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10/8/89: Indianapolis, IN- Start at PCAI office...a non-wheelchair
accessible office. The Executive Director later acknowledged nobody in the office thought I was serious about doing this event.
10/9/89: Shelbyville, IN- Long one of my favorite cities, and I
visit it regularly.
10/10/89: Greensburg, IN- Life on the road already gets interesting
after I encounter a family in a custody battle due to sexual abuse. I would stay in contact with the family for several years
until they moved out of state.
10/11/89: North Vernon, IN- Then, there's the other side. No reception,
no contacts...yet the ministerial alliance was wonderful
10/12/89: Seymour, IN- Quiet, but positive stop.
10/13/89: Scottsburg, IN- My first souvenir, a Scottsburg t-shirt.
Mayor's office was warm & helpful.
10/14/89: Salem, IN- Mayor Frank Newkirk Sr. walked with me, the
United Methodist Church gave me my first big speaking engagement and I had a wonderful time in this town.
10/15/89: Paoli, IN- I scared local city officials here and the
sheriff followed me for safety reasons.
10/16/89: French Lick, IN- I was actually pulled off the road here
due to the winding/blind roads.
10/17/89: Jasper, IN- A strongly German town, somewhat closed...yet,
friendly as much as could be expected.
10/18/89: Huntingburg, IN- Hosted by the Mayor and Best Western
Dutchman Inn. It also led to my appearance as an extra in "Hard Rain."
10/19/89: Evansville, IN- My official worst weather ever as I hit
a snowstorm on the way into town. I wheeled 10 miles while it was snowing, which looked great on the front page. The
Mayor arranged a VERY nice hotel room after hearing about me on the radio.
10/20/89: Princeton, IN- One of my favorite stops thanks to longtime
advocate Mike Jones.
10/21/89: Vincennes, IN- Weekends are always rough on the road
with few contacts, little city support.
10/22/89: Sullivan, IN- My first and last official "arrest" on
the road...charges dropped, of course. VERY closed community that thought I was a vagrant.
10/23/89: Linton, IN- Hosted by the local child abuse prevention
council and spoke at their meeting.
10/24/89: Bloomington, IN- Failed miserably here...struggled for
some time in getting into this college town.
10/25/89: Spencer, IN- Strong council support and involvement.
10/26/89: Terre Haute, IN- This city always supports strongly from
media to city leaders to councils.
10/27/89: Clinton, IN- Exhausted here after speaking at a local
church.
10/28/89: Rockville, IN- painful, but healing stop that has become
one of my favorites. A local pastor hosted me at a Pentecostal church and allowed me to speak. He would later confide in me
"Your message would be more effective if you'd take care of yourself." Ouch. But true.
10/29/89: Crawfordsville, IN- Hosted by the police department,
spoke to locals at a hotel.
10/30/89: West Lafayette, IN- Quiet visit, somewhat disappointing.
10/31/89: Delphi, IN- Mile Long Hill was the scene of my first
tour breakdown and ambulance ride. It was one of two breakdowns this first year on the road.
11/1/89: Logansport, IN- Visited the local state hospital and spoke
with sexual abuse survivors and perpetrators. This visit has stayed with me over the years.
11/2/89: Rochester, IN- I loved this small town and visited the
mayor at his workplace.
11/3/89: Plymouth, IN- Similar to Rochester.
11/4/89: South Bend, IN- Football comes before anything here...so
arriving on a Notre Dame football day was a bad idea. I ended up housed at Wooden Nickel Inn talking to prostitutes all night.
11/5/89: Mishawaka, IN- hosted by local child abuse prevention
council.
11/6/89: Elkhart, IN- Tenderness Award Winner Daryl Abbott heads
up prevention efforts here...one of my favorite cities.
11/7/89: Goshen, IN- Police department hosted in this city, very
close to Elkhart.
11/8/89: Warsaw, IN- Wonderful discussion with a reporter, ended
up visiting her church.
