MOMS WHO ROCKED 2009
DAWN
January DAWN GARABEDIAN-WEBER, RUTLAND Thank you baystateparent for sharing my story. To know I am making a difference in the lives of others is so fufilling to me. Our New Year goals as a family are to continue to grow on the spiritual path in love, acceptance,kindness, non-judgement, and respect for one another. Through this journey I realized everything I ever really wanted I already had. I am truly a rich woman. And it has nothing to do with money.
KARA
The article on me generated a lot of interest in CASA which was wonderful. Since CASA is a non-profit agency and their funding has been drastically cut due to the fiscal crisis in Massachusetts, any publicity helps (casaworcestercounty. org). There are many people who balance work, family, and volunteering and all of them are amazing for doing so.
MARIA
It’s funny I’m on television every night.. but people were so excited to tell me “Hey, I saw you in baystateparent magazine!!!” It’s a thrill to hear that, and it was an honor to be in such a great, parent friendly mag.
February KARA MILOTTE, HOLDEN Pink SUZY
Since appearing in baystateparent, Ride FAR made the million dollar mark and more-- we’ve raised $1,100,000 for children and adults living with HIV/AIDS. I wrote and illustrated a kids’ world problem-solving journal (The Make it Better Book) which will be out in April and yesterday I accepted an offer from Bloomsbury USA to publish One Good Egg, the illustrated memoir about the baby decision, fertility treatment, and new parenting. It will be on their spring ‘12 list. Our family goals for 2010: 1. More family camping 2. Family biking without training wheels 3. Family reading 4. One of us becomes good at remembering names.
TRACY
March MARIA STEPHANOS, FOXBORO One day I was shopping at my local Shaw’s grocery store and the manager came over to me and said she saw my article in the baystateparent magazine! She said she told everyone that I shopped at her store and showed everyone the article. She wished me well with my son Christopher. Christopher successfully ended his chemotherapy in the middle of September and is fully in remission. He will stay in remission for seven years, and then he will be cancer free. He was extremely excited to tell everyone that ‘no more chemo’ when he went back to school. Also, we are excited that Christopher will receive a wish thru Make-A-Wish. We will be going to Disney in the spring.
JOHN
I received many kind and thoughtful compliments from other parents who saw the article. Interestingly, many of these comments came from folks that I consider to be role models when it comes to parenting. There are many, many great parents in our communities, and I’d just like to acknowledge them. They know who they are because they’ve got kids that know their parents care about them more than anything else!
April SUZY BECKER, BOLTON JAN
Unfortunately, at the time of press we couldn’t reach Jan, but we are wishing her well in 2010.
BETTE
It was nice to know that I may have inspired others to take the plunge into business while raising a family. It’s not easy, but parents reading and hearing about those of us who have made the effort provides encouragement. I anticipate that 2010 will continue to give my family, friends, and me continued good health. I would hope for peace throughout the world but since that may not occur, I’ll focus on new and interesting cookie ideas. baystateparent provides a much needed niche for new families.
May TRACY POPLAWSKI, WEBSTER SARAH
I got amazing feedback. People said they found the story to be “inspirational” and “motivating,” which is frankly a little embarrassing, but very flattering. I also heard from some old friends I’ve lost touch with - they saw the story and dropped me an email - so it provided a nice way to reconnect with some great people.
In the new year, I’d love to make my site, Semi- Sweet.org, even more helpful and fun for people. If you visited Semi-Sweet, give me some feedback on what you like, what you don’t like, what you wish was there, etc. I hear from a bunch of folks regularly, but there are a lot of readers checking in daily that I don’t hear from.
JANE
Pejamajo’s Tapas on Friday nights has become quite the hot spot in Holliston. Our chefs have weekly creations that will rival any Boston restaurant!
June JOHN LLODRA, GROTON ELI and SHERI
Being featured in baystateparent was fabulous. We are so proud!
Since our story ran last month, we opened a new Magic Beans toy store in Huron Village in Cambridge. It only took us 26 days from signing the lease to opening our doors. It was a HUGE team effort, and it is going well.
And...if you don’t already know about Full Moon restaurant across the street from our new store - you should. It is a restaurant with a playscape where families can come and eat, and children can roam and play safely. It is the most kid-friendly restaurant around, and we thrilled to be across the street.
How do we pick the moms we feature anyway?
All moms (and dads) rock in some way...whether it’s because they parent kids with special needs, own their own businesses, volunteer, have a positive attitude... baystateparent has had the challenge of choosing the moms we feature each month (We have some fabulous readers!) and have tried to feature a variety of women from across Massachusetts...from working moms to single moms to grandmoms. We look forward to meeting more of you in 2010. If you know an inspiring mom (and we know you do), please e-mail us at editor@baystateparent.com.
July JAN KAPESALIS, ARLINGTON
August STACEY ARTEMIS, BOLTON
September BETTE GOSULE, NEEDHAM
October SARAH A.O. ISENBERG, BELMONT
November JANE SAVAS, HOLLISTON
December ELI and SHERI GUROCK, BROOKLINE
