Grit & Grace: Katie Vandi

“Being among the plants, flowers, and the earth I feel like I belong to something bigger than myself. It’s home, and it always will be. I someday hope to use agriculture and the farm as a place for healing. I hope that it can be a place for learning, growth (in all forms), and a pillar of hope for younger generations to come.

I have so much pride to be a woman in agriculture! Farming and agriculture historically have been occupations held mostly by men. I’m honored to be in a position to lead by example and show other women and school age kids that you can grow up to be ANYTHING you want, make money, and most importantly be happy all at the same time.

I find worth in being able to feed people good nutritious food and be able to show them where it comes from, and how to grow it! Food connects all of us. I also believe one of the most important things we can do for our children, and humanity in general, is preserve the sanctity of our food system.

All I can truly hope for is to be a light in this world and to teach my kids how to be a light for others and for themselves. You don’t have to be famous or have a ton of money to be able to make an impact, you just have to be kind. As long as you’re doing your job with loving kindness then you will have made a difference...there is no question.”

Katie is a farmer at Meadowbrook Farms in Hamilton, MA. For more information, visit: www.meadowbrookfarmstand.com

Grit & Grace: Nancy Henry

“I love being STRONG. I decided to follow my passion into the dirt work at 50. I practically begged my way into a crew job at a local organic farm. I was insanely happy and wept with pain many nights when I came home. After two years of farming I felt confident and was ready to start my own business helping people maintain or create their own oases of flowers, shrubs, butterflies, berries, and birds. Of course I continue to have a lot to learn... and will for my lifetime.

I love being WILD. To be a woman is to be a creator and nurturer of life on a very elemental, gritty, utterly committed level. The smell, feel, and taste of the soil takes me to a place of oneness with the Earth and of humility and communion with the microbes in the soil, the fungal web that carries messages between the trees for miles and miles, the worms that break down the leaves, the birds that feed on the worms. All I want is to be one of them, to play my part in the continuing, cyclical, profound act of creation that is life on Earth. God is in every atom of this work. It feeds my soul.

I can get stuck in depression and inertia, especially in winter. When I stay very busy, I am better. Hard work, fed by a passion, has saved me from the pit time and again. I need to be outside, experiencing natural forces, even if it’s freezing, soaking, and painful.

Though I can get discouraged, in the long run I can’t seem to stop dreaming. If you have hope and a dream,
you will find that the darkness always dissolves into the light of a new and wiser, more meaningful phase of life. At least that is what I have found.”

Nancy Henry is the Founder and Owner of Garden Nana, and also a pet sitter on Boston’s North Shore.

Grit & Grace: Dianne Kaplan Bucco

“I am a middle child and only daughter who grew up in the 70-80’s. I graduated college with a romance language degree and certifications for group fitness instruction. I fell into a teaching position and loved it so I completed a masters program in teaching. I taught languages and fitness at all levels in all sorts of environments. I met my husband John and got married and had 3 kids. I stayed at home with them and volunteered wherever they were for about 10 years. I re-entered the workforce in more of a secretarial position and 5 years later I fell into the Town Clerk opportunity. Falling into this position was finding the perfect job for me at the perfect time! It still feels like that. My children have now all graduated college and becoming more and more independent every year.

I developed my work ethic from watching both my parents and also from my elementary education. My parents have always been very dedicated to whatever they chose to do and I have seen them feel success when their goal is attained. In my elementary school years, I learned amazing study habits and the importance of hard work from my teachers (Mrs. Madorsky, Ms. Morgan & Mr. Shulman)

I find my worth in the impact I make in other people’s lives; my husband’s, my children’s, my parents’ and my community’s. My passion in life is teaching others: from how to walk, to ski, to exercise, to speak other languages, to participate in your local community. I like to make sure others understand anything they need/want to know.”

Dianne Kaplan Bucco is the Town Clerk for the town of Wenham, MA

Grit & Grace: Dr. Fiona Breslin

“It’s an enormous privilege to be allowed into another human’s most personal space within seconds of meeting them. I am blessed on a daily basis to enjoy the sort of beautiful, close human connection which is otherwise a rare phenomenon. I find my worth in knowing that I can make a positive impact on people’s lives pretty much every day. Sometimes, it’s not even the dramatic resuscitations but the hugs that make the biggest difference. It’s most important to me to be useful and I do feel that I am useful.”

