Fireside Chats take place throughout the year, hosting individuals from all walks of life who openly share interesting stories that intrigue, educate, inspire and stretch the boundaries of ordinary life experiences.   Previous Fireside Chats have included poet Maya Angelou upon receiving the Courage of Conscience Award; human rights activist, Harry Wu upon his release from prison in China; Amnesty Int’l Prisoner of Conscience, Ngawang Choephel upon his release from prison in Tibet: Jesuit priest and anti-war activist Daniel Berrigan upon receiving the Courage of Conscience Award; and active duty Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia while AWOL from the Iraq War and living underground at The Peace Abbey in Sherborn as a conscientious objector — and many other remarkable people.

In the spring of 2017, Maddie Walters spoke to us about her miraculous journey of recovery from a brain injury, a result of an accident that nearly took her life.  She spoke eloquently about her struggle to learn to walk again, her desire to talk again and her unrelenting stamina to be her full self again.  Along with her mother Linda, Maddie reminded us of how precious life is, and the importance of family, friendships, and community during recovery from an accident.  Maddie will begin her pre-college internship at the Peace Abbey Foundation in July during which she will assist with peace and social justice projects.

In mid-October, 2016, we welcomed Massachusetts State Trooper Coleman F. Connolly who shared stories of leading the official motorcycle detail that provided escort to the following presidents:   Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and  Barack Obama.  He also reflected on his experience escorting Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandella and other extraordinary people in history when they visited Massachusetts.