Bee Free

It is with a broken heart that I make this post. This year’s BEE FREE Celebration of Life in memory of Ann Brittain will not be held this year. Due to circumstances beyond control, my personal health issues, and everyone’s crazy life schedules…I simply cannot ”pull it together” in one month.

“Thank you” to everyone that has offered to help, but if my Mother taught me anything, then it was “if you’re going to do something, then do it to the best of your ability.” I simply cannot make it happen this year.

It is my hope and prayer to be able to hold the celebration next year. I have always kept my faith in God’s Plan; so, I am making this post.

I truly am sorry.

🗣This is for all Dads!

“REAL DADS DANCE”

I have had numerous messages today about what “REAL DADS DANCE” is. Long story short, when I was teaching dance and directing pageants, I got it in my head that I wanted to do something to make our kids laugh and enjoy! I came up with the idea of getting a group of Dads together and teaching them a simple routine to perform at the Recitals. Well…it was a huge success, and we did it for several years. Tim Weaver was the original “REAL DAD.” It would never have worked without him. He was my “go to” guy.

Fast forward to today. The BEE FREE Celebration of Life in memory of my Mom, Ann Brittain and Tim Weaver is a growing “event.” I’m not sure what to call it because my dream is for it to become a yearly tradition that anyone can participate in…not just dance and pageantry people.

I was blessed to have several veterans and a few new Dads perform “Old Time Rock and Roll” last year! It was great!

I want this tradition to continue, and I would love for the group to grow. I already have a few new Dads signed up…now let’s make this list grow!

Dads…you have my word when I say the “routine” will be simple, nothing embarrassing at all, and they’ll be just a few practices before 8/6/2022.

Please comment below for more information or to sign up. Please share this post and help me advertise it! If anyone has ANY questions, then just let me know. ❤️

SAVE THE DATE!
8/6/2023

Part of the BEE FREE Celebration of Life for Ann Brittain and Tim Weaver is a “dance routine” performed by some of the best dads in the world!

The group “REAL DADS DANCE!” Will start practicing in July, but I need to try and get a confirmed head count as soon as possible.

So far I have:
Shane Reel
Myranda-Larry Yates
Ed Bumgarner
Alex Moser
James Heavner
Corey Edwards
John Patterson
Renny Whetzel
Mark Beals
Evan Payne

If you have a Dad that would love to be a part of something super fun and EASY, then let me know. Comment below. The kids LOVE it!

I haven’t come up with the “theme” yet, but I promise it will be a doozy! 😂

Hello my friends! I know that posts don’t always show up in everyone’s Newsfeed (for some reason;) so, I am posting this here to keep everyone up to date. I really want to be able to do Mom’s Celebration of Life this year. I don’t know if I will accomplish much else. I’ll definitely need help. ❤️ Here’s my post from a few days ago…

“Dear Facebook Family and Friends,

I am making this post for me…and anyone else that might have been through (or is going through) something like I am. I am not asking for pity or sympathy. I ask for your prayers…and even more prayers.

I had a nervous breakdown in January. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my first, but I pray it will be my last. I have never hidden the fact that anxiety (and depression) are part of who I am. Most the time, I handle life well. (I have an incredible family and circle of friends.)

Sadly, for the last few months, I haven’t handled life well. As I type this, I ask myself if I even want to be back on Facebook. It can be so good; yet, so evil at the same time. I think about things that people could say to my kids and the fact I am giving you access to my private life.

After a lot of prayer, I have decided to make this post. If I can help one person that struggles like I do, then it’s worth it. I have the support of my family, and I feel in my heart it’s the right thing to do.

I have a wonderful doctor. If you’ve ever experienced mental health issues, then you know finding the right medications can be hell. You don’t get overnight results on anything…all the while fighting your anxiety and depression. It can literally take months.

I believe A GREAT DEAL of people do not understand mental health issues. Please don’t ever tell someone suffering with anxiety and depression to “just snap out of it,” or “you just need some sleep.” “Quick Fix” comments cripple an already weak person. I encourage everyone to learn more about mental health.

This is the first time I have been on Facebook in months. Like I said earlier, FB can be good and/or evil. I miss it. I miss seeing your pictures and my friends doing stuff. I want to post pictures and stuff too. I’ve always said I used FB (primarily) as a “scrapbook” for my kids.

As I type this, my hands are shaking and I want to cry. I know some people will think “Oh…she’s all better.”

I am not better. You don’t “get better.” You work to get stable through medications, therapy, and prayer…and then you learn to live with it. Anxiety and Depression do not “go away.”

I am working hard to get to a healthy place mentally and physically and it’s going to take time. Part of that work is the fact that I am just going to have to try and stop caring what people think of me and what I say, do, or post.

There are only a handful of people that REALLY know me. I know this post will be mocked by some people, shock some people, and some just won’t care…and that’s all fine.

