Book Tour 2024

Always Ask for Help book tour a Success!

In August, we left Safety Harbor, Florida embarking on a 4,000 mile road trip.

We encountered surprises, new voices, family, students, teachers, and unforgettable moments. We captured all of it for our documentary.

Here are the most memorable parts.

Wilson, NC

First stop, Wilson NC. Unexpectedly, I learned that kidney stones were a thing. I was rushed to the emergency room where they found 5 medium sized kidney stones giving me a level ten pain! I decided that nothing was going to stop our trip so loaded up with pain meds, we packed 100 books and left Safety Harbor bound for the unknown!

We stopped in Wilson, North Carolina to visit family and gear up for the trip. Little did I know it but family members were very interested in the project. They connected to Arnie's story and told me their own stories too. I was so thrilled to hear the voice of Steve's young niece reading the first page of Arnie's story, "I was in grade 1 for two years, grade 2 for two years..."

Narragansett, RI

We did not think that we would have a stop in RI but at the last minute we decided to add it in. I wanted to see my friend and production assistant, Francesca Donlan! We ended up at the Hampton Inn where we met the front desk agent, Adam Shaked. I explained why I was in town and started talking to him about Arnie's story. Adam related to the story explaining that he too struggled with literacy but had found ways to overcome his challenges to be the success he is today!

We checked in to the hotel and I received a message from the Professor and Associate Dean of Education for the University of Rhode Island, Amy Broemmell. She wanted to meet! Francesca and I hopped in her car and met with Amy. We discussed the education program at her University and how Arnie's story might shine a light for preservice teachers who might be unaware that this issue exists. I signed a book for her and we made plans to circle back after the tour.

Francesca and I toured her beautiful home and met her mom before packing up again bound for Maine!

Harrison, Maine

I have not been on a vacation for 10 years. Harrison, Maine was that moment for me to take a breath and prepare for Canada. I knew what I had to do next. I was taking my friend's story home to his family. I was fullfilling my promise. Maine was a moment for me to sit by the river and prepare myself. We had lobster, toured New Hampshire, and I got my moment to paint. It was the pause before the reason we started this journey. I was soaking it up.

And Charlee got to swim in the lake.

1,000 Islands

A super special unexpected stop was in The Thousand Islands. We stayed on shore at a little motel that reminded me of Schitt's Creek. Steve's friends have a fabulous island one of a group of more than 1,800 islands in the St. Lawrence River, straddling the border of the U.S. and Canada. We had a fabulous breakfast on the shore and Charlee got to go swimming! I made a new friend and got to experience something only few people get to experience.

Barrie, Ontario

Meeting with my colleagues, friends, and family in Barrie was something I cannot even explain properly. The tears we shed and the amazing hugs filled me up. I was so proud to bring the book to these wonderful people. They each had a part in the story. Each one of them made this possible with their support and love. I signed books personally for each one. Even though it was a short visit, I felt like our connections will be stronger than ever. How lucky I am to have my Canadian support system.

In the morning, I got to speak to an entrepreneur women's group. I knew they understood me and connected with me right away. I was so honored to be there and we sold lots of books.

The Journey to Cobalt

I bought special pens for Arnie's brothers and sisters to use for signing the books. It was so special because Arnie's nephew Lee and his amazing wife Terri escorted us from Barrie to Cobalt. The roads were perfect, the sun was shining. We saw Inuksuks and Moose signs. We listened to Arnie's audio book all along the ride to Cobalt.

We stopped at Webers and posed with all the landmarks. I felt ready and calm. I was going to do the thing I promised to do 20 years ago. It was time.

Cobalt, Ontario

We arrived in Cobalt and took a few photos of the sign where Arnie and I once stood. We went to the bell and the mining cars. We set up down the street in our airbnb. I felt calm although a bit emotional. I heard that the family was there and that some of them came a long way to be there for this. We stopped by the book store. We planned for a full house. We were ready.

The big day!

It was an amazing feeling. All the brothers and sisters and a literacy tutor for the boys were lined up at a book signing table. Arnie's childhood friends came and all of us knew that Arnie would have been so proud. I placed his book on the shelf in the book store. These signed copies are very special.

Arnie's brother Benny took us for a tour of Cobalt. We went through the mining museum, posed with the bell, and Arnie's brothers and Sisters took us back up to where the old house once stood. It was so lovely to see the girls holding hands to get up the hill. They were determined to see it again and they said this time was easier to climb because they had shoes on.

Benny gave me this stone with the white line around it. He said I was having a full circle moment with this project. He said he believed that now that the circle was complete I could go on to start new full circles by making a difference in the world. I know he is right.

My red scarf and I danced in the sunset. It happened and my promise was kept. I celebrated in my way.

Pittsburgh, PA

We travelled through Barrie, Niagara Falls, then Pittsburgh. I was excited to see my family and my best friend Jenny from 30 years ago!

Chatham University

Speaking to pre-service teachers at the University of Chatham was a special honor. I was a student who struggled to stay in school. I scraped by with student loans and determination to finish. I wanted to make something of myself and be successful in the classroom. I looked up to Jean Anne Hattler my professor. I emulated her and was so proud to have her there that night.

My favorite part of the evening was the line up to buy Always Ask for Help. One after another told me their stories and thanked me for inspiring them. I loved meeting these new teachers. I know our book is continuing to make a difference.

Literacy Pittsburgh

The next stop was a tour of Literacy Pittsburgh. I met current adult basic education students and was able to share Arnie's story with them. One student related to the dog food story saying, "Yes, I fed my family cat food one time. It tasted like tuna!" After the tour, the director mentioned that there was a man I should meet. His name was Walter Long.

Walter has a story silimar to Arnie's. Walter overcame literacy challenges in his life to be an inspiration to others. He travelled the world and even got to meet Barbara Bush! Walter allowed me to interview him. Steve and I spent our final day in Pittsburgh creating art with my friend, Kevin Wenner.

The Pier and Other Things That were Lost

Returning home, we skipped over our planned trip to Asheville. This was lucky because Hurricane Helene was scraping up the Gulf Coast directly to Asheville. There was unbelievable destruction. We had strong wind and flooding in Safety Harbor. The worst thing that happened was the loss of our (my) beloved pier.

Days later, we were evacuated for Hurricane Milton. A category three storm heading straight for us. Our neighbors lost everything from the water rising but we were not touched. We were shook by it.

And then the election came.

Houston, TX and Boston, MA

I will end the year with two back to back conferences for Literacy and English.

That full circle moment happened and there is a new full circle beginning. A time when the project evolves to meet this cutting edge moment. A time when we need inspiration more than ever before. Arnie is with me looking over my shoulder like always.

Please respond!

What do you think of our journey so far?

Tell me about your own full circle moments.

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