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Dr. David Ingalls, my primary
care physician in private practice in Newburyport, Massachusetts,
who always thoughtfully involved me in the process of making the
medical decisions which have affected me. Also, a generous contributor.
Dr. Denise Hirsch, my cardiologist and generous contributor
at Pentucket Medical Associates, Newburyport, who
diagnosed my coronary condition and steered me in the right direction
to the Lahey Clinic for an angiogram.
Dr. Richard Beaser, my diabetes physician at Boston's Joslin
Clinic, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for guiding me
with wisdom and compassion through my medical care options as a
diabetic.
Dr. David Shahian, my cardiac surgeon at Lahey Clinic
in Burlington, Massachusetts, who so expertly executed the quadruple
coronary bypass graft.
Dr. Robert Kirsner, my podiatrist in practice in Newburyport,
who has expertly cared for the feet of many diabetics, preventing
further serious problems. |
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Jerie Larsen, my partner, my editor, my soul mate, and
my head honcho for fundraising, who has supported me through the
peaks and valleys of my "challenging" projects.
Laura Larsen Merrick, my step-daughter (Jerie's daughter),
my sparring partner, who caught the vision early on and has supported
this project 100% from the start She's now my Number One fund-raiser
and captain of my promotions team. She has provided so much financial
support, ideas, and inspiration.
Carl Merrick, my compadre, my "son-in-law" (Laura's
husband), who has provided financial support, promotional ideas,
valuable contacts, proofreading of proposals, and pertinent humor.
Helen Glover, mi tia fabuloso, who is always there
to support us with encouraging words, affection, humor, and her
generous support in spite of her worries, which made it possible
to move forward with concrete plans.
Mel Glover, my big brother, who also has diabetes. He and
his wife Tammy got me interested in the Road to Santiago nine
years ago when they gave us a book called Off the Road
by New York Times writer Jack Hitt. Sons Mel III and Matt,
as well as daughter Tina have been supportive, helpful,
and encouraging.
Dan Bob Nolan, my close friend, fellow carpenter, and generous
sponsor, of the Clark Currier Inn, who helped facilitate
many things before I left not the least of which was a back-up
pair of spectacles.
Cho Cho Sincavage, my goddaughter, extraordinaire, who
contributed not only a nice donation but also a pocket statuette
of St. Joseph to accompany me on my journey.
Elaine Sincavage, my friend, Cho Cho's mother, expert opinion,
and generous supporter, who has provided me with valuable insights
and support for many years.
Philip Mallard, my long time friend going back to '60s college
days at Hiram College in Ohio, and business collaborator who not
only facilitated the purchase of a used laptop computer for this
trip, but also has supplied me with computers and software for
many years in return for editing and publishing expertise.
Jeff Kane, my talented webmaster, who has designed and
executed this Web site from his Ocean
Song Web Design office in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
Our working relationship goes way back to our school days at Governor
Dummer Academy when we single-handedly established a photography
lab, darkroom and all, to produce our 1965 yearbook. Jeff also
loaned me an Olympus digital camera to make it possible to add
photos to the Web site.
Peter Gernold, my friend and fellow biology teacher from
Hiriam College days, always there when I need him with generous
support and resourceful ideas, not to mention an engaging sense
of humor.
Kay George, my special friend and long-time client, who
has always been supportive with expert knowledge, talents, skills,
and funds.
Andrea Bursaw, my editor and proofreader of proposals and
letters, who facilitated the purchase of airline tickets, who
also is friend and sitter for Rudzick, my big old marmalade cat.
Dennis and Debbie Skillman & family, my friends, fellow sushi
connoisseurs, and fellow hikers, loaned me a spacious backpack
and shared experiences and knowledge about hikers' footcare.
Lisa (Bannasch) and Bart Chapin & kids, (Laura's
step-sister), my friend and former employee, who has been a generous
and enthusiastic supporter, along with Norma Bannasch Larsen,
a fellow traveler, with supportive insights from her own challenging
personal journeys.
Bob Mosscrop, my accountant, friend, and former Jaycee
member, who has generously contributed to this crusade. He has
a big heart — travels to Lourdes frequently to provide invaluable
support to disabled individuals seeking comfort at that inspirational
destination.
David and Beth Dudley, my cousins, friends, and
owners/managers of Ocean Point Inn, a beautiful vacation
spot on the rocky shores of Maine, who have been enthusiastic
supporters and generous donors. We were like brothers growing
up together summers on Plum Island and an uncle's farm in South
Dakota.
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Meg Lelgeman and Marty Bressette,
ardent supporters of a worthy cause, and cheese connoisseurs, who
would go crazy in Spain sampling regional specialties. Vivian
Richmond, Laura's friend, and enthusiastic traveler, who's been
a congenial component of many group gatherings, and generous to
me in this project. |
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Steve Collier, Cheryl LeBlanc,
George Schutz, Jay and Linda Blake, Mindy
and Ley Blake, Bob DeGraf, Rubin and Robin
Gurlitz, Dan Mahoney, Scotty Macleod, Doris
MacDonald, Paul Wells, Andrea and Jon Bursaw,
and many other anonymous doners. |
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Governor Dummer Academy: Jeff
Kane, Craig Johnson, Kenny Linberg, Marc Tucker.
Hiriam College: Peter Gernold, Rick Heineman,
Phil Mallard. |
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Former Officers and Board Members: John
Kendrick, Kathy Collins, John Dirlam, Elaine
Sincavage. |
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H&R Block fellow tax preparers:
Bill Faughnan, Shirley Mitchell, Kirsta Deschamps,
Cynthia Bouchard, Don and Lou Somerset, Shirley
Robichaud, Suresh R. Patel, Marilyn Sanford, and
most of all, Stuart Pingley, manager of the Lawrence district,
and my boss as office coordinator of the Amesbury H&R Block
Tax Service. He believed in me and contributed even when Corporate
couldn't/wouldn't swing it. |
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Newburyport Five Cent Savings Bank:
President Richie Eaton of the "Five." Mr. Eaton's
belief in me and his ability to see the vision and grasp the urgency
of this message generated a sufficient contribution to launch the
project. Donna Leary, branch manager, for setting up the donation
account and facilitating bookkeeping procedures.
Newburyport/Newbury Businesses: Peter Alberico, New
England Wine and Spirits, Bob Nolan, Clark Currier
Inn, Dan Mahoney, Mr. Moe´s Liquor Store.
Business clients: Jeanne and Bill Carpenter. |
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New Balance Shoe Co.: Deirdre
McDonnell, company representative, sent hiking shoes, hiking
sandals, shower sandals, a warm-up hiking outfit, and T-shirts.
Becton-Dickinson Inc.: Cathy Messinger, Internet Manager,
sent a two month supply of syringes, swabs, and T-shirts.
Roche Industries: Peter Sebastian, company representative,
sent a supply of test strips for the entire trip. |
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