It broke my heart that Michelle and I couldn’t hold Mom’s pageant this year. The reigning court will remain in place and with God’s Grace crown a court in 2023. I hope to be able to hold Mom’s Memorial in August. I have to get stronger and healthier to make it happen, but I am determined. There were a few other things that I wanted to do with BeeFree Keepers this year, but we will knock 2023 out of the ballpark! The Miss Maiden High School Pageant will also happen in 2023. All of this in God’s Grace, I pray.

There’s no way possible that I can “catch up” on five months of missed Facebook stuff. Happy Birthday to everyone I missed, Congratulations to everyone on your succeeding goals, and Congratulations to all of this year’s high school graduates! For those that have had losses, tragedies, and bad days…I am sorry. I pray for you to gain strength and healing.

Humor has ALWAYS been a coping mechanism for me and my anxiety. I am going to try (MY HARDEST) to use it to start feeling normal…and that includes posts on here. So…if you see a funny post from me, then please don’t think “she’s magically better.” The truth is probably I am struggling and using humor to survive.

You know you have the right people in your life when some tell you to “make the post,” and some say “not to do it.” I feel like making it is what I need to do to try and get some normalcy back in my life. I feel like I have let some very important people down, and it breaks my heart…but I have to put my mental health first. On the flip side, I have had some people reach out to me that I never dreamed would. Thank you.

Thank you, also, to the people that have reached out to my Abbey. You will never know how much that means to me…and her.

My life is never going to be the same again. My breakdown took me down.

Hard.

Every day is hard, but I do see light at the end of this tunnel…and I’m not stopping the fight until I get there.

I humbly ask for your prayers. And please know, you are in mine.

Love,
Amy”

BEE FREE is over-the-hive HAPPY with all of the amazing essays we have received applying for the Ann Brittain Memorial Scholarships! 💛

The winners will be informed privately late next week and then announced publicly at the 2nd annual Celebration of Life event at Brookford Community Building! 🎓

We invite everyone to join us at 5pm to celebrate the life of Ann Brittain as we remember the impact she had on so many lives and the love she had for children and dance! 🐝

For more information, please message me or email me at [email protected]. ✌🏻

⭐️ WE ARE SO CLOSE!

⭐️ Please consider helping our nonprofit organization, BEE FREE, meet our goal of $10,000 for the Ann Brittain Memorial Scholarships! Two high school graduates from the Class of 2021 will receive $5000 scholarships to the school of their choice!

⭐️ Donations can be accepted until August 5th! The scholarships will be awarded on August 14th! We are only $2000 away from meeting our goal!

⭐️ Please reach out with any questions you may have, for more information about BEE FREE, or for the eligibility requirements to apply for the scholarships!

⭐️ Donations can be made via PayPal at [email protected], Venmo at , check, or cash. (Please message me for more details regarding your check or cash donation!)

⭐️ THANK YOU!

🎓 PLEASE SHARE! 🎓

The Ann Brittain Memorial Scholarships may be applied for beginning July 1st and will be closed on August 5th.

The scholarships are open to NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL graduates of the CLASS OF 2021 only. At this time, we are awarding two $4000 scholarships with hopes of growing them to $5000 by August 14th!

(As we are learning the process of awarding scholarships, we know are a little behind…date wise. Funds will be dispersed to the school(s) of choice of the recipients in a timely manner.)

To be considered as an applicant, the Essay Criteria for applying is as follows:

1. 1000 word minimum
2. Handwritten
3. College-rule paper (front side only)

Topic:
At your age, do you feel like it is important to know where you want to be in life ten years from now? Why or why not? Who/What has influenced you to think this way?

Submissions may be hand-delivered or mailed to:
BEE FREE
c/o Amy Sigmon
1092 19th Ave. Pl. NW
Hickory, NC 28601

Winners will be announced on August 14, 2021. Best of luck! 💛

🗣 We will be at the Brookford Community Building tonight decorating and setting up for the big day tomorrow! (As stated in the paperwork,) if any contestant is interested...you are welcome to register early, turn in your “Good Luck Bag Gifts,” turn in your Photogenic Picture(s,) practice modeling, and mark talent routines. (There will not be a sound system set up tonight.) Peace, Love, and Pageantry to all! 👑

They’re so pretty...💛

As our big day approaches, please allow me to say this...

