Couch Potato's Unite!

"Another OperaTOONity" is on the drawing boards for merrie fun and music. Watch for dates and info on www.feetofmemory.com.

Our Events Committee met March 4, and you can begin NOW to get in shape for our COUCH POTATO TRIATHLON on Saturday, May 18 at Jackson North Park on Fulton Road across from Jackson HS Massillon, Ohio.

Get ready for the Wastebasket Toss - The TV Commercial Junk Food Race - and the TV/Movies Trivia contest. Prizes for first, second and third places will be awarded - plus a special last place prize!
Fee to participate is just $8.00 in advance or $10 day of the event.

An up-to-two-mile walk ends the festivities as participants gather sponsorships for their participation...lets' say if you walk 1.2 miles, one  sponsor may give $1.25, another might give $5.50 and another $10.  The person with the most sponsors wins a prize and the person with the most money from sponsors also wins a prize.

Hot dogs, chips, cold beverages and a bake sale are also available.
Don't wait to get your Wastebasket Toss style ready to win....and help Feet of Memory raise funds and awareness to help bring an end to the dreadful, life-and-memory-stealing Alzheimer's disease.

Sports-related Head Injuries and Alzheimer's disease

 

Feet of Memory Inc. exists to help bring an end to Alzheimer's disease through long-distance endurance walks and theatre.

Visit us at www.feetofmemory.com

Email us at feetmemory@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

In the February 15, 2013 issue of the New York Times is a long and interesting article on sports-related brain injuries and the short and long-term effects. The writer shared: "In September 2009, a study commissioned by the N.F.L. reported that Alzheimer’s disease or similar memory-related diseases appear to have been diagnosed in the league’s former players vastly more often than in the national population — including a rate of 19 times the normal rate for men ages 30 through 49. The study was conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research."
These men are ages 30-49...prime of life time, not a time of memory loss and even Alzheimer's disease. Here is the link for further reading.
We at Feet of Memory, Inc. are concerned about all ages of people who deal with memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. Prevention as well as treatment are important, and we need to do all we can to end this disease. If that means better designed sports equipment and improved treatment for concussion and head trauma, then we want to be part of awareness and funding.We are in conversation with several health care professionals and sports figures to present a seminar on this current and important topic. We will share information as soon as we can.

Together there is so much we can do

OperaTOONity

Is

Almost here....in 24 hours it will be all done.

It's amazing how much energy and time go into the production of a show, let alone the hours of work on the fundraising and awareness aspects.

Many press releases, radio interviews, publicity fliers and newspaper ads, Facebook postings and personal contacts. Wish us well! If you are in the Canton, Ohio area, come on over to the Lions Lincoln Theatre in downtown Massillon - 2 p.m. Feb 10.

 

This fundraising event by Feet of Memory will help us toward the endurance walk up the East Coast starting in Key West on historic US Rt 1. We are taking up to four months out of our lives to walk to raise awareness and funds in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. Help us help researchers win this battle. Together there is so much we can do!

 

Visit www.feetofmemory.com for details and to donate.

Marilyn Monroe and Memory Loss

I came across an entertaining and provocative blog about Marilyn Monroe and memory loss....another blog abour Rita Hayworth is also on the recent list. It's very good reading. http://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/blog/

Feet of Memory exists to support organizations like USAgainstAlzheimers, The Alzheimer's Association, research hospitals and support systems. Our 2013 focus is on the work of the Alzheimer's Association and funds raised on the Walk of 2,400 miles that begins in Key West on March 17 will be donated to this organization.

Alzheimer's disease is frequently in the news and another great article appears in the February 7 edition of USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/06/alzheimers-dementia-epidemic-numbers-to-triple/1881151/
It is expected, given current trends, that Alzheimer's will be at an epidemic level by 2050. We can't allow this, folks. There must be a way to find a cure...a block...something that will enable people to keep the memories of their dearest loved ones, their personal lives, their own 'self.' This disease robs so much from the individual, the family, the community and the costs are staggering.An updated estimate based on the 2010 census, predicts more than $2 TRILLION dollars will go to the health care needs of those with Alzheimer's disease.
By supporting Feet of Memory you support these organizations. They have their own fundraising mechanisms in place, and ours is meant to enhance theirs.
Please visit www.feetofmemory.com to read about our progam and organization and to donate.

Marching on

Feet of Memory Inc. marches on toward a successful Walk from Key West to Maine. As we hold public events and fundraisers, we also get the word about about Alzheimer's disease and its effects on lives...not just the one with the disease, but the family and community. Unlike many other diseases, Alzheimer's steals away one's life....past, present and future. Memories, self-awareness, and closest relationships are wiped away as the disease progresses. It may begin at an early age....such as 50s or 60s, but aging beyond 80 is the 'norm.' Researchers continuously seek the reasons why people develop this disease, as well as means to control and even end it.

