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Nostalgia: ....a desire for the familiar... or beloved circumstance .... any longing... a wish to return home Writer and "Teller" of Profound Stories and Merry Tales of Mirth Specializing in transforming difficulties into humor. Her credentials are; Freelance Newspaper and Magazine Columnist, Writer, Photojournalist, Humorist, Poet, Television Producer, Creative Writing & Motivational workshop designer and presenter. She has presented her workshops and "One Woman Comedy Show" at the Legendary Club Passim, Country Clubs, Libraries, and at the prestigious 18th annual "Sharing The Fire" Storytelling Conference at Simmons College, Tufts University (TAB) and at University of Massachusetts, Salem State College Entrepreneurial Centers and at the Center for Business and Learning.
Peggy Melanson and "Experience Unlimited" present "A One Woman Comedy Show" "Finding the Courage to Create " "Buddha on the Bus" (dealing with a cancer diagnosis) "Stonescape painting" (creative art on stone and wood)
For more information email her at: peggy@findingcourage.com
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photo by Somerville Community Access TV |
Winning Essay for Peggy Melanson, 2002 Olympic Torchbearer "Overcoming obstacles has been a lifelong accomplishment for Peggy Melanson. While struggling with cancer, she wrote. "Buddha on the Bus," a series of inspirational short stories about her travels to and from cancer treatments. This remarkable "late-bloomer" has spent the last several years teaching and inspiring others around New England how to achieve worthwhile goals with her "Finding the Courage to Create" motivational workshops. Her Storytelling performances, "Stonescape" painting classes at schools, libraries and garden centers are examples of her passion to teach others how to confront and overcome adversity"
FOR MORE OLYMPIC TORCH PICTURES CLICK ON PHOTO ACCOLADES |
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Pilfered Orange Cranberry Scones |
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Peggy Melanson - Olympic Torchbearer In September, 2001, Holyoke, Massachusetts resident, formerly from Somerville, Massachusetts, Peggy Melanson was notified that because of an essay submitted to Olympic Sponsor, Chevrolet, she was chosen to represent the City of Somerville as an Olympic Torchbearer for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. American Movie Classics Television Network and Romance Classics also selected her from hundreds of women, nationwide, as "Cool Woman of America" for her astounding contributions to the creative arts. Peggy Melanson is a former Medical Office Management consultant, who because of her dismay with the Medical Insurance Industry's lack of integrity took an incredible leap of creative faith, quit her job and changed her life forever. She is also a cancer survivor who instead of complaining about her bout with the disease, wrote a book of short stories detailing conversations with people that she met on buses and trains while traveling to and from radiation treatments. "Buddha on the Bus" is still growing with new stories every day. Click on Stories and Poems to view. An Integral Part of the Cultural Landscape Massachusetts Congressman Michael Capuano wrote a letter of recommendation for her television production "Attainable Goals-The Sunsetters." (Available at Libraries) "Through her accomplishments, Peggy has become an integral part of the cultural landscape of Greater Boston. Her thought provoking articles are read in hundreds of community newspapers; her performances are well-attended and well-loved in schools, colleges and libraries; her television credentials are impressive and reflect a life of dedicated work in the creative arts; and colleagues and newcomers alike come together to benefit from her workshops." Chef Nostalgia For the past several years, as "Chef Nostalgia" she has written and published "storytelling" food columns with several magazines and newspapers. She designed and presents "Finding the Courage to Create" creative arts workshops and has become an inspiration to many people, especially woman all over New England... As a creative writing teacher, more than twelve of her students have become published writers. She Magically Transforms Pain into Love Christine Casoli wrote, "She sat across from me in writing class and read the opening to her memoir. She showed me what it was like to trust and release, to walk through pain and emerge stronger. She set a courageous example and in doing so, gave me a wonderful gift. When asked what inspires her, Melanson said, "Animals and plants..... because they're not encumbered by societies rules or laws. They live naturally, and they don't hurt deliberately." She has the ability to magically transform pain into love and wisdom that can be shared to make the world a better place." Peggy is a gifted writer, photographer, "stonescape" artist, performing artist and professional storyteller for grownups. In a few short years, she has grown and shared her talents with hundreds of students at colleges, schools and libraries, clubs and private venues all around New England. Testimonials, Photographs and "The Gift" Click on testimonials to see more tributes from former students. Visit workshops and photographs to see her photographs of adults, high school students and 7-10 year old children who have benefited from her wonderful stonescape painting classes. Her photographs are breathtaking and her poems can leave you stunned and breathless by beauty or tragedy. And, she's accomplished all of this in less than ten years. Enter "Stories and Poems" for two very special and amazing, true tales. "The Gift" is about surviving cancer by sharing. The other, "The Girls who Work" is a story about her life as a child. Click on "Recipes" to read, "Italian by Osmosis" a story of spaghetti pie and love. Peggy Melanson touches everyone she meets with her perseverance, newly discovered talents and dedication to change. She's simply wonderful.......and very funny too! |
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"You gave us permission to dream....Our first assignment, "It was the color of..." allowed me to experience all of my senses in creating the elements of Nature. I could feel the wind against my face.. the crackling of leaves beneath my feet... We became writers in your class. We will always look at a piece we have written and see your spirit hiding beneath the words. Thank you for helping us find the courage to create." Tribute by Stephanie Cronin, Workshop student ""Through her accomplishments, Peggy has become an integral part of the cultural landscape of Greater Boston. Her thought provoking articles are read in hundreds of community newspapers; her performances are well-attended and well-loved in schools, colleges and libraries; her television credentials are impressive and reflect a life of dedicated work in the creative arts; and colleagues and newcomers alike come together to benefit from her workshops." by Massachusetts Congressman, Michael E. Capuano |
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photo by James MacAllister |
On behalf of Romance Classics,.... I would like to congratulate you on winning the Cool Women of America Award for 2000. We were searching for ordinary women leading extraordinary lives. A cool woman is one who has made a difference in her own life and in the lives of others. She comes from all walks of life; the arts, politics, education or social services, to name a few, She's the kind of person who has lived her life in a unique way and used her talents to inspire others. She has a soul and spirit that represents a community of women worldwide. And has a story that is absolutely inspiring." And that, Peggy is you! excerpts from Cool Women of America award letter
Congratulations! You have been selected as a Torchbearer for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay. Last spring, Chevrolet asked the public to nominate someone who they found inspirational to carry the Olympic Flame. You were nominated in this program and on behalf of Chevrolet and the Salt Lake City Organizing Committee, I would like to personally invite you to carry the Olympic Flame as it travels across the landscape of America. Mitt Romney, President and CEO, Salt Lake Organizing Committee |
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