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Longest Day events highlight Alzheimer's

Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - 6/16/2018

June 16--Next week will bring the longest days of the year with nearly 14 and a half hours of daylight.

Across Northeast Mississippi and the country, organizations, families and individuals will mark the Longest Day to honor people with Alzheimer's disease and those who care for them. Participants devote the long day to their hobbies as a way to draw attention to the toll of dementia and raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association.

"It's not only the longest day for the patient, but it's the longest day for the caregiver," said Donna Hambrick, who lost her mother, Lois Neaves, to severe dementia and helps organize the Tupelo Duplicate Bridge Longest Day event.

The bridge group will hold its fifth-annual Longest Day benefit starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Bel Air Center in Tupelo. Both duplicate bridge and party bridge players are welcome. The event will start with a continental breakfast followed by bridge games. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m., followed by more games. The cost is $10. The event is part of a national fundraiser benefiting the Alzheimer's Association through the American Contract Bridge League.

"It's a fun day," Hambrick said. "People are welcome to drop by for breakfast or lunch and share a donation."

For more information or to RSVP for the bridge tournament, contact Jeremy Herndon at (662) 321-1261 or jeremygherndon@gmail.com.

In Iuka, the Curtis family has participated in the Longest Day observances for more than seven years. They remember Annette Curtis, who struggled with the disease for 10 years before she died in 2013, and her husband Ray, who took care of her until a heart attack ended his life 2009, said their daughter Lori Wahlstrom.

"I usually set up an event page, and friends and family will donate for Alzheimer's," Wahlstrom said.

Family and friends gather early and stay late. The activities include hiking, kayaking and games. This year, the family decided to hold the event on June 30.

"It's a day of member and a day of honor," Wahlstrom said.

In Starkville, the residents and staff at Montgomery Gardens will take a lap around their building in honor of the longest day, wearing their purple in honor of Alzheimer's awareness.

"We keep it very simple," so as many residents as possible can participate, said Candy Tranum, Montgomery Gardens activity director.

For more information on the Longest Day, visit alz.org.

michaela.morris@journalinc.com

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(c)2018 the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo, Miss.)

Visit the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo, Miss.) at www.djournal.com

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