[Massachusetts-NFB] The NFB of MA At Large Chapter Revolutionizes Movement

Mon Sep 21 01:21:36 UTC 2026

Good Evening Gina,

Thanks for sharing your suggestions on how to make the at-large chapter's
coast to coast activity the best it can be. I appreciate your concerns and
I think having a Zoom meeting is a great suggestion. I will follow up with
Stephen and Shara with some dates that will work for the meeting!

All the Best,
Liz

On Sun, Sep 20, 2026 at 1:50 PM <4ginaq at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Liz:
>
>
>
> Thank you for working on this for all of us.
>
> I think that you are doing a great job!
>
>
>
> I know that I am brand-new to the chapter, but If it is okay, I would like
> to help too.
>
> Here are some of my thoughts for us to consider.
>
>
>
> I heard that they have not had picnic tables in many years, however they
> may have some folding tables that we could use on the patio of the Visitor
> Center.
>
> We would just need to bring chairs.
>
>
>
> I was going to check with the local Lions Club to see if they have tables
> and chairs for us as well as some sighted guides.
>
> I will be speaking with the President of the Concord Lions Club in the
> next couple of days and can let all of you know.
>
>
>
> As for the parking lot, it does not really affect us as I believe most
> will be coming by Ride share and getting dropped off.
>
> The best place to get dropped off for persons with disabilities is the
> “Shop” lot which is on the other side of the Visitor Center, not the
> general parking lots.
>
>
>
> As the Visitor Center does not open until 10:00 AM, I do not think
> arriving at 9:00 AM is a good idea.
>
>
>
> I myself am also concerned that it is much colder the earlier we go. I
> think that it would be nicer to stick with the original time of 10:30 AM
> since those who take the MBTA The Ride may be dropped off earlier than
> desired and left waiting outside the Visitor Center before they open.
>
>
>
> As for walking to a nearby restaurant, I think that will be too far of a
> walk for some of the members. A four minute car ride translates to a 15 to
> 30 minute walk depending on a person’s walking speed.
>
> I also do not think it will be safe as there is no sidewalks for some of
> the route.
>
> If we do decide to go to a nearby restaurant, we may need to carpool. I
> could take 2 to 3 people with me in my Uber if it would be helpful.
>
> And, others may do similarly. Or, we could get help from the Lions with
> that as well.
>
>
>
> These are some of my thoughts. What do you and the others think?
>
> And, would it be helpful if we try to schedule a Zoom call to talk about
> these matters?
>
>
>
> Looking forward to your reply.
>
> All my best,
>
> Gina Q.
>
>
>
> *From:* Massachusetts-NFB <massachusetts-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> *On
> Behalf Of *Liz Lesperance via Massachusetts-NFB
> *Sent:* Sunday, September 20, 2026 9:23 AM
> *To:* NFB of Massachusetts E-mail List <massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org>
> *Cc:* Liz Lesperance <liz.karsok at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [Massachusetts-NFB] The NFB of MA At Large Chapter
> Revolutionizes Movement
>
>
>
> Good Morning,
>
>
>
> Thanks Gina and Kristina for reaching out about our Walden Pond trip on
> Oct. 31st! I spoke with a staff member at Walden Pond last week who advised
> that they have updated the grounds and there are no longer picnic tables.
> They also recommended starting the walk at 9am since they close the parking
> lot when it reaches capacity and didn't want us to be impacted by those
> logistics. Since sitting on the ground may be difficult for some of our
> members, we think it may be best to head to brunch at a nearby restaurant
> after our walk. I found a cafe that is a 4-minute drive from Walden Pond.
> The cafe offers a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and brunch selections
> including options for common dietary needs. The cafe is called the Main
> Street Market and Cafe. If anyone has any other recommendations please feel
> free to share them!
>
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Liz
>
>
>
> On Fri, Sep 18, 2026 at 6:54 PM Kristina Constant via Massachusetts-NFB <
> massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Hi, I will bring cookies. Kristina
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
>
> On Sep 18, 2026, at 6:20 PM, Gina via Massachusetts-NFB <
> massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Hi Liz:
>
>
>
