Bikers raise more than $33,000 for Alzheimers

By Jack Elliott
Correspondent

They came from across the Northwest: Red Lake, Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Fort Frances and a host of communities in between. There were even some out-of-province plates.
About 143 bikes participated in the Alzheimer’s Ride for Memories and many of them made their way into Rainy River on Saturday despite terrible weather throughout the region. Some even faced hail and icy roads.
First to roll into the Rainy River Legion lot around 11:30 am was Ansgar Lucke of Pinewood with his co-pilot, wife Betty Ann. “We were able to cheat a little as we just came in from Pinewood,” joked the Luckes who have enjoyed the Ride for Memories for a number of years.
Margaret Schonewille, Executive Director for the Kenora-RR Alzheimer Society said, “I asked some of the riders and they were very happy with the lunch noting the hot soup was especially appreciated.”
Over the next two hours staggered groups of bikers rolled in. The contingent from Dryden-Sioux Lookout was delayed for over an hour when hail and heavy rain delayed their departure from Dryden.
“It wasn’t too bad coming down from Kenora, but we did go through some light showers,” reported one rider from Kenora who along with most other bikers was decked out in rain gear to counter the weather.
The Ladies Aux. of the Royal Canadian Legion in Rainy River hosted the lunch for the group. “We served over 110 bikers,” reported Marlene McNally.
Departing Rainy River, en masse, the parade of bikes put on a magnificent display as the rolled down 4th Street, along River Ave, and back onto Highway #11 at Tower Road. From there, in sun, wind and rain they headed onto Dryden in groups by various routes for a steak dinner at the conclusion of the ride. Schonewille said that they served about 150 steaks in Dryden. “Despite the weather the event was a huge sucess raising approx. $33,000!”
Top fundraiser again this year was Kevin Kennedy of Pinewood, ON, bringing in $3,079.50. Kennedy was awarded a Fly In trip to Maynard Lake Lodge.
Brian MacDonald of Dryden raised $3,000.00 and won a package at Redden’s Camp at Tomahawk Lodge, Sioux Narrows.
Melvin Jack of Emo raised $1,865.00 and received a stay at Redden’s Camp on Longbow Lake.
Tim Benson of Sioux Narrows raised $1,180 for his efforts and received a gift certificate for a stay at the Comfort Inn in Thunder Bay.
Hotel room awards were also given out to riders holding the best poker hands. For Juanita Noble of Fort Frances the Victoria Inn, Winnipeg; Tyler Brown of Atikokan, the Riverview Lodge, Dryden; and Bob Gordon of Kenora, the Holiday Inn Dryden.
All funds raised stay in the Kenora-Rainy River Districts and are used to support families dealing with this dreadful disease.