Labor Day weekend and those beautiful flags are flying at Memory Park. Heat-hardy Rotarians set the flags last Wednesday and they will stay up through the 9/11 Patriot’s Day. This is always the longest stretch of time where the flags are up, giving you lots of time to enjoy them. Leash the dog and grab a big water bottle and enjoy the many benches for a little respite amidst the sights and sounds of nature.Â
The Walk To End Alzheimer’s in The Woodlands is only 6 weeks away. Officially called the N Harris/Montgomery County TX walk, the event draws folks from Spring to Willis and all points in between. Alzheimer’s research and support is an important area of Rotary Service across the globe. Â It is so important to Rotary International that a RAG – Rotary Action Group – has been formed to organize the Rotary efforts to combat Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia.Â
In The USA, one of the ways Rotarians support the effort is through the local Alzheimer’s Walks. We are so fortunate to have the beautiful Towne Green Park on Lake Woodlands Drive as the site of our local walk on Saturday morning, October 14th.  The park is a beauty in and of itself, with the impressive Woodlands Rotary Clock greeting visitors as they enter the park. Then, the walk is an easy 1.5 mile course along the Woodlands Waterway, with supporters and volunteers all along the way singing and clapping and offering support for the walkers.Â
It is a joyous morning of celebration – celebrating the lives of those we’ve lost to this horrible disease and celebrating the progress that has been made in the fight for a cure and new medications. The walk raises funds and just as importantly, raises awareness of the support and resources available. Our local Rotary Clubs don’t have teams this year, but that doesn’t mean Rotarians aren’t involved. Many walk with their co-workers from the office, especially those working for large employers in The Woodlands or in healthcare organizations. The walk is presented nationally by Edward Jones and locally by Chesmar Homes.Â
From The Lake Conroe and Conroe Rotary Clubs, several of us who are long time Rotarians are also part of the local Parrot Head Club, The 5 O’Clock Phlock (5OCP). PHCs began as Jimmy Buffet Fan Clubs, but have evolved over the years to social clubs centered around the love of music AND community service -a perfect match for Rotarians. The Alzheimer’s Walk is a big part of the 5OCP service work, with this small but mighty group on the leader board every year. New this year,  the local Alzheimer’s Walk Committee has partnered with 5OCP and Margaritaville Lake Resort for a new event,  “Pints For A Purpose”  on Sunday, September 17th from 2-5 p.m. This is a free event at Landshark Bar and Grill at M’Ville. Guests can purchase a pint of beer for 25.00 to receive a souvenir Alzheimer’s pint glass plus one free refill, with 8.00 from each purchase going to Alzheimer’s.
If you’re not a beer drinker, fill the glass with iced tea or a soda – it’s all for the cause. 5OCP DJ’s will provide great music throughout the event and the club will have free giveaways for all who stop by the club’s tents on the Landshark lawn.  There will be some really cool games there for a 5.00 donation per entry with those funds also going to Alzheimer’s. Winner’s names will go into a drawing for prizes throughout the event.  It will be a family friendly afternoon of great fun for such an important cause. To add to the excitement, Margaritaville is offering some great discounts too. Details are available on the websites of the participating organizations and we’ll have more in this column next week too. It’s gonna be A Beautiful Thing!Â
To learn more about Rotary contact Kris via email at KrisCommService@aol.com or text 713 825-0141. Also see the website and facebook pages of any of our local clubs, or the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org.Â