11/9/89: Columbia City, IN- 2nd breakdown led to a day off here.
Council in fort wayne saved my butt here. I collapsed at a truck stop.
11/10/89: Fort Wayne, IN- See above.
11/11/89: Huntington, IN- I loved visiting Quayle Country. The
town was wonderful, and I can honestly say it has the highest number of attractive women I've seen in any city!
11/12/89: Wabash, IN- I spoke at the Calvary Chapel...wonderful!
11/13/89: Marion, IN- I met with the Mayor's office and rested.
11/14/89: Alexandria, IN- Met with the Mayor, City Council and
others.
11/15/89: Anderson, IN- Met with Mayor Mark Lawler and discussed
domestic violence issues extensively.
11/16/89: Noblesville, IN- I've always struggled here in Noblesville.
11/17/89: Carmel, IN- Great visit with Mayor Brainard
11/18/89: Indianapolis, IN- I finished the tour with about $1500
in donations, and much to everyone's surprise I DID finish.
1990: Follow-up throughout the year
- 6/19/91: Lebanon, IN- Great visit to my hometown...Key to
the City!
- 6/20/91: Frankfort, IN- Mayor Harold Woodruff gives me the
Key to the City and I visit a local church.
- 6/21/91: Flora, IN- The Brethren home hosts/donates...great
stay. Who knew that nearly 15 years later I would become a Brethren?
- 6/22/91: Monticello, IN-Hosted by the Mayor's office...wonderful
visit.
- 6/23/91: Francesville, IN- VERY small town, but nice time
with a church.
- 6/24/91: Lacrosse, IN- Same as above.
- 6/25/91: Crown Point, IN- Mayor James Metros hosted me and gave
a large donation!
- 6/26/91: Gary, IN- Former Mayor Thomas Barnes presented me with
the "Stressing the Positives" Award and I did a 30 minute PBS show.
- 6/27/91: East Chicago, IN- Mayor Pastrick did the exact same thing
as Mayor Metros.
- 6/28/91 & 6/29/91: Chicago, IL- I reached Chicago, but it was
quiet here. I presented a workshop on flashbacks to a national conference and had a book signing with Wendy Maltz!
- 7/13/92: Greenfield, IN- I met the Mott family, a friendship that
has lasted over the years. Sandra will tell you that I am the reason she became a nurse!
- 7/14/92: Rushville, IN- Uneventful stop.
- 7/15/92: Greensburg, IN- Followed up with friends here.
- 7/16/92: Versailles, IN- Mayor's office here.
- 7/17/92: Lawrenceburg, IN- Stayed with friends in this beautiful
river town. I spoke at a local church.
- 7/18/92: Cincinnati, OH- I spoke at the local Center for Attitudinal
Healing
- 7/19/92: Indianapolis, IN- Returned home.
- 8/8/93: Indianapolis, IN- Left Indy on way to KY.
- 8/9/93: Greenwood, IN- Hmmm. still no success here.
- 8/10/93: Franklin, IN- Mayor, Friendship Baptist Church and Police
all supportive.
- 8/11/93: Columbus, IN- Same as Franklin.
- 8/12/93: Seymour, IN- Bad timing again, but good visit with local
media.
- 8/13/93: Salem, IN- Mayor Newkirk again joins me with friends from
Hoosier Hills Pact.
- 8/14/93: New Albany, IN- I was hosted (and stayed in) the Fire
Department. Great time.
- 8/15/93: Louisville, KY- Wonderful time here with Mayoral support.
- 8/16/93: Shelbyville, KY- Great time.
- 8/17/93: Frankfort, KY- I wheeled right into the Governor's
Office and spoke with his staff at length. When I returned home, I found out I'd been named a Kentucky Colonel.
- 8/18/93: Georgetown, KY- Very small town...only stop where I've
ever had anything stolen. I wasn't hurt and still enjoyed the visit.
- 8/19/93: Lexington, KY- Wheeling through the mountains was hard,
but I loved the Mayor here and stayed with family.
