Updating… In progress

Our sincerest apologies about not updating in a timely fashion. This was the longest walkabout ever. Our days started at 4AM and the walks often lasted until 2 or 3 PM, so by the time we pulled the old road signs, did the next day’s route, and laid the signs, the libraries we rely on were closed. We arrived at home, happy but exhausted. As the director of the last three Walkabouts, I am very, very tired but extremely gratified, and I thank all the venues that put us up, especially those that agreed to do so at the very last minute. Ruth of the Ocean County YMCA, you’re the best. We can’t thank you enough. Most kids pointed to that night as one of the best on the walk.

251 miles is a long, long way.

Welcome Country Music Listeners!

Love your town, love your state, love your country…

That’s country!

We finally mentioned our website on the air. We’re updating our website right now, and will give you a day-by day description of what’s going on. We should have the stories and photographs up in a couple of hours!

Thanks for tuning in.

July 11- Jersey City

Day Two- We only had to walk about five miles, but we got to see some amazing sights, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Our rendez-vous point at Liberty State Park didn’t quite go off without a hitch, because two of our walkers weren’t able to leave with us, and our Coordinator, Nancy was nowhere to be seen. We left tickets for her, and were forced to catch the ferry. At the last possible minute, with the ferry loading, Nancy was whisked through security and onto the boat. The ferry ride, the statue and Ellis Island were inspiring. We caught the last ferry from Ellis Island and started back toward Liberty Science Center, but got turned around and the walk took five miles. We were late for a special treat: Star Trek at the I-Max theater. As we raced to get to the movie, the kind people held the movie for us, and we watched the movie on a huge wrap-around screen. Then, we were treated to a night at the museum- we actually got to sleep inside the Liberty Science Center– How incredible is that?

Bear Country, Part One

Yes, we did see bear. Our advance team, placing the mile markers saw a bear as big as a deer running across a mountain road. This day was a gruelling twenty-two mile walk. On our long break, on a deck at Pyramid Mountain Park, several of our people saw bears at twenty feet. This day was all about walking. Long, uphill, gruelling walking. We finished  and our friends at the National Guard shuttled us to our camp at Waywanda State Park. The night was clear and cold, in the 50’s, as we settled into our tents to sleep.

And we’re off!!

uyago 9Og3!

Dear friends,

We’re off.

So many people to thank, from my own family and the families of the Walkabout, to Jessica Boyle who did so much to help us get ready, to Captain Jack from Thunder 98.5, To Sgt. Gomez of the West Long Branch Police, to Barbara, who’s been there every step, figuratively, and keeps us sane, to Jim Mercadante, for having raised such a wonderful family and letting me borrow it.
The adage goes- If I start mentioning names, I’d leave some out, but Grandfather Little Hawk and Brother Bob I have to mention.

We’ve had very very hard times economically, and without our kids pushing for fundraising every inch of the way, we couldn’t have done a walk this year. Instead, we’re walking under clearing skies, with great prospects, thanks to our new friends.

The Lacey Elks– Such an incredible service organization, they’ve also been there for us constantly this year, donating water, sponsoring kids, and the Rotary Wednesday Evening club of Toms River, Joann Rice…

Feels like an award ceremony. So I thank Wells Chapel, the people of South Toms River, West Long Branch, Ogdensburg, Bound Brook, and Jersey City. Enough  of public thanks.

You all who I still must thank in person, understand my gratitude, that God has put you into our lives to help ease our way.

Don’t give power to fear. God is good, and we are, as the country song says, seeds in His hand. With the help of the National Guard, our heroes, who will be supporting us on the walk, we will plant trees, memories and values that will bear fruit unto the seventh generation.

63z soO xe-39u3!!

May we-all walk with God (Oneness)

Jiffy shirts- Absolute Integrity

Once in a great while, you have the pleasure to do business with a company that lives up to its name. So I must comment here. We are a not-for-profit organization, and every dollar counts. We need to order our supplies close to our deadlines so we’re sure we won’t have too much of a surplus.

So we intentionally waited until the last minute to order Tee Shirts. I ordered them last night. No special order, just the conventional shipping, which, I might add is free. The time is 11 AM the next day. UPS has delivered the tee shirts. The shirts cost us under 2.00 each, and are nice Anvil pre-shrunk cotton shirts.
An entrepreneur is only as good as his word. Jiffy shirts, as the name implied, delivered in a jiffy, Hopefully,the company made a fair profit, and cost us about the price of two kid sponsorships to get the tee shirts for our walkabout. We will never need to go elsewhere for tee shirts. A hundred companies exist out there that can sell you a shirt. One in a hundred can do it in under 24 hours, not charge you for shipping and come $20 under budget. Jiffy shirts, now and forever, is our Tee shirt company.

So here’s to Jiffy shirts. Young aspiring entrepreneurs (and oldsters) if you want to be successful in business, be a miracle worker. Follow this great example, and maybe someone will be raving about you some day.

