The 2010 BIAC Bike-A-Thon was a Success.

Photos courtesy of Bill McEwen

I am pleased to announce that BIAC raised over $8000 (after expenses) from Saturday’s Bike-A-Thon. The BIAC Bike-A-Thon raised awareness of brain injury. Attorney Tony Sheffy will return as the named sponsor in 2011. The BIAC Bike-A-Thon is now an annual fund raising tradition. Thank you for supporting the Bike-A-Thon.

The photo immediately above displays a group of riders on the BIAC Bike-A-Thon course with a lighthouse in the background. Above it is a photo of my son and I. The leftmost photo shows me in the process of riding the metric century.

Zack on "Glee" episode

On 7/27/07 we viewed Silas’ documentary on Zack Weinstein after we viewed Silas’ documentary on me. On 5/11/10 Lynn was watching “Glee” and she called me to see an actor whom she thought was Zack. Lynn and I watched the full episode of “Glee” but we missed the credits. I did a Google search on Zack & Glee and I found this article about the episode of “Glee.”

First Annual BIAC Bike-A-Thon

I have been helping organize a bike ride to benefit the Brain Injury Association of Connecticut. We are now accepting registrations for the May 15th Bike-A-Thon.

** The following text is excerpted from the event flyer: **

Take the road with fellow cyclists in the Brain Injury Association of Connecticut’s First Annual Bike-A-Thon, and you’ll not only share spectacular views of the six historic lighthouses set between Avery Point in Groton and Westerly, Rhode Island, but one very important common goal: raising the funds BIAC needs to go on providing critical brain injury prevention and resource services throughout Connecticut.

REGISTRATION FEES
• 62 mile ride $125
• 25 mile ride $50

All participants will receive a Bike-A-Thon t-shirt, water bottle, food at the event, and the gratification of knowing that 100% of everything raised will go directly to support BIAC services.

To learn more about the ride or to register online, please visit www.biact.org

Click here to view the Hartford Courant iTowns (Groton) press release

Click here to view the New London Day press release

Click here to view the full Bike-A-Thon flyer

The photo of me in the newspaper Bike-A-Thon articles also appears in my blog posting dated Thursday, May 14, 2009, titled "My first (post-TBI) road bike climb up a big nearby hill". The photograph was taken after my TBI yet before my knee replacement surgery.


***** Appended 4/25/2010 ********

I have been preparing to complete the BIAC bike-a-thon metric century. On 4/18 I made a rolling ~40 mile bike ride with a local bike shop club and I rode in a group. That was quite an accomplishment. My friend, Peter, joined me for the club ride. I met a few of Peter’s friends there.

We rode back roads thru central CT and took a break for coffee and a pastry at a local fruit orchard with the apple trees beginning to bloom. The weather was sunny but chilly – a typical Spring day.


***** Appended 5/7/2010 ********

I recently made a bike tour of ~40 miles, but most importantly, I climbed a hill (approximately 420 vertical feet) that I hadn’t conquered since before my accident.

Lynn was on the FOX 61 TV news on 3/5/10

My wife, Lynn, was on the FOX61 morning news with Joe Furey.
Lynn did the weather with Joe and she talked about her artistic portraits.

Lynn's Photography Profession Comeback

I’m extremely proud of my wife’s professional photographic comeback. On February 5, Lynn entered the Connecticut Professional Photographers annual print competition. She performed very well. Lynn hadn’t competed in 7 years while we lived in Italy and because she was committed to my recovery from an auto accident.
Lynn earned her tenth Kodak Gallery Award for Photographic Excellence for her image entitled ‘Day Dreamer’, which was also a Judges Choice award. Lynn’s combined print total was in the top 3 in the competition field.

During the convention Lynn was Chairman of the day on 2/6/10. She is a past president of CPPA.

Lynn has been in business for over 20 years in the area. Last year, she opened a studio/gallery in the town that we recently relocated to. Lynn is a Master Photographic Craftsman. She earned these degrees through the Professional Photographers of America.

Lynn recently released to her website a video documenting a family’s photo shoot and the interaction of the product delivery. Her Kodak Gallery Award, ‘Day Dreamer’, is also visible at Lynn's website. You will find that both the full video and the ‘Day Dreamer’ image are available on Lynn's website. There is a "trailer" of the video that appears when you enter Lynn's website.

In October Lynn began displaying her photographic images at the TRUNK SHOWcase, which is a unique boutique that features Connecticut’s most inventive artisans and designers. At the store, located on Main Street in the historical district of Glastonbury, Connecticut, one can find various items that celebrate the creativity of the designers that make them. The products include apparel, accessories, handbags, jewelry, art, pottery, and home decor.

TRUNK SHOWcase features a rotation of local artisans. Visitors can expect to see different products in the store on a regular basis. The artists’ work continues to be updated in the boutique.

Congratulations Lynn.

I celebrated the 4 year anniversary of life reborn.

Yesterday, 1/31, was the 4 year anniversary of my TBI. I haven't posted to my BLOG in a long while so I break the dry spell with a memorable occasion. Lynn and I got up on Sunday morning and we went to church. When we returned I whipped up a batch of pancakes with honey, oatmeal, and yogurt. I topped the pancakes with bananas and warm, real maple syrup, and I served fresh-brewed coffee with them. My son was home from NYC for Saturday night and Sunday to join me in celebrating the occassion. It is nice (and dolce-sweet) to be alive! Thanks to everyone who has helped me over the past 4 years and more.