Alzheimer's stole away Geoffrey's mother Pat...for more than 24 years, she slipped deeper and deeper into the thickening clouds of memory loss. Like many patients, her physical health was pretty good. She was a strong and fit Kiwi woman and to look at her - until the later stages of Alzheimer's disease, you might not know her memory and ability to speak coherently, to tell you her name, or recognize her family....had gone.

Our goal is to walk these 2,400 miles beginning on the anniversary of Pat's birthday 17 March, 2013 and tell her story...which is the story of many... as we journey historic U.S. Rt. 1. More than 32 millions people live within a 25 mile radius of this road, and we want to share her story while raising funds so others won't ever have a similar story to tell.

Thank you for your support.

Feet of Memory Inc is located in Canton, Ohio, with an international goal to present endurances walks to help end Alzheimer's disease...whether here in the US or in other global locations. Additionally, Geoffrey offers several solo theatrical performances to groups. His performances include "Tenacity" which is about his mother's journey with Alzheimer's disease, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," "The Gospel of St Mark," and "Sermon on the Mount." Rose offers Lessons in a Lunchbox to retirement homes, adult day centers and other organizations with people in early to mid-stage dementias.

Contact us at 330-819-8109 (Geoffrey)

or via email: feetmemory@ yahoo.com

on our website at www.feetofmemory.com

how does your money help

When you donate to our nonprofit organization,Feet of Memory, Inc, your donations help local Alzheimer's Association chapters meet the needs of people wth Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. For example, our local chapter in Canton, Ohio provides numerous support groups, educational opportunities, Safe Return and more. As Feet of Memory helps the Alzheimer's Association by raising funds and awareness, we help provide important services and information.

Monies raised toward the  2,400 mile walk from Key West to Maine along historic US Rt 1 in 2013 help us do our work in order to raise MANY dollars toward research, education and support services. Additionally, the media coverage alone will help build awareness of the scope and issues of Alzheimer's disease.

We thank you for your support of Feet of Memory!

Inflammation

Alzheimer's disease has been in the news a good deal lately as research studies point to some hopeful finds. Aspirin may help prevent inflammation and less inflammation means (perhaps and hopefully) fewer chances for Alzheimer's disease. I know a local doctor who pretty well recommends that everyone take at least one 81 mg aspirin per day...some exceptions apply, but he truly believes that less inflammation is good for just about everything. Another uses the European dosage that equals two 'baby' aspirin.

Inflammation seems to be at least partly responsible for a host of ailments and diseases. Please read this article about chronic inflammation. http://www.lef.org/protocols/health_concerns/chronic_inflammation_01.htmAs always, continue to read up on other points of view and research findings.

Feet of Memory Inc. is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to help bring an end to Alzheimer's disease.

Geoffrey's 2,400 mile walk planned for March-July 2013 is just one way in which we accomplish our goal. We offer theatrical performances to schools that help explain memory loss to youngsters. Geoffrey presents several solo performances ranging from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner to the Sermon on the Mount in King James English. He memorized this in response to the 400th anniversary in 2011 of the release of the King James Bible. He also offers "Tenacity" - an original play about his mothers journey into memory loss and Alzheimer's disease.

Email us at feetmemory@yahoo.com fo details on how to book your own performance.

Lewy Body dementia

Yesterday, while attending a Rotary Club meeting, a gentleman approached Geoffrey to tell him of a type of dementia called Lewy Body dementia which is the second leading cause of dementia in elderly Americans. We are looking into this and will share information with you soon.

In the meantime, the Benefit Wine Tasting is coming up! November 17 is the day from 6-8:30 p.m. at Maize Valley Winery. Maize Valley was recently seen on CNN. The television crew interviewed visotors to the winery about their thoughts on the presidential election.

Benefit Wine Tasting

Saturday, November 17 from 6-8:30 p.m.

At Maize Valley Winery

On Rt 619 just east of Hartville

$25.00 per person includes:

4 wine tastings of your choice and finger foods, live music

Additional opportunities at your own cost include:

Wine tickets for additional tastings, food and beverages in the restaurant,

A Corn Hole Tournament, silent auction, 50/50 raffle

Tables of eight receive one free ticket…so bring friends!

Optional non-alcoholic ticket at $18.00 Includes finger foods, water and coffee

Proceeds to benefit the Feet of Memory Inc Walk from Key West, Florida to Maine to help end Alzheimer’s disease.

www.feetofmemory.com

Geoffrey 330-819-8109

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.

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.

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.

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

Feetmemory@yahoo.com.

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.

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.

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.



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.

