Archive for April 2012

Last Monday, the 116th Boston Marathon went down in history as one of the hottest Boston Marathons on record, with temperatures soaring into the upper 80s. The scorching sun slowed down nearly all the runners on the course. It forced some to the sidelines without finishing, and prompted others to opt out of this year’s race altogether. This was not the case for 71-year-old Dick Hoyt and his 50-year-old son Rick, whom Dick pushed for 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston ..read more

Doctor donates Disney medal to disabled boy for bravery, courage Published in baystateparent magazine When Dr. Ken Abrams, a veterinary ophthalmologist from Rhode Island, completed his first marathon in 2009 —The Disney Marathon — it was magical. He crossed the finish line in 3:34:52, qualifying for Boston, and proudly accepted the Mickey Mouse finisher’s medal that was placed around his neck. The magic didn’t end there. Ken was inspired to donate his Disney medal to Medals4Mettle, an organization that facilitates ..read more

My in-laws are from the old country. They grew up in Germany during World War II on a working farm, in conditions that make our tough economic times look like Mardi Gras. Ellie and Arnold are faithful to their Spartan Lutheran childhood values of spending as little money as possible and never throwing anything away, God forbid. They perfected the art of sustainable living long before it was chic. When they came out to Massachusetts to visit my husband Dave and I for the first time ..read more