Fox Valley Memory Project

First Ever! World Premier!
Inaugural Foxy River & Chocolate
Tasting Extravaganza Poem!
(The 55 poets of the Fox Valley Memory Project, with poet Gary Glazner and organizers John and Susan McFadden and Betty Lefebvre-Hill on July 24th, 2013, wrote this poem. These words set forth here commemorate the initial field trip Fox Valley Memory Cafes to Seroogy’s Homemade Chocolates, the River Room Restaurant, and a cruise on the Fox River. Which by the way did you know the river flows north?)

When I think of today, I think of fellowship,
Getting together to go to the river.

On the subject of chocolate:
I ate the whole piece!
Very smooth, sweet and just about perfect.
It bloomed in my mouth.
The taste of chocolate is friendly.

The coffee is good and hot.
Do you like it creamy?

Oooooooooo that chocolate was good.
The melt aways caused us to buy melt aways.
How would I describe the chocolate?
Uuuuuuum, uuuuuuum sooooth stuff!

On the subject of lunch:
Chicken, chicken, fish, chicken, chicken, fish.
Fabulous, tasty, excellent!
How would I describe the fish? Swimmingly!

On the subject of the river:
It's great, the first time I have had a river ride.
Lots of history.
We were raised a little way from here.
I love the white pelicans.
The lazy ones who don't want to fly all
the way to Canada.

A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill will hold more than his belican.
He can take in his beak
Food enough for a week,
But I'm damned if I see how the helican.

I love the water.
I love being out on a beautiful day.
Letting the boat rock me to sleep.

I like to go on the water but I don't want to be in the water.

There are lots of things I love about today.
What do i like about today?
Being out in the fresh air, the sunlight and the chocolate.

Enjoying the view on a perfect day.
I did not realize there was so much on the river.

I love seeing my mom out and enjoying herself
The smile on her face.

I like seeing bridges going up.
Seeing this part of the river.

There nothing like being on the water.
I love the calming effect.
Let someone else do the driving.

Memory Arts Cafe at Coney Island

Memory Arts Cafe at Coney Island Boardwalk and Aquarium.
Join us in Coney Island as we tour the boardwalk, aquarium and
Nathans Famous Frankfurters.
Saturday, July 27th, 10:00am
Surf Ave & W 8th Street, Brookyn NY 11224

For those living with Alzheimer’s disease,
their caregivers and friends.
Hosted by poet Gary Glazner. He will lead the audience in the creation
of a new poem inspired by Coney Island.

Glazner’s work has been featured on NBC’s “Today Show” and National
Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.” Glazner was awarded the 2012
MetLife Foundation Creativity and Aging in
America Leadership Award in the category of Community Engagement.
For info: 718-499-7701 or nymemorycenter.org

Memory Arts Café is co-produced by New York Memory Center
and the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project

Partially Funded by the Brooklyn Arts Council.

APP at the Memory Cafe in Middleton Wisconsin

The CBS Affiliate in Madison, Wisconsin broadcast a story on the APP at the Memory Cafe, which is organized by the Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin. Kathy King did a wonderful job of capturing the story and the laughter. It was an honor and a fun group to work with.

APPLETON POETRY PARTY

APPLETON POETRY PARTY

Residents and staff who have participated in the three-month long Appleton Poetry Project invite the public to join them in the culminating celebration of their poetry-making.

The celebration will take place on July 23 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. in Ogilvie Hall at the Thompson Community Center. Refreshments will be served. For more information, go to www.alzpoetry.com or contact Gary Glazner at: gary@alzpoetry.com.

Participants in the Appleton Poetry Project live and work at Brewster Village, Appleton Health Care Center, Fox River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Valley VNA Senior Services, and Bridgewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Residents and staff will present well-loved classic poems and originally created works. As a highlight of the event, New York poet, Gary Glazner, the internationally acclaimed founder and director of the Alzheimer Poetry Project, will lead the audience in the creation of a new poem.

This will be a high energy, fun event with lots of audience participation. It will highlight the creativity of people living with memory loss in long-term care.

All are welcome to come and experience this exciting form of creative engagement for people with dementia. This event is sponsored by the Helen Bader Foundation, the Poetry Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project, and the Fox Valley Memory Project.