SR&R-2003
I usually write about the events that I have had a hand in
planning but this time, we were blessed to have our dear friend
Toad (a true southern gentleman & a scholar) and his lovely
wife Nanny here with us to celebrate our 2nd Shake, Rattle &
Roll for Parkinson’s Disease.. The following is written
by Jimmie “Toad” Turner and I think that it is a
magnificent expression of the true feelings of everyone who
was involved.
07-05-03 Parky Love
Well, it’s been a week now since the 2003, Shake, Rattle,
& Roll, fund
raiser. It was organized by Joan Snyder, & friends, along
with the
Parkinson’s Alliance.
I was going to try writing a detailed report, including names.
Instead I’ll
try & share the essence of what I felt & the benefits
received from sharing
“Parky Love.” I’m afraid of forgetting &
omitting names. Besides, some acts
of love were meant to be anonymous.
I saw sharing of blessings; financial, spiritual, emotional,
& physical.
People going out of their own comfort zone to insure the comfort
of others.
Personal gifts that were handmade, traded for tears & hugs.
Oh, hugs were
in abundance. Given & taken freely, seasoned with laughter,
or crying,
sometimes both. Parky Love.
Friendships shared by those who possibly would not even talk
under other
circumstances. Republicans, Democrats, Liberals, & Red-necks,
maybe, but
that weekend they were Parky Warriors. Brought together to fight
a common,
hated enemy. Friendships made for a lifetime, or that were previously
made
& further cemented over a cool beverage or hot meal. I know
I’ve met those
whom are near & dear to my heart, that I would’ve
never come in contact
with out of the world of PD. Some, if met on the street, I would’ve
turned
away from, but instead the differences were weathered because
of our common
bond until finally firm friendships were formed. Parky Love.
The autographed , Muhamed Ali, boxing gloves were won, by raffle,
by a
volunteer worker at the “walk.’ This person immediately
re-donated them
back to the cause. The gloves were sold by a Parky, that wasn’t
even at the
walk, but still wanting to do, “their part.” Parky
Love.
I saw scores of volunteers. All responding to the battle cry,
led by one
woman. But she would tell you that none of it would be possible
without the
endless sacrifices of her family, & loyal friends. But then
you meet the
family & your amazed to find, for them, these many obstacles
are just
opportunities, to express their obvious love for their mother,
daughter,
spouse, or friend! They understand & epitomize the dedicated
will that
“gets stuff done.” All who enter that house are
enveloped in love. More
than just Parky Love.
As for me, I spent the weekend in a wheelchair, or “crab
walking” with my
two canes. I soaked up the love & enjoyed the many friendships
in various
stages of development. I reaped many blessings of support, enthusiasm,
&
encouragement. Everywhere one looked, there were reminders that
I was not
alone. That the S. R. & R. was the culmination of an every
day spirit of
not giving in nor up.
I met many for the first time. Turning chat room user names
into warm
memories, that now have a future, as well as a past, or here
& now. To be
honest, I met some I had forgotten & was grateful for the
opportunity for
the renewing, thanks to their forgiving. Then there were the
old friends.
Tried & true, purged by fire, still loving me thru my faults,
FRIENDS.
Finally there were the friends in waiting. People I had met
before, yet I
have regretfully, not developed friendships with. People showing
me acts of
friendship that were so unexpected because of my unworthiness.
Cookies
baked with love, a custom hat, a box hauled to the airport,
a car provided
for transportation, pictures shared, & more. Parky Love.
Parky Love is nothing more than God’s Love, mixed with
the adversity of PD,
forming a common bond. A love that can only happen when you
seek to give &
share. A giving where receiving is incidental, yet pure &
honest. The
Shake, Rattle, & Roll, as lead by Joan’s example,
is giving till it hurts,
then giving more. Giving money, time, & love, to beat our
common enemy.
Most of all, proving that until that victory, there is love,
happiness, &
fulfillment, that’s available & attainable, in spite
of PD. That we can
only emerge victorious, by battling adversity. And that there’s
few gifts
greater, than a friend who’s proved that friendship at
their own expense.
