Friday, August 31, 2012

FACTS about Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease cannot be (yet) be controlled, stopped or slowed and is a leading cause of death in the United States.

So, who is this man and why is he walking 2,400 miles in 2013?
Geoffrey Darling, co-founder and co-executive director of Feet of Memory is determined to do as much as he can while he can to help END Alzheimer's disease. He watched his mother Pat walk deeper into the thickening clouds of memory loss for 24 years. Her journey ended in March 2012, but countless others around the world must face the dark clouds that blot out the light of memory.

By walking extreme, endurance walks such as the one planned from Key West to Maine, he aims to raise as much money and awareness to enable the Alzheimer's Association continue and expand its research, education, advocacy and support services to bring an end to this disease.

YOU can help by enabling Geoffrey and Feet of Memory with your support. Have your friends follow this blog and our Facebook page to read about specific ways you can help and to follow our progress as we work toward this mega-walk in March 2013.

This blog will soon be remodeled to better inform you of who we are and our progress, thanks to YOU, our readers and supporters.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Walking 30 miles in training

By Geoffrey

Last week we celebrated walking 24 miles - who's "we" we always ask?  - Yesterday it was the 30 miles at the first attempt, but not as easy as it sounds. Since the first day's walk, on March 17 next year, will be 30 miles it's worth knowing if we can get over that first hurdle. On the 2400 mile walk from Key West to the top of Maine (Fort Kent) there will be six more 30-mile walks and two of 31, one of 32 and one of 35 ( on the pen-penultimate day, in Maine.  So know that I can do it is a tremendous boost; also knowing I defeat the "oh stuff it that's enough" demons gives great confidence, cos those naughty little ids were there, especially with 9 miles to go when I arrived back where I'd left the car - "just get in and drive back home - you can do the rest on the rubberised track at Jackson Park" - I thought I had sent them packing a few miles up the towpath. They'd been urging me to call it quits at the car but I bargained that "if walking 30 miles would see a cure for Alzheimer's Disease would I do it?" - the demon tempters disappeared. They were not the only wildlife on the towpath - it was fine day already at 7.30am when I set off for the first 15.5 mile leg and starling were flocking ominously - being harbingers of a hard winter with their early autumn gathering?  Leaves were falling regularly so it was not a surprise to see a large red one drop ten feet in front of me, until I realised it was a cardinal, who posed long enough for a photo but not long enough for the camera to focus. I would rather not post that pic- the blurry result makes the St Louis mascot look like a leaf.
A couple on bikes told me they had cycled 50 miles in a day of Cancer Research and I gave them a card to publicise Feet of Memory - they saw me later and commented on how quickly I'd travelled 10 miles
I figured if I walked north to two miles past the Stark County boundary and then south to the 13 mile mark before returning to the car I'd have traversed 15 miles twice= 30 -
So this was my turning round point at Lock 3 just north of Clinton.
Butterflies abounded, more precursors, heralds of the coming cold and almost back at the Stark boundary a stag dashed across the towpath about ten yards in front of me, closely pursued by two or maybe three doe, who stopped when they saw me and ran back into the thick undergrowth. The stag was off in the other direction, obviously an unwilling suitor glad to put a human between him and his anxious females.
Rose and our youngest grandson Peyton met me at Canal Fulton, after 15.5 miles and we picnicked for 40 minutes between I set off for the next 14.5 miles - the first half was cut out in 4 hours 20 mins - not rapid but steady enough but the second half took 4 hours 40 minutes. The first half mile or more after lunch was slow, it was like getting a large train up to speed and I was not at full (3.5-3.8 mph) pace for about a mile. I really slowed in the mid-20 miles and stopped at Ernie's bike shop to hand in sunglases found on the path. This large hawk stopped me too

and asked for help - I told him I'd look for the number to ring on one of the Stark County notices and kept on going  to the turnaround (13-mile) mark.
When I got back a man in a motorised wheelchair was ringing for help and I walked on content that it was being taken care of. Great the people of all mobilities can use the towpath, and even greater that the call for help for the stricken hawk should come from man with less than 100% mobility himself.

