Paige Desmond
The sixth-annual Alzheimer Society’s “Ride for Memories” kicked off Saturday under a clearing sky as local participants met at The Harbourage for its 10:30 a.m. start time.
“It’s grown since the first year,” noted Juanita Noble as riders stood around the parking lot for some pre-ride social time. “There are a lot of nice people [involved].”
Noble, who works at Rainycrest here, has participated in past years to support the cause. “It’s a good cause,” she explained.
And she was not alone.
Richard Ottertail showed up to support the Alzheimer Society, attending with a friend who invited him along for the ride. He admitted he was a little nervous, having only been on a motorcycle once before.
“This is actually my second time,” he grinned. “[But] I’m excited about it.”
Ottertail’s friend, Kevin Kennedy, was equally enthusiastic. “It should be fun when we meet with the others,” he said about riders from Dryden, Sioux Lookout, and Kenora who were all heading to Rainy River for lunch before continuing on to Dryden for a steak dinner.
Ron Campbell showed up ready to go in his “biker” gear, along with a partner in tow—dressed to match.
“It’s a beautiful time of year,” Campbell remarked, adding his riding partner—a petite dog named “Sweet Pea”—has participated with him in the past.
Organizer Margaret Schonewille of the Alzheimer Society could not have been happier with the one-day event, which raised roughly $33,000 and included more than 140 riders.
“It was very much a success, everyone kept safe, and everyone got back safely,” she beamed.
“It was an excellent time.”
The top four fundraisers were Kevin Kennedy ($3,079.50), Brian MacDonald ($3,000), Melvin Jack ($1,865), and Tim Benson ($1,180).
They earned mini-getaways to locations including Maynard Lake Lodge, Tomahawk Resort, Redden’s Camp on Longbow Lake, and the Comfort Inn.
Poker hand winners were Juanita Noble, Tyler Brown, and Bob Gordon. They received mini-getaways to locations including the Victoria Inn, Riverview Lodge, and the Holiday Inn.
