Our wonderful peeps.....

Only a week ago we were preparing for the big evening at Dancing with the Fort Wayne Stars, seems like only yesterday and forever all at the same time. I am still overwhelmed at the support and encouragement and kind comments and notes I'm still receiving even after a week. The Carriage House and the wonderful committee should be thrilled with planning an event that can still keep a buzz going for so long!

Early reports sound like monies raised this year will top last year's, which is a wonderful win for the Carriage House. I've also had a few people ask about the dancers who performed Thursday evening—their names are Natalie & Andre Paramonov and you can see and learn more about these talented world dance champions at their website: www.Paramonovs.com.

A few more shout-outs—the Grand Wayne ballrooms were transformed by A Party Apart—events, tents and more (check out their online portfolio at www.APartyApart.com). Jim and Cheryl are wonderful community supporters and also helped us with the "Miss Kiss Kiss Bang" decor at our tables. Good folks and good friends! OXOX

And for all of our people who attended (some coming from very far away!), wrote checks, sponsored but were not able to attend, donated, sent regrets and more checks, voted, donated but missed it at the last minute, called, emailed, cheered and whistled, or simply asked on Monday "how did it go?"—we love you all so much and continue to be touched by how blessed we are to know so many fine people who truly CARE—about us, about our community, about all the right things people should care about. Our wonderful "peeps" make a difference in their daily work, their volunteerism, their philanthropic nature, their generosity, and their giving hearts.

"Girlie" details.....

Part of the fun of the event's preparation was the "girlie" part—I know you find this hard to believe, but becoming Miss Kiss Kiss Bang does not just happen overnight. You've already heard about the dancing transformation, but for the actually evening at Dancing with the Fort Wayne Stars, it didn't just take a few others; it took an "army" of others!

So I wanted to thank April Antrim, co-owner of Trend Setters Hair Design (5723 Saint Joe Rd., 485-9434) for the "fabulousity" hair style (and the continuous therapy as we grew out my hair so we'd have options). Do you know I counted over 40 bobbie pins, and it took April under 40 minutes to do that divine do? That's a bobbie pin a minute!

Being blonde by nature (and enhanced by choice), we knew early on that in order to see facial features like eyelashes and eyebrows, it would take the work of professionals. The wonderful women at Merle Norman Cosmetics/Covington Plaza (6386 West Jefferson Blvd., 432-9315) have helped transform our Francine's Friends breast cancer survivors for their makeover debuts, so who else would I turn to? Pink Cashmere and Red in Love for cheeks, Tinseltown, Evergreen, Stay Steel, and Blackout for eyes; Diamond Girl dusting all over; their list topped out at over 20 unique products and steps to transform "pale blonde Donna" into "Miss Kiss Kiss BANG!" And again, in under an hour! I became somewhat attached to the luscious long false eyelashes—I think I could do those for other special occasions.

Julie Clancy, owner of Jophiel, a former Fort Wayne Dancing with the Stars celebrity, and one of the MCs for the evening, summarized it well behind stage with a few of the women dancers Thursday night—as women, we get busy with work, and family, and day-to-day routines, and responsibilities—all important and worthwhile. But to be able to step out of that and be a girl for a day—pamper a bit, try a new color, experiment with a look, and indulge in taking a little bit of time for me—did help the evening feel glamorous and added to the experience and excitement. As Julie says in her "Jophiel Style" column, "When we know we look and are dressed appropriately, we beam with confidence, our individual joy is expressed, and we share it with others." Oh so true!

And don't forget the fabulous "bling"—on loan from Arthur Murray. Diamonds—real or synthetic really ARE a girl's best friends.......;-)

And the high continues......

Whoohee; the rush and high still continues, and I apologize for not updating the blog earlier. But quite honestly, I am still so living in the moment of it, and I find myself thinking about last Thursday for no reason and just breaking into a great big GRIN from ear to ear! What a simply incredible evening!

