By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS -- Village President Julia Bell presented keys to Cassopolis Tuesday noon to the Smego twins at a Blossomtime goodwill tour luncheon in their honor.
Ashley is Miss Cassopolis and Adam is Mr. Blossomtime. Their nephew, Ryan Rainey of South Haven, is Bud Prince.
The luncheon at St. Ann's Catholic Church, which the Smegos attend, featured homecooked food like the queens haven't had much of during hectic tour week leading up to Saturday's 1 p.m. Grand Floral Parade in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor.
A tour of Lewis Cass Intermediate School District's Brookside special education program followed the midday meal. Tonight at 7:30 is the fashion show. Thursday they travel to Lansing to tour the Capitol.
Miss Blossomtime Keri Hazel of Bloomingdale in Van Buren County said, "It's such an honor to get to know Adam and Ashley. We've had a really great time."
She presented Beth with a poster autographed by the queens.
Miss Cassopolis Heather Hass presented Ashley with a memory album.
Attending from Ashley's court were First Runner-up and Miss Congeniality Ashleigh Lawson, Second Runner-up Arasia James and Miss Entrepreneur Britnie Hulett.
Adam, the lone king welcoming Blossomtime royalty from across southwest Michigan to "the small community of Cassopolis, was joined at the head table by his Mr. Nice Guy, Kyle Majewski.
Ashley recognized her tour week roommate, Miss Watervliet Danyelle Ditchie.
The twins introduced "our backbone," their parents, Mike and Brenda Smego. "They have supported us through thick and thin," Adam said. He said his sister, Beth, chair of the Miss Cassopolis pageant and his driver, is "small in height, but big in heart."
To Julie Biek he said, "Thank you for organizing this dinner. We would probably not be eating without you."
Guests included Superintendent of Schools John Ostrowski, Ross Beatty High School Dean of Students Pete Anderson, Police Chief Frank Williams and Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood, who is a Blossomtime board member.