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The Parkinson’s Unity Walk volunteers are hard at work getting ready for this year’s event. We’ll be meeting at the Bandshell in Central Park for our sixth annual event on Sunday, September 26th, 1999. Richard Greene, the renowned session fiddler who has played with everyone from Emmylou Harris to Rod Stewart, will provide music at the Bandshell. Greene’s credits include stints with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, the Jim Kweskin Jug Band and the influential fusion ensemble, Seatrain. He will be joined by local musician friends to play his unique blend of bluegrass with touches of jazz and pop. Kings in Disguise, who were at the 1997 Walk, will return this year to perform their own brand of country rock. Anyone who experienced Kings that afternoon will remember them as top-notch crowd-pleasers. A silent auction is new for ‘99. Friends of the Unity Walk have shown their generosity by donating valuable items that will be available at bargain prices. Of course all funds raised through the auction will go to research. As in years past we will have neurologists at the "Ask the Doctor" booth, exercise professionals, fantastic refreshments along with face painting and balloon animals for the kids. Walk for two miles through the prettiest part of Central Park or remain at the Bandshell plaza for music and entertainment. Either way you’ll have a great time raising awareness and money for research. Although we walk but once a year we would like to thank those who continue their efforts in the "off-season". On New Year’s Eve Day, December 31st, 1998, members of the New York Arctic Ice Bears Club plunged into the chilly waters of the Hudson to raise awareness about Parkinson’s and the Walk. The event was covered by all of the major New York press including newspapers, radio and television reports. It was even aired nationally on CNN. President Kenny Jones and his club members are long time supporters of the Unity Walk and will participate again in ’99. In May the Young Professionals Division of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk teamed with the American Parkinson’s Disease Association’s Young Professionals to celebrate the arrival of the Parkinson’s Power Across America athletes as they pedaled and kayaked into New York City. Besides putting together the PPAA cross-country trip, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation coordinated public relations events, a 5K fun run and the joint Young Professionals Party. It was a special evening of music and fun on board a party boat docked at Pier 25 on the Hudson. Thanks to all involved for a lovely time. We’d like to attract even more Walkers to our event this year than the 1,500 who helped out last year. Our goal is to bring out 2,000 participants in ’99. With this in mind we recruited a very high profile Parkinson’s advocate. Michael J. Fox has videotaped a public service announcement that is being broadcast on WABC TV in the New York metropolitan area! We are grateful to have Mr. Fox for his assistance. He will join Donna Hanover, Broadcast Journalist and First Lady of the City of New York, as an Honorary Co-Chair of the Walk. It is indeed nice to have good friends in high places. We appreciate help from celebrities but the key to raising more money for Parkinson’s research is the effort of inspired individuals and hard-working teams. Understanding that there can never be too much recognition for a job well done, the Unity Walk salutes our top fund-raisers in 1998. Leading the list of individuals was Terrie Whitling of Ringoes, New Jersey, followed by James Maurer of Marshfield, Massachusetts and Tara Rutman of Armonk, New York. The three winning teams were "The Murphyites" (captain: Lee Taylor of New York City), "The Rhode Island Team" (captain: Marilyn Lamendola of North Kingstown, Rhode Island), and "Terrie's Terrific Trekkers" (captain: Terrie Whitling). For more info & on line registration www.parkinsonwalk.org 212 580 6505 [log in to unmask] Of course you can help. To volunteer call or write to the above addresses.