Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Newspaper coverage

Great press coverage in today's local newspaper the Repository, Canton, Ohio. Reporter Gary Brown met up with Geoffrey while on a 24 mile walk just prior to the launch reception last week, and wrote this great piece.
http://www.cantonrep.com/topstories/x470413757/Postcard-from-Jackson-Township-Geoffrey-Darling-will-walk-in-the-hope-that-others-will-remember
We'd love to hear from our readers...write us at feetmemory@yahoo.com
Thanks

Feet of Memory supports research, education and support services for individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer's disease.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Launch reception

Such a busy, busy time as we prepare and advertise for the launch tomorrow evening, October 24. If you can, please come along to Jackson Library on Fulton Road NW just across the street from Jackson High School. We'll be there from 5-7 p.m. with presentations by Geoffrey Darling, Rose Darling, and Alzheimer's Association representatives. Meet the Board of Directors, and hear details of the walk from Key West to Maine. Nibble on delicious London's Candies chocolates and Heggy's nuts.

Why are we doing this? Geoffrey's mother Pat lived in the dark shadows of Alzheimer's diesease for 24 years until she passed on five days after her 90th birthday this year in March. Not only did she suffer because of this disease, but the whole family and her friends suffered right along with her, then, when her memory was gone, theirs continued. Feet of Memory Inc was created to raise awareness and funds to help end Alzheimer's disease through research, education and support services.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Maize Valley Winery CNN

Please follow this url to read a story about Maize Valley Winery, the location for the Feet of Memory Benefit Wine Tasting on November 17 from 6-8:30. A $25 ticket gets you four wine tastings of your choice and appetizers. Live music in the wine bar, Corn Hole Tournament and other games, 50/50 raffle and silent auction. Additional opportunities include wine tasting tix for a modest cost, food on your own from the restaurant and shopping in the old-time store.
http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x493670746/CNN-broadcasts-live-from-Maize-Valley-Winery


Feet of Memory Inc raises awareness and funds that support Alzheimer's research, education and support services.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

WINE TASTING


Tickets are now available for an enjoyable evening, November 17 at our Wine Tasting at Maize Valley Farms near Hartville on Rt 619. 6-8:30pm. The event ticket ($25.00 per person) includes four (4) wine tastings of your choice from the wine bar and you keep the glass, and appetizers in the Pavilion with Feet of Memory. Live music at the wine bar. Additional wine tickets may be purchased.


 A CORN HOLE TOURNAMENT...Come on, all you bean bag tossers...let's see who is the best! Winnr splits fees earned from the tourney 50/50 with Feet of Memory.
Additional opportunities for a low cost) include silent auction items including a wine basket from Maize Valley, a 50/50 drawing, and "Pat's Corner" merchandise (Pat was Geoffrey's mother who had Alzheimer's disease for 24 years) such as Feet of Memory tee's ($20) and specially designed aquamarine jewelry by Lynn Marie Jewelry. Contact us at



Feet of Memory Inc. supports Alzheimer's research, education and support services through long-distance endurance walks and theatre. On March 17 ,2012, Geoffrey Darling, co-founder, will start a 2,400 mile trek to raise awareness and funds His walk takes him up historic US Rt. 1 from Key West to Ft. Kent Maine. Future walks to include the Pacific West Coast, the Gulf Coast, Ireland, England from Land's End to John O'Groats, and others.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Grandma doesn't remember me anymore

"Why doesn't Grandma remember my name anymore?"
Not many questions are sadder than this. How sad for a child to stand by a dear grandparent and that one who used to play ball, tell stories and play hide and seek cannot remember the child's name.

How sad for the wife of 57 years to sit across from a breakfast table only to hear her beloved husband call her by a different name.

Such as scenes every day as Alzheimer's disease steals away memories, names, places, people....life. Memory loss starts small and grows until it eats away most of one's life's memories. even the body itself is affected by its own kind of memory loss...how to tie shoes, the urge to eat, or use the bathroom, or what time of day it is. Some people cannot tell the temperature and go outside dressed for summertime when the snow is blowing.

We at Feet of Memory Inc. set a goal to raise as much awareness and money to join in the challenge to bring an end - soon - to Alzheimer's disease. Your gifts and continued support of events and fundraising drives makes an impact. You help provide support services like support groups and educational seminars to family members and caregivers. You help provide funds for further research. You...yes, YOU, help us find an end to Alzheimer's disease when you support Feet of Memory Inc. we are a nonprofit organization in Ohio, but our Feet take us many places to raise money and awareness.

If your life and family has been touched by Alzheimer's disease, please write to us at feetmemory@yahoo.com we would love to hear your story. We also thank you for your donations and gift cards to national chain restaurants, hotels, gasoline stations, and general use such as Visa or Master Card prepaid gift cards. These help us do our work.

As you know, the months are swiftly flying by and we will soon be on our trek from Key West to Ft. Kent Maine. This journey of 2400 miles starts with a single step, and those many steps are made possible by the freewill donations of people like you.

Thank you.

Friday, October 5, 2012

What's Up!