Toad
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Our 2nd annual Shake, Rattle and Roll event f or Parkinson’s
Disease was held on Sunday, June 29th at Le Vioux Carre on the
beautiful, downtown riverfront in Peoira, IL. It was a picture
perfect day, as walkers gathered at 10 am to enjoy the fellowship,
food, fun and the guitar pickin’ and singin’ as
Ken Carlyle started our entertainment. Volunteers had set up
lots of coffee, pastries, fruit and juice. The entire riverfront
looked as if it were awash in red & black, the colors of
Shake, Rattle & Roll. Balloons were everywhere along the
walk-route and the tables were covered in red & black for
the silent auction. Pots of red tulips, the international symbol
of hope for pd, were all around: on the welcome table, on the
stage, and there were red bandanas for all of the people with
parkinson’s. At noon, Gina Morss, anchor-person from WEEK-TV
25 started the program by introducing the speakers who addressed
the crowd. First, we heard from Michael Bryant-the ceo of Methodist
Medical Center and then from State Representative David Leitch
followed by comments from Carol Walton-executive director of
the Parkinson Alliance. At 12:30 pm Applegate & Co. started
their set on stage . The easy roll/stroll/walk along the river
started at 12:45 pm. When the walkers returned they were treated
to a sumptuous feast of Italian food, garlic bread, sandwiches
and dessert as they listened to speakers AJ Campbell & Greg
Wasson, from PAN
(Parkinson’s Action Network) from California and Dr. Perry
Cohen from Washington D.C., representing the Parkinson’s
Pipeline project. Also on hand for the fun were Nan Abraham
and Brenda Tucker-the co-founders of PLWP (People Living With
Parkinson’s).org.
Later on, the David Parkinson trio (“Big” John Miller
& Steve Dagenford) played jazz of the finest caliber into
the late afternoon and we had our raffle. Here is what we had
to raffle:
ONE RAFFLE WILL BE FOR A PAIR OF 16 OZ., EVERLAST BOXING GLOVES
AUTHOGRAPHED BY:
“THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME”
MOHAMMAD ALI
WE ALSO HAVE TICKETS FOR THE BASKETS DRAWINGS: YOUR CHANCE TO
WIN 1 OF 6 BASKETS,
EACH VALUED AT OVER $500.00.
MAUI-WOWIE BASKET:
1 KILOHANA TITANIUM SUPER THIN SUNGLASSES (w/ case, cloth &
info) $259.00 donated by MAUI JIM SUNGLASSES
1 MALIA CLASSIC SUNGLASSES (w/ case, cloth & info)
$159.00 donated by Maui Jim Sunglasses
2 MAUI JIM T-SHIRTS (1 LG & 1 XLG)
$36.00 donated by MAUI JIM SUNGLASSES
2 MAUI JIM HATS (1 white & 1 navy)
$34.00 donated by MAUI JIM SUNGLASSES
2 MARGARITA GLASSES
donated with a gift certificate from WALMART
2 PAIR OF FLIP-FLOPS
1 BOTTLE OF JOSE CUERVO GOLD TEQUILA
DOWNTOWN BASKET:
1 OVERNIGHT STAY FOR 2 PEOPLE FOR 2 NIGHTS
$160.00 donated by the HOTEL PERE MARQUETTE
1 CARRIAGE RIDE FOR 2 ADULTS
$20.00 donated by CARRIAGE CLASSICS. LTD.
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $20.00
donated by JIM’S DOWNTOWN STEAKHOUSE
4 DAY PASSES TO THE RIVERPLEX AQUAPLEX
$40.00 donated by THE PEORIA PARK DISTRICT
2 TICKETS FOR “A CHRISTMAS CAROLE”
$36.00 donated by THE PEORIA CIVIC CENTER
2 THERAPUTIC MASSAGES
$90.00 donated by I.P.M.R.
