Latest news with #Patty
Boston Globe
21-07-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
How a DIY invention helped me conquer a 333-mile bike trip
Then last year, I got a springtime idea. I proposed to my family and friends that we go on a bike-packing ride on the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath, a 333-mile riverside route from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. Advertisement I had ridden thousands of miles on a handcycle, a low-riding machine powered by arms instead of legs. The idea of riding a long way on a bike was not new. However, the idea of camping with my bike, and specifically figuring out a way to get down to the ground to sleep in a tent (and back up again), was new. My weak legs could not thrust me upward or support me downward. After much trial and error, I figured out a home solution. When on my knees, I could grab a stationary object like a bench or the arms of a sturdy patio chair and, leveraging against it, do an inclined push-up to stand. Advertisement But there were no patio chairs on the dirt and gravel trail where we were going. I needed a light, portable device. But I couldn't find something like that on the market. No sleek camp chair that folded into nothing. I had been here before. Years earlier, in slightly different circumstances, I had reached out to Olin College of Engineering, which has a community program focused on low-cost mobility workarounds, but they couldn't turn the trick either. I needed to make something. Design innovation wasn't my calling card, but willfulness is. I thought nonstop about the problem. Because it had to be something that could be carried on a bike, the item had to disassemble after use. It had to be robust enough to withstand a human being's full weight multiple times a day. Mostly it could not fail. My weak legs could not thrust me upward or support me downward. After much trial and error, I figured out a home solution. Todd Balf I found a design that made sense on the blog of a CrossFit madman: a pair of mini handrails made from PVC that the guy used to do handstands on. I scaled everything up, creating knee-high hurdles. I based their height on the arms of the rigid deck chair I used in my yard for lifting up from my handcycle. Wide penguin feet and a beefier PVC grade provided stability. There were nearly two dozen pieces in all. Amazingly, it worked. When we rode the trail last May, we merrily dubbed the device the 'Todd-Me-Up.' I was proud enough to send a three-minute-long demonstration video to my former rehab hospital in Boston. It was a challenging ride for me — my canes were strapped to the frame of my bike — but the minute I stopped to stand, the others would rifle their bags for the PVC pieces, and, pit crew-style, assemble them. Advertisement I rode alongside and shared a weeklong trail adventure with those closest to me, including my son, brother, several friends, and my wife, Patty. Over six days we raised money for charity and saw all the things that make the trail beloved: the bird life, the turtle life, the bald eagles, and the crashing white water of the Youghiogheny River in Pennsylvania and Great Falls in Virginia. We ate super food (White's Ferry pickle sandwiches) and were treated to trailside wisdom from the likes of 'Son of Bill' in Little Orleans, Md., and George in West Newton, Pa., the resident DIY campground specialist who approved of my PVC magic. I can't be sure I will go on a run of making stuff. Problem-solving is an instrument of hope. The energy isn't always there. The cancer has spread. My legs are much weaker, and even the redoubtable Todd-Me-Up isn't enough to help me stand. There is a part of me that thinks my DIY triumph might be as good as it gets. I felt similarly decades ago, when I won a bunch of poker money one night, never having played poker before. I never played again. Or maybe there will be another place and time where there will be something else that I must do. But first I'll have to make something. And I will. Advertisement
North Wales Live
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Squishmallows are returning to McDonald's Happy Meals
Squishmallows are returning to McDonald's Happy Meals with 15 to collect including Halley, a never-before-seen Intergalactic Axolotl (not yet available in retail) and other fan favourites. Each has its own backstory and personality. Available in all restaurants nationwide from Wednesday, July 2, each Happy Meal will come with a Squishmallows plush toy or a Little People, Big Dreams Book. Patty and Cam, two fan-favourite Squishmallows, will be making special appearances at select restaurants nationwide, where families can join in with interactive activities and collect Squishmallows trading cards. Find your nearest participating restaurant here. For those families who'd prefer a story, the Happy Meal book option running alongside, features two titles from the Little People, Big Dreams series: I Can Sprint to Success, Usain Bolt and I Can Plan an Adventure to Space, Katherine Johnson. Available for around £4.19, a Happy Meal contains a choice of Fish Fingers, Chicken McNuggets or Veggie Dippers with a Melon bag side, plus drink options including water, milk, or a Robinsons Fruit Shoot.
Wales Online
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Squishmallows are returning to McDonald's Happy Meals
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Squishmallows are returning to McDonald's Happy Meals with 15 to collect including Halley, a never-before-seen Intergalactic Axolotl (not yet available in retail) and other fan favourites. Each has its own backstory and personality. Available in all restaurants nationwide from Wednesday, July 2, each Happy Meal will come with a Squishmallows plush toy or a Little People, Big Dreams Book. Patty and Cam, two fan-favourite Squishmallows, will be making special appearances at select restaurants nationwide, where families can join in with interactive activities and collect Squishmallows trading cards. Find your nearest participating restaurant here. For those families who'd prefer a story, the Happy Meal book option running alongside, features two titles from the Little People, Big Dreams series: I Can Sprint to Success, Usain Bolt and I Can Plan an Adventure to Space, Katherine Johnson. Available for around £4.19, a Happy Meal contains a choice of Fish Fingers, Chicken McNuggets or Veggie Dippers with a Melon bag side, plus drink options including water, milk, or a Robinsons Fruit Shoot.
