"Helping YOU Take Center Stage"!

Have you ever taken the Amtrak Train across the United States? HHMMMM – this is one journey you will not want to miss! You must try this at least once in your life time and if you are a parent - make sure you take your kid(s) too so that they enjoy the experience with you! We left Nebraska and rode the Amtrak rails all the way to Chicago – and boarded another train leaving at 10:00pm Monday night –to continue on to New York. We finally left Albany and changed onto the bus and are now in Springfield, MA will be at South Station Boston at 9:30ish. During the trip home I read my signed copy of Plains Bound Fragile Cargo that Charlotte wrote – interviewing many of the actual Orphans who rode the trains from New York to become adopted by families out west. I was surprised to see that Darren LaCroix, Author, Comedian, Toastmasters 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking and my coach http://www.humor411.com/ wrote on the back cover “Plains Bound: Fragile include fascinating stories of whic...

“Too many children in foster care are falling through cracks. . . . Be a hero -- take the time learn about adoption today.” Bruce Willis We boarded the “ Fremont & Elkhorn Valley Railroad is a division of the National Railway Historic Society chartered as the Eastern Nebraska Chapter National Railway Historical Society in 1985 – the named changed to Nebraska Railroad Museum – the mission of education and preservation of railroad history”. http://www.fremontrailroad.com/ This was quite a ride in an old Vintage car going about 10 miles an hour! I loved the “ladies lounge”! We began our journey and Charlotte had two woman Joanne and Judy dress who are Toastmasters (!) in costumes and they were the speaker introducers. We listened to each others stories – they were two live Orphan Train rides Lela and Lola who are in the 90;s today. They spoke about their journey on the Orphan Train ride and how they were “lined up like cattle” and hand picked or that some of them had ri...

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." Mother Teresa We arrived at South West Airport yesterday morning - thanks to friend Doug who drove us early to Manchester New Hampshire Airport! We checked in our luggage and went through the security check point. A buzzer went off and a "female retriever" was called in, which meant I had to get the full "pat down" just in case I was confiscating any "forbidden paraphaneila". All padded up & down - OK all set - waiting to board the plane. Now this is an odd system - no seats are assigned - it is first come first serve - so if you want to sit with friends or family - you may need to beg the other passagers (who are already sitting with their family and friends) which is what we had to do and thankfully a woman was kind enough to do just that for us (!) We did repay her as well as two of the stewardess - by giving them each a pipecleaner flower that Sabrina m...

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” John Quincy Adams Friends - This just in! On Saturday April 5, 2008 I met and interviewed with the District 31 Nomination Chairperson and the Committee for the position of the 2008-2009 Lt. Governor of Education & Training. The Nomination Chairperson, Immediate Past District Governor, Deb Cartier, DTM has followed-up tonight Tuesday April 22, 2008 with the Nomination Committee's report by email in a secured pdf file! YES - I will be listed on the ballot as the 2008-2009 Lt. Governor of Education and Training – At this time it appears no one else is running for this position - however, anyone is certainly welcome to run from the floor. I will post more as soon as I know – which will be on Saturday May 10, 2008 at the 2008 Spring Conference Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center in Marlborough during the District 31 Business meeting http://ww...

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”. St. Augustine On Friday Morning April 25th Sabrina and I will be boarding a Southwest airplane from the Manchester, New Hampshire Airport and heading “PLAINS BOUND” to Omaha, Nebraska - Leppley Airport to attend the “2008 Orphan Train Celebration”! http://www.orphantraindepot.com/ProgramsAndEvents.html Back in January 2008, I emailed Charlotte Endorf, writer, author of Plains Bound: Fragile Cargo: Revealing Orphan Train Reality http://www.amazon.com/Plains-Bound-Fragile-Revealing-Reality/dp/159800235X to share with her the incredible news The Home for Little Wanderers delivered to me via the phone….that I was picked to be one of the HONOREES during The Home’s Annual Visions and Voices Fundraiser Celebration on May 28, 2008 in Boston http://www.thehome.org/ Charlotte invited to me to come to Nebraska and speak about “The Home for Little Wanderers” during this “2008 Orphan Trains Celebration” event on actual Or...

"CHERRYSTONES & CHOWDAH" “The Union Oyster House is the oldest restaurant in Boston and the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the U.S. — the doors have always been open to diners since 1826”. http://www.unionoysterhouse.com/ I received an invitation from Bob Sherburn bsherburne@thehome.org to THE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS – 2008 “Cherrystones & Chowdah” Annual Donor Appreciation Reception honoring THE HOME'S "leadership supporters" at the Union Oyster House on Wednesday April 9, 2008. Last year, I was asked to be the Keynote Speaker and of course I made sure to thank the MANY generous donors for their kindness in supporting THE HOMES 20 different programs. After I spoke, I also met many of the donors in person and one in particular was Virginia Griffin, who gasped while I was speaking about Longview Farm, a residential home for adolescent males where my brother lived. Turns out Virginia has been volunteering at Longview Farm for over 10 years ...

TOP OF THE HUB! "One of Boston's finest dining destinations, the award-winning Top of the Hub features outstanding cuisine, impeccable service, and a sophisticated ambiance. Soaring 52 floors above the Back Bay, the restaurant and adjoining Skywalk Observatory offer guests a spectacular view of the Boston skyline from every table”. http://www.topofthehub.net/ Last Friday March 28, 2008 I was invited to the “TOP OF THE HUB” in Boston on the 52nd floor for Lunch with the CEO, Joan Wallace-Benjamin along with the three (there were four but one now lives in Texas and couldn’t attend) other HONROREES from THE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS – and we had a delightful lunch and conversation. And although it was cloudy and raining last Friday - NONE of US noticed it a bit!! http://www.thehome.org/site/PageServer Of course I had Chowder and Lobster! And we ALL shared two delish’ous deserts among us. Also in attendance were Lisa, who is the director of Marketing and Deb who is on THE HOME...