It was one of those mountain-top experiences—the kind you'll always remember. You try to enjoy every minute as it's happening, you talk about and process it with everyone who was there the following day and weekend, you update all those who weren't there and try to describe it, and you go back to your regular routine. But still, I'll find myself humming "Miss Kiss Kiss Bang" and smile, or I'll receive a wonderful email, or a voice mail, or a handwritten note, or Dennis will run into someone at the grocery store and they'll send a message back to me—it's still such an over-the-top experience!

The official word—we made it to the three top finalists, which was wonderful, because we were able to come back out and perform again for the crowd. My incredible professional dance instructor and partner, Mr. Baeten, choreographed such a fun, high-energy dance routine and the crowd seemed to really enjoy it and the music. He was absolutely THE BEST, and magically transformed Donna Emley into "Miss Kiss Kiss Bang"—I was so lucky to have this incredible experience with him leading the way.

EVERYONE who participated (other local "celebrities" ) in Dancing with the Fort Wayne Stars was incredible in their attitude and commitment; and all of the professional dance instructors were so giving and generous with themselves. It was as much fun to be behind the curtains as out in front. We would all sit around the big screen TV and watch each others' performances; yell, clap and applaud; laugh at the judges' comments, and then rush to the entrance to hug and congratulate whoever was coming off the dance floor. Great camaraderie and support!

And the best part—the big winner was the Carriage House. Hopefully this will be a banner year in funds raised as well as attendees—will keep you posted as final numbers are available and released. Suffice to say that THE place to be last Thursday was "Dancing with the Fort Wayne Stars!"

Thank you again to all our sponsors, donors, attendees, friends, families—I cannot begin to express how much you all mean to me and to us, and how much you contributed to the success of this event and to my incredible experience. Here's Mr. Baeten and "Miss Kiss Kiss Bang" with attendees from our two Fox Trot sponsors—here's Pro Fed Credit Union in between our performances. Thanks again for your corporate suppport!

And here is Indiana Michigan Power (yes, the boa was part of the table decor!). We had nine tables "decorated" in "Miss Kiss Kiss Bang" theme and everyone waved their fans, blew their "lip" whistles, shook their silver sparkle maracas, unwrapped their candy kisses, drapped and wore their boas, and enjoyed the table decor. I could actually see our groups when they stood and cheered on our second performance (too distracted the first time around, but I could ALWAYS hear them when they clapped and cheered!) And the two tables from Arthur Murray (filled with legitimate dancers thank-you-very-much) were over-the-top supportive to me personally—always ready with a hug, a touch, a smile, a comment. You all are just wonderful!

More pics and commentary to come soon!...;-)

D-Day......

It's here! D-Day: "Dancing Donna" Day. Butterflies? Of course! Restless night? Sort of—fairly keyed up after yesterday's dress rehearsal and all the last minute info. Wowed by the overwhelming responses that keep coming in? YOU BET!

But rest assured—this is THE place to be tonight in Fort Wayne, Indiana—with over 1,100 attendees, countless virtual supporters, an unbelievably capable and dedicated committee, 10 incredibly talented and gracious professional dancers, 10 incredibly nervous and excited local "celebrity" dancers, and a wonderful, worthwhile cause—it's going to be a very special night.

The entertainment value of the evening will be off the charts....see you all at Dancing with the Fort Wayne Stars!
OXOXOXO—Miss Kiss Kiss Bang

I am blessed.....

Today we completed our last studio practice in preparation for Dancing with the Fort Wayne Stars. Now it's all the other stuff—tomorrow is dress rehearsal at the Grand Wayne (finally will be in front of all the other "celebrity" dancers and see what everyone will be doing....) which will be fun and nerve-wracking at the same time. We'll get to see the room "dressed" and the actual dance floor—much different than the safety of the studio room with mirrors I've become so accustom to.

Did the dry run with the make-up, so I think we're set there. I came back from that appointment and shocked Dennis—he said "you don't even look like yourself—you look like an actor!"—whatever that means. I know you can see my eyebrows and eyes in the mirror at one end of the hallway from the other end, so I guess that means it's showing up and at least I'll have some "stage" presence. The make-up artist at Merle Norman did a wonderful job in about 45 minutes—like a painter with a brush working on her masterpiece.

