Highlights of a Busy and Enjoyable Spring 2025 Speaking Season
REBA
My profound thanks to the Real Estate Bar Association (REBA) of Massachusetts for inviting me to deliver the keynote address at the organization’s annual Spring Conference at the beautiful Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Norwood, MA, a suburb of Boston.
This was my fourth time addressing this great organization and this time the topic was my book, The Great Abolitionist. The REBA organization includes lawyers, bank executives, judges, and other professionals affiliated with the real estate industry. It is always a warm, welcoming, and engaged audience! About 250 people were in attendance. I’m shown with REBA President Noel DiCarlo, who, along with Chief Operating Officer Nicole Cohen and Executive Director Peter Wittenborg did an outstanding job organizing the event and the details of my appearance. Thanks to REBA for this wonderful honor!
West End Museum
I had the honor to speak about The Great Abolitionist at Boston’s fantastic West End Museum, where more than 55 people attended and engaged in a spirited discussion.
The museum is a tribute to Boston’s once-thriving West End – a multi-ethnic neighborhood of working-class people, which was essentially bulldozed as part of an urban renewal project in the late 1950s. It was a true tragedy – essentially the end of a cohesive and vibrant Boston immigrant neighborhood. The staff, board, and patrons of the museum have done a remarkable job of preserving and showcasing this important piece of Boston history. I was proud to be a part of this program. I’m shown with Grace Clipson, the Museum’s former education manager (who has since left the museum), and Bob Potenza, archivist and curator, both of whom did an extraordinary job to help make the event a success.
The Cape Cod Retired Men’s Club
I had a wonderful afternoon in South Yarmouth, MA (on Cape Cod) discussing The Great Abolitionist with more than 70 members of the Cape Cod Retired Men’s Club. This is a fantastic club that provides many social activities for its members and their guests, and also sponsors numerous charitable works in the community. This history-loving group asked some excellent questions about Charles Sumner, the Civil War era, and the writing process overall. It was also inspirational and a pleasure to meet with an organization that opens its meeting by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing “America the Beautiful” in unison. I’d like to thank the club for a great event and for its generous donation to juvenile diabetes research for my appearance!
The Thomas Crane Library
My thanks to the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy, MA for hosting my appearance to discuss my book, American Treasures: The Secret Efforts to Save the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address. The event, which closed out my busy Spring speaking season, was part of Quincy’s 400th anniversary program. Thanks also to the enthusiastic audience, to library staffers, and to The Next Chapter Bookstore and More, a Quincy-based independent bookstore that handled sales. I’m shown here with “Next Chapter” owner Helena Skinner (holding my book) and assistant Kayla Barry-Skinner. Thanks to Quincy, the Thomas Crane Library, and Next Chapter Bookstore!
