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Birthday Tribute to My Dad

By
Judy
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My dad turns 92 years old today. Who can even imagine living that long. 

He’s packed a lot into those years. He’s a veteran, a graduate of Marquette University, a father of seven and grandfather of 13. He is a man of great faith.

When we were growing up he made sure we all had bikes. Most weren’t the newest, but they all worked. 

We were the Wallendas of Whitefish Bay when he attached three tandems together. It didn’t work like we thought it would but it was fun to try. 

Old school German ingenuity.

My dad is in pretty good shape for 92. He walks about a half mile three times a day and he can play a mean game of Solitaire on the computer. 

He’s a ‘happy’ Alzheimer’s and I ride my annual bike tour as a tribute to my dad. 

I’m also riding the same bike I had when I graduated high school in 1982 because of my dad. It was that Depression-era mentality. “So if it still works I don’t understand why you need a new one.” 

Happy birthday to my Dad.

Riding/traveling in tribute to Pat Bohn today

By
Judy
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0

Today I’m leaving for New Mexico. I’ll be traveling/riding in tribute to Pat Bohn today.

Here are some candid comments from Deb Bohn about what it’s like to live with someone with Alzheimer’s. Family support is a big key as there’s an overwhelming fear of being very alone.

If you would like to have Judy ride in tribute of your loved one, please email a photo to [email protected] or [email protected], include the person’s name and a brief note if you like, and send off your contribution by clicking HERE. The entire $100 donation will go toward Alzheimer’s programs at Cedar Community.

VIDEO: Behind-the-scenes look at packing small for the tour

By
Judy
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0

I was asked if I could post a little bit more on what it’s like to get ready for the tour – packing and whatnot.

Here ya go. My goal is light and tight and small. Some of the tricks – I cut the handle off my toothbrush, I roll all my clothes and put them in plastic bags to help waterproof.  Matter of fact, everything goes into a plastic bag.

Some other unique things – I put safety pins on all my zipper pulls. I call my credit card company and let them know I’ll be traveling – I also check the credit limit; I don’t want it to be too high just in case my card gets stolen.

Something I didn’t show in the video is the packets I make up. I have a team at home, close friends who are my backup in case of emergency.

I give them a packet with all my personal information including the credit card numbers, the number to call if the card is lost or stolen, my family numbers, ID, and a copy of my will. Seriously, I try to plan for everything. 

Over the years I’ve made sure all my financial accounts have my brother as POD and I just try to be as tidy as I can so just in case something does happen, there’s not a lot of scramble.

All my electronics fly with me, including all the power cords – that’s a lesson from a past packing mistake when I had my device but my luggage was delayed for 26 days and I since the power cords were in the luggage I had to scramble to find replacements and it wasn’t easy.

Right now I’m juicing up all my devices and emptying the memory card as much as possible – I’m also still searching biking websites, looking for a place to stay when I land on Tuesday.

Anybody have a friend in Albuquerque? 

Officially packing means 1/2 a toothbrush – WHAT?

By
Judy
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1

The toothbrush has been cut in half, which means packing for the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s has officially begun!

An inspiring message about caregivers

By
Judy
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0

My Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s 2016 bicycle tour leaves June 21 as I fly to Albuquerque, New Mexico and then pedal home to West Bend. This is the fourth year for the fundraiser which brings awareness to Alzheimer’s and provides financial backing to music and exercise programs at Cedar Community.

I’m often inspired by some of the notes I receive so I asked Mary Ellen’s permission to share her post below.

Hi Judy,

I am so excited to follow The 2016 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s again this year and once again make a donation in memory of my dad, Bob Becker.

This year I included my mom, LaVerne, in the picture.

Both have passed but I remember how hard it was for my mom when my dad would ask the same thing over and over again or make the distant past the present.

It was so hard for her to deal with that day in and day out.  Every night he would ask when his 5 children were going to come home for the night and every night she would tell him that we didn’t live there anymore.

Caregiving is a difficult task for loved ones so this year I am honoring my dad who suffered with Alzheimer’s and my mom for loving him through it.
Thank you for all you do to raise awareness!
Mary Ellen Hetebrueg

Riding in Tribute to Pat Bohn during upcoming tour

By
Judy
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0

The 2016 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s leaves shortly (June 21) and this year I have the honor to ride each day in tribute to people in and around West Bend and Washington County.

Today Lee and Sandy Stehling made a donation and asked that I ride a day in tribute to Pat Bohn.

Pat owns Bits ‘n Pieces Floral with his wife Deb.

Last year Pat revealed in a video on WashingtonCountyInsider he had Alzheimer’s.

While Pat’s diagnosis isn’t what anyone wants to hear, he and Deb have wrapped their arms around the disease and stepped up their activity in the community – bringing fundraisers to the forefront and talking openly about their daily challenges and rewards.

