It will be a dinner to remember

By Ken Johnston
Editor

They say a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. It appears this holds true for men and women in this community who every year for the past six, have eaten a delicious roast beef dinner and given generously to the Alzheimer Society.
Efforts to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer Society of Rainy River and Kenora Districts have been ongoing for years and the late Linda Johnston played a key role in doing just that in Rainy River.
This coming Saturday will mark the seventh annual “Dinner to Remember” in Rainy River. Its key organizer the first four years was Linda Johnston and the fact that it sold out years three, four, five and six are a testament to her efforts and how much the community cares about this cause.
Passing away in 2007, her family and friends whom she had recruited to help her put the dinner on decided to continue the tradition and two years ago the event was renamed “The Linda Johnston Memorial Alzheimer Dinner to Remember.” At that dinner Exec. Dir. of the Kenora-Rainy River Alz. Society Margaret Schonewille announced that a Memorial Scholarship was being created in Linda’s name at Rainy River High School.
The first scholarship was awarded to Danielle Abraham but last year there were no eligible applicants. The money for the scholarship was donated by people in the community. It is hoped that it will find its way to help a graduate this June.
Many people and businesses have donated many items for the penny table and artists have donated their time to make and paint chairs for the annual Chairs for Charity draw to be held at the dinner this Saturday.
Tickets for the dinner are more than 85% gone and will likely be sold out by the weekend. As of press time there were nine "to go" tickets left and about the same "regular" tickets. If there are "to go" tickets left past noon on Wednesday, they will be put up for sale as "regular" ones. To get your name on the to go list call the Record at 852-3366 before noon.
Regular tickets are available while supplies last from the Record Office at 312 Third St. or volunteer Marlene McNally.