By Monica Busch, Contributing Writer
Westborough – On Jan. 4 and 5, women gathered in the event room at Tatnuck Bookseller to participate in “Empowering the Girls We Love: Personal Training 101,” a self-defense and safety training course offered through SAM Programs.
The program is headed by Ellen van Olden, president of SAM Programs; Michael Kaselouskas, a former Connecticut police officer; and Terry Smith, a Monadnock training developer. Together, they taught participants self-defense methods, statistics and facts behind personal safety. Women of all ages attended the sessions, which were filled with both laughter and learning as participants listened to stories, watched videos, and had hands-on experience in protecting themselves. The Westborough chapter of the program was organized by Alisa Stone, a Westborough mother who realized there were no safety training options for women in the area. (Photos/Monica Busch)
