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Fifty years ago, a human vs. beast thriller set in a summer beach town was published and devoured by readers. That book was Jaws, a best-selling novel that spawned a blockbuster movie the following year. Between the book and the film, we were all afraid to go back in the water.

Peter Benchley, an established journalist and speechwriter, was instantly catapulted to fame as an author. Getting to that point took moxie! In this Moxie by Proxy episode, we talk with Nat Benchley, Peter’s brother. Through Nat, we learn more about Peter’s writing and how he often took a true story or incident and asked the question, “What if…?” An article that Peter carried in his wallet about a shark caught off Montauk became the launching point for Jaws.

Having lived on Nantucket in his youth, Peter understood the tensions between the summer population and the year-rounders and the dependence of a small beach town on the income they make during the summer months. These social and economic dynamics form the backdrop to the drama unfolding on the water.

The impact of Jaws, both book and movie, was a tidal wave of aggression against, and misunderstandings about, sharks. In the wake of that unfortunate outbreak, Peter and his wife Wendy began a lifelong crusade to educate about sharks and advocate for policies that protect them. Wendy Benchley continues that work today. Once educated about the fascinating world of sharks, Peter declared he could never again write a tale that villainized those magnificent creatures. He spent the rest of his life advocating for the protection and preservation of the species.

To understand Peter’s creative moxie, Nat delves into the Benchley family. Nat recounts stories of their grandfather, Robert Benchley, humorist, writer, actor, and member of the famed Algonquin Round Table; his father, Nathaniel Benchley, author of numerous books and articles, including The Off-Islanders, which became the movie “The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming!;” Peter as a journalist, author, and ocean advocate; and himself as a writer, actor, and performer.

The intergenerational creative moxie running through the Benchley family is solid and enduring.

This Main Street Moxie episode is proudly sponsored by Scenic Hudson and Thorunn Designs.

Resources

Peter Benchley website

Wendy Benchley website

Oblong Books: Jaws

Algonquin Hotel: Algonquin Roundtable

Robert_Benchley Wikipedia

Nathaniel Benchley Wikipedia

Nat Benchley Wikipedia

Nat Benchley website

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In this episode of Main Street Moxie, Keith Moon shares stories about his longstanding involvement with Special Olympics, an organization with moxie built into its DNA.

Keith’s secret moxie sauce is recognizing a need and then finding a way to use his talents and skills to make a difference. He enjoys bringing people and organizations together to accomplish a larger goal.

Keith's involvement in Special Olympics began when he read an appeal in the Hartford Courant to raise needed funds for the organization. His response: “I can do that.” Using his position as the boys’ swim coach at the Hotchkiss School, he organized a swimathon that raised $4,000. That was 30 years ago, and he’s organized one every year since; to date, the Swimathon has raised over $250,000 for Special Olympics. Working with colleagues, students, and the local community, he has expanded the reach of the Swimathon and branched out into athletic competitions in other sports.

Keith has remained an enthusiastic supporter of the Special Olympics mission of creating athletic competitions that promote the development of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their inclusion in society. Keith’s nine-year tenure on the board of Special Olympics Connecticut has also given him insight into the moxie of the athletes and their families. The athletes' determination, competitive joy, and focus on what they can do–not their limitations–fuel his dedication to the Special Olympians.

In 2022, after Russia attacked Ukraine, he helped form a partnership between Special Olympics Connecticut and Special Olympics Slovakia, to create a Dream Day Center for Ukrainian refugee children born with intellectual disabilities and their families. At this year’s 30th annual Hotchkiss Swimathon, four Slovakian coaches and four Special Olympics Slovakia athletes will make the swim across Lake Wononscopomuc and back on September 7, 2024.

Keith has been an instructor of Russian history and literature at the Hotchkiss School since 1989 and a volunteer instructor in those subjects for Noble Horizons Retirement Community since 2012. In 2019, he was awarded the school’s Lufkin Prize, which honors faculty for their excellence, commitment, moral leadership, and service to the community.

If you’d like to learn more about Swimathon and how you can get involved and contribute, email kmoon@hotchkiss.org.

This episode of Main Street Moxie is proudly sponsored by Elyse Harney Real Estate.

Resources
Special Olympics Connecticut
Special Olympics
NobleHorizons Blog: Keith Moon: Raising People Up
Lufkin Prize Speech

Social Media
Special Olympics Connecticut Facebook
Special Olympics Connecticut Instagram
Special Olympics Connecticut YouTube
Special Olympics Connecticut LinkedIn
Hotchkiss School Instagram

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Bill Johnson believes moxie is essential for pursuing purpose, which he defines as becoming one's best self in service of at least one thing larger than oneself. This self-knowledge and action directed outward are why we’re here—and why he’s here, too.

Known as the “Dream Dean,” Bill continues to refine his Life Design Catalyst program, immersing himself in it to gain deeper insight into his own “why.” This place of deeper understanding and a growth mindset on steroids fuels Bill’s work. His own journey inspires him to be one percent better each day. He believes in surrounding himself with people–his tribe–who challenge and support him.

After 34 years in higher education, he retired in June 2023 to pursue his true love—empowering people to initiate the self-discovery process to explore, express, and embrace purpose and possibilities to transform their lives and the lives of others. In short, he helps people find purpose and meaning in their lives to help others do the same.

Bill has held workshops that have trained thousands of people and worked with hundreds of institutions within and outside higher education to use the Life Design Catalyst curriculum to create workshops, programs, and courses that change the lives of those they employ and serve.

In his academic career, Bill worked extensively with students, faculty, and staff in various capacities at Davidson-Davie Community College, the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, the College of William and Mary, the College of New Jersey, and the University of Delaware. Bill has a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Parks Administration and a Master of Science Degree in Physical Education, both from the University of Delaware. He is also a certified Dream Coach, Spiritual Group Coach, and Wellness Coach with extensive Purpose and Life Coaching training.

This episode of Main Street Moxie is proudly sponsored by Meadowscapes and Elyse Harney Real Estate.

Resources

Dream Dean Website
Life Design Catalyst Program

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