Perth Now
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Maroons find diamond in rough as Gem sheds happy tears
They call him 'Gem' and the rise of Gehamat Shibasaki from rugby league limbo to Queensland debutant is the ultimate diamond in the rough story. The 27-year-old centre has gone from zero to hero at Brisbane after not having an NRL deal in the pre-season. Now, after scoring 12 tries in 15 matches for the Broncos, Shibasaki will make State of Origin history as the first player on a development-list contract to play Origin football. Maroons coach Billy Slater said this week that Shibasaki had 'an inspirational story' to tell and the pride and emotion with which he spoke in camp on Tuesday was palpable. The phone call he fielded from Slater to tell him he was playing in the Origin decider in Sydney next week was a dream come true. Now he wants to make the most of the opportunity and ensure his first match as a Maroon is not a one-off. 'I didn't have Billy's number saved so I answered it. It was a wholesome conversation and one I dreamed of as a kid,' he said. 'I am trying to soak it all in and focus on each day. My family is so happy and there's been a lot of happy tears. 'I will take this experience and fingers crossed it's a continuing thing playing for Queensland. 'I am ready. I am prepared for this. Madge (Broncos coach Michael Maguire) said to me that if you prepare well, you will be ready and I will be prepared for this. 'I've done the hard work.' Shibasaki, a former three-time Queensland Under 20s representative, was playing for Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup last year. By chance it was a conversation with fellow Broncos and Maroons teammate Pat Carrigan that inspired him to aim higher. 'I was pretty happy with working and playing footy at the Blackhawks,' he said. 'The pressure of NRL, I didn't feel like going through that again, but Patty came to town to play the Cowboys and that lit the fire again. 'It was just a 'wake up to yourself' sort of thing where Patty said to come back for one more try and 'come and live with me if you want'. 'Now he is asking me for fuel money. 'I gave Wynnum a call, they gave me a chance, and it's gone from there.' Shibasaki still had no guarantees and had to earn his chance, moving from a train and trial deal with the Broncos to the development list contract he is currently on. 'I'm on a development deal so I have a lot to prove. I am just playing my best footy,' he said. 'Six months ago, I didn't have a contract. I was just scraping through ... fighting my way through the pre-season and trying to get fit. 'I just kept working hard and I knew after Christmas the footy would come along. 'It's all paid off. We have some outstanding players in the background at the Broncos so we are all fighting each other for a spot. 'I'm just focusing on my role.'
Associated Press
24-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Amerant Bancorp Announces Appointment of Two New Board Members
CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 24, 2025-- Amerant Bancorp Inc. (NYSE: AMTB) ('Amerant' or 'the Company') and its subsidiary, Amerant Bank, N.A. (the 'Bank'), today announced the appointment of two accomplished executives, Patricia 'Patty' Morrison and Jack Kopnisky, to the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank. Their addition reflects the Company's continued commitment to strategic growth and further strengthening of the Board of Directors and executive management. 'We are delighted to welcome both Patty and Jack to our Board of Directors,' said Jerry Plush, Chairman and CEO of Amerant and the Bank. 'Patty's deep technology leadership and extensive board expertise, paired with Jack's enviable experience in leading high performing publicly traded financial services organizations, will be invaluable as we continue to grow and evolve Amerant into Florida's bank of choice. Their insights and guidance will help us achieve our ongoing commitment to delivering long-term value to our customers, shareholders, and communities.' Patricia 'Patty' Morrison is a highly respected information technology executive with a track record of success across multiple Fortune 500 companies. As a former Chief Information Officer of Cardinal Health, she led global technology operations and customer support functions. Her previous leadership roles at Motorola, Office Depot, PepsiCo, and GE reflect her deep expertise in cybersecurity, digital transformation, and large-scale IT execution. With extensive experience serving on the boards of prominent public companies, Patty brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in technology and governance that will support Amerant's innovation and digital transformation. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) where she also serves on the Audit and Nominating, Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committees. Jack Kopnisky brings more than 40 years of financial services industry leadership experience, having served in senior executive leadership roles at small to midsize banks and financial services companies. Most recently, he was Executive Chairman of Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS) and Webster Bank, having previously served as CEO of Sterling Bancorp prior to the merger of Sterling with Webster. He also has extensive banking experience from prior leadership roles at Key Bank and Society. His proven expertise in strategy and execution adds additional banking and governance expertise to the Board. In addition to Morrison and Kopnisky, Amerant recently added senior leaders Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and Odilon Almeida Júnior to the Board of Directors in January of 2025. All of these recent additions reflect Amerant's commitment to build upon its current board and execute on effective director succession planning. About Amerant Bancorp Inc. Amerant Bancorp Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida since 1979. The Company operates through its subsidiaries, Amerant Bank, N.A. (the 'Bank'), Amerant Investments, Inc., and Amerant Mortgage, LLC. The Company provides individuals and businesses with deposit, credit and wealth management services. The Bank, which has operated for over 40 years, is headquartered in Florida and operates 20 banking centers – 19 in South Florida and 1 in Tampa, FL. For more information, visit View source version on CONTACT: Media: Alexis Dominguez [email protected]: Laura Rossi [email protected] (305) 460-8728 KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA FLORIDA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FINANCE BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY SOURCE: Amerant Bancorp Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/24/2025 09:20 AM/DISC: 06/24/2025 09:19 AM
