In July of 2024 I had the honor of being selected by The Thoreau Society to present excerpts from my book, Paddlin’ with Thoreau… at their Annual Gathering in Concord, MA. Founded in 1941, The Thoreau Society is the largest and oldest organization devoted to an American author. The Society has members from more than […]
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University of Massachusetts – Amherst Isenberg School of Management Class Notes May, 2024 Isenberg alumni have been out and about, making an impact with their careers and passion projects—and it shows! Most of these updates have been submitted by alumni about themselves, but we also welcome submissions from organizations and friends who have news about
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Early in 2020, I entered my third book, Change: Our Ever-Present Companion, Reflections from the Red Kayak, in the 28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. Although the book did not win, it received the highest marks for structure, organization, cover design, voice and writing style, among other things. Below is the judge’s commentary. I
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Sherry and Joe Anicich of the Purple Project are hosting a retreat of love and hope for grieving parents and grandparents Thursday, July 21 through Sunday 24th at the Portiuncula Center for Prayer in Frankfort, Illinois. The lovely, wooded 50-acre campus of the Portiuncula provides a peaceful environment and a safe place to join people
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Red Kayak Represented at Giving Dupage! 2016 DuPage Human Race on Saturday, April 30th in Downers Grove, IL The Red Kayak Institute was on the run again. Last year we needed our paddles, but this year we had fun in the sun. This was our third year participating in Giving DuPage 5K Run/Walk event benefiting charities in DuPage
Team RKI in 2016 Human Race – Successful Event! Read More »
RKI has been awarded a $5,000 grant from The Friendship Fund to fund general operating expenses for the organization. The Friendship Fund is a Boston-based organization that provides support for a wide range of educational, environmental, health-related and cultural interests. We are humbled by the level of support provided to our small organization from The
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mySuburbanLife.com Article August 5, 2015 | By Evan Shields – eshields@shawmedia.com WESTMONT – Through water-based therapy a Westmont nonprofit is helping people who may be in the same boat with grief or addiction issues. Mary Anne Smrz, a Westmont resident, founded the Red Kayak Institute based on her own experiences. “About six or seven years
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NC State University Philanthropy Journal Article August 3, 2015 | By Staff of Red Kayak Institute When a novice kayaker writes, “I was truly able to calm my thoughts and worries,” the staff of Red Kayak Institute fulfills its mission. Mary Anne Smrz established the Red Kayak Institute to help individuals facing life challenges. Six
It All Comes Right on the Water Read More »
Chicago Tribune Article June 17, 2015 | By Community Contributor obtener33 This month the Red Kayak Institute held the third annual kayak retreat for Edward Cancer Center survivors and caregivers at Saganashkee Slough Forest Preserve. Social workers from Edward Cancer Center invited patients and caregivers who could benefit, and equipment from TheKayakers.com made the event
Red Kayak Institute and Edward Cancer Center Retreat (6-15) Read More »
