Alzheimer Ride for Memories another big success!

By Ken Johnston
Editor

While details are still being firmed up, the 7th Annual Alzheimer District Motorcycle Ride for Memories was a huge success!
Exec. Dir. of the Kenora-Rainy River Alzheimer Society, Margaret Schonewille, said Monday, “The trip was a huge success again this year.” The motorcycle ride, which travelled to Red Lake this year, is one, of if not the largest fund raisers for the Alz. Soc. each year. Last year it raised about $32,000 and Schonewille says it should be close to that again this year! “I have not tallied it all up, but I have bags of money and feel good about it!”
If the top money earners are an indication of how the 100 or so riders did, the event could very well exceed last year’s total. The top money earner, who also won it last year, was Brian MacDonald of Dryden. He brought in $4,610 and won a Sail Boat Excursion from Northern Harbour.
Coming a close second was Kevin Kennedy of Pinewood. He raised $4,232 and won a two night stay at Tomahawk Lodge in Sioux Narrows.
The third place finisher was Bob Gordon of Kenora with $1,525 chose to defer his prize, a two night stay at Lakeview Lodge in Nestor Falls, to the 4th place finisher, Dan Canfield. Canfield, who brought in $1,451 also chose to give up the prize having won first place on the ride numerous times. It was decided to auction it off and another $300 was raised for the cause!
Best poker hands on the day went as follows:
1st-Phil Rumpel of Kenora, who won a one night stay at Super 8 in Fort Frances.
2nd-Destinee Gluscher of Dryden, who won a one night stay at the Days Inn in Kenora.
3rd-Shane Anderson of Dryden, who won a one night stay at the Best Western in Kenora.
Schonewille said that the day before the ride Riverview Lodge of Dryden called and wanted to get involved in the event so it was decided to offer a prize for the 4th place in the poker derby. Robyn Nairn of Kenora won a one night stay at Riverview Lodge.
“I am really pleased with the overall trip. Spirit was really high and there was no rain this year!” said Schonewille Monday.
When asked if she rode on part of the route, she said, “No one has ever asked me to!” Who knows maybe next year she will get an offer!