Sometimes people ask why I live in a small town rather than Reno or Boise. There are an avalanche of reasons including the traffic and congestion of cities, plus crowds that abound on all sides. Winnemucca has been the ideal home for us with excellent friends, lots to do, hiking, fishing, and for Lynn, hunting. Driving to Elko to see part of the family or to Boise to see more is a simple hop and while we love the visits, we love coming home.
The value of our town came front and center at recent basketball games, Lowry versus Spring Creek, and our traditional Tie-One-On bowtie tying contest. Started with the thought that a purple bowtie might become a visible symbol of support for those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia as well as a recognition that research and education are essential to understanding this devastating disease, the event is a kick. While the nation has not yet grasped the notion, Winnemucca and now Spring Creek have and hopefully the purple tie will catch on throughout Nevada.
Setting up a table with hand-tied purple ribbon bows at the ready, fans entering the games received their tie and tickets for a quilt donated by Suzan Hanil. A donation jar soon accrued coins and bills as people dropped in a contribution and hoped for a winning ticket. In the final analysis, everyone became a winner. Some Spartan supporters hesitated at the project, but the color which matched their team colors soon brought them over. Virtually every player, coach, ref, cheer and dance team member, and round ball enthusiast sported a tie to indicate their caring and concern about dementia. What a beautiful sight!
In between the girls and boys varsity games dignitaries from Winnemucca and across northern Nevada headed to mid-court to be greeted by Lowry Cheer members. With a quick announcement, “real” bowties flew out of packets and were then wrapped and bowed around contestant necks. First done and best tie resulted as Brandie Pettis, Senior Center Director and bowtie participants, had her name drawn by the head Spring Creek Coach as quilt recipient. With all of this excitement taking place, the Bowtie Creator of Magnificence, Kelley Griggs, counted the proceeds – over $700!!
This year we already had a plan for our funds – Music and Memory. Each member of our respite program, Harmony Manor and Quail Corner will receive personalized music on their own listening device. Research proves that the right music works wonders on even the cloudiest of memories as it brings forth singing, dancing, and conversation. Individuals who have remained mute for months, suddenly awaken to lead the choir in a joyful chorus. Lowry Cheer will help program the music and with addition financial aid from the Humboldt General Hospital Auxiliary we are flush. One vision I now have is that anyone in need can receive this wonderful gift of an iPod or similar with soothing, inspiring, and mind-touching music.
Of course, this sort of success could happen anywhere. It just takes a team of people who care and who are willing to donate some time to preparation, set-up, and launching the affair. The first few years I felt timid as I stood in the hallway with my table loaded with supplies. Even though I tried to make eye contact with everyone as I droned into my speech, I lacked some interaction abilities that I’ve honed over time. Having a field of excited friends has lessened my hesitance to jabber (you’re surprised that I’m shy??) and has motivated all of us with this project and many others. When I used to ask for a $1 contribution, many refused the little bow; now, with no strings attached, we do not care about the money; we care about reaching out to inform Nevadans about Alzheimer’s and other dementias. A happy byproduct of this eagerness is the interest that ensues as well as the wide-open wallets for this cause.
Sometimes as I organize for something like Tie-One-On I chat with myself about the worth of it – am I too pushy, too wrapped up in the disease, too over-zealous (I have been criticized for this and I admit I can be intimidating)? But then as I pack up my materials, head to the venue, and trundle through the door, at once, all worries vanish and dedication seeps in as I chitchat with friends and meet new ones. Self-empowerment arises as I work to make a difference.