Deer Hawk

You never know what you will see along the Towpath. While on a 30-mile training walk yesterday, Geoffrey came across this stately hawk and soon realized its wing was injured. Park ranger phone numbers are posted along the Towpath, but he could find none, but fortunately someone had, and as Geoffrey walked nearer, he heard the call about a distressed hawk. Hopefully help was swift and they were able to help it.
A large deer also bounded from the wooded areas across the path...a bit startling, but wonderful, to see!
During these last weeks of summer and early autumn here in northeast Ohio, color abounds. Already we notice spots of red and yellow on trees, and the bees are out full force doing what they do this time of the year.

If you have a loved one with mild to moderate dementia, why not take them on a walk or in a chair if needed, into a place of natural beauty? This may trigger memories of years gone by, and if not, they and you, will enjoy the beauty of the outdoors as well as the company of someone you love.

The Alzheimer's Association offers education and support services for families and friends of those with increasing memory loss. Visit www.alz.org for information about research and much more. Find a support group in your area. Support fundraising events for this important work.

Feet of Memory was created to support the Alzheimer's Association through endurance, extreme walks and theatrical performances. We will soon have a calendar of events you may attend...and we hope you will if you are in the area. We will skype these events as much as possible so you may be a part of it, too!

We have a wish list that you can help us with. They will soon be posted on our website which is under construction, but available to view now. These items such as gift cards to chain restaurants and gasoline stations will help Feet of Memory fulfill its goal to raise money....LOTS of money for the Alzheimer's Association and its research, education and support services. Geoffrey will walk the 2,400 miles from Key west to Maine along historic U.S. Rt 1, through "Americana" at its best as well as some of the largest cities in the USA. You can join him on portions of the walk near you! We will post a map on the website at www.feetofmemory.com. Gather some friends, and pledges, and walk 5, 10, 20 miles with him to help end Alzheimer's disease. You'll never know what wonders of nature YOU will discover along the way.

Contact feetmemory@yahoo.com for details.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

New Aquamarine jewelry

"Pat's Corner"
Pat Darling spent the last 24 years of her life in the thick fog of Alzheimer's disease. She passed on in March 2012, just five days after her 90th birthday. Aquamarine is her birthstone and she was 'enchanted' with fairies and lily pads.

This handcrafted aquamarine necklace with fairie charm at the clasp is exclusively designed by Lynn Marie Jewelry for Feet of Memory. Each sale benefits the Alzheimer's Association and Feet of Memory which has as its mission to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer's Association.

Other products that make great gifts to honor someone or for yourself are in production. for more details about the aquamarine jewelry, please write to feetmemory@yahoo.com.

Longest Day

Feet of Memory is a 'nonprofit organization' with the goal of raising money through extreme, endurance walks and theatrical performances in support of the Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association's emphases on research, education and support services are helping find ways to end Alzheimer's disease. Feet of Memory will walk from Key West to Maine in 2013 to raise funds to help end Alzheimer's disease.
On this beautiful morning, Geoffrey is doing a 30-mile walk on the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath. If you are not familiar with this bit of history, follow the link above. This photo is of a lock along the Towpath trail.
Today, Geoffrey packed several containers of water and some granola bars and we'll meet up later for a little picnic lunch.
A few days ago he bought some socks (some very expensive socks, I must add) that are designed to absorb sweat and keep his feet dry...helping to keep down chances of rubbing blisters. They seem to work very well, so it's worth the cost.
A very inexpensive insect-repellent he uses with great success may sound silly, but it works for him. He tucks a dryer softener sheet into his back pocket....so far he has avoided insect bites! As you know, early morning is prime time for those pesky little critters to come out looking for their breakfast, but Geoffrey is not on the menu!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Loony!

Who is your favorite Looney Tunes character? Mine is Tweety Bird, but Bugs Bunny takes a close second. I especially enjoy the opera segments. Remember those? In fact, Bugs pretty well introduced many youngsters to the world of opera. Sure it was funny, but at least we heard another genre of music than what was heard on pop radio. I can't say that Bugs Bunny was a catalyst for me to study singing, but perhaps he was!


What's all this talk about Looney Tunes? Well.....Feet of Memory is planning a very special Operatoonity for a fun, family, fund-raiser.

So, as soon as we get our 'star' performer booked, we will post the information. This will be a show to remember!

In the meantime, keep on walkin'!


