Duane Hicks
The local Alzheimer Society’s annual charitable dinner, “Forget Me Not,” will be held Saturday, Feb. 3 at La Place Rendez-Vous here.
The evening will include fine dining, live entertainment by local duo “Entyrely Mac,” and a prize auction.
The guest speaker will be Dr. Barry Campbell, medical director of geriatric psychiatry at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, who will speak about dementia and what to do when loved ones with it go missing.
At least 60 percent of people with dementia-related memory problems become lost at some point.
Executive director Rossana Tomashowski said the local Alzheimer Society has had Dr. Campbell speak in Kenora in the recent past, adding he is “awesome.”
This event will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6.
Tickets cost $50 each or $400 for a table of eight, which can be purchased at Northwoods Gallery & Gifts and La Place Rendez-Vous, or by calling toll-free 1-800-682-0245.
A $25 charitable tax receipt will be issued.
Proceeds will go to the Alzheimer Society of Kenora/Rainy River Districts to deliver programs and services at no cost to those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Events like the “Forget Me Not” dinner are important to the local Alzheimer Society, as those who attend provide support and bring awareness to the cause.
The local Alzheimer Society helps more than 1,000 people affected by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.
Last year’s dinner here raised $4,250.
Meanwhile, the annual Linda Johnston Memorial roast beef dinner is slated for 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Rainy River Legion.
The Red Hatters are organizing the popular dinner again this year, which will feature roast beef prepared by the Red Hat Society and Walter Wagner.
The cost is $20 per ticket, which are available at the Rainy River Legion and Deb Wagner.
There also will be a penny table organized by Marlene McNally and chair raffles.
Penny table and chair tickets will be available at the dinner only.
Tom and Pam Irvin will deliver dinners for those unable to attend but would like to support the Alzheimer Society.
For further info or to purchase tickets, contact Deb Wagner at 852-3687.
Earlier in January, Mary O’Connor, local Client Services co-ordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts, will be doing presentations about the “Finding Your Way” program.
This is a partnership between the Ontario government and the Alzheimer Society of Ontario to educate and inform the public about wandering.
The program helps people living with dementia, their families, caregivers, and communities to recognize the risk of going missing, be prepared for incidents of going missing, and ensure people with dementia can live safely in the community.
Stay tuned for more details next month.
