COVERGIRLS

We have always joked about becoming famous -- or infamous -- for our hockey playing.  Now, there's a bit of truth to it with the recent article in Merrimack Valley Magazine about us.  Written by Lori Gress's friend, Liz Michalski, the article features our hockey sorority and highlights the friendships we've made on and off the ice.  The magazine hit newsstands in mid-November and is available at Whole Foods.

Holiday Mail for Heroes

Honorary Ms. Conducts Izzy DiAdamo (far right), Sophie Gallacher (second from right),
Audrey Gallacher (third from left) and friends create some cheer for the holidays.

Honorary Ms. Conduct Izzy DiAdamo hard at work at some off-ice teamwork.

What a great way to spend Veteran's Day weekend as Ms. Conducts Monica Gallacher and Heather Clark organized an afternoon of holiday card-making for our military heroes stationed overseas.  Honorary Ms. Conducts Sophie and Audrey Gallacher, Izzy DiAdamo, Nora Dalton, and Emily Wagner, along with some friends, helped create roughly 185 cards that are already packaged up and ready to be shipped to our heroes in time for the holidays.  

One Heart, Two Ms. Conducts

Ms. Conducts Brigid Hurley (far left) and Julie Dalton (second from right)
cook breakfast at Cor Unum on 11/10/13.

The 4am wake-up call was harsh on Sunday, November 10, 2013, as both Julie Dalton and Brigid Hurley ventured to Cor Unum in Lawrence to prepare breakfast for the hungry and homeless of Lawrence.  Walking into the restaurant-style meal center in the cold rain is nothing compared to the harsh reality of not being sure when your next meal may be.  Cor Unum serves up to three meals each day, 365 days a year, and relies on the dedication of others every day.  Each meal is served restaurant-style by volunteer servers. 

"You don't know what you're going to serve when you walk in there in the morning.  It's based on what is available in the refrigerator.  You want to serve a balanced meal, but sometimes the options are limited.  I knew I wanted to bake on Sunday morning so I switched on the ovens as soon as I got in there," said Dalton.

Hurley brought along her son, eighth-grader Connor, to help.  "He loves cracking eggs and I saw a smile on his face all morning," said Hurley, as Connor walked through the kitchen clearing plates. Dalton was in the power-position of chef ;) and Connor served as her sous chef cracking over 15 dozen eggs for the scrambled eggs,  greasing the muffin tins for the 8 or so dozen blueberry muffins, and adding syrup to the giant pancake that no one thought was feasible.

"I hate doubters...and making the pancake at the end proved that a team can do anything," said Dalton as she took off her batter-smeared apron.

If you would like to help you the next time, please email Julie at sixdaltons@icloud.com

Ms. Conduct Julie Dalton and honorary Conduct, Connor Hurley, show off the team pancake.

Ms. Conducts Victorious at Grant Rink

L to R: Lori Gress, Shereen Tyrell, Julie Dalton, Courtney Leavitt, Kellie Reid,
and Mary Lalley celebrate post-game at at the Gibbet Hill Grill in Groton.

A short Ms. Conducts bench didn't stop the team from putting together a 3-2 victory Saturday night against the Chicks with Sticks at LA's Grant Rink in Groton.  Special guest goalie, Alex Dalton, stood strong between the pipes in his first game since Mites as a netminder.  Behind a hat trick by Courtney Leavitt, honorary Ms. Conducts -- Nora Dalton and Emily Wagner -- provided offensive and defensive power.  The team toasted their victory with members of Chicks with Sticks at Gibbet Hill Farm.

The Ms. Conducts Take VT by Storm

A team of Ms. Conducts traveled north on July 19th-21st to Burlington, VT for the Hockey Fights MS tournament.  To put it bluntly: they rocked the house!  Or at least the locker room ("Blurred Lines," Carol???!!! Anyone??)!  The ladies went 2-1, winning 3-0 (with goals from Keri Capobianco, Katie Castagno, and Sandy O'Sullivan (from the blue line!!!!) on Friday night.  They began Saturday on a high note with a 7-0 victory (a second shutout for our stud goaltender, Michelle Donnelly) with goals from Amelie Gagnon, Capobianco, Julie Dalton, Kristi Morris, Michelle Bramante, Mary Lalley, and Dusty Beeley.  A lunch and tattoo later, the girls met their match with the ladies in bright orange.  A faster game ensued and although they had some great chances (and dare we say some sketchy ref'ing) the Ms. Conducts lost 2-1 (sweet goal by Gagnon).  All was not lost as a beautiful night out on Lake Champlain and the Vermont Brew Fest kept the girls' spirits high.  The girls thought they were in second place and playing for the championship on Sunday, however a tie-breaker didn't go in the Ms. Conducts' favor and they instead played for third place on Sunday in Waterbury.  At the end of regulation and despite goals by Dalton and Capobianco - and crazy goaltending by Donnelly - the game was tied 2-2.  With a long drive ahead and a long weekend behind, the girls opted out of the 5-minute 4v4 overtime and proudly kept their third place finish. 