 Feet of Memory utilizes endurace, extreme walks and theatrical performances to raise awareness and fuds for the Alzheimer's Association and its goals to end Alzheimer's Disease. We support this organizations research, education and support services. Geoffrey Darling wil embark on a 2,400 mile walk from Key West to Maine on historic U.S. Rt 1 in March 2013 to raise money for the Association. Follow this blog to add your financial and volunteer support to help us help end Alzheimer's Disease.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Tappan Lake

It's off to Tappan Lake, Ohio, today to relax and enjoy the company of theatre friends...and perhaps get in a good walk, too.
Enjoy your weekend!
Feet of Memory is dedicated to raising funds and awareness to help end Alzheimer's disease.
Extreme walks are the ultimate means by which we meet our goal. Geoffrey Darling will walk 2,400 miles on U.S. Rt 1, the historic highway from Key West, Florida to Ft. Kent, Maine beginning 17 March 2013 and ending Independence Day. Help us make this walk successful and help bring and end to Alzheimer's Disease by supporting the research, education and support services of the Alzheimer's Association. www.alz.org
Watch this blog for events and opportunities to honor your loved ones through the
Board of Remembrance.




Thursday, August 23, 2012

Special jewelry designs

Geoffrey's mother Pat was born on St. Patrick's day, March 17, and the birthstone for that day is aquamarine, Lynn Marie Jewelry is creating handcrafted aquamarine jewelry especially for Feet of Memory. Each will have a little fairie charm at the clasp to commemorate Pat's enchantment with them. Some jewelry pieces will be available for purchase in the near future. Above is a little sample from her school colors line in pea pod and bird's nests designs. Check out her website at dmp.jewelry.webs.com.

We are establishing a Board of Remembrance where you may recognize your loved one(s) who walked through the thickening clouds of memory loss and Alzheimer's Disease. We will give you details on how you may honor them in the near future.

In the meantime, we hope it's a lovely day for you and that you will get out and take a walk! Geoffrey is out on the Towpath this morning keeping up his training for his extreme walk from Key West to Maine!

Please visit us at Facebook.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Official launch and longest walk yet

We are preparing to officially "launch" our Feet of Memory campaign - place and time to be announced.

Do you some someone who has walked across America from shore to shore? I met a woman years ago who did this, and heard of several others. That's quite a feat - quite an endurance walk. Geoffrey had considered doing that, but one morning I woke to the idea of Key West to Maine...this is a highly populated area of the States...more than 32 million people live in the counties through which Geoffrey will walk and his support personnel will drive.  So we are working toward fulfilling a real dream!

Geoffrey wants to share this with you about his 24 mile training walk yesterday, August 21

Kia Ora - the 24-mile walk is significant as the average distance I will have to travel every day from Key West to Fort Kent  - on the Canadian border of Maine. The 2400 miles has a break every ten days or so built in so there is no point in doing the maths, especially as the actual distance is 2376 miles, according to Wikipedia - the online source that thinks on its feet. But why spoil a good round distance with the actual length; until I am so tired I'd happily wipe  that extra  24 miles. 

Yesterday I finished full of running( walking) and knocked out the last mile in 15 minutes to prove there was more in the tank. Starting slowly helped, but I can't go too slowly; my muscles would get bored. I set off south on the Ohio and Erie Canal towpath from 40 Corners, planning to go 3 miles south and return to the car and take on more drink and it was quite deserted at 7.40am - first day back at school for many. The turnaround point in Massillon was the 11.5 mile peg and I planned to walk to the Stark County boundary and half a mile past that toward Clinton to make the 24 miles. I was back at the car in 1hr 45 and drank my fill and filled my drink (bottles) for the walk to Canal Fulton. It's invariably 55 minutes to Butterbridge but the main path was closed at Crystal Springs - for maintenance. An old ( well, young fella about my age) chap on his bike shared a moan with me about that and I considered walking on anyway - rather than take the alternative route on the Muskingum Trail on the other side of the Tuscarawas River. But I figured the workers would resent an interloper and harsh words might ensue  - so I took the detour and found that added an extra 0.2 miles -and that changed the extra distance past the county boundary (the 0 mile peg). When you have an hour of fast walking you have plenty of time to calculate all this - plus practice lines, do the Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Our board member Tom asked me what I think about and my glib self replied my head was full of Sousa marches - and they do come in readily with the rythmic feet hitting crushed limestone.