Dr. Fiona Breslin is an Emergency Room Physician at Beverly Hospital in Massachusetts.

Grit & Grace: Julie Lopes

“I am a hard worker. Sometimes too hard. I have grown my business from a 3 person operation to a 14 person operation. I love what I do, and can easily put in 60+ hours of work each week. My biggest challenge is delegating responsibilities to other people. I have a huge fear of change, and am afraid if I pass work responsibilities on to others they won’t get them done right, and things will start to crumble. That is by far the biggest challenge I need to overcome.

I am running a growing business and raising 2 kiddos. It is completely exhausting, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love what I do. I just wish there was more time in the day. My kids are my world. The unconditional love and bond I have with them almost feels surreal. Their happiness and joy is what makes my heart sing.

My passion in life is to be the best that I can be. To not be afraid of failure. To know that my personal best may not be as good as someone else’s personal best. To be honest and treat people with respect and dignity.

Be good to others. Treat people the way you like to be treated. Challenge yourself from time to time. Set goals and push to achieve them. And most of all, have fun.”

Julie Lopes is the owner of Shirts Illustrated in Salem, Massachusetts. For more info: www.shirtsillustratedsalem.com/

Grit & Grace: Lauren Kroesser Moran

“The most important thing to me is family and community. That’s why I chose to open Honeycomb in Hamilton, the area in which I grew up. I want to give a little bit back to the North Shore and help pave the way for others to do the same. My family is incredibly supportive and helpful in all ways. My father has even been known to wash dishes at Honeycomb when we are short-staffed! My mother comes by almost every day to help in any way she can and my husband is a co-owner with me. We work together, as our own beehive!

The biggest compliment to me, is seeing people happily enjoying their food/drink, while conversing with others at our cafe. To see the farm table, full of people of all ages, happily enjoying their day is gold to me! I love seeing mothers and children laughing, meetings happening and an older couple reading the newspaper all at the same time. It gives me a sense that people are comfortable here and it means a lot to see everyone chatting and catching up, instead of being buried in their cell phone. It is also so lovely for me to see my employees learn and explore their passions. All of my cooks share my passion for food and I make sure they have the ability to be creative also. It’s that collaboration that keeps everyone excited and learning! They teach me as much as I teach them!

Opening a new business was so much work, literal blood sweat and tears! Now that we’re established, letting go of every decision is difficult, but necessary. I have finally gotten to the point where I can take a day off and trust that Honeycomb is running smoothly. It’s hard, but I need to be better about trusting people and letting others take over a bit too.

As a society, we have been getting back to our roots over the last decade and appreciating the land, the farmers and the makers. I hope that doesn’t get forgotten again, but instead grows more. It’s important to celebrate where we’re from and the bounty of our natural North Shore!”

Lauren is Owner and Chef at Honeycomb Bakery in Hamilton, MA. For more info: https://www.honeycombhamilton.com/

Grit & Grace: Jan Dempsey

“I grew up on a small farm in Vermont where our closest neighbor lived a half mile away. The landscape was extraordinary and Vermont is still my favorite state. I always cherished books, learning and literature, so a trip
to the public or school library was an adventure of discovery for me. I was so excited when I realized that the purpose of the public library was to provide all people with an equal opportunity for literacy and lifelong learning. As a public librarian, I wake up every day knowing that what I do supports the common good and it is a privilege to work in this supportive community.

When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time outside, whether I am hiking or working in my garden. The bird feeder and the bee hives are fascinating to me and plants are incredible. I have fun spending time with my grandchildren and watching their personalities unfold.

At the library, my staff and I value camaraderie and a few laughs during the day. It is not healthy to take ourselves too seriously. For example, I set off the security alarm when I completed a tour of the Library of Congress because I had a Hamilton-Wenham barcoded library book in my purse. My children doubled over in laughter while watching me sputter about my innocence to the security team. Well, doesn’t everyone keep a library book at the ready?

Each day I find so much for which to be grateful and I look to God for direction in my life and try to listen to His counsel. ‘The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.’ Psalm 19:8 “

Jan Dempsey has been the Director of the Hamilton-Wenham Library for fourteen years. She will retire this spring to spend more time with her grandchildren, volunteer work, and protecting our pollinators.

