Beantown Fun

Hi Friends,

After a much needed break, we're going to be back for the next few weeks sharing our experiences, stories, and lessons from the road. Please comment often, as we want this to be an open forum. Ask questions, tell about your stories...we want to hear from you just as much as you want to hear from us. If anyone we met along the way wants to post to the blog, let me know and I'll give you access.

Friday night was our Boston Event, and it didn't disappoint. Chris Konnick, Dennis Quandt, and Brian Kerr organized a night of fun at the Improv Asylum Comedy Club and the Bell in Hand Bar in Boston's Fanieul Hall.

After two months on the road, we decided to make the Boston event a night of adult oriented fun. Not only did it give the RollingForAutism Skaters the opportunity to reacquaint with our friends, but it gave some very deserving parents a reason to get a babysitter, and leave the house for a night of fun. The night began with a cocktail hour with appetizers, a silent auction, and plenty of chatter. Around 7:30, the crowd was escorted into the small theater, and the show opened with Carson Strang on the mic. Carson welcomed, thanked, and shared a few cheeky jokes with the crowd. Carson spoke briefly of some of the lessons learnt from the road, and more specifically, of the energy Carson received from teaching kids to rollerblade at the Timothy School outside of Philadelphia. I was on the microphone next, and easily overshadowed each of the night's comedians.

After the show, the crew headed to the Bell in Hand Bar where over 200 RollingForAutism friends gathered for a few drinks. The night was a huge success as nearly $4,000 was raised!

Saturday's trip to Dover to follow, with a special guest poster....my mom.

Bests,
Dan T.

A Dad's Perspective

I would like to extend my thanks to so many of you for supporting the skaters throughout their journey, and the success of Rolling For Autism certainly was built upon such support. The experience has been life changing for many, myself included. One just has to see the expression of excitement on the face of a child or hear the most genuine words of appreciation from a parent to realize that true accomplishment is measured by what we can do to help others. I was fortunate to be able to join the team for the final two weeks, and found everyone constantly busy with fund raising, parties, media events, travel, and (of course) roller blading. The trip was truly an adventure, with many interesting activities and a few good stories to boot! In a time where so much focus is placed on the problems that we face around the world, it has been refreshing to see this group of recent colllege grads set an example that we can all strive to follow. I applaud you for sticking to this cause from start to finish. Rolling For Autism has come a long way since our earliest discussions and planning of almost a year ago.
Now that the finish line has been crossed in Kittery, it will be important to keep the effort moving forward, and we will continue to build upon the momentum that has been created.

Neil T.

Home at last

Good evening,

Our journey ended around 9:30 this morning as we crossed the finish line in front of a nice crowd in Kittery, Maine. The entire weekend was full of festivities...and we're going to write about all of them.......but not tonight. Its 11:04 and I'm beyond tired. Please check back everyday this week for news from the final three days, as well as a post trip entry from each skater and several of our behind the scenes teammmates.

Until I get some energy...

Bests,
Dan T.