The detour forced me to miss my favourite spot - where a week or so back I was stunned by the beauty of one scene, for its sheer symmetry of greeness as much as anything, and a small inner voice asked if I had ever seen anything so beautiful - and in that epiphany moment I had to grab a tree to stop from falling as I answered the most humble and awefilled "No. It had always impressed me but this was "clouds opening and showing riches ready to drop upon me" moment. 

We (who's we) reached halfway in 3 hours 40 mins - 12 miles and lunch a long way off  - at Canal Fulton and the next 3.3 miles were north.  Twice I was walkers going quickly ahead of me. I wish they wouldn't because the competitor in me has to catch them. One I didn't but the other I caught easily. The only stop on the second leg was for a drink at Canal Fulton. I had meant to buy some more Powerade but the machine was not in a $1 note accepting mood - I should carry more quarters to obviate the need for them - but I found that Coke was just as stimulating (the Coke machine was working/ swallowing $1 bills).

So the second leg took 3 hours 30 mins - pauses to buy and ice-cream included and with 3.6 miles to go in one more hour I knew I had a solid time in the bag - the last leg took 55 minutes at close to 4mph - more than usually tired but happy that this feat is achievable - 48 of the 100 days we will walk the same or shorter distances; in eight month's time.  Ka Kite

Please visit us on Facebook...search for Feet of Memory.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Goals

Our Walker just got home feeling quite energetic after a 25-mile walk on the Towpath today. In just a few months, he'll walk that far nearly every day for 100 days as he journeys up historic US Rt 1 from Key West to Maine.
Have you set any new goals for yourself...improved fitness...education goals...better relationships? If you have no goals, you won't reach them. Set some small goals for your life and as you meet them what a sense of accomplishment you will have! That feeling will spur you on to more goals and new accomlishments. It's your choice.


You are never too old to dream new dreams...CS Lewis.

Monday, August 20, 2012

About our Walker

Do you know anyone who has walked 2,400 miles? A thousand miles? Six hundred miles? In 2002 Geoffrey walked the entire north/south distance of his native New Zealand's beautiful South Island. This 600 mile walk took about a month, and in addition to the endurance walking, he performed a "feat of memory" - his one-man presentation of the Gospel of St. Mark - about a 90 minute presentation. 
A scene from A Secret Garden

Geoffrey's big strong legs take him many places, and his amazing dramatic acting gifts have also taken him many places. This acclaimed actor has performed in theatres and organizations in northeast Ohio; Illinois; London, England; Ireland; Australia and New Zealand. He studied acting with New Zealand fictional crime writer and theatre director Dame Ngaio Marsh. In 2007, Geoffrey was awarded an Acclamation for Artistic Achievement from the Ohio Senate. He will soon play the "Giver" in a play by the same title produced by the Magical Theater Company in Barberton, Ohio. He has appeared in Equus, Macbeth, The Secret Garden, Terra Nova and numerous others.

Along his 2,400 mile journey, Geoffrey will offer groups, churches and organizations the opportunity for his solo performance of an original play about a conversation with his mother years before she started the struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

If you know an organization, church or group along the US Route 1 historic highway, who might be interested in sponsoring a perfornmance, please contact us either here or at feetmemory.yahoo.com.

Super Saturday

YOU can help get Feet of Memory up and run...errr...walking as we work toward the mega-walk, an extreme walk, and endurance walk from Key West to Maine. Geoffrey is out doing about 16 training miles this morning. He is so dedicated to his goal of walking those 2,400 miles from March 17, 2013 to Independence Day.

We seek five (5) to ten (10) volunteers to host a SALE...garage, yard, moving, bake, or other, in October for a Super Saturday Sale Day. We would prefer all the sales to be on one Saturday in October, but if that is not possible, any Saturday in October will be great!

Watch for details here tomorrow.

PLEASE link your friends and family to our blog so they may get involved, too!