The North Carolina Classic Miss Pageant and Ann Brittain Memorial Scholarship Fund have been made possible by some incredibly generous and wonderful people. “Thank you” will never be enough for the love and kindness shown to me, my family, and to the memory of my Mother. Thank you from the bottom of my heart…always. 💛

Ashley Stephens – Step Up Studio
Chad Stephens – Stephens Fence
Lisa Moran
Carollyn Finegold
Vicki and Garry Goble
Merodie Wensil – Angel Bows by Raemy
Holly Powell – Magical Moments Vacations
Dorothy Houston –
Connections Modeling&Talent Agency
Alan Elrod – Attitudes Salon
Carrie Wilson – Two Little Arrows
Jamie Ingram – JNI Consults
Victoria Shapiro and Alana Cooper –
The Crowning Touch
Karlee Speagle –
Mattison K Boutique and Designs
Garry Goble Insurance
Risen Wealth Management
Misty and Emma Vanhoy
Emily Ferrell and Shelby Thompson
Miranda and Gina Freeman and Abigail Tinsley
Melissa Dexter and Family
Liz Wilfong
Carolina Girls State Pageant System
Nikki Chaney Harris
Just Kid-N
Teresa Worley Shuping
Cassidy Edwards Moser
Makenna Ross
Elite Miss North Carolina Pageant System
Main Street Dance Academy
McKalia Sain Photography
Kisha Sain
Adrianna Barnes
Abbey Klappert
The Reel Family
Tisha and Chloe Bryant
Anistyn “Grandma” Reel
Tecia Weaver
Sheri Martin - Southern Sash

The Ann Brittain Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a member of the Class of 2021 on Saturday, August 14, 2021. Please join us on that day to celebrate the life and memory of
Ann “The Queen Bee” Brittain. More details will be released soon…save the date. 👑🐝

✨ North Carolina Classic Miss State Pageant
✨ Saturday, May 22nd
✨ Brookford Community Building
✨ 38 Amazing Contestants
✨ 2 Incredible Special Guest Hosts
✨ 1 Exemplary Judges Panel
..and all of it for a great cause! 💛

We are so happy and honored to have these two beautiful and sweet young ladies help us host our “2021 North Carolina Classic Miss” Pageant next weekend! They will be crowning our first Classic Miss State Court! 👑
•
✨Anistyn Reel
🇺🇸 Miss North Carolina Elementary America

✨ Allie Sigmon
🇺🇸 UNM North Carolina Teen Miss
•
💛

When you open the email to approve the proof of the Contestant Numbers...💛👑🐝🖤✨🖤

I love getting texts like this! 💝 Emerie was our 1st Runner Up in the “Queen Bee Online Photo Contest” for ages 9 and under! She loved her goodies! 👑🐝📸

🗣 The 2021 NCCM Contestant Email has been sent! Check your email today for lots of information! Please reach out with any questions or concerns! Love you guys! 💛👑🐝✨

👉🏻If you haven’t received yours, then PLEASE let me know! 😀

🗣 ATTENTION all North Carolina Classic Miss Contestants! Please bring 40 little gifts for our Good Luck Bags! 🐝

“Thank you” will never be enough...💛 We are so blessed and excited to head into the next two weeks! May 22nd is going to be epic! ✨
•
Stay tuned for all of the BUZZ...👑🐝

We are so excited to have 👑 A Crowning Touch 👑 with us at the ✨North Carolina Classic Miss✨ Pageant! Thank you Victoria Layton Shapiro for always making sure your clients are ready for the stage! 👑🐝

✨ IT’S GETTING SO REAL! ✨

You only have THREE days left to enter the 2021 North Carolina Classic Miss Pageant! 🌟

✨ FOUR days until the Deadline! ✨

Don’t let May 10th sneak up on you! A $50 Deposit MUST be paid to enter! We will not be extending the Deadline! 👍🏻

👑🐝

When THE picture you’ve been waiting for arrives...💛 Ann Brittain is doing a happy dance right now...I just know it! 👑🐝

Sheri Martin...you are THE BEST! Thank you my friend! 💛

Join us for the 2021 North Carolina Classic Miss Pageant in Hickory, NC on May 22, 2021 and be a part of something special...and for a great cause! 🌟

Message or comment for more information! The deadline is May 10th! 👍🏻

🗣 ATTENTION ALL NORTH CAROLINA CLASSIC MISS CONTESTANTS! Please see below...👇🏻

•Please send me a headshot ASAP! You can email it to [email protected], send it via Facebook Messenger, or text it to me.

•We are excited to announce our 2021 Contestants next week, AND it will give all of you a “head start” on the People’s Choice Award!

•The headshot does NOT have to be your photogenic picture...but it can be if you like.

Thank you all for your support of the Ann Brittain Memorial Scholarship Fund! Details on how to apply for the scholarship will be released in June. 💛

You know I had too! 😂
•
FIVE days until the deadline!
•
(FYI: Christmas is in 233 days! 🎄)

because you only have SEVEN days left to enter the NORTH CAROLINA CLASSIC MISS pageant!
•
“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” - Yoda
•
YOU CAN DO THIS! 🐝

I love coming home to packages! 🥰 This year’s Queen Bee Sash Pins are SO pretty! I can’t wait to see them on our custom sashes by Sheri Martin! 💛 These scepters are gorgeous...AND they match our crowns! 👑
•
It’s almost Pageant Day! Are you entered yet? Our Deadline is May 10th! 👈🏻

👑🐝

...the countdown to our deadline continues! 👍🏻