72 HOURS IN CONNECTICUT: ONE GUEST COLUMN, TWO DINNERS, THREE CLASS VISITS, FOUR BOOK SIGNINGS, FIVE SPEECHES, HUNDREDS OF MILKSHAKES...AND A HORSE. Want to get a copy of The First Thirty or companion workbook, A Place To Sit, in Connecticut?  Stop by Wilma's Scoop du Jour in Suffield, CT or Barnes & Noble in Enfield, CT.

In May 2000, a high school in Connecticut ordered a copy of The First Thirty for every graduate, then booked Greg to come speak as their 2005 Commencement Speaker.   To see photos and feedback, click here. Based on the response the Commencement Speech and The First Thirty received via word of mouth and press, a number of other schools in Connecticut incorporated the book into their courses for the Fall of 2005 and/or booked Greg to come speak and/or do book signings on their campus in October 2005.

He spoke at University of Connecticut - where he also took part in a dinner and a book signing.   In advance of the visit, Greg wrote a guest column for UConn's student newspaper. The next day, he spoke to a Contemporary Authors high school class where the students had read The First Thirty in their class.  He also spoke to a Teen Leadership high school class where the students had read The First Thirty in their class.

He also guest lectured an Art Course and displayed some of his drawings for the students (for more on Greg's art, go to www.MySleeplessNights.com ).

Then, he spoke at two assemblies attended by several hundred high school students, followed by a brief speech for an audience of teachers. That night, he spoke at Asnuntuck Community College - where students in the school's First Year Experience course had been reading The First Thirty in class. At Asnuntuck, he also took part in a dinner and a book signing. The next day, Greg spoke at an annual event for educators at a Barnes & Noble outlet and signed copies of The First Thirty and A Place To Sit. In conjunction with Greg's visit, community website www.MyTownHall.info ordered extra copies of The First Thirty to give to local students.

As is Greg's tradition, after his two college campus events, he went out to get a milkshake.  And as has become tradition, hundreds of students and staff in attendance at the two events rose from their seats and went with him.  As usual, the milkshake walks were not the only memorable excursion on Greg's trip.  At University of Connecticut, Greg had the opportunity to check out the horses.

During the trip, Greg also had a chance to stop by a really nice local library that had recently stocked The First Thirty.

"It's not every night that a guest speaker gets a standing ovation from an auditorium full of college students - seeing as we're at a cynical age and all - but the fact that Greg got one after his speech, I think that shows how much he reached us." - No name given, student, UConn "I enjoyed Greg's speech...it has inspired me to get up and do something with my life so eventually I can help someone with theirs...When I was listening to Greg talk, I couldn't help but take his words to heart. I thank him for coming to my school..." Krystal, High School student, CT

"I started reading The First Thirty and every page inspires me. I want to personally thank Greg for being here at UConn and speaking to us..." -Trey, UConn "...I quickly noticed how different Greg's approach was compared to other speakers...I thought that his presentation was the most interesting and influential speech.  Just listening to him, sitting in that chair, made it seem like a group of friends just gathered up to tell stories about their lives...I thank him immensely for accepting an invitation to come to our school to speak to us..." Sincerely, Mickeve, UConn student

"I am from the leadership class...I really want to thank Greg for coming yesterday to see us in class. I am a senior this year and I think what he said made some of the freshmen and seniors think and it really had an impact, judging [by] the discussion we had [the next day in class about Greg's] visit. I will remember The First Thirty and meeting Greg in person...I thank him.  We all thank him."  Andrew, High school student, CT   "I -- and I am sure, many of my classmates -- enjoyed Greg coming and talking to our Contemporary Authors class.  I found his discussion has inspired me.  I feel like I am going to try twice as hard as i did before in school..." -Chris, high school student, CT

"The speech was great...I liked that he uses no notes and speaks from the heart...the walk for milkshakes afterwards, I still can't believe students walked so far and were waiting in line -- IN LINE -- to get a shake just so they could be part of it. It was really, truly, something else. I'm never gonna look at Dairy Bar the same way again." - No name given, UConn student

"A great story of redemption and determination...a virtual case study for First Year Experience programs...a blueprint for new college students." -  Amy Pszczolkowski, Office of the President and First Year Experience professor, Asnuntuck Community College "I personally read 'The First Thirty' earlier this year and was brought to tears on three different occasions. I knew right away that I wanted to try and make it possible for our students and staff to meet Greg. The themes of his story reinforce aspects of our mission like service, leadership and lifelong learning." - Paul Newton, Principal, Enrico Fermi High School (CT)

"I just wanted to say that Greg's story is very inspirational. I believe that at ACC not a single person in the room would have called it a 'lecture'. I think he did an awesome job just like he did when he delivered the Commencement at Suffield High School (also in Connecticut) in June. He was great, and I loved his story." Michelle, High school student, CT   "Greg's story was great! We talked about it in my teen leadership class. All I heard was great feedback. I'm looking forward to reading the book!" - Taylor, High school student, CT

"My name is Elizabeth, and Greg spoke at my school this evening. I just wanted to say that on the walk to get milkshakes [after the event], I met a girl who is dating someone I graduated high school with. It was really nice meeting her and we have a lot in common and I hope to be friends with her. We talked about so much and learned a lot about each other in the two minutes it took for the walk, and it's all [because] Greg asked us to walk with someone we have never met before. Thank you, Greg Forbes Siegman."    -- Truly, Elizabeth, Student, Asnuntuck Community College - CT