But one of the things I'll remember the most about this week is all the encouragement and support and well wishes that are pouring in from so many of our friends and family and business acquaintances—emails, voice mails, personal greetings, hugs, handshakes, smiles, notes, donations before someone heads out of town; so much from so many.

I've been missing in action when not working a bit, and not necessarily been the best at staying connected, because I've been distracted with the extra details this commitment has required. But my friends still email me to ask me out for drinks, and then give me six hours of catching up; my friends still let me call them in a different time zone and wake them up to chat and find out they've rearranged major work schedules to come; my friends still let me go on and on about this in the middle of a committee or wrap-up meeting; my friends still call me in the middle of their work day to say they've checked the Amtrak from Chicago, but still can't make it, but there will be a video, right?; friends and family still stop what they're doing to read my blog or look at my funny photos and email or text back a comment. The wonderful people in our lives rush up at an event and ask about this, or hug me at their office or house, order extra boas, or stop me at church to ask or give me a check for buying votes, or demo a dance step. One of my friends, on HER birthday, will end up giving ME a card (redhead girl with shoes OFF) for inspiration. Dennis' family sits patiently through my latest updates when either of us see or talk to any of them; treating me like an expectant mother waiting to deliver her first child rather than an expectant wanna-be dancer waiting to deliver her first public performance. Gail sent me an email Sunday and said "I'm sitting here doing invoicing on the computer, watching 'Dirty Dancing' and thinking about you!"

I'm completely wrapped in this big comforter of love from so many people from so many places. The interest, encouragement, support, and care from all of you is definitely the icing on this 15-layer dance cake! OXOXOXO from Miss Kiss Kiss Bang!

Mr. and Mrs. Bohnke, I wish you were here.......

Of the many photos I have of my mom or my dad or both (and I do have many), this is one of my favorites. It stays on our refrigerator and I smile every time I look at it. It's how I like to remember them—this was taken as they were coming off a dance floor in Decatur, IN—and to me, it just captures their essence of how they tried to live their lives—they're having fun, they're in the moment, they're together, the night is young, and they just finished doing something they enjoy doing together.

To say I wish they were here to enjoy this experience with me is the understatement of the century. They would be COMPLETELY into this—they were dance parents, parade parents, neighborhood parents (all the kids ended up at our house, in our backyard, or in my playhouse), band parents—they were involved. My mom would be driving anywhere with me I wanted to go to look at dresses or costumes or shoes (with the requisite girls' lunch always thrown in—her treat); she would be watching every dance program on TV each week, taking notes and writing down tips to pass on; she would have MANY opinions about how I should wear my hair (I actually think she would like what we've decided); she would dance and practice with me at home if I asked her to; she would find five pair of fishnets that would work; she would act like it was not a big deal when she talked to me, but brag like crazy when she talked to her niece in Ohio or her brother in Florida. My dad would be proud—he would tear up talking about how I was doing with this, regardless of how I was doing. He would call me "sis" whenever he asked about dance practice, he would be telling his pool-playing buddies about it at the community center, or the neighbors, or a stranger at Walmart or Meijer's, or in later years, his new dancing partners from the various American Legions. They both would have a seat in the front row, would hold court and entertain all of our friends during the event, and clap and yell the loudest when I hit the floor and when I finished, regardless of the outcome.

But I will carry them both in my heart as I take the dance floor. This is for you, Mr. and Mrs. Bohnke. I hope I make you proud.

NewSome TwoSome Friday at Arthur Murray.....

Okay, so last night was just one of the coolest experiences we've had in a long time. I was invited (Dennis came also) to the studio for "NewSome TwoSome"—part of the regular Friday night studio party experience (still general dancing in between) where select students do something new in a performance setting with each other or with one of the instructors—just the two of them on the dance floor. Mr. Baeten invited me so we could have a "dress rehearsal" of sorts with our routine in front of the group (each time I dance it in front of new people, it's a different dynamic for me), but I was also excited to be invited to come early and watch actual students strut their stuff.