UPDATES

Whew....I've been so busy planning and working toward the Launch that I've hardly had time to sit down and write to you. So I will start the day here, instead of there....

For those of you in the Canton/Akron/Massillon area of Ohio, we do hope you will pop in to the launch of Feet of Memory Inc on Wednesday, October 24 from 5-7pm at the Jackson Library on Fulton Road. Meet the Board, Founders, hear a dramatic original presentation by Founder and CEO Geoffrey Darling, aka our Walker. Other presenters include Loren Veigel, Artistic Director of VOCI,Inc. will share his family's journey with Alzheimer's disease, and a representative from the Alzheimer's Association will update research news. Rose Darling, Co-Founder and co-CEO gives a sample from her "Lessons in a Lunchbox" - a faith-based non-denominational, interactive program for those with mild to moderate memory loss, and their caregivers and family members.  A Balloons of Memory flight will be launched immediately after the official launch of the organization at 6:15.

Additionally, you may munch on Nuts 'n Chocolates and shop specially designed and crafted products in "Pat's Corner," named for Geoffrey's mother Pat who died in 2012 at the age of 90 after 24 years with Alzheimer's.  Lynn Marie Jewelry offers beautiful aquamarine necklaces, and Feet of Memory tee-shirts will be available to order.
We will see you there...only a month away!

Check out our website for details about Feet of Memory, and information about the extreme walk from Key West to Maine...a journey of 2,400 miles we take in 2013.  www.feetofmemory.com

Early-onset Alzheimer's

Yesterday, a friend shared with us that two of his sisters have early-onset Alzheimer's...one is in a nursing center at age 60.
This is why we established Feet of Memory Inc- to help END Alzheimer's disease: This robbing of human thought and mind - often while still rather young. Of course, we all know there are no guarantees of long, healthy lives for any of us, but the kind of drawn-out dying of memory, thought, personality and body brought about by Alzheimer's disease is especially agonizing for the individual, the family and the community.

Please help us help find an end to Alzheimer's disease by supporting Feet of Memory.

Geoffrey's 2,400 mile walk honors his own mother who had early-onset Alzheimer's disease that lasted 24 years...nearly a quarter of her life when she did not recognize her own children and family. She could no longer enjoy her special hobby of building little ponds with lily pads, nor respond to holidays and birthdays, and life in general.

As he walks from Key West to Maine, each step is to honor her and to help raise funds to help the Alzheimer's Association in its many research, education, advocacy and support services as they work to end Alzheimer's disease.

Event dates

We are busy, busy organizing the walk and fund and awareness raisers to make it possible. This weekend we will look at an RV that may be a donation for the duration. Our new Creative Team is helping us with the planning and implementtation of these events.
So if you are in the Canton, Ohio area, here are a few dates for your calendar.

Launch Reception: October 24 from 5-7 pm at the Jackson Library on Fulton Road. Meet our Board of Directors, enjoy guest presenters, Nuts 'n Chocolates, the official launch with Balloons of Memory at 6:30. Please join us!



We are tying up loose ends for a fun fund-raiser at Vinoteca. Dates to be verified but should be November 16 and/or 17. Meet a past "King of Olde England," enjoy wine and a cheese/bread board, and live entertainment by professional musicians and Shakespearean actors. Details and ticket prices to be announced soon.

In December, come to the "Christmas Party Hop"! Again, details are now being confirmed and will soon be posted.

January features a Winterfest....hope there's some snow this winter!

February has an extra-fun, special event for the whole family to enjoy....but it's a secret for now......shhhhhhh.

As you see, we are very busy....if you can volunteer or help us out in any way, please write to us at feetmemory@yahoo.com

Feet of MemoryInc is a nonprofit organization with the purpose of raising awareness and funds for research, education support services oto help end Alzheimer's disease. Through extreme walks, such as the walk planned from Key West to Maine on historic US Rt 1 in 2013, Geoffrey and Rose Darling, along with a support team will present programs and walkathons from town to town along the way. Visit www.feetofmemory.com for more information. FInd us on Facebook, too.

Pat's Place

Lynn Marie Jewelry delivered several of her handcrafted genuine aquamarine necklaces today, and they are so lovely! The soft blue color is peaceful and gentle, and the little silver fairie at the clasp set them off so well. The necklaces are in memory of Pat Darling, Geoffrey's mother who had Alzheimer's disease for 24 years. She passed on in March 2012, just five days after her 90th birthday. It is in her honor that Feet of Memory Inc presents these pieces of jewelry. Soon, other products will be added to Pat's Place.

 

The purchase of these necklaces (that come in various carats) will help Feet of Memory Inc in its goal to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association and the many services they provide. Please email us at feetmemory@yahoo.com for details and prices.