Filmmaker's blog
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Friday, 23 July 2010 10:07 |
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Hello All
First of all let me apologize for taking so long to write this blog, a lot has happened in the past two months, and I will try to get it all into a few blogs over the next few weeks, I have a lot of people to thank!!! (it's also hard to sit on the computer with all the beautiful weather!)
So let's back track a bit...
It all started back on Sunday May 23, when I travelled to the small town of Windchester, Ontario to do a presentation for the Alzheimer's Society of Cornwall. The film played a the Old Town Hall, which is a beautiful old building and has a great old theatre where they hold plays and films. Even though the weather was beautiful and it was a long weekend, there was still about 20 people out for the screening.
Please contact the Alzheimer's Society of Cornwall at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
On Tuesday May 25, Kim, Nathan and I were off to do my first ever presentation in the US. We were on a three day trip to Boston. About a month before I met Shannon Seitz, who's mother has Alzheimer's and is originally from Saskatchewan, but now lives and works in Boston. Shannon is an amazing person, she spends a lot of her free time raising money for the Alzheimer's Association of Boston by running marathons.
To donate to Shannon's upcoming run please go to http://2010teamr2r.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=333302
Shannon worked her but off to bring me and my family to Boston to present the film.
We stayed at a beautiful B&B near Fenway Park, and had a great three days exploring Boston. The film was screened on Wednesday May 26 at the Studio Cinema in Belmont.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118143138214444
There was a great turnout for the screening and again I want to thank Shannon for all her hard work, and I hope to do a lot more with her in the future!
Finally on May 31 in Montreal I presented the film at the CASWE conference (Canadian Association for social Work Education)
The presentation went really well with about 40 people and the Q&A session was great, because everyone in the audience was interested in the family relationships and how relationships change with the disease. I am always happy to meet different people with different backgrounds and experiences and see how the film effects them differently!!!
Thanks to sharon for inviting me to this great conference!
please check out http://www.caswe-acfts.ca/en/
Part two to come soon.....
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Monday, 07 June 2010 21:51 |
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Screenings of Forgetful Not Forgotten
Saturday June 5, 2010 – Windsor, Ontario
The Lumberjack Restaurant, Windsor – 6pm
Monday June 7, 2010 – Chatahm, Ontario Active Lifestyles Centre, 20 Merritt Ave, Chatham – 6:30pm
Tuesday June 8, 2010 – Woodstock & Tilsonburg, Ontario North Broadway Baptist Church, Tilsonburg -1pm South Gate Centre, Woodstock – 7pm
Wednesday June 9, 2010 – Sarnia (Forest), Ontario Kineto Theatre, Forrest – 7pm
Thursday June 10, 2010 – Clinton, Ontario Betty Cardio Memorial Centre, Clinton – 7pm
Wednesday June 16, 2010 – Orangeville, Ontario Westside Secondary School, Orangeville- 7pm
Thursday June 17, 2010 – Barrie, Ontario Southshore Community Centre, Barrie – 7pm
Monday June 21, 2010 – London, Ontario 435 Windermere road, London -7pm
I will write about all my presentations when I get back home in two weeks
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Friday, 04 June 2010 22:10 |
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Alzheimer's Society of Sault Ste. Marie