What an incredible group of people! First of all, they certainly don't seem like students—such poise, such confidence; such wonderful dancing! There were students of all ages and levels (like the two "young at heart" dancers, right, who carpool from Columbia City to dance and have taken lessons for years). Everyone dances differently—there's many skill levels, but they all seem to switch partners seamlessly with such ease and move into each change in the music with such grace and boldness—dancing to everything from the Bolero to the Fox Trot to the Waltz; Lindy, Cha Cha, Rumba, Tango, Swing; the list goes on and on. I was dizzy just watching everyone.

And what a warm, supportive group of people—even though my heart was racing, my hands were fidgeting, and I felt like I could run out to the parking lot and throw up before it became my turn to perform; they continued to put me at ease. People came over and introduced themselves, asked about my experience, offered words of wisdom and encouragement, compared dresses and accessory tips—and when we finally did hit the floor (next to last), they cheered, whistled and clapped loudly at all the right places; making me feel for just a minute like I was worthy to be in the same room with them. It was very special to be given the opportunity to perform in front of such a gracious audience.

After that personal high and adrenalin rush, just when you thought it couldn't get any cooler, the last number was a formation routine, done to ACDC's "All Night Long." Eight couples took the floor to perform (here's the finale shot). OMG! If you don't understand how dancing can make you feel after seeing something like this; I don't know what WOULD make you feel it. It's been wonderful to re-awaken that feeling in me. We left on such a high for many reasons; two hours on a Friday night at Arthur Murray Fort Wayne definitely shook "Miss Kiss Kiss Bang" all night long!

Over 1,000 expected at Dancing with the Fort Wayne Stars!

Late-breaking news from event chairperson Patsy Dumas—as of last Thursday, the current count for attendees is a record-breaking number of 1,046 (last year was 695)!

Next week is full of last-minute details - final practices, tweaking of costumes and accessories, hair and make-up appointments, finalizing of goodie bags and any extra table decorations (sorry, kids, we were nixed on the giant lips balloons—too much concern about audience visibility, which we completely understand and are sensitive to), and dress rehearsal on Wed. with all dancers.

Mr. Baeten is no longer is running a temperature, has just a few antibiotics left in his Z-pak, and was in top form yesterday for our afternoon run-through. His brief bout with bronchitis has left him with the ability, in his words, to "fit into my tightest, skinniest jeans"—just great—my already svelte and very fit dancing instructor now probably weighs less than I do! Luckily, black is slimming and the sparkles on me do seem to distract from the wrong things and attract to the right things. Here's a tiny glimpse of my "sequins and fishnets"...Miss Kiss Kiss Bang expresses heartfelt thanks to Mr. Baeten and the rest of the wonderful staff at Arthur Murray for helping me with "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue" (well, almost blue actually, if you look closely—this is definitely NOT a bridal look!).

100 temperature.........

When I came into the studio on Tuesday for my regular practice, a deep voice greeted me. Seems the real "Dancing with the Stars" aren't the only ones with some symptoms - Mr. Baeten was speaking in a baritone and looking just a shade pale. We danced through the routine a few times, worked through a few areas to polish, and then I slathered on the anti-bacterial gel and left the building (after offering to do a chicken soup or OJ run for him).

His temp climbed later in the day and this morning he went to the doctor. We'll still work in additional practices this week, but right now it's as much rest in between as possible and an attempt at recuperation. My job is to stay away from anyone else with any symptoms - almost impossible to do with everything that's flying around. Not sure where Howie Mandel gets his plastic bubbles, but the thought did cross my mind!

Everything else seems to be moving forward with breakneck speed - more sponsorship, vote donations are still coming in, tables and seating charts are coming together (Connie Slyby is doing a wonderful job at reservations for what promises to be a record year), the committee for the event met to finalize their plans, Executive Director Andy Wilson is finalizing taping and editing for the "before" videos to be shown that night, our additional decorations are in the works, and I know via the grapevine that the other dancers are going through the same preparedness I am trying to, so we're all ready and deliver our best for a great evening of entertainment. Now we all just need to stay healthy.......Achoo! (bless you!)