Grit & Grace: Becky Bishop Abbott

“I became interested in construction in my twenties when I was working a desk job and found myself tinkering around in my free time to satiate my creative needs. I’ve always sought a balance between the creative and the concrete. Much of my story has been shaped by bouts of depression, so there’s been a continuous push-and-pull to work out how my vocation speaks to my emotional health and vice versa. I find worth in helping others do things they didn’t know they were capable of doing. I love when a group of people come together and create something that is bigger than the sum of its parts. This has most often taken the form of putting a bunch of kids in a room together with instruments and being blown away by their ability to rise to the occasion and play music together.

I was drawn to The Children’s Piazza as a place where my friends felt safe to let their kids play and explore, while they as parents could feel some calm and restoration. Kids need to play, and caregivers need opportunities to recharge. I love that we’re providing a space that allows both, while also fostering community and a sense of belonging.

I’m motivated to see others succeed and overcome. I’m inspired by the brave people who are willing to share their stories, because every shared experience can pull someone off their own island of struggle. We are each other’s greatest resources. It’s tempting (especially in a world driven by social media) to try to act like we always have it together and that we always know what we’re doing. I think it’s important to discuss the challenges we face and encourage each other to reach out and receive support when we need it.”

Becky Bishop Abbott is Co-owner of The Children’s Piazza, Licensed Contractor, and Musician

For more information on the Children’s Piazza, visit: https://childrenspiazzapeabody.com

Grit & Grace: Charae D'Ambra

“I was born into an Italian family. Both my dad and maternal grandfather were pastors. Comforting people with food and affection was a way of life. In kindergarten, I wanted to be a doctor. I discovered what a nurse practitioner was in high school and decided the nursing route was a better fit for me because I wanted to focus on the whole person. I practiced pediatrics for 12 years before having my daughter.

Work was a big focus of my life before motherhood. I inherited the hustle mentality from my grandparents who came from immigrant families and The Great Depression. My husband visited Italy to ski annually before we got married. When we met, he encouraged me to consider the more European-esque appreciation for rest, play, beauty and simple pleasures.

I don’t think I ever imagined or dreamed about owning an indoor playground, until she was 12 months old. One Saturday I just needed my home to be toddler free to get some work done. My husband took her to meet a friend at an indoor playground that felt worn, dirty and unsafe to him, I quickly became obsessed and passionate about creating a space that parents could feel good about taking their little ones to because I saw the need.

I hope what we were able to do here was combine what I know about caring for the needs of others and an appreciation for the value of play along with the aesthetics of pleasant colors and music and the smell of coffee that just makes us feel better. Parenting young children is so physically and mentally exhausting, and isolating. Our secret mission here is actually reducing stress in families with young children. In a way, I think I have a greater impact on community health by creating The Piazza than I did in primary care pediatrics.

I’ve met so many incredible people as a result of this place, too. The connections tend to lead to more connections and the collaborations and networking we have been able to do here reminds me that this is bigger than me. There’s a greater purpose.

As women, we are the midwives and doulas of life; we bring things to life whether we have children or not. We can support each other by taking the time to really see each other, nurture potential in one another, and truly value each other. “

Charae is the Founder of The Children’s Piazza and also a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

For more information on the Piazza, visit: www.childrenspiazzapeabody.com

Grit & Grace: Erin Berrigan

“I grew up on a farm in western New York. We did not lead a very conventional life. Since I was a little girl I was raised to work hard, and be a contributing member of the family. I have always been a helper. My entire life I have struggled with self esteem and feeling “worthy” and I knew I wanted to enter into a field working with kids and families. I got my Masters in Counseling and Psychology and worked in both elementary schools and middle schools as a counselor before working for Lahey doing in-home therapy as a Clinician. Helping others, and working with children and families makes me feel like I am living a worthy life.

Turning 40 two years ago was empowering. I feel like my voice matters, means more, and I have more confidence in using it. Dealing with Type 1 Diabetes is complicated, grueling and difficult, but I also feel more ready than ever before to treat my body with value. Tomorrow is never a given...but to me, living a life that feels valuable and meaningful is about putting one foot in front of the other and tomorrow being a new day because let’s face it, some days are hard. Very hard. No sense in being miserable over it. Forgiving yourself, and taking care of yourself is a huge gift you can give yourself and your family.

My kids and my family have seen my ups and downs, my highs and lows. I want to be a role model for them in showing them that hard work, discipline, kindness, and a healthy perspective can help them get to where they strive to be in life.”

Erin is currently a Planning Room Facilitator for the public school system, and former preschool teacher at Christ Church Parish Day School in Hamilton, MA.