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Free Hugs, coming right up.

9/19/2025

I have a long history of offering free hugs in public, extending back decades. Now, I'm back! I've already successfully offered free hugs at a breakfast event for senior citizens in Maynard, where I live, and at my big birthday party, back on September 6th.
Now I'm ready to do it again, this time at Maynardfest, on October 4th. For details, see the post on my Upcoming Events page, here on this web site.

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My latest essays now available on Substack

9/19/2025

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I began posting to my Substack account in earnest on July 4th 2025. Since then, I have published new work every few weeks. The link is: https://glennckoenig.substack.com/

If you click on the above link, you may see an invitation to create an account on Substack. You have two options:
• You may create an account by entering your e-mail address. There is no fee or obligation if you do this, but it will enable you to click "like" or add comments to any posts on Substack, mine included.
• You can click on the words "No Thanks" (in light gray text) below the subscription box. You will still be able to read everything I've posted, but you won't be able to click "like" or add comments.

NOTE: I intend to post all my content for free (no paywall) on Substack, but if you wish to support my work with a financial contribution, I would appreciate it. Substack will take a percentage, and I will have to pay income tax on what you give, but I'm willing to live with that.

Why am I doing this? A few reasons:
1. I have been publishing news stories on my site Town Wide Mall (see the Sister Sites page here for a link) since April of 2023. I created this content specifically for residents of Maynard, Massachusetts, where I live. I started because the only weekly local newspaper, the Beacon-Villager, ceased publication in May of 2022, leaving no local news source.
2. Starting in mid 2024, I began to yearn to write commentary for a wider audience. I was concerned that people in general were disturbed by the rapid, deep, and profound changes going on in the world today. In reading news reports, commentary, and even some books, I noticed that many perspectives that occurred to me were missing from the conversation.
3. I observed that many friends of mine were disturbed or even in despair after reading the news, yet I was often better able to take a step back, look at the big picture, and remain a bit more optimistic. I thought that if I could describe where I was coming from, it might help them find calm and empowerment.

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Free Hugs, coming right up.

My latest essays now available on Substack

Glenn Koenig

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