When my phone rang and it was Sherry Scheline, founder of Idaho Wedding Event Magazine "IDoWED" on the line asking if I would walk in her upcoming Bells and Beaux Wedding Show at the Chateau des Fleurs (owned by the founder of Camille Beckman), I couldn't say no. Seriously, if you knew my long time friend Sherry, you would totally understand.
I mentioned to a local Make Up Artist (I live in the Los Angeles Area) after the phone conversation that I would be flying to Boise, Idaho to participate in the upcoming event, her first response was "you're too short for runway". I decided to do it anyway (though she should have added that I was "too old for runway" as well, in my opinion).
At 5'3", with a little more curve then a "traditional fashion model" and a few more wrinkles (okay, let's just call it as is actually is - A LOT more wrinkles) than the the other models who towered over me with their youth, beauty and long legs, I did my very best to represent what it is to be a bride, bridesmaid, wedding guest, newlywed on her honeymoon, etc.
No one preps you for just how stressful walking a runway can be. With high heels and dresses a bit too long for my little legs, I did my best not to trip as I walked past people watching from the sides as they made comments and took pictures.
When the event commenced, I was back in my Champagne Campaign T-shirt, waiting in line for my over due glass of Rose, a much needed stress reliever after what I just had accomplished (check Runway Model off my bucket list). As I was taking my first sip from my fluted glass, two ladies approached me and said that they loved how much "sass" I had on the runway. Wow! Sass? I had tried so hard to be as pulled together and professional as possible while strutting in frocks from Something Old, Something New, Shift Boutique and Dress And Charm, but apparently, my personality showed through. I guess in life, the best way to be is to be yourself, and those that appreciate will let you know it!
I doubt I will ever be asked again to walk on another runway, but at least I didn't pass on this opportunity, and even if I never get married in "real life" - at least I have these wonderful images taken on film (not digital) by Ben+Joella prior to my runway debut.
In the summer of 2013, the production crew for Travel Channel's Monumental Mysteries came to Tahoe, California to film an episode about "Tahoe Tessie". Adra Fenstermaker played the role of one of the lake monster spotters, gesturing to the water that the creature was out there. The show will air July 25, 2014 at 9pm EST. Set your recorders NOW!
Produced by: The Zap Lab, Reno, NV
With: Adra Janean Fentermaker and Dreu Murin
Shown: 3200 times daily in Reno. Tahoe. Carson and surrounding areas
Date: 2013
Looking for something to do that involves the whole family from young to old while making memories that last a lifetime? Check out the annual Great Reno Balloon Race in Reno, Nevada. You will need to get up super early to make it to the glowing balloons of "Dawn Patrol" so grab those sleeping babies, your warm fuzzy blankets and a thermos of hot delicious beverages, cause Different Adventures is going ballooning and we're taking you with us!
...Prepare to get up early,
grab some coffee and Doughboy Donuts as you head ballooning with host
Adra Fenstermaker at the annual Great Reno Balloon Races, the "World's
Largest FREE Hot-Air Ballooning Event"...
Music by - Hagen Fenstermaker Filmed and Edited by - Adra Fenstermaker Assistant Camera Operator- Bunny Darko
Check out www.renoballoon.com to find out more about the World's Largest FREE Hot-Air Ballooning Event, travel info, and how to get involved
On
October 12, 2013, Different Adventures went to Virginia City, Nevada in
pursuit of Zombies - little did they know that show host, Adra
Fenstermaker would have a ghostly encounter with a women laughing in her
ear at the Washoe Club. Music: Hagen Fenstermaker Filmed & Edited: Adra Fenstermaker Assistant Camera Operator: Karen McFadden I decided to visit historical mining town, Virginia City,
Nevada after wanting to for many years. After parking my car on the
street, I was amazed at just how beautiful the views overlooking the famous MacKay
(Mack - EEE) Mansion Museum were…breathtaking and magical. I could have stayed
forever just looking out over the vista.
It was a Saturday in the fall as I walked down the street
into Virginia City. Families were walking in and out of shops, buying silver,
purchasing ten-gallon hats and selecting yummy novelty candies to take home.
But. Shopping
and sight seeing are not all that there is to do in Virginia City. The once thriving town of millionaire miners is now bustling
with tourists who enjoy the shops, stories, cowboys, and of course, the zombies.
Home of the annual “Red Run” the streets were full of
zombies trying to capture the flags of runners as they sprinted through town
and pulled body bags up hills to complete the six mile obstacle course.
After getting my fill of the living dead, I wandered into
the Washoe Club to order my regular cowboy bar drink (beer and shot of
whiskey) not knowing that I was entering the land of the non-living.
Known for their fairly priced drinks, the Blue Lady is a favorite.
The bar was
rather quite, until the back room door opened, and out came a large tour of
Ghost Hunters, excited and showing pictures of full body apparitions that they
had taken with their cameras. I had no idea what I had just gotten myself into
– but thanks to my new found friends Karen and John McFadden, I was about to
find out…
Peeking in from the outside of the 2nd story
These rooms are known for "orb" activities
As I sat at the bar listening to the patrons, a women,
taller than me started to laugh in my ear – as I turned to see who was behind
me, there was no one there. After this ghostly happening, I became intrigued
with what else could be going on in this saloon.
John offered to take me back to the crypt and have some
drinks with he and his wife Karen, which I gladly accepted. First, Karen and I
went to the ladies room where she told me her personal paranormal story.
It appears my pictures are orb free
As we entered the crypt John talked about the cool room with
the extremely high ceilings and how during the winter months, dead bodies were
stacked and stored there, waiting to be buried when the ground thawed in Spring.
We sat and laughed and talked – nothing seemed odd, it was actually a very
peaceful experience. Looking online I find that I am pretty much alone in my
feelings of peace. If I was locked
inside at nighttime, I bet I would have had a very, very, different adventure.
All in all, I can’t believe that it took me so long to visit
this amazing part of the country and I can not wait to be able to visit again.
Who knows, maybe next time I might just book a reservation for an overnight in
the crypt!
Stay tuned - next adventure, is the Great Reno Balloon Race!
Wake Up Tahoe was conceived to share the locals’ love of Lake Tahoe’s beautiful South Shore. Hosted by one of our local favorite radio, television, and event hosts, Dreu Murin, Wake Up Tahoe is filmed in front of a live audience weekdays from MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa’s Wedding Chapel, overlooking Edgewood Golf Course (home of the American Century Championship). Beyond the scenery, the show features different themes each day, including Cooking Wednesdays and Mystical Mondays. Don’t be surprised to see Dreu and his guests in costume on occasion (ok, regularly).
As the backbone of the show, Adra Fenstermaker is the producer, writer, reporter, and social media queen. Murin graciously acknowledges that, “without her, the show would have never happened.. see full blog post HERE...
Keep up to date with Adra as she travels the country on her Different Adventures - currently in production.
Looking for something to do that involves the whole family from young to old while making memories that last a lifetime? Check out the annual Great Reno Balloon Race in Reno, Nevada. You will need to get up super early to make it to the glowing balloons of "Dawn Patrol" so grab those sleeping babies, your warm fuzzy blankets and a thermos of hot delicious beverages, cause Different Adventures is going ballooning and we're taking you with us!
Home of the annual “Red Run” the streets were full of
zombies trying to capture the flags of runners as they sprinted through town
and pulled body bags up hills to complete the six mile obstacle course. 
