Raising money for Alzheimer’s research while trying to come to grips with this dreaded and debilitating disease. This disease affects someone every 70 seconds according to the Alzheimer’s Association of America.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Albuquerque, New Mexico
La Mesa Presbyterian Church
Today I am heading for Albuquerque visiting my friend Trey. Arriving at his house, I excitedly discover I am to help decorate the Christmas trees. Yes, two trees! He has one for the beautiful and treasured ornaments and one for the most bizarre. Trey is the Reverend of La Mesa Presbyterian Church and every year he has a Christmas party for the parishioners of his parish who work for the church. They are asked to bring what they consider the most awful or bizarre ornament and during the Christmas party they vote on the worst, and I will admit, I discovered a fine collect of bizarre ornaments collected over the years.
While in Albuquerque I drop in at the New Mexico Alzheimer’s Association District Office and meet the wonderful people working there. After giving them an accounting of my trip so far, replenishing my supply of handouts, I am off. It’s rewarding visiting these offices knowing how far I have driven, I have such a rewarding feeling of accomplishment.
Albuquerque Christmas and Chili Ristas
FYI −Albuquerque was once an uncharted territory sought after by explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado who was in search of what proved to be a highly elusive legend - the Golden Cities of Cíbola, but instead he found vast, beautiful landscapes and a rich Pueblo heritage.
San
Felipe De Neri - Oldest Church in Albuquerque has continuously served the
community without interruption since 1706. Originally founded and served by the
Franciscan Friars, this parish church has been served successfully by the
secular clergy of Durango, Mexico since 1817. The Jesuit Fathers and Brothers
1868 and since 1966 has been administered by the secular clergy of the
Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
New Mexico has 26 Scenic Byways ranging from 4 miles to 600 miles in length passing through an astounding variety of geography and terrain. There are 19 traditional communities of Native Americas called Pueblos recognized worldwide for their adobe buildings called pueblos and 3 Indian Reservations managed by Native American tribes under the US Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs. On my trip to Farmington tomorrow, I will drive through the Jemez Pueblo, the Sandia Pueblo, the San Felipe, and Navajo Nation
Tomorrow I am off to Farmington, New Mexico traveling past the Jemez Pueblo and into the Navajo Nation.
Sandy is the daughter of Dr. R. C. Newman, Aroostook County, Maine’s long time veterinarian. She is driving across country raising money for Alzheimer’s Education and Research.
Donations can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Drive to Find Home, c/o Beverly Cooperative Bank, 254 Cabot St., Beverly, MA, 01915.
Your donations will go towards furthering Alzheimer's and Dementia Education and Research, with a portion going to Alzheimer's Research in animals. Cornell University and the Baker Institute will receive this portion in the name of my dad, Dr. Ray C. Newman, the oldest practicing veterinarian in the State of Maine until his retirement at the age of 85.
Graduating from Cornell in 1947, Dad worked a short time for Dr. Sawyer in Windsor, VT where he met and married my mom, Joy (Skinner) Newman, the daughter of Oakley Skinner, Windsor's local druggist and owner of Windsor Drug.
In 1949, Dad was offered a position by the State of Maine and together Mom and Dad moved to Augusta, ME. It was while working as the veterinarian for the State of Maine and traveling north to Aroostook County, that Dad met the farmers in the Island Falls area. It was through these friendships, and his love of the area, he became the areas devoted local veterinarian. For 60 years Dad cared for Aroostook Country's large and small animals, oftentimes traveling 400 miles in one day to doctor a sick cow.
Much loved by all, he was affectionately known as the local "Pet Doc", or lovingly "Doc".
Dad and I thank you so very much for your donations. Yes, animals too get Alzheimer's and Dementia.