The Tillie Ride

Author Archives: Sue Stauffacher

Keep those cards and letters coming!

Posted on by Posted in The Backstory, Training .

Recently I asked kids to write to me about a time when they were scared and how they overcame their fears.  It’s amazing what a boost to the soul this can be.  We all get frightened.  We all find ways to overcome our fear and move forward.  In my case, 50 miles a day for five days…to be exact.  In the event that you are facing a difficult situation, read on for some wise advice.  My words of encouragement are, ask for help when you need it.  I was so heartened by these letters.

At one school, Katrise, pictured below, stayed in from recess to make this card for me.   I cherish this card.

Here’s another wise letter (how do these kids get so wise?)  If you have any thoughts to add, don’t keep them to yourself.  Write me a letter. 1080 Knapp Street, NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505.

We have our schools!

Posted on by Posted in Route .

Our goal with the Tillie Ride is to reach out to more than 1,000 schoolchildren who have never met a children’s book author and haven’t heard the wonderful story of Tillie the Terrible Swede.  The lucky schools have been named.  In addition to the schools below, we will be making a few bookstore and library visits to reach more kids.  See our school list below!

Teachers and authors make books come alive

North Park Elementary

337 Cheney Avenue, NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Pine Creek Elementary

1184 136th Avenue

Holland, MI 49424

Glenn Elementary

1394 Adams

Glenn, MI 49416

Coloma Middle School

274 South West Street

Coloma, MI 49038

Morton Elementary

267 North Hull

Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Galien Elementary

122 E. Southeastern Avenue

Galien, MI 49113

Marsh Elementary

400 East Homer Street

Michigan City, IN 46360

J.W. Cook Elementary

8150 South Bishop Street

Chicago, IL 60620

Hurrah!  Can’t wait to meet you all!

Max saves the day again–dad was there–Robin to Max’s Batman

Posted on by Posted in Route, Uncategorized .

I have been unable to upload files to my blog…but my teen-aged son, Max, came over and saved the day.  He needed ftp info from Dad, so that’s what got Roger the nickname, Robin….

This is me at one of our final destinations in Chicago.  But it’s still March, not May.  And that’s a little cold for me… not for everyone, however.

After our last school, we will  head to the Sulzer Branch of the Chicago Public Library.  Here I am with Mary Frueh-Lardie and Karen Mariani-Mondala, who work at the library.  We’re all excited and wondering which school children will join us for the last leg of the journey.  And will they ride?  There’s a rumor that my darling niece, Amara, will join us to ride for a little while.

Here’s the library from the outside…

Then on to our final destination!

The kids there will be doing some wonderful bicycling activities and learning about Tillie until we roll in.

Here I am with Karin Abercrombie, the Executive Director of the museum.  We loved the museum!  A wonderful interactive play area for kids as well as a tour through the life of the typical Swedish immigrant.  the trunk below was labeled ‘Anderson’ and I imagined what it would be like if it were Tillie’s.

Plans are proceeding apace.  We have almost all our schools signed up…and even more importantly, I have stepped up my training!  Details to come soon.