If you would like me ride in tribute of your loved one, please email a photo to [email protected] or [email protected], include the person’s name and a brief note if you like, and send your contribution.

The entire $100 donation, is tax deductible and will go toward Alzheimer’s programs at Cedar Community.

Click here to submit your donation. 

Packing for the tour – the process is underway

By
Judy
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0

Just a little more than a week left before I leave on the next Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s bicycle tour – this year pedaling from New Mexico to West Bend.

The bike boxes were donated by Kevin Schultz from Mountain Outfitters. Yes – I need two bike boxes -full disclosure, my bicycle is so old the seat post has been welded into place by sweat and rain; in short – it ain’t moving.

Since I can’t lower the seat I must rig one box to slide over the top of another and walaalaha, it’s set for shipping.

Believe me, I am well familiar with what happens with packing mistakes – Note the December 2010 tour to New Zealand when my bike arrived but my luggage missed the flight and stayed in L.A.

Excerpt:  After a mere five minutes with baggage claims customer service, I wished this was happening to somebody else. Simply put, there was no accountability. Matter of fact, the airline determined this was all my fault.

I’m pretty adept at dismantling and packing my own bike. The procedure is normally carried out in a “very messy living room” – so says my neat-nick mother.


While the self-imposed pressures surrounding the tour are growing – I’m often grounded by the wonderful comments I receive from followers and neighbors in the community.

And then I get something like this – A note from Cathy Schmidt of West Bend.

I will be riding a day in tribute to Cathy’s mother in law and her daughter. If you would like me to ride a day in tribute to your loved one please send a jpeg photo along with a $100 donation to Cedar Community.

Click here for details.

Jerseys are in and we’re not talking cows!

By
Judy
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0

The jerseys for the 2016 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s have arrived! Megan from Horicon Bank is helping me model the new look. She’s obviously the pro and I’m totally copying. 

Many thanks to tour sponsors USCCA, Thrivent Financial, Gruber Tool & Die, Dental Professions in Germantown, A&W Iron and Metal, Cast Iron, Wiedmeyer Trucking, Extra Mile Snow Plowing, Promotions Pros, Cedar Community, Husars House of Fine Diamonds and thanks to Michael Albiero for designing a wonderful logo. 

Tour leaves for New Mexico on June 21. ALL money raised stays local and benefits music activities and exercise programs at Cedar Community. 

CLICK HERE to donate!


In Less Than 12 Days….

By
Judy
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0

In less than 12 days, The Amazing Ride for Alzheimers 2016 will take off on a mission to raise awareness and funding for programs that benefit those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.

In less than 12 days, work strategies will be worked out, duties delegated and trainees trained.
In less than 12 days all travel arrangements to New Mexico will be solidified.
In less than 12 days the course mapping will be nailed in the hopes that detours and other roadblocks don’t cause too much diversion.
In less than 12 days the bicycle of bicycles will have a final once-over and all working parts approved for cross-country travel. It will be lovingly crated and prepared to ride in the cargo area of an airplane headed for New Mexico.
In less than 12 days all personal items and necessities for the trek will be carefully laid out and weighed to ensure lightest provisions for a productive ride.
Advertisers and underwriters who are passionate about the vision and the cause for the trip will have been secured.
Memorials and tributes will be in place so as to honor those who wish to dedicate the ride to a loved one. (It’s not too late – click HERE to add your memorial)
The goal is to raise $100,000 for Alzheimer’s music and activities programs at Cedar Community; this means your donation stays LOCAL.
This isn’t the first time I’m asking and it won’t be the last….
I’ll do the cycling; you partner with me financially so that 100% of the donation goes back to the community you live in – our community – where every penny you give brings just a little more hope, a little more joy to the families of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and who will reap the benefits of these valuable programs along with the ones they love.
CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can donate TODAY! 
THANK YOU!
JUDY

2016 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s jerseys arrive!

By
Judy
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0

The 2016 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s jerseys have arrived! Megan from Horicon Bank helped model the new look. She’s the pro and obviously I’m cheating and looking to copy.

Thanks to all the wonderful sponsors for their support including Tim Schmidt and USCCA, Horicon Bank, Cast Iron, A&W Iron and Metal, Thrivent Financial, Wiedmeyer Trucking, Extra Mile Snow Plowing, Gruber Tool & Die, Dental Professionals in Germantown, Promotion Pros and Cedar Community.

Thanks so much to Husar’s House of Fine Diamonds for printing and supplying the jerseys. 

Tour leaves June 21 for New Mexico!

Please remember that 100 percent of the money raised stays local and goes to exercise and music activities at Cedar Community. If you’d like to donate click here.

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