Annual Linda Johnston Memorial Alzheimer Dinner to Remember set for Jan. 24th

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Mark your calendars for January 24th as it is time for the Alzheimer’s annual fund raising meal in Rainy River.
“A Dinner to Remember” has been extremely popular the past several years with tickets completely selling out the last three years.
This is the second year the fundraiser is being called The Linda Johnston Memorial Alzheimer Dinner to Remember. Linda passed away two summers ago after a battle with cancer. She was instrumental in organizing the previous Dinner’s To Remember and other Alzheimer Fundraising events in Rainy River. This is the sixth annual dinner.
Again this year, as in years past, her family and friends have been busy organizing the event and will be working it.
Linda’s husband, Chef “Uncle” Bob Johnston, has promised that his secret roast beef recipe that has earned the event a reputation of excellence the past five years, will again please everyone’s taste buds.
In addition to the roast beef dinner and all the trimmings, there will be a penny table which also sold out the last two years. Volunteer and long time event supporter Marlene McNally is busy getting all the donated items together for it. Anyone wishing to add an item can drop it off at the Rainy River Record office at 312 3rd St. during normal business hours.
The Fourth Annual Chairs for Charity raffle going on in town. Local artists Patti Diebel and Vivian Locking, as well as Record Publishers Jim Cumming and his sister Linda Plumridge have generously donated their talents and time to make an old chair into a work of art. In Cumming’s case he hand built a beautiful cedar Adirondack Chair. They are truly beautiful and make a great conversation piece as well as home decor. Tickets are available at the Record Office, the Legion, Peterson’s Store in Bergland and Rainy River Drugs, as well as from Record Office Staff members and other Alzheimer volunteers. They cost $2 each or 3 for $5.
Two chairs are on display at the Record Office with two more enroute to the office this week. The draw will be held at the dinner. All proceeds from the event will go towards local Alzheimer’s Society programs.
Tickets for the dinner are $12 each and there are only 100 advanced tickets left and 20 reserved for shut ins (to go orders). Tickets are already selling fast, so if you are planning to attend get yours today!
To order a “To Go” meal call the Record at 852-3366 and put your name on the list. Long time volunteers Tom and Bonne Irvine will be delivering them that evening.
The dinner is being held in the Rainy River Legion Hall. The doors will open around 4:30 p.m. for the Penny Table. Anyone can participate in the penny table and the chairs for charity raffle. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. and all raffle draws will be made after supper. Last year the event raised nearly $3,000, about a 30% increase over the previous year.
In a further effort to show appreciation for Linda’s efforts, the Kenora-RR Alzheimer Society created a bursary, for students entering the medical field to work with Alzheimer Patients, in her honour last year. Executive Director Margaret Schoenville, said that the money donated last year to the scholarship was enough for two years. However, anyone can donate to it anytime. The donation is tax deductible and envelopes for people to donate will be on the tables at the dinner. There will also be memorial flowers on the table honouring Linda.
Schoenville said that the Kenora-Rainy River Alzheimer Society spends all the money it raises locally in local programs. “We are presently looking to hire someone part-time to help deliver programs in the Rainy River to Fort Frances area.”