The Mission of Feet of Memory (non-profit): Enabling endurance walks and presentations in support of research, support and education to end Alzheimer's disease.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Sunday's reflection

Sunday afternoon is a time for reflecting on the sermon  - and getting reading for an hour's training - all we have time for. The sermon seemed so apt - "to those who have been given much, much shall be demanded" - which I have always conceived as  "if you have a lot, you have to give a lot" - so armed with big strong legs and a good memory it's time to get the show on the road - in this case US-1 - and remember all those who did not make age 64 sound enough in wind and mind to even contemplate this. Now we have four board members to make up the requisite for establishing a non-profit business another step's been taken in the right direction. All able and innovative people and with eight months to go there is much to  be done - but Geoffrey's body is calling out for a hard training session at the gym - better answer the call and keep that target steadily in view.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Facebook Connection

Geoffrey out on a training walk along the Towpath

Our favorite Walker is out on a gorgeous day following a terrific Board meeting. Things are rolling along now and in the next few days and weeks, we will have a great deal more specifics to tell you. But for now, the daily training continues, fundraising events are in the planning-process, and we are getting the word out about Geoffrey's extreme walk. Will you help us please? If you read this blog, will you share it with friends and family, and also go to Facebook and search Feet of Memory for additional exposure to the general public.

On FB we are starting a discussion about how Alzheimer's disease has touched your life. Did or does your grandmother have memory loss? How do you feel when your loved one doesn't know your name? Please go to Facebook and ehlp start the discussion.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Rainy Days and Fridays

The rains they be a-comin' soon, but that's OK. It's nice and warm and a rain poncho will be quite enough to cover up our Walker. He's out for a 3-hour + trek on the Towpath today as the training continues.

If you have any great fund and awareness-raising ideas and would share them , we would love to hear them. We have a good many ideas and preliminary plans waiting for Board approval tomorrow, but we know many heads are better than one or two when it comes to ideas. If your organization has made lots of money via fundraisers, share how, please.....

I promised a wish list....here are some of the biggest needs that will enable us to help meet the needs for research, education and support services of the Alzheimer's Association.www.alz.org

WISH LIST for Feet of Memory
Here are FOUR ITEMS we need to help the extreme walk from Key West florida to Ft Kent Maine in 2013 be a success. The more that is donated to Feet of Memory, the more funds we send to the Alzheimer's Association to help fund research, education, and support services.

A good Class B RV or camper van....borrow, gift or purchase
Gasoline gift cards
Vouchers, redeemable points or gift cards for hotels such as Choice Hotels
Major chain restaurant gift cards

Our status with the IRS will soon allow us to send you a tax-deductible receipt! So wait to send your donation or gift if you want that tax-deduction. Our website is under construction, and the address and donation information will soon be posted. This is a work-in-progress and we appreciate your patience.



Thursday, August 16, 2012

Itinerary looks dauntingly fun

St Paddy's Day minus 223 and all's well - with 450 training miles under the belt and 1950 to go - until I realise that, when translated to the actual walk from Key West to Fort Kent, Maine, that does not even get us out of Florida. Or even to the second scheduled rest day. At mile-peg 450 we will be a day's march from St Augustine Beach and still three days from reaching Georgia - so even though a gentle nine mile walk beckons today we know the time has come to put in some testing 25-miles plus walks. Question is, when can we spare the time for the all-day effort and the all-week recovery.  As summer threatens to close down temperatures in sunny Ohio and bring this Golden Weather to an End, I want to get the daily average required to below 8 miles per day by the beginning of December - because I want to have walked 2400 miles in training since May 23 ( when records began, as they say in the weather forecasts) - the  required average is still 8.71 daily miles and the completed average - well let's math the do. 450/ 82 is 5.48 per day! - that's a revelation. I thought things were better than that.  Too many days off, too much self-indulgence and not enough reality. Nevertheless the physical results are still good and the pulse rate is 46.
So take a quick look at the schedule and see if you agree that, even at eight months out, we need to get urgent -




