Petaluma's Fabulous Woman Krista Gawronski Speaks About her Experience on Oprah's Favorite Things Show

Talked with Petaluma Fabulous Women's Krista Gawronski this afternoon to get the scoop on her visit to the Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago this week, just as the Queen of Talk's ultimate 'Favorite Things' Show is about to air.

"I had no intention of visiting the show during Oprah's last season on the air specifically to be in the audience of the Favorite Things finale," said Gawronski, who, along with her sister Sandy, joined an audience of equally unsuspecting hometown heroes for the taping of the show's annual extravaganza, on Tuesday.

No one knew that they were in store for the biggest surprise of their lives. "When Oprah ripped off a gown to reveal a beautiful, sparkling red Christmas dress, she'd asked us all as givers to meditate for a moment," shared Gawronski. Once the set opened to reveal a Santa's Workshop, North Pole scene of splendor, the crowd went crazy.

These were women, like Gawronski, who dedicate much of their time to making a difference in their communities. None of whom were used to being on the receiving end.

Gawronski and her sister had spent a few days sightseeing in Chicago, taking in the musical stage show Billy Elliott and having some well earned girl-time out of town. The Mr. Pickles Sandwich shop owner from Petaluma, busy mom and community fundraiser extraordinaire had email Oprah to tell her that the star had been her inspiration to find what her gift was and to go out into the world and truly make a difference. Oprah picked the Petaluma mover and shaker and motivator of some 300 fund a local cause women out of thousands of people who had responded to an email prompt to express what the show, now in its final season, has meant to them personally.

Gawronski said that Oprah has a way of speaking to a crowd and having the audience feel like she is speaking to each and every one personally. "She raised a challenge to me 11 years ago," explained Gawronski, who had attended a taping of an Oprah show in Chicago with another sister and her mother. She and sister Sandy had seen Oprah speak in San Francisco previously. "This was full circle for me, taking my sister with me," she said.

Not prepared for the bounty of gifts bestowed upon the audience on Tuesday, the sisters stopped in at a Bed, Bath and Beyond store near their hotel after the screening to pick up a suitcase set to transport their Oprah Favorite Things back to California, that same evening.

"It was my fifteen minutes of fame," said Gawronski."I'm on cloud 9, it was amazing." Still, Petaluma's Fabulous Woman herself was quick to keep things in perspective. "If I can inspire others to make a difference, to think about raising money for charitable causes without breaking the bank, or putting little Petaluma on the map, that's what it's all about."

The Petaluma Fabulous Women will gather again in January to raise monies for 4H Programs.

 

Comments

[Liz]

Lovely blog! I met your friend, Lori, here in Indianapolis...and she pointed me in your direction~

[Frances]

lucky you having Lori in your midst! She's the best. And I love hearing from new readers from afar, will check out your site, Liz, I love the title!