Almost $3,000 raised at Alzheimer dinner

By Ken Johnston
Editor

It was definitely a dinner to remember.
The 5th annual Rainy River Alzheimer Society Dinner to Remember was held Saturday evening at the Rainy River Legion.
This year’s sold out event, was held in memory of the late Linda Johnston who not only organized the event the previous four years, she also volunteered extensively for the Kenora-Rainy River Alzheimer Society all year long.
The event featured a delicious roast beef dinner prepared by Linda’s husband “Uncle Bob” Johnston and his friends and family. Linda’s immediate family was well represented at the event with relatives coming from Winnipeg and Fort Frances areas.
Alz. Soc. Executive Director Margaret Schoenville said that while it is sad that Linda is not with us anymore, her spirit will live on for years to come. Not only will the Dinner to Remember be named the Linda Johnston Alzheimer Memorial Dinner from now on, the Kenora-RR Alz. Soc. has decided to offer a bursary in Linda’s honour to RRHS graduates beginning this spring.
Schoenville said that the support at the dinner was incredible and that Linda would have been pleased. After all was said and done, the event grossed nearly $3,000. After expenses it approximately cleared $2,600; $800 more than last year!
Schoenville outlined some of the activities the organization has been undertaking in the region and one in particular she hopes will spread across the region. “We applied for usage of an old Abitibi building for respite care.” After not hearing anything for a year, Margaret said when the call came that they could have the building for $1 they were ecstatic. The new Alzheimer Respite Care Centre in Kenora offers anyone with a family member suffering from the disease a place they can take them for respite while they are perhaps shopping there.
Margaret hopes that the concept will sprout up in other communities across the region.
In addition to a huge penny table there were draws for the Chairs for Charity. This year a special children’s table and chairs decorated by Patti Diebel was the talk of the town. Everyone held their breath as Schoenville drew the winning ticket. Sheila Medwechuk was the lucky winner. Winning the adult chair also decorated by Diebel was Lisa Cyr.
A draw for a scroll saw picture of a steam locomotive by Rick Peterson and a teddy bear was won by Florence Newman.
While there were a few tears shed for Linda, all and all family and friends were very happy with the support for the event, both from those in attendance and from local businesses.