By Janet McGregor
Contributing Writer

Floy Farr is ready to walk. So is former Peachtree City Mayor Fred Brown. And Elaine Galliard, marketing director for Ashley Glen Assisted Living and Alzheimer's Care in Peachtree City.

Wendy Farr, Bill Crowley with Peachtree National Bank and Gina Weathersby from The Plaza at Wesley Woods in Coweta County all want to walk, too. The list of those who are ready to walk is long, and it is growing.

A group of moe than 25 local business leaders, residents, and individuals associated with senior care have signed on to walk and help organize the first Southside Alzheimer's Memory Walk. Well-known and respected Fayette County resident Farr, whose wife has Alzheimer's disease, is the “visionary” behind the initiative to organize a local walk.

The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk has been offered in Atlanta for the past eight years. Galliard has participated in the Atlanta Walk for the past few years. Although she is a strong supporter of the fight against Alzheimer's, the 7 a.m. start time for the annual Alzheimer's Walk was not enticing to Galliard.

After her last walk she made a comment to fellow walker Farr that she wished the walk started later. Farr immediately suggested that Fayette County have its own walk. A few months later, in January, the first organizational meeting was conducted at the local Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center.

During the meeting attendees learned about the Alzheimer's Association, some details on the disease and received an overview of the mechanics of hosting a walk. Special events coordinator Angie Dorn and information and referral coordinator John Thames of the Alzheimer's Association both presented information and answered questions.

Volunteers were asked to chair or work on various committees with the goal of raising a yet-unspecified amount through the Walk. Another main goal of the Walk will be to raise community awareness regarding the disease. Attendees signed on for a variety of tasks and were encouraged to recruit others to sign up to help make the Walk a reality.

The walk will be in September this year. Those interested in helping or walking can call Elaine Galliard, Ashley Glen at 770-631-0205.

Note: In future Prime Timer sections we will provide more information regarding Alzheimer's and how it is affecting local Fayette County residents. We will also continue to provide updates on the progress of the Southside Alzheimer's Memory Walk 2000.

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