- 11/19/94: Indianapolis, IN- one-day, 56 mile tour (biggest day
ever) in honor of my friend, Victor.
- 4/95: Indianapolis, IN- small event, non-child abuse related. For
children living with AIDS.
- 6/23/96: Indianapolis, IN- First date ever with a support team...three
nurses from Winona Hospital, where I worked.
- 6/24/96: Lebanon, IN- Still a great stop.
- 6/25/96: Frankfort, IN- Met Victor's mother!
- 6/26/96: Lafayette, IN- Hosted by the Wesley Foundation at Purdue.
My first road crew started to show signs of stress after we all shared a couch this night and the "close quarters" started
to become emotionally draining.
- 6/27/96: Reynolds/Monticello, IN- Stop was in Reynolds, but had
to go to Monticello for a place to stay.
- 6/28/96: Rensselaer, IN- Weak showing in this city!
- 6/29/96: Demotte, IN- Wonderful showing in this small town, hosted
by a small church and stayed in the parsonage.
- 6/30/96: Crown Point, IN- Again hosted by Mayor Metros. He was
very busy during this stay, but remained very helpful.
- 7/1/96: Gary, IN- This was one of my more unusual stops as I just
barged into Mayor Scott King's office. He meets with me, but after having received threats he has armed guards everywhere.
It's intimidating, but a great visit.
- 7/2/96: East Chicago, IN- Mayor Pastrick was out of town, but his
office was helpful and we got lots of council and media work done here.
- 7/3/96 & 7/4/96: Chicago, IL- I spoiled myself this time and
found myself disappointed in the reception. I visited the suburbs and ended up having quite a wonderful time with several
speaking appearances.
- 10/3/97: Greenwood, IN- Little success here. For some reason, I
always have a hard time in Greenwood.
- 10/4/97: Mooresville, IN- I meet with the Mayor and a local church.
- 10/5/97: Plainfield, IN- My first venture close to my parents makes
me a bit nervous. I've become very aware of boundaries and my own poor choices. I want to be respectful and avoid implying
they were abusive. (they weren't). They've caught a lot of grief over the years for my work...while they weren't perfect,
by any means...The Tenderness Tour is not about them.
- 10/6/97: Brownsburg, IN- Hosted by a local group and speak in the
schools.
- 10/7/97: Zionsville, IN- I meet with the mayor and stay in a donated
room by The Brick Inn.
- 10/8/97: Carmel, IN- We already know I love Carmel.
- 10/9/97: Lawrence, IN- I now live in Lawrence, but back then I
was just so frustrated trying to meet with Mayor Tom Schneider. I tracked him down. hehe.
- 10/10/97: Indianapolis, IN- After 10 years on the road, still no
Mayor involvement here.
- 4/30/98: Greenwood, IN- Why do I keep going to Greenwood?
- 5/1/98: Franklin, IN- This year, the Mayor seems less enthusiastic.
I still meet with local groups and media, but interest has waned.
- 5/2/98: Columbus, IN- I meet with the local council and speak at
their prayer vigil.
- 5/3/98: Seymour, IN- I meet with the Mayor, council, media and
local folks.
- 5/4/98: Scottsburg, IN- My timing was bad here, but I got some
great rest.
- 5/5/98: Charlestown, IN- This was the hometown of a childhood friend.
It was nice to go there.
- 5/6/98: Jeffersonville, IN- New Albany council met me here,
too. Basically, this is a two-day stay in two cities very close.
- 5/7/98: New Albany, IN- Wonderful reception at Hazelwood Jr. High.
- 5/8/98: Indianapolis, IN- No Mayor!
- 9/22 & 9/23/99: Carmel, IN- Mayor Brainard walks again.
- 9/24 & 9/25/99: Lebanon, IN- Two days of incredible outreach
in my birthplace.
- 9/26 & 9/27/99: Greencastle, IN- This is my parent's hometown,
a first for me. I am hosted by the Walden Inn, I speak at a prayer vigil and my parents join me on the road for the first
time.