Everyone contributed in true team fashion: the defense held the blue line and scored goals, the forwards chased down pucks, battled in front of the net, passed and scored (assists are as important as goals!!), the team's goalie is truly awesome (with perfect skin, too), the coach was enthusiastic, kept the girls' chins up, and stacked the pucks perfectly before each game (and Castagno did a great job of not sharing pucks with the stupid other teams that didn't bring their own!!!), and lastly, the mini-coaches (Maverick and Julia Gagnon) are irreplaceable on the bench and in the team's hearts.  They were true members of the Ms. Conducts, too. :)

Rockin' out in the locker room to Blurred Lines.

Sunset over Lake Champlain before the VT Brew Fest.

The Ms. Conducts clean up nicely! L to R: Amelie Gagnon, Kristi Morris, Julie Dalton,
Michelle Bramante, Katie Castagno, Dusty Beeley, and Trisch "Alabama" Grimes.

Sipping VT's finest at the Brew Fest.

Ms. Conducts are Dirty Girls!

Kate Wagner, Julie Dalton, Shereen Tyrell, Keri Capobianco, Mary Lalley, Lori Gress, Michelle Bramante, Dusty Beeley, Sandy O'Sullivan, Steph Vaccaro, and Dee Secor are all smiles post-race!

Eleven Ms. Conducts earned their Dirty Girl status after completing a women's-only 5k obstacle course held at the Amesbury Sports Park in mid-July. The girls walked, jogged, climbed, crawled, and slid through woods and mud...and laughed while doing it.  These events are held across the U.S. and the funds raised go to educating women about breast and ovarian health, and supporting cancer survivors.  What a delightfully dirty day!

Julie and Lori: persevering even with mud on their faces!

Michelle, Julie, Dusty, Kate, and Lori are squeaky clean pre-race!

Ms. Conducts Walk on Water

L to R: Keri, Dusty, Lori, Shereen, Brigid, Michelle, Julie, and Amelie

Thanks to Michelle Bramante, eight Ms. Conducts descended upon Cinnamon Rainbows for a paddle-boarding tour of The Rocks and North Beach in Hampton, NH.  Donning slick wetsuits, sunscreen, and shades, the girls were met by Matt and Colby for some quick instruction before putting the boards in the water.  What a great morning!!

Ms. Conducts Run the Krit Classic V

The Ms. Conducts gather for a pre-race photo op.

Lori Gress, Mary Lalley, Judy Durling, and Julie Dalton at the pre-race pep talk!

When Brendan Sheehy at TSR agreed to make a donation to a fundraiser run by Ms. Conduct, Julie Dalton, he had no idea that his request back would cause a blur of pink to crash the Krit Classic.  Sheehy agreed to donate on the condition that Dalton run the fifth annual Andover road race honoring his late step-sister, Krit Kearins.  Not only did Dalton join the race, but she brought along her team, clad in pink shirts complete with their names and numbers on their backs.  "I sent the email out telling the girls we could do this as a team.  The response back was so enthusiastic.  Michelle Bramante got our shirts made in time and we had a pre- (and post!!) race party at my house. We are a very enthusiastic group of girls!!" said Dalton.

The Ms. Conducts walked, jogged, and ran in the bright sunshine and contributed to a good cause...amazing what this team is capable of.

Kate Wagner and Brigid Hurley show off their swag!

L to R: Charlene DeRoche, Kellie Reid, Brigid Hurley, Kate Wagner, Judy Durling,
Lori Gress, Mary Lalley, and Steph Vaccaro show off their racing legs!

"Rewind for Life" Fundraiser for PMC/Dana Farber

Several Ms. Conducts joined the fight against cancer at the "Rewind for Life" fundraiser held in early May at the Harris Pelham Inn.  Organized by Ms. Conduct Julie Dalton and her Super Chicks swim teammate, Katina Swan, along with several others, the event raised over $10,000 to help find a cure for cancer.  The 80s themed event featured silent auction items, including XP and BIC treadmill sessions, raffles, and classic 80s music!

Steph Vaccaro, Shereen Tyrell, Michelle Bramante, Julie Dalton,
Dusty Beeley, Mary Lalley, and Lori Gress rock out at the fundraiser.

Michelle, Dusty, and Steph "Vogue" for the camera.

Mary Lalley and Lori Gress dance the night away (literally!)

April Showers 2013

All I can remember is that both teams scored a few goals, won a couple of games...and had lots of fun!!

Because sometimes it's more than just a game. #heaven

Pam Hegarty leading the pre-tournament strategy session at PA.

Dee Secor, Lori Gress, and Kara Ross wait for the first game to begin.

Kellie Reid, Jen DiVincenzo, Judi Hughes, and Judy Durling
at our team-building dinner.

Sandy O'Sullivan, Keri Capobianco, Julie Dalton, and Ellen Babcock
enjoy some post-game refreshments.

Ellen Babcock, Coach Steve Moore, and Charlene DeRoche debrief post-game.

Pam Hegarty, Dee Secor, Keri Capobianco, and Lori Gress
get ready for the day's game at a team breakfast.