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

Sun Sep 20 17:50:32 UTC 2026

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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 31st.

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 <mailto: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 <mailto:massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Liz Lesperance <liz.karsok at gmail.com <mailto: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 <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> &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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