- 9/28 & 9/29/99: Danville, IN- I am hosted by the Mayberry Cafe
and local officials.
- 9/30 & 10/1/99: Indianapolis, IN- No Mayor!
- 9/26/00: Shelbyville & Connersville, IN- I speak with Mayor
Zerr and he and his staff join me on the road...then New Life United Methodist hosts me in Connersville.
- 9/27/00: Franklin & Martinsville, IN- Mayors in both cities
helpful...strong media, civic support.
- 9/28/00: Bloomington & Bedford, IN- Great involvement with
Bedford council. I become aware of a fatality here when the grandmother walks with me...the next year, mom will join
me as well.
- 9/29/00: Jasper & Santa Claus, IN- Little success here, but
I sure tried!
- 9/30/00: Princeton & Evansville, IN- Huge events in both cities.
- 10/2/00: East Chicago, IN- Very successful stop.
- 10/3/00: Valparaiso & LaPorte, IN- I speak at the Valpo prayer
vigil by a lighthouse (awesome).
- 10/4/00: Elkhart & Kendallville, IN- Strong support in both
cities.
- 10/5/00: Garrett & Fort Wayne, IN- Mayor Herb Kleeman walks
the tour, and Mayor Graham Richard joins me in Fort Wayne.
- 10/6/00: Marion & Anderson, IN- Strong community support, but
no show on local leaders.
- 10/7 & 10/8/00: Indianapolis, IN- No Mayor!
- 4/16/01: Warsaw, IN- I speak at this prayer vigil.
- 4/17/01: Indianapolis, IN- I offer a prayer at this prayer vigil.
- 4/18/01: Columbus, IN- I speak at this prayer vigil..
- 4/20/01: Connersville, IN- I speak at a conference on child abuse
prevention at New Life United Methodist Church
- 8/5/01: Indianapolis, IN- No Mayor
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- 8/6/01: Muncie & Richmond, IN- Strong city support
- 8/7/01: Shelbyville & Franklin, IN- Wonderful council, city
support.
- 8/8/01: Martinsville & Bloomington, IN- Ditto.
- 8/9/01: Seymour & North Vernon, IN- Fairly quiet.
- 8/10/01: New Albany, IN- Hazelwood again shows out in force!~
- 8/11/01: Evansville & Princeton, IN- A public walk at the zoo
in Evansville is a lot of fun, and Princeton shows out in force!
- 8/12/01: Terre Haute & Lafayette, IN- I have a great time in
Terre Haute, but bad weather hinders Lafayette.
- 8/13/01: East Chicago, IN- Mayor Pastrick shows up and is very
supportive.
- 8/14/01: Valparaiso & Knox, IN- Knox, Indiana shows up, especially
Healthy Families. INCREDIBLE walk.
- 8/15/01: Elkhart & Garrett, IN- CAPS and Mayor Kleeman are
always supportive.
- 8/16/01: Fort Wayne & Huntington, IN- Mayor of Huntington comes
out with me and we do several outreaches. I receive the Key to the City in Huntington.
- 8/17/01: Kokomo, IN- My biggest "walk" to date is held in Kokomo...incredible event
with strong council outreach and Mayoral support.
- 8/18/01: Indianapolis, IN- Still no mayor!
- 9/29/01: Carmel, IN- Love Carmel. :)
- 4/20 & 4/21/02: Kendallville & LaGrange, IN- I lead
a workshop on starting a child abuse prevention council, then speak at the United Methodist Church the following morning.
- 4/23/02: Indianapolis, IN- Still no Mayor
- 4/28/02: Indianapolis, IN- Still no Mayor!
- 4/29/02: Frankfort, IN- I speak at a YMCA event and also have strong
council support and church involvement.
- 5/24/02: New Albany, IN- I have another event with Hazelwood
Junior High and over 1,000 in attendance.