Florida                                               miles

March 17:  Key West to Big Pine Key     30 

March 18: Big Pine Key to Marathon     18

March 19:  Marathon to Layton              20

March 20: Layton to Key Largo               31

March 21: Key Largo to Homestead       30

March 22: Homestead to Cutter Bay     12

March 23: Cutter Bay to Miami Beach   23

March 24: Miami Bch to Ft Lauderdale 24

March 25: Ft Lauderdale to Delray Bch  29

March 26: Delray to West Palm Beach  19

March 27: Day off walking

March 28: W.Palm Bch to Hobe Sound  27

Good Friday: Hobe to White City           24

March 30: White City to Vero Beach      27

Easter Sunday: Vero to Grant                 22

April 1: Grant to Palm Shores                                21

April 2: Palm Shores to Titusville           30

April 3: Titusville to Bethune Beach       24

April 4: Bethune to Daytona                   23

April 5: Daytona to Flagler                     20

April 6: Flagler to St Augustine Beach   28

April 7: Day off walking

April 8: St Augustine Bch to Bayard       25

April 9: Bayard to Jacksonville                17

April 10: Jacksonville to Callahan           20



Georgia

April 11: Callahan to Folkston                                22

April 12: Folkston to Waycross Forest   27

April 13: Waycross F. to Alma                                32

April 14: Alma to Baxley                         20

April 15: Baxley to Toombs Central        19

April 16: Toombs to Oak Park                 24

April 17: Day off walking

April 18: Day off walking

April 19: Oak Park to Swansboro            18

April 20: Swansboro to Louisville           30

April 21: Louisville to Blythe                   29

April 22: Blythe to North Augusta          21

April 23: North August to Ridge Spring  32



South Carolina

April 24: Ridge Spring to Lexington        28

April 25: Lexington to Dentsville            18

April 26: Dentsville to Camden               25

April 27: Camden to McBee                   27

April 28: McBee to Cheraw                    28

April 29: Cheraw to  Rockingham           20



North Carolina

April 30:  Rockingham to Aberdeen       26

May 1: Day off walking

May 2: Aberdeen to Sanford                  30

May 3: Sanford to Jordan Lake               21

May 4: Jordan Lake to Raleigh               25

May 5: Raleigh to Wake Forest              17

May 6: Wake Forest to Henderson        27

May 7: Henderson to Palmer Springs    24

May 8: Palmer Sp. to  Meredithville      26



Virginia

May 9: Meredithville to McKenny          18

May 10: McKenny to Petersburg            26

May 11: Petersburg to Richmond           22

May 12: Day of walking

May 13: Richmond to Ashland               16

May 14: Ashland to Co.606                     27

May 15: Co.606 to Aquila Park               24

May 16: Aquila Park to Springfield         27

May 17: Day off walking

May 18: Springfield to College Park       24



Maryland

May 19: College Park to Baltimore        26

May 20: Baltimore to Bel Air                 23

May 21: Bel Air to Rising Sun                 22

May 22: Rising Sun to Kennett Square   24










Pennsylvania

May 23: Kennett Sq. to Drexel Hill         24

May 24: Drexel  to Philadelphia East     24

May 25: Phil. East to  Princeton             25



New Jersey

May 26: Princeton to Woodbridge         26

May 27: Woodbridge to Newark            15

May 28: Newark to Pelham Manor        27



New York

May 29: Pelham Manor to Rye               9

May 30: Day off walking

May 31: Rye to Norwalk                         19



Connecticut

June 1: Norwalk to Milford                     21

June 2: Milford to Guilford                     24

June 3: Guilford to Old Lyme                  25

June 4: Old Lyme to Mystic                    23

June 5: Mystic to Kingston                      30



Rhode Island

June 6: Kingston to Cranston                  24

June 7: Cranston to South Walpole        24



Massachussets

June 8: South Walpole  to Quincy          22

June 9: Quincy to Revere                        15

June 10: Day off walking

June 11:  Revere to Newburyport           30

June 12: Newburport to Portsmouth      20





New Hampshire

June 13: Portsmouth to Kenneburk        26



Maine

June 14: Kenneburk to Portland              26

June 15: Portland to Brunswick              26

June 16: Brunswick to Damoriscotta      26

June 17: Damoriscotta to Rockland        27

June 18: Day off walking

June 19: Rockland to Belfast                  20

June 20: Belfast to East Orland              22

June 21: East Orland to Hancock            24

June 22: Hancock to Addison                  31

June 23: Addison to East Macha            22

June 24: East Macha to Pembroke         27

June 25: Pembroke to Calais                  26

June 26: Calais to Princeton                   20

June 27: Princeton to Houlton Road       26

June 28: Houlton Rd to Amity                                30

June 29: Amity to Monticello                 27

June 30: Monticello to Presque Isle       28

July 1: Presque Isle to Caribou                13

July 2: Caribou to Van Buren                  22

July 3: Van Buren to Madawaska           24

July 4: Madawaska to Fort Kent             20         





    

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Board on a Mission

Nobody likes meetings...unless they are the exciting planning meetings to get Feet of Memory up and walking from Key West Florida to Ft. Kent Maine! Saturday, the Board meets to plan and organize all those details that make a project successful.

