This year brought my second visit to the Stepping Stones group in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Stepping Stones is a community-based day program for people living with brain injury from trauma, tumor or stroke, and the program emphasizes health and wellness, empowering members toward occupation or meaning after injury. Both of my visits to Stepping Stones have been a joy - the group is always so warm and welcoming, and always brings a terrific sense of humor that we can share to really relax and have fun together. To read more about Stepping Stones, a part of the Krempels Brain Injury Foundation, click here.
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September 2009
September 24, 2009
September 21, 2009
September 20, 2009 - Tattersall Farm Day, Haverhill, MA
This was my second consecutive year at the Tattersall Farm Day in Haverhill - the City I grew up in, and still live in today! In fact, I remember as a child Mr. Tattersall dropping in to visit my family from time to time on his farm tractor, always with a big smile on his bespectacled face and always with hours of stories to tell. The land that he and his wife left behind to the City of Haverhill - and the mandate that it be used as a working farm to teach citizens about farming and the rural roots of Haverhill - is a true gift to our City, and for me, a reminder of what my hometown used to be like. Before the developments, shopping plazas and sprawl, Haverhill was a true country setting of fields and forest, and the Tattersall Farm preserves a very small piece of that life and time. I met so many families and friendly faces from Northern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire on Sunday - I have limited video because most of my time was spent at my booth, talking weather and talking Haverhill! Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy the folks I had the privilege of capturing on camera, and many thanks to all of those who were so friendly and supportive, and for coming out to support Tattersall Farm Day!
September 16, 2009
September 14, 2009
September 14, 2009 - Stacy Middle School, Milford, MA
Today was back to school for ME! My first school visit of the new academic year, and the 7th grade at Stacy Middle School was an awesome group to welcome me back into the fold. We had a great hour together, talking TV and even doing some on-the-spot interviews with the auditorium microphone! The group had some awesome questions about life in the TV industry, and we talked science, too. Thanks for a great second annual visit to Stacy!
September 13, 2009
September 13, 2009 - American Liver Foundation's Liver Life Walk
UPDATE! I've been notified by the American Liver Foundation that this year's event was a huge success, attracting a record-breaking crowd of over 2,000 walkers who raised an unsurpassed $188,000! Thanks to all who came, and to all who contributed. Together, let's make this bigger and more successful every year!
After a rainy walk last year - and a close call with rain the night prior this year - it was nothing but sunshine and smiles for a record crowd of walkers for the American Liver Foundation. This was the third year I had the pleasure of hosting the Liver Life Walk in Boston, and it's a noticeably larger event than just a few years ago, with about 1500 walkers enrolled for 2009! Dedication to the American Liver Foundation was apparent in all ages - from the beautiful toddler, Jaelynn, who happened upon the stage during the Opening Ceremonies (looking so wonderful just a year after her liver transplant!) to the faces in the crowd who've been with the Liver Foundation for over 15 years. Today's walk around Castle Island wasn't the end of fundraising, but rather, the beginning. So, if you'd like to donate, it's not too late to sponsor a walker - as of this writing, there's still nearly $100,000 more to raise! Folks have become creative, too - check out the video and you'll meet Emily, who paints her own notecards, with proceeds donated to the ALF. This is a dedicated group of folks, and the dedication isn't limited to this year's walk - a half marathon is scheduled for November, and the Patient Match Program pairs full marathon runners with patients!
September 09, 2009
September 8, 2009 - StyleBoston Kickoff Party!
There's a new show in New England - truly a first of its kind - and it'll air on NECN, Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM. "StyleBoston" premieres September 9, and will be a weekly program showcasing people, places and trends that make New England one of the world's most vibrant and sophisticated destinations. The StyleBoston team includes creator and CEO Terri Stanley, Tonya Chen Mezrich, Anthony Corey, Eric Levin and Chris Talanian. I brought my handheld, high-definition FlipCam along with me to the big Kickoff Party at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston Tuesday evening, and caught up with some of the folks who have been so pivotal in getting StyleBoston off the ground and skyrocketing toward success. I also couldn't help but jump into the mix and get my photo taken with the Fembots at the Svedka photo booth...a new Facebook Profile Pic, and I think it's pretty hysterical that the automated program I use to pick an image for the video above actually picked that as the thumbnail. Anyway, enjoy the sights and sounds from the party, and I hope you enjoy StyleBoston on NECN!
September 07, 2009
September 3, 2009 - The Newburyport Art Association boards the Black Dog Clipper Ship "Alabama"
I suppose the title frame of the movie implies actual "sailing," which we didn't quite do...but we did board The Black Dog's Clipper ship Alabama for a grand evening. I was invited as Special Guest Captain by the Newburyport Art Association for their fundraising cocktail party in Newburyport Harbor, just inside the mouth of the mighty Merrimack River. Though I've been making trips to Newburyport my entire life, I'd actually never heard of the Newburyport Art Association, or NAA, before their invitation to come aboard the Alabama. Leading up to the evening, and on-board the vessel, I'd find out all about the community involvement of the NAA, including their education outreach programs, and would hear from both board members and those whose only connection was their love for the galleries and artwork on display at the NAA building in downtown Newburyport. Of course, it was also terrific to board the Alabama, find out as much as I could about it from Captain Morgan Brown, and get a chance to bring the video camera below deck, lined with bunk beds and bisected by the engine room. View the video and take a tour with me, learning about the NAA and the Alabama!
September 02, 2009
September 1, 2009 - Brooskby Village, Peabody, MA
When one hears "Brooksby Village is a retirement community," you may imagine a rather small community without much activity. Not even close! This nearly resort-style community of almost 2000 individuals features careful landscaping, gorgeous fountains, three dining halls, a beauty salon, and much more *including* the community's very own television station! I was fortunate to make the trip to Brooksby Village to see Brooksby TV 9 first-hand, and was interviewed in one of the shows by host Marie Wakefield! Enjoy the video, and I think you'll agree that this TV team is top-notch, led by Brooksby Village employees Sarah, Brandy and Wesley, all of whom bring their TV industry and education experience to the table for the 100+ volunteer residents to learn from.
