911. He had a stroke. He was then overdosed on coumadin. He was given 15mg instead of 1.5 and he had a massive hemmorage at the stroke site. He had numerous brain surgeries, which were followed by a coma for quite some time. Then suddenly he decided, we guess, he was going to live and he came back to life. We spent quite some time at the Sister Kenny facility in Minneapolis helping him recover. He is not feeling the best he has ever felt these days, but he is alive and as well as can be expected. He has full memory and speech, but lack vision, coordination and has terrible diabetes.

Stroke Rehabilitation Facility for My Dad

The next year was followed by rehab. A very unpleasant place. The only thing that kept us going were the walls of the hospital. They were decorated with art work that people had painted or drawn who had strokes, were blind or disabled in some other way.

Dad Home for Mom's 60th

My parents shortly after my dad was allowed home visits from the stroke rehab facility. This is my mom's 60th birthday.

Go Red!

The whole ordeal made me so sad and want to reach out to talk to others about strokes and warning signs. I decided to learn as much as I could and team up with the Heart Association. I became a spokesperson for the association here in Maine. I could tell I needed a way to get my word out, being new to the area.

So, I became Mrs Cumberland County International and was preparing to be in the Mrs Maine International Pageant. This was a continuation of my efforts in California. Shortly before we moved, I was going to be in the Mrs CA Int'l pageant. My platform had always been children's literacy. However, I thought I could do a dual platform and teach about strokes and hold story times.

Then, another opportunity presented itself--The Mrs United States Pageant. I was notified I had won Mrs Maine US just after I had taken the title of Mrs Cumberland County. I decided to become Mrs Maine US and my year began.

Friends, Sponsors and Media

Being Mrs Maine hit like a whirlwind. What fun! I became a spokesmodel for MaineGems.com, Carrie Aube donated her time and energy into getting beautiful NON-RETOUCHED photos and sponsorhips came with ease. Robert Towle and Rebecca Hall, as well as Christie Petit were very gracious in their support as well. Maine Gems donated over 30,000 in jewelry to me, including a ring, earrings, a necklace and bracelet.

HALL OF FAME TOUR

Our family is invited to tour all of the Hall of Fame's on the East Coast. What fun!!

Maine Reads & OakHurst Dairy

PRESS STATEMENT FROM MAINE READS

Mrs. Maine to Launch Read-Aloud Program for Children
(April 15) In her ongoing effort to improve literacy, Mrs. Maine 2006, Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino of Falmouth, will tour the state reading aloud to children as a volunteer ambassador for Maine Reads. Maine Reads is dedicated to advancing literacy in children and adults by coordinating reading programs, schools, libraries, volunteers and other literacy partners and can be found on the web at http://www.mainereads.org/.


Guarino plans on traveling throughout the state of Maine visiting schools and preschools to hold storytimes. At these events, she will also bring homemade cookies from her business Tahoe Cookie Company, which she founded. She will be donating chocolate chip cookies to kids in connection with Maine Reads and other organizations throughout the state of Maine. Oakhurst Dairy will be donating milk for the storytimes, when possible.


Guarino moved to Maine in 2004 from California where she was extremely active with children's literacy efforts and was able to donate thousands of chocolate chip cookies to support literacy outreach programs including author Dave Eggers's literacy nonprofit for children 826Valencia.
"I look forward to continuing my literacy work in Maine and working with Maine Reads, " said Guarino. "I hope to compliment the efforts of those that have already been working so hard to make the various reading programs throughout the State of Maine successful.
Storytimes in Maine will be kicked off with the first being held at the Falmouth Public Library on May 6 from 2-4. To register contact Louise Capizzo at lcapizzo@falmouth.lib.me.us or call 207 781-2351.


Guarino will represent Maine at the Mrs. United States Pageant in July in Las Vegas. You can learn more about Mrs. Maine at http://www.mrsmaineus.com/. If you would like to set up a storytime for your school, library or organization, please contact Elizabeth@mrsmaineus.com.

Let the storytimes begin.....

I have been holding storytimes for 20+ years now. This is just a natural continuation of my efforts since childhood. I entered Kindergarten reading chapter books and helped teach the other kids to read. Always a joy. My true passion would be to be a children's book author.

And More Storytimes

The requests keep coming in.......

Robin Williams and 826 Valencia

I have been teamed up with 826 Valencia for several years. Robin Williams shared his passion for family and storytelling by helping young authors celebrate their first publication at the Forum Theater of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. After the reading, Robin Williams hosted a reception with ice-cold milk and the delicious cookies donated by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino, and the Maine Cookie Company.