> Wondering if we are keeping a sign up list for the pot luck so we know
> what someone is already bringing to it?
>
> And, maybe someone should suggest items so someone who is not sure what to
> bring can pick it out of a list of suggestions.
>
> Once someone confirms that they are bringing something on the list, it can
> be removed.
>
> It’s just a thought. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to
> help.
>
>
>
> On another note, do we have a flyer or an announcement I can share with
> the Concord Lion’s Club as well as others in the blind community?
>
> I will be asking them to volunteer for us. They have a big event tomorrow
> so I wanted to wait until it was over to ask them about ours on October 31
> st.
>
> As it is, I plan on being there with my “Who Are We?” shirt!
>
> I ordered it last week and I am waiting for it to arrive.
>
> Cheers!
>
> Gina Q.
>
>
>
> *From:* Massachusetts-NFB <massachusetts-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> *On
> Behalf Of *Liz Lesperance via Massachusetts-NFB
> *Sent:* Friday, September 11, 2026 7:02 PM
> *To:* NFB of Massachusetts E-mail List <massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org>
> *Cc:* Liz Lesperance <liz.karsok at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* [Massachusetts-NFB] The NFB of MA At Large Chapter
> Revolutionizes Movement
>
>
>
> Good Evening Fellow Federationists,
>
> In celebration of the 250th signing of the Declaration of Independence,
> the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts At Large Chapter is
> embracing the freedom of movement by holding our Coast-to-Coast event in
> the city where the War for Independence started - Concord, MA. The first
> shots of the war were fired in Lexington and Concord on April 19th, 1775.
> Seventy years later, on the 4th of July in 1845, Henry David Thoreau
> journeyed to Concord to discover what life could be when one lives
> deliberately and decides for themselves what constitutes a meaningful life.
> Society historically tells the blind that we are less capable. We encounter
> obstacles in employment, education, everyday living and recreation. In the
> NFB we know that blindness does not define us. Blindness does not determine
> the life we choose. Live deliberately. Live the life you want.
>
> On October 31st, please join the at large chapter as we walk the same path
> as Thoreau. We will sport our "Who Are We, NFB" shirts proudly and spread
> the word about the National Federation of the Blind. We will show society
> that we are active participants in the world. We will not let our blindness
> hold us back. We plan to meet at the Visitors' Center of Walden Pond at
> 10:30am on Saturday, Oct. 31st. Walden Pond is located at 915 Walden St
> Concord, MA
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/915+Walden+St+Concord,+MA?entry=gmail&source=g>.
> Concord is part of the MBTA Ride Program and also has a commuter rail stop.
> We will walk the mile to Thoreau's cabin and then back. After the walk we
> will have a potluck picnic in the beautiful park.
>
> Please let Shara or I know if you are able to attend and if you are able
> to contribute a food or drink item to the potluck.
>
> Pasted below please find the link to purchase our "Who Are We, NFB"
> t-shirts. I have also pasted the donation page that all coast-to-coast
> participants are using. Please ask any doners to put the NFB of MA At Large
> Chapter in the Contribution Notes section. Our goal is to raise $250 for
> this event. These funds will go to the national office to support
> transformative nationwide programs such as the free white cane program,
> braille and literacy programs, advocacy and legal work, national
> scholarships, mentoring programs, and programs that build independence in
> non-visual skills.
>
> Let's get out there and show the world who we are. Who are we? NFB!
>
> Best Regards,
>
>
> Liz Lesperance
> NFB of MA At Large Chapter Vice President
> NFB of MA Movement Champion
>
> ******
>
> NFB Coast-to-Coast Donation Form:
> https://nfb.org/contribute/c2c
>
> Who Are We? NFB T-Shirts Order Form:
>
> https://www.bonfire.com/who-are-we-nfb/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=thanks_page_share_modal&utm_campaign=who-are-we-nfb&utm_content=default&utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demoo4b98r67&fbclid=IwY2xjawURVGBwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4d5gNOcsFYZYac91p1f7Y157jfrHGAdAFyYGrJOXb_9JEkxy0cJrlON19KSw_aem_NA2-CfAic-p2DF0OkG5ISQ
>
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