Profiles in local courage.

In some zoos I’ve visited, birds are caged in, simply by a difference of darkness and light. Because the birds are intimidated by the darkness, they do not venture into it, even though beyond that darkness may lie the freedom of the open sky.

With humans, it’s often the same. People are generally afraid to take a risk, move into the dark unknown, even when that dark unknown promises rich yields. Capitalism, like curiosity, lures us towards those dark places, where we who trust our training, instincts, and talents will venture, until we blaze a trail for others into the open sky.

I notice that in our friendliest towns, the politicians share that sense of adventure, and that makes them fellow travellers. I especially felt that spirit in West Berlin, with Mayor Magazzu, who opened her town to us on the most fun day of the walk. Many towns have taken risks in inviting us in and accepting us. I applaud them. Often cowardice reigns in local politics, and many opportunities are missed by those who choose to remain caged by their fear. I imagine that, if I were a businessman, I would look to start a business in a town with a mayor and council that supports high-risk high reward ideas.

We haven’t met many cowardly politician on the road, because they’re not the ones who would ever invite our group to stay. Instead, we salute the bold! So here’s to you, Barnegat, Waretown, West Berlin! Hats off to Kingston and Pemberton and huzzahs for Cranbury Shamong and Trenton. Hail the brave folk at Rowan University and at the Tuckerton Seaport– Smithville as well. A special salute to my favorite all-time zoo, Jacksonville’s Animal Kingdom, and to our friends at the Lakewood Blue Claws, and to the members of that religion with a history deep in extraordinary courage, who never refused us- the Quakers. A thousand times, thanks. And what can I say? Would we have expected less than a courageous invitation from Ft. Dix? A city of heroes? We weren’t disappointed. And now this year we get to travel with heroes, as we get support from the National Guard.

Of course, we also must thank the mayor of Jamesburg, the very first person to extend an invitation to the Walkabout. Once the final map is posted, please pause to think about it- This year we have a whole spate of new, brave mayors and borough administrators, taking risks and willing to put us up, not afraid of setting a dangerous precident, or being overly concerned about petty worries. To all of those for whom simply “doing for the kids” is enough of an incentive to fly through that dark space, we salute you.

Hecht is sponsoring the Walkabout!

Hecht trailers- we all see them on the road. They’re ubiquitous, and serve the very necessary function of getting supplies from Point A to Pont B. But, according to Barbara, who went out to ask them for a sponsorship, they’re also wonderful people. Our old trailer is OK for short trips on level ground, but it could never hope to make it up and down the hills of the Skylands in its rickety condition.

Enter Hecht. Our sponsor will provide a secure trailer so that our tents, supplies and food will be safe, and roll easily over the toughest roads in New Jersey. Hecht, you rule the road!

Capture the Flag with the National Guard

Our friends at the National Guard came out to teach us about team building, play some games with us, and then to play a wild game of Capture the flag. Yes, we played against the pros! All I can say is that we had a very, very good time and our soldiers have some real skills, especially when it comes to rescuing prisoners, or noticing movement on the landscape. The blindfold games we played will be featured on the Walkabout, and we’ll see our National Guard friends again, as they offer vehicular support along the way. We had a great time!

Things just keep getting better…

After a successful fundraiser at Sundae’s I got a call today from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. S/he has informed me that they want to hold a special fundraiser apart from all the other fundraisers that we’re doing. It works like this:
 
They’ll simply match, dollar for dollar, every dollar we can get pledged via email and letter, up to $500.
 
They want this to be separate from all the other fundraisers, and I’ve given them my word that no amount will be counted from other sources (such as tagging or our Sponsor a Kid website). They will come by my house and give me $500 on June 1. Every dollar, every penny even, I get, I get to also keep from the $500.
 
So I’m asking all of you to please forward this around to your email lists. A simple $5 times $100 will equal $1000 for all of June.  So, if you kids want to dig through the couches for change, even, it would be great, since whatever amount you give will be doubled.

By the way, less than 24 hours after starting this fundraiser, we already have pledges for $100 and one quarter in change, for a grand total of 100.25, which means we just raised 200.50! Keep it coming guys!

You’ll see a little fundraiser feature added to our website. It’ll keep track of this particular fundraiser this month.

We’re well on our way to our goal of $14K for the walk. With the tagging dates and the farmer’s markets, and the remote possiblity of grants (we have two outstanding), we may be able to raise what we need.
 
PS> I also got home to the news that Bound Brook has found us a place to stay, including showers and swimming! Way to go Mayor Pilatos!!! Bound Brook and West Long Branch- two extremely friendly towns!!
 
Also… Of the 1100 trees we had, we have 275 trees left to plant, 200 of which will be planted in West Long Branch on Sunday evening. I need volunteers!!!!!!!!! Please come. 20 people will make short work of it. We’re going to plant on Sunday, and then go up again on Tuesday, as early as possible to plant more trees.
 
Let’s hope all the news stays this good.
 
Frank.