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $25.00
donated by ROXY’S
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $10.00
donated by CAFÉ LATTE
1 FRAMED LITHOGRAPH OF PEORIA
$60.00 donated by PEORIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE &
FRAMED BY FRAMES PLUS
1 BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE
2 CHAMPAGNE GLASSES
UPTOWN BASKET:
1 OVERNIGHT STAY FOR 2 PEOPLE FOR 2 NIGHTS
$303.00 donated by the AMERICINN
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR 2 ROUNDS OF GOLF
$176.00 donated by WEAVER RIDGE GOLF CLUB
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $45.00
donated by: BASTA MANGAIRE
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $25.00
donated by NATURALLY YOURS
1 BOTTLE OF WINE
2 WINE GLASSES
CHILLICOTHE BASKET:
1 OVERNIGHT STAY FOR 2 IN THE KING SUITE
$80.00 donated by HOMOLKA HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $30.00
donated by THE BEACH CLUB
4 HANDPAINTED WINE GLASSES
$50.00 donated by MAGGIE DRILLON
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $22.00
donated by THE HICKORY STICK
1 QUILTED CLOTH CARRY-ALL
$34.00 donated by THE HICKORY STICK
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $25.00
donated by IMPULSE
1 ANGEL OUTDOOR KEY-KEEPER
$37.00 donated by TRADITIONS
1 FREE PHOTO SHOOT & FREE 8 X 10 PICTURE
$45.00 donated by PRICELESS MEMORIES PHOTOGRAPHY
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $10.00
donated by THE CHILLICOTHE BOOK EMPORIUM
1 BUTTERFLY GARDEN STONE
$20.00 donated by OTTO’S MONUMENT’S
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $15.00
donated by RIVER CITY BAR & GRILL
PAIR OF ANTIQUE LAMPS
$50.00 donated by POPPIE’S ART & ANTIQUES
REDKIN HAIR CARE PRODUCTS
$54.00 donated by THE CUTTING EDGE
1 ANTIQUE 8 x 10 PICTURE FRAME
$25.00 donated by THE ILLINOIS ANTIQUE CENTER
2 CHILLICOTHE BEANIE BABY BEARS
$30.00 donated by THE SOUTH SIDE BANK OF CHILLICOTHE
TEDDY BEAR BASKET
1 MINK TEDDY BEAR
$200.00 donated by HENRIETTA PATTY
1 LG. BLACK & CUDDLY BEAR
$45.00 donated by JOAN SNYDER
1 BOYD’S BEAR “OTILEE”
$45.00 donated by THE COVERED WAGON
1 MILITARY GIRL TEDDY BEAR-JESSICA
$35.00 donated by THE SOUTH SIDE BANK OF CHILLICOTHE
1 CHILLICOTHE 4TH OF JULY TEDDY
$15.00 donated by THE SOUTH SIDE BANK OF CHILLICOTHE
1 CHILLICOTHE RAILROAD TEDDY
$15.00 donated by THE SOUTH SIDE BANK OF CHILLICOTHE
1 PINK TEDDY BEAR
$5.00 donated by JENNIFER BURCHE
1 ORANGE RUSS TEDDY BEAR
$10.00 donated by MITCH SNYDER
1 TY “PEACE” TEDDY BEAR BEANIE BABY
$15.00 donated by ALLISON SNYDER
2 COLLECTABLE “CHERISHED TEDDIES”
$50.00 donated by ANN ELLIS-ERICKSON
1 $50.00 SAVINGS BOND
donated by THE SOUTH SIDE BANK OF CHILLICOTHE
1 FREE PHOTO SHOOT & FREE 8 X 10 PICTURE
$45.00 donated by MITCHELL ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY
1 ANTIQUE 8 x 10 PICTURE FRAME
1 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR A LG. SAUSAGE PIZZA
donated by AGATUCCIO’S
BASEBALL BASKET:
1 PR.OF BOX SEAT SEASON TICKETS FOR THE 2004 BASEBALL SEASON
$560.00 donated by THE PEORIA CHIEFS
PEANUTS, POPCORN & CRACKERJACK’S
