Hagerstown Parkinson’s Support Group Picnic

On September 18^th members and friends of the Hagerstown Parkinson’s Support Group gathered for their fall picnic held at the Martin "Marty" L. Snook Memorial Park in Hagerstown, MD.  The photo of the group was taken by Ms. Talia Valencia; the empty chair in the photo was in remembrance of Kiem Thi Romsburg, a long-time member of the support group, who passed on September 15^th.  Under the hands of Frank McConnell, the group collected over $150 to be donated to one of the Parkinson’s services in the name of Paul and Kiem Romsburg.

Picnic Attendees:  Glenda  Austin, Bill Baschke, Aura and Chuck Bihun, Carol and Dean Cook, Fred and Norma Craver, Harry and Phyllis Davis, David and Patsy DeHaven, Pat Donnelly, Linda and Paul R. Embly, Bill and Twila Flohr, Jackie Fouche, Art and Doris Guyer, Barbara and Jerry Harrell, Peg Hayzlett, Connie and John Hipp, Karen Kelly, Coreen and Marlo Ketchum, Jim and Lu Mattern, Franklin and Violet McConnell, Cheryl and Waverly Reames, Carl and Gloria Rith, Marci and Mike Saterbak, Ecile and Ragan Shaw, Ben and Connie Smith, Betty and Jay Stouffer, Michaela Whitaker, and Ruby and William Wilhide.

The lovely weather brought out 47 people to the event, a great turnout.  They all enjoyed some wonderful food, bingo, guessing games, drawings for prizes, and a lot of excellent music.   Thanks to Dean and Carol Cook for arranging to have their friends, Ben and Connie Smith play during lunch and perform a second set later in the afternoon.   This variety music duo, known as ACT II, provided an afternoon of toe-tapping entertainment (www.acttwo.us).  Joining them on occasion was member Carol Cook who belted out some great tunes also.  In addition, member Marlo Ketchum joined in a number of times with his acoustic guitar.  And at one point there were some members dancing – Peg Hayzlett and Carol Cook were caught on film doing the cha cha.

About 60 bingo prizes were given out; everyone playing bingo won at least one prize.  Thanks goes to Dave DeHaven for arranging for the site and the fried chicken and for running the free bingo activity including calling the numbers.  Others who helped with set up and other tasks during the event were Connie and John Hipp, Ragan and Ecile Shaw, and Frank and Vi McConnell.

The Hagerstown Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the first Thursday of every month at the Western Sizzlin’ Restaurant in Hagerstown.  Meetings begin at 11:45 AM and generally include a speaker and lunch.  For more information about this group and its activities  Contact: 301-797-7323  |  jpfiery@verizon.net.  You will also find information about the group and about Parkinson’s Disease

at their website, www.fareshare.net/Parkinsons/.