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.

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

It's been a while since the blue writing appeared - code that it's Geoffrey writing and not Rose -business is no excuse and it's over a week since news of Feet of Memory's walk went coast to coast - literally.

The day the Canton Repository article appeared - the same day we woke to no electricity thanks to Superstorm Sandy - my namesake in Oregon, Geoffrey Darling also, contacted me - long story of finding each other on the 'net 15 years ago - and sharing lifestyle chats and jokes about people that make jokes about our name. He'd been shown the link and hoped we would call in when we do the next walk, the West Coast.

Then a phone call from a newspaper in Maine - really northern Maine and the last spot on the walk, the light at the end of the tunnel as it were. I told the editor how much I was looking forward to seeing her little town - on July 3 next year. She just wanted to confirm all the details of Gary Brown's article were correct and I assured her they were more accurate than if I had written them - ie they contained not even unintentional errors. It was fine work from Mr Brown (noticed any slips in punctuation? - that's me deliberately not using AP style).
Training continues in maintenance mode - that is about seven miles most days and at least two to four every day. I was on a harder surface than the towpath today and left a little soreness - we'll have to watch that. Race walkers tell me the shin soreness goes after a while. It certainly dissipates when I stop.

So now the countdown to the November 17 wine-tasting at Maize Valley - tickets $25/head for the wine-tasting and $18 for non-alcohol drinking attendees.

From time to time Rose and I try try to post a comment to see how hard it is - and find it is like drawing teeth while jumping through hoops. So rather than let it go, as we did, you can contact us on email: feetmemory@yahoo.com - love to hear from you

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.

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

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.

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.

http://www.ohioeriecanal.org/trail.html

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!

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.

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.