- 10/26/02: Indianapolis, IN- The Mayor returns my call, but does
a no show
- 3/20/03: Martinsville, IN-Mayor Buskirk is wonderful and I
have strong involvement with The Haven Youth Center.
- 9/6/03: Indianapolis/Broad Ripple, IN- 25-mile tour for ICADV and
my first "speaking out" against domestic violence.
- 9/25/03: Chesterfield, IN- I combine a tour and speaking engagement
here.
- 4/25/04: Carmel, Westfield, East Union, Tipton, Kokomo and Rochester,
IN (one mile in each)- I complete a short, one-day tour on my way to a speaking engagement in Tipton, Indiana.
- 5/17/04: St. Louis, MO- A layover tour on the way to Orlando!
- 5/18/04: Orlando, FL- I am joined by Mayor Buddy Dwyer and several
youth groups/media and city officials when I receive the Donna J Stone Award from Prevent Child Abuse America.
- 5/26/04: Glendale, AZ - A nice, smaller tour while I'm in Phoenix
presenting a workshop.
- 5/27/04: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe & Mesa, AZ- My longest
one-day tour in years at 45 miles. I have a blast, but am incredibly burned after two flat tires and a sunny, hot Phoenix
day.
- 5/30/04: Denver, CO- I completed a "layover" tour in Denver during my
trip West to speak on the search for God in grief.
- 10/1/04: Indianapolis (ICADV)- 1st annual ICADV tour.
- 07/02/05: Peoria, IL- one mile tour during the Church of the Brethren
General Conference, where I am a speaker this year.
- 09/10/05: Indianapolis, IN (ICADV)- 2nd annual tour with ICADV,
a growing partnership.
- 11/05/05: Duluth, MN- 5k to kick off the expansion of the Tenderness
Award in Minnesota and the first Tour state chapter! Participation is free, however, donations will be accepted for Prevent
Child Abuse Minnesota. Richard will also meet with city officials, media, First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center and students
from College of St. Scholastica.
- 4/23/06: Broad Ripple, IN- Richard led a one mile walk to celebrate
his acceptance into ministry in Church of the Brethren. He was joined by 8 others, and together handed out "Everyone is Beautiful"
bumper stickers.
- 8/16/06: Richmond, IN- Richard led a walk from Bethany Theological
Seminary to City Hall with the dual purpose of honoring the children of Richmond and celebrating his own beginning at Bethany's
seminary. He was joined by 10 classmates, one professor and others along with two classmates and a professor who joined him
in prayer. Richard met with Mayor Sally Hutton to discuss future collaborative possibilities.
- 09/23/06: Indianapolis, IN- The 3rd annual "ICADV Tenderness Tour"
took place in Indy's Riverside Park. Presented by Allegra Print & Imaging, On a nasty ole' weather day the tour
still attracted nearly 200 walkers. Special thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers and guests!
- 02/11/07: Goshen, IN- This speaking only appearance at Goshen City
COB was also an opportunity for Richard to prepare for a potential Tour later this year in Goshen!
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| Richard discusses PR issues with Tour volunteer Patti Carson |
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| Richard meets Indiana Congresswoman Julia Carson at the Kids First Ball |
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| Former Bloomington, IN Mayor John Fernandez joins Richard during a recent Tour |
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| Richard relaxes next to a brick bearing his name at a recent awards ceremony in Indy |
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| A big fan of Disney's Country Bears, Richard stops to chat with one during the Orlando Tour! |
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| Richard & Prevent Child Abuse Indiana Executive Director Andrea Marshall |
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| Richard, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dwyer and a group of area youth put kids first in Orlando! |
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| Friends from North United Methodist Church during the 2004 ICADV Tenderness Tour |
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| Richard's Goddaughter Victoria & her mom surprised Richard with an appearance during a tour |
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| Richard & his Goddaughter in 2007! |
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| Richard has many trusted advisors, among the most valued are Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum! |
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| Duluth Coordinator Naomi Baker joins Richard at East Point Light during the Duluth Tour |
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