"The beginning was really kind of funny.  On the one hand, you hear the introduction, and this man has accomplished so many things at such a young age, and you expect some, like, really profound thing, but then Greg walks up on stage, wearing a baseball cap, and the first thing he does is take off his shoes and sit down.  He did the entire speech sitting down with no shoes on -- and, may I add, two completely different colored socks -- and you know what, it was profound after all anyway." - No name given, Asnuntuck Community College student

"I [got the book last night after the event and already] finished it this morning.  The thirty life lessons in there, are truly priceless pieces of advice that I'll keep for a long time to come. My first thoughts after reading the book?  Well, I couldn't stop laughing, at some of the stuff Greg has done over the years.  In a word, the account of his life so far, is just outright nutty!  But that's actually a good thing...because when I finished reading it, I came away with this thought: "Sometimes it takes being a little nutty, to make sense in a nutty world"...He has a true gift for shaking things up, and inspiring people to make a difference no matter what road in life they walk on.  I honestly don't know what I can do yet... but I'm doing a lot more thinking now than I did before I heard him speak last night... " David, Student, Asnuntuck Community College - CT

"I wanted to write to thank Greg for speaking at the Barnes & Noble store last night and to say how much I really enjoyed learning [it]...I recently began teaching at the college level and aspire to be an author one day myself.  As such, I found many of the lessons outlined in the book and in Greg's talk to be very insightful and inspiring....Because I found Greg's story and book so inspiring, I plan to contact [the wife of a late friend] about creating a local college scholarship to honor his memory and legacy.  I've also told many of my students, family and friends about The First Thirty...I also bought a copy of the book for my nephew who is a freshman in high school, and today, I informed one of my colleagues where I teach and work about the book and Greg's speaking engagements.  It is my hope that she will consider incorporating his work in our program because I believe that our students would benefit in many ways from Greg's story..." -  Karen, University of Hartford

"I just got back from the Dairy Bar [where everyone went for shakes] after Greg's talk.  First off, I would like to say that his life story is truly amazing and has really made me think...It made me think of my life and what I'm doing, or not doing, and how I can better it for myself and others just by asking myself how I could take another step further.  I thought I was being active and helping out on campus, but I realized that it is definitely not enough...going out [for the milkshakes] after Greg's talk was one of the best decisions I made in a long time. I'm happy I stayed for the mystery event after the lecture...I met five really cool kids that I know I will be good friends.  Also, I found out that I have a lot in common with many of the people that attended...I thank Greg for the opportunity to hear his life story, meet new people and to improve my life, he is a true inspiration..."  Thanks, Brittany, Student, UConn

"It was standing room only at the Uconn Dairy Bar following Greg's speech. It was very clear that the students wanted to take it, 'One step further'."  - Leo M. Lachut MA, Counselor, Student Support Services, Center for Academic Programs, UConn

"...We've been reading the book about Greg  for my First Year Experience class and the teacher thought it would be great if the class [went to the event]. Almost everything that Greg said connected with me on a personal level, and then when he mentioned the milkshakes, I knew I was meant to be there. That's all I've been having the past two weeks because of my wisdom teeth! That worked out perfect. I shared The First Thirty with my mother, father and sister. They asked me what the assembly was about and I gave them a general overview without giving too much away. I really like the fact that Greg shared with us that in order to help someone else it takes three nothings: No knowledge, No money and No experience. I never thought of it that way. After the assembly, I realized that he was right. I looked back at when I have helped others and have seen that it hasn't taken me any money, knowledge or experience...." - David B, Student, Asnuntuck Community College

"I'm one of the First Year students at Asnuntuck Community College...I read the book The First Thirty in class and it really changed my outlook of how just saying hello to someone can change everything, and that person could end up being the best friend you'll ever have...I thank Greg so much for taking the time to visit us at the school, I am honored to have met him and thankful that he was able to sign my book." - Thanks always, a new friend, Kylee, Student, Asnuntuck Community College

Did you attend one of these events and want to send your feedback?  Email us at Events@GregForbes.com Please include your name & which event you attended. To inquire about booking Greg for an event at your school or with your organization, also email Events@GregForbes.com Have feedback on the book or workbook? Email Feedback@TheFirstThirty.com Want to get a copy of the book and/or workbook for yourself or for someone else? Check out Barnes & Noble in Enfield, CT or click on Shopping Cart on this site.

To order copies of the book or workbook for your company, organization, class or on behalf of students in your area, email Books@IdeaListEnterprises.com   Special thanks to Leo Lachut, Matt Farley, Amy Pszczolkowski and their colleagues, the groups on campus that co-sponsored the events at UConn and ACC, Paul Newton and his wonderful faculty & staff, photographer Amy Mason, Dr. Matt Conway, Ruth Loiseau, MyTownHall.info, Enfield Ford, Enfield's MotoPhoto (Brookside Plaza), Sam Brockington, Beth and their colleagues, the staff at Enfield Public Library, Collins Creamery and UConn Dairy Bar - and to all the students and faculty and local residents who attended the events and welcomed Greg so warmly to their towns and schools.

72 HOURS IN CONNECTICUT:     ONE GUEST COLUMN, TWO DINNERS, THREE CLASS VISITS, FOUR BOOK SIGNINGS, FIVE SPEECHES, HUNDREDS OF MILKSHAKES...AND A HORSE.