frankie the walk n roll dog

Gearing up for “Walk, Roll and Read Day” in Memory of Frankie and Opening Day of Bookworm Gardens- May 4th.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Last year Beth the education coordinator of Bookworm Gardens came up with the idea to have an event called, “Walk, Roll & Read Day.” In case you are not familiar with me talking about Bookworm Gardens, it is an outdoor garden based on children’s books based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  Frankie, and the first book I wrote about her is represented in the garden thank you to wonderful sponsors who made this possible.  Frankie’s legacy lives on in the gardens.

barb-and-frankie-bwg

The event will be on Saturday, May 4th. Details are being worked out and I’ll share the final details here as well as on Facebook once I have them. There will be a small walk (and roll) around the University loop since the gardens are located across from Sheboygan UW. Beth sent out the pledge form today which will help raise donations for the gardens as well as for The Frankie Wheelchair Fund the day of the event.

It was one of those moments that came flooding over me that had tears flowing down my face when I read this on the pledge form, Barb Techel, author of Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog will lead the walk in memory of Frankie, and introduce her new dog, Joie.  

I still remember the day, a few short days before the grand opening of the gardens when John and a friend wheeled the Frankie dog house, which John lovingly built, that would represent Frankie’s story, into her special spot within the gardens. In front of her house is a stone statue representing Frankie with a wheelchair John and I donated. I can’t begin to express what it meant to me to have Frankie within those gardens.  I knew one day she would no longer be here, but it was so important to me to have her legacy live on for thousands of children– and this is exactly what is happening.

On May 4th Joie and I will help celebrate another season of the darling and enchanting Bookworm Gardens that provides smiles, laughter, reading, nature, and family fun time. But to know we will also celebrate the life and legacy of Frankie’s work touches me in a place in my heart that I can’t quite find adequate words for.

And now for a few more smiles… Joie is training hard for the under 1K walk and roll event on May 4th…. check it out!

Remembering Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog- Video

Posted by Barbara Techel

As I’ve been preparing for my book launch this Thursday, I put together a Powerpoint slideshow that will be on a loop for the event that evening. I wanted to also do something special for all of you that have been loyal Frankie fans and can’t be at my book launch.
So grab a cup of tea or coffee, or your favorite beverage and sit a spell… and take a walk down memory lane with me and the love dog on wheels who lives on not only in my heart… but the hearts of many.

Walking Down Memory Lane Today Preparing for My Book Launch

Posted by Barbara Techel

frankie legacy studios shot from behind

 Photo credit:  Legacy Studios

I’m preparing for my book launch which will be held at the Plymouth Arts Center in a nearby town only six miles from my home. It will be on Thursday, Feb. 28th.  Part of what I’m putting together is a slide show that I’ll have running on a loop for the evening on my laptop.  I’m planning on a short talk, selected reading, Q & A and then a book signing. Joie will also be on hand to meet everyone.

I’m happy to say that I’ve been smiling during the process of looking through photos to include in the slide show. I’m also amazed at everything Frankie and I did together. Pictures really do tell the story. I do wish I could have gotten more photos when we visited over 400 schools and libraries in person and via Skype. But it’s tough when you are dealing with kids and sharing photos via the Internet. So those memories I carry in my heart.

The above photo is one of my favorite and was taken by a local photographer. I plan to use this as the last photo of the slide show.  I believe Frankie has just moved on into another realm and that someday I’ll see her again. So this photo reminds me of that as if she is saying, “We will meet again one day. Have no doubt.”

I know many of you that follow along on my blog are not from the area and won’t be able to attend the book launch. I’m going to see about having the slide show available for you to see so you can feel like you were actually a part of the launch… and after all, many of you were very much a part of our journey. I’m so thankful for each and everyone of you for your support so I’ll see what I can do about sharing the slide show with you too.