On the community fundraising side of the drawing board are several ideas including theatrical performances, a Winter Wonderland Walkathon and Festival, super-Saturday garage and bake sales, and lots more. We even have special hand-crafted jewelry and products you can wear with pride and to show support.

Statistically, Alzheimer's Disease is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. However, few diseases span as many years with such devastating tolls to the individual, their family, and friends. Geoffrey's mother Pat had A.D. for 24 years with progressively deteriorating memory and physical losses. In her honor, and to help end, yes, END, this dreadful disease, Geoffrey will do his extreme walk of the 2,400 miles of U.S. Route 1, the historic highway. Along the way, he will ask the community to come out and walk with him, to sponsor special events which may include one of his solo theatrical performances. Geoffrey is a trained and highly skillful international stage actor with a long list of theatrical credits. You will soon be able to view a snippet performance on the website that is currently under construction.

The Alzheimer's Association offers education, research and support services for those touched by A.D. and Feet of Memory's mission is to raise money and awareness toward this work.

We need volunteers and resources to make it happen. We need you and soon we will post a new website with details on the Feet of Memory organization and its work and how you can help us make a major difference in research, education and support to end Alzheimer's Disease.

Monday, August 13, 2012

12 and counting

Another training walk of 12 miles is now history as Geoffrey racks up more and more miles toward 2,400 training miles prior to his actual extreme walk. He has 1976 training miles to go in 226 days - an average of 8.74 per day. With an occasional day of rest, he is out pounding the pavement or dirt track. To remind you, he is walking 2,400 miles on US 1, the historic highway,to raise funds for research, education and support services offered by the Alzheimer's Association. www.alz.org.

Maintaining fitness over the coming colder weather (yes, it will come in a few months) will be a bit challenging, but that's what Planet Fitness is for!

Geoffrey aims to be as lightweight as possible for the extreme walk from Key West to Ft Kent Maine. He'll have to carry some essential items like fluids, rain wear, first aid items and food which, of course, will add to the weight.

Some fundraising and awareness-raisers are on the drawing table and we will let you know when we have some definite plans!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

And moving right along....

As we begin to set up our board for our non-for-profit organization that will raise funds to support Alzheimer's Disease research, education and services, we have two board members signed up --and received our first donation toward the walk!

There is much to be done...fundraising, continuation of physical training toward the extreme walk from Key West Florida to Ft. Kent Maine, media coverage, and volunteers to make it happen.

Here are some of the ways you can help:
Donations of gift cards to national chain restaurants, gasoline gift cards, hotel rooms along the route, and the biggest - loan of a small RV or camper van as our support vehicle AND point-to-point volunteer drivers. I'll repeat these as we gain more readership. If YOU can help, please respond. All cash donations will be tax-deductible when the non-profit status is finalized.


A website will soon be prepared to more fully outline the project and how you can help make possible this 2,400 mile extreme walk to help end Alzheimer's Disease.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Great day for a walk in the park

The weather has cooled and it's a great day for a long (12-mile) walk in the park. Geoffrey is up and at 'em and continuing his training. Watching the Olympics is a great motivator! People of all ages, but mostly the young, are competing in all kinds of sports - some I've never heard of - but their dedication and hard work got them to this world-class competition. On Sunday coming up, the marathon will help close out the events....Geoffrey will do many walking marathons over the 100+ days of his trek from Key West, Florida to Ft. Kent, Maine to raise money and awareness for research and support services for those with Alzheimer's Disease. It takes stamina, strong legs and willpower to sustain such an extreme walk.


But as we've noted before, nearly anyone can begin now to improve his or her own health and fitness by taking some first steps. Set small goals...trim off five pounds, walk, bike or run a mile by the end of the week, or next week. Build up a little more every day or two, until you meet that goal, then set a new one.
Tell us about your achievements!