Mark your calendar for these dates, please:
Feet of Memory Inc. invites you to its Launch Reception
Wednesday, October 24 from 5-7 pm
Jackson Library, Massillon, Canton, Ohio
9:00am Geoffrey sets out on the walking path for a 24 mile walk, representing the average number of miles he will walk each day on his 2,400 mile trek from Key West to Ft. Kent, Maine March 17-July 4, 2013. Come walk with him for all or part of the day. Gather up some support for your walk then donate to Feet of Memory so we can continue our support of the Alzheimer's Association and their work in research, education and support services.
5:00 Begin to gather at the Library
5:30 Welcome from Board of directors and CEOs. Performance sampler by Geoffrey Darling
5:55-6:15: presentations by Rose Daring, Loren Veigel, artistic director of VOCI, and Alzheimer's Association.
6:15: Official launch
6:30 Balloons of Memory launch
6:45 Future events and raffle drawings
November 17 - 6-8:30 pm: Wine Tasting at Maize Valley Farms' Pavilion on Rt 619 Hartville.
$25.00pp includes 4 wine tastings of your choice and appetizers.
Additional opportunities include a Corn Hole Tournament, raffle baskets including a wine basket from Maize Farms, and 50/50 drawing. Live music in the lounge.
We'll see you there!
Contact feetmemory@yahoo.com for additional information.


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Stick to the Plan



.... and the plan will stick to you. That was the mantra on the Ohio and Erie Canal towpath yesterday. Stick to the Plan, Stick to the Plan, Stick to the Plan - the chant that echoed in my increasingly empty head. The rhythm of the 4mph walking reinforced my determination to stick to the plan - it's so easy to veer off the original intent - this day the plan was 12 miles fast walking to compensate for the lack of time for anything else. The beauty of an out-and-back walk, compared with laps around a track is a greater incentive to "Stick to the Plan" - and you can always come home faster than you went out. The plan is rarely made until arrival at the start - but the big rule is to stick to it once it's made - At 40 Corners three women were girding their loins for a run - almost daring each other to set off, and so they did about the same time I did. With three it's easier to stick to the plan, no-one dares to cry off as a lone wolf can easily do. The women's slow jog, an estimated 5mph, contrasted with my rapid walk - 4+mph and meant they stayed in sight for some time on the long straights and large curves of the towpath, but eventually they disappeared and just acorn-laden squirrels and the resident blue heron accompanied me - no cyclists on this still, almost drizzling morning - plenty of time for the mantra - "Stick to the Plan and it will Stick to You" - four strides worth of wisdom which we have heard throughout our lives. Keep Your Eye on the Goal; No Looking Back etc - and the plan - as regular readers will know - is enormous; to walk from Key West in Florida to the top of Maine  in 100 days to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer's Association - the plan is unfolding, we just need to stick to it. Fitness is the first thing we have found - the 30 day walk under the belt now we just need to maintain - organization comes next and that is well underway with the launch of Feet of Memory Inc. on March 24 in the Jackson Library, Canton and a winetasting at Maize Valley, Hartville, on November 17.
That's the Plan and we are Sticking to it

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

MORE UPDATES

I apologize for my absense...my sister had a stroke last week, and my oldest son got married. Of such opposites is life.

Speaking of opposites, when I worked in a long term care health care home, it was often difficult to see residents begin the downhill descent into the darkness of memory loss. As activities diector, it was my job to devise programs to help keep minds stimulated, and to bring out hidden talents or interests. A very elderly Chinese resident had a wonderful gift of art and never knew it until he joined my watercolor class. In his first class, he painted a beautiful scene...in a delicate, Chinese style. He became a prolific painter! His English was not good, and his hearing was very bad so he could not communicate well with people. But he could paint, and paint he did! His verbal communication was not good, but his visual communication was beautiful....opposites in action.

Even people with memory loss may find such hidden or latent skills. In 2013, we will add to our Feet of Memory program a drama club for those with mild memory loss. It will be a club where they can learn lines, express themselves in drama and music, and stimulate portions of the brain.

But first, the extreme endurance Walk from Key West to Maine will be completed in 2013. Geoffrey continues to train so the walk will be successful. As you know, this walk will help raise Awareness and Funds for Alzheimer's research, education and support services.

We now have several events planned to help make this walk possible. Here is a list for the next few months:

October 24: 5-7 pm Launch reception at Jackson Library, Canton/Massilon, Ohio. Geoffrey will embark on a 24 mile walk at 9am. You are welcome to join him! Then at 5:30 Geoffrey will give a dramatic presentation followed by other presentations by Rose Darling, Loren Veigel, the Artistic Director of Canton's VOCI, and a research update from the Alzheimer's Association. The official launch is at 6:15 followed by a Balloons of Memory lift-off and updates on events, and raffle drawing.
Nuts 'n Chocolates to enjoy, raffle, and "Pat's Corner" jewelry by Lynn Marie Jewelry, and teeshirts.

November 17: 6-8:30pm Wine Tasting at Maize Valley Farms near Hartville, Ohio. Tickets are $25.00 each adult and include - Four wine tastings of your choice (you keep the glass)
Appetizers
Live music in the lounge
ADDITIONAL:
Raffle including a wine basket from Maize Valley
Corn Hole Tournament
50/50 drawing and more!
You may contact us at feetmemory@yahoo.com for tickets. A list of places where you may purchase tickets in the Canton area will soon be posted.

December:The Christmas Party Hop...Dance the evening away to the sounds of the 60s and 70s at our Christmas Party at Lake Cable Clubhouse!! Date and details to be announced soon.