The Kingsway Retirement Home in Etobicoke

The Alzheimer's Society of York Region |
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Tuesday, 01 June 2010 22:06 |
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So I will be touring through southern Ontario in June at 9 different chapters with the Alzheimer's Society
I will be screening the film and talking about my experiences, and the DVD of the film will be available at each screening.
Please contact the Alzheimer's Society in your area for more info about the film.
Here are the dates and times!
Chris
Screenings of Forgetful Not Forgotten
Saturday June 5, 2010 – Windsor, Ontario
The Lumberjack Restaurant, Windsor – 6pm
Monday June 7, 2010 – Chatahm, Ontario Active Lifestyles Centre, 20 Merritt Ave, Chatham – 6:30pm
Tuesday June 8, 2010 – Woodstock & Tilsonburg, Ontario North Broadway Baptist Church, Tilsonburg -1pm South Gate Centre, Woodstock – 7pm
Wednesday June 9, 2010 – Sarnia (Forest), Ontario Kineto Theatre, Forrest – 7pm
Thursday June 10, 2010 – Clinton, Ontario Betty Cardio Memorial Centre, Clinton – 7pm
Wednesday June 16, 2010 – Orangeville, Ontario Westside Secondary School, Orangeville- 7pm
Thursday June 17, 2010 – Barrie, Ontario Southshore Community Centre, Barrie – 7pm
Monday June 21, 2010 – London, Ontario 435 Windermere road, London -7pm
Please check out
http://www.alzheimer.sarnia.com/?q=events&autoid=106
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Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:00 |
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Just a quick note to say Kim, Nathan and I are in Boston. There is a screening tonight of the film as part of a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association of Boston! I will write after the presentation.
Please see the facebook page for more info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118143138214444
Chris |
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Wednesday, 19 May 2010 18:12 |
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Hello All, This Sunday May 23 at 2pm I will be at the small town of Winchester to screen the film with the help of the Alzheimer's Society of Cornwall. Here is the info:
May 23, Forgetful Not Forgotten, a film by Chris Wynn. 2pm at the Winchester Old Town Hall. Tickets are $10 at door or in advance (through the Alzheimer Society). Doors open at 1:30. Come meet Chris Wynn. Refereshments & DVDs available after screening.
Next week Kim and Nathan and I are heading to Boston. I will be screening the film in Boston on Wednesday May 26 with the Alzheimer's Association of Boston. Thanks Shannon for all you hard work!
For more info please visit http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118143138214444
Chris |
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Friday, 14 May 2010 07:47 |
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About a month ago I went out to lunch with Christina and Jacqueline, two women who are creating a great new organization in the Laurentians. The Laurentians Caregivers Association is a non-profit organization that is going to provide health & Social services to the English community located in the laurentians in Quebec. They look to establish a connection between the community demanding the services, a network of formal English speaking caregivers and health organizations. The organization will provide support to caregivers through education, workshops, respite, emotional support and guidelines. This is an organization that we’ve needed for a long time in the Laurentians. I can remember my mother going through some hard times because first of all it was hard to get the right help she needed up at the cottage and second it was even harder to get that help in English. I am happy to be a part of this new organization and I plan to help and promote them in anyway I can. The first way I intend to help them is to write about them on this site and try to get the word out as much as I can. As well I will use my film and the presentations I have been doing to again bring awareness to their cause. We are planning a screening of the film in Morin Heights sometime in early July, please check back here for more details when they become available.
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Monday, 26 April 2010 10:56 |
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Sault Ste. Marie
On March 25 & 26 I travelled to Sault Ste. Marie to do two presentations for the Alzheimer’s Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District. This would be my first time going to SSM, I have travelled to Timmins a couple of times before and actually lived in Sudbury for a year when I attended Laurentian University back in 1991-92. The flight in on Air Canada Jazz was a bit bumpy but very scenic flying over the great lakes and eventually seeing SSM from the air. Unfortunately my stay was very short and I didn’t have time to explore. Kim, Nathan and I hope to go back soon to do a real visit maybe even in the summer time. My first presentation was at Korah Collegiate School, the theatre was great to screen the film with a great sound system and projector. There was about 30 who made it out for the screening and I thank them for making their way out on such a cold night.
My accommadations in SSM was at the Water Tower Inn. One of the original inns in SSM, and I was lucky that the next presentation was part of the full day conference which was being held at the inn. The conference was a full day of different experts and personal stories. The film was screened at the end of the day and again was well received. Again I wish I could have had more time to explore the city, sometimes I feel like a travelling musician hitting all the small towns for one night but never getting to explore! Thanks to Carolyn and all the girls at the Alzheimer’s Society for inviting me to the area!
Kingsway Retirement Residence
The Kingsway Retirement Residence is located in Etobicoke. Back in the fall of 2009 I was contacted by Sarah at the residence about possibly coming to do a screening of the film. Up to now most of my presentations have almost all been through the Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario, Quebec and B.C. But it’s nice to come to other communities including residences to do these presentations. It amazes me how nice some of these retirement homes are. Even though I believe we need a lot more help for caregivers and their families, it’s nice to know that there are more and more beautiful residences being built to help with the elderly in our communities. I presented the film to a group of about 20 people at the Kingsway on April 9. Most people in attendance that night were people who were living there, but some of the community did come out, again thanks to Sarah and the Kingsway for inviting me. For the presentation I ended up travelling by train to Toronto and back, which I always try to do at least once a year, I love travelling by train.
York Region
On Saturday April 17, the 13th Annual Awareness Breakfast, was held through the Alzheimer’s Society of York Region. The facility was the beautiful Oakview Terrace in Richmond hill. I had first met Andrea Ubell who is the Senior Manager of Programs and Client Services at the Alzheimer’s Society of York last spring when I was in Toronto interviewing different experts for our website. Andrea was a big help and you can see some videos of her on this site by going to the Ask and Expert section.
I had mentioned to her at the time that I was doing different presentations and she mentioned about their annual breakfast. The event started at 9 am and the food was great, I was told that there was more then 100 people there and everyone was very excited about seeing the film. After the film I talked a bit about the process of making the film and then asked if there were any questions. Usually it takes the Q&A to get going, but this one was very short with only two questions which I thought was weird, but afterwards there were a few people who wanted to approach me and thank me for making the film and one man mentioned that there were no questions because the film had explained everything and nothing needed to be answered, which made me feel better about no questions.
Thanks to Trevor , Andrea and everyone at the Alzheimer’s Society of York Region.
More screenings to come in May and June, and I am now working with a new organization called Laurentian Caregivers Association and Resources who are holding a meet and greet this weekend on May 2nd at the Holy Trinity Church in Ste Agathe,
from 2-4pm, please check back here for more information about them as well as other screenings and projects and thanks to all the bloggers!!!!!
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Thursday, 08 April 2010 10:56 |
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Here are some photos of my presentations in B.C.

Alzheimer's Society B.C. - Vancouver

Alzheimer's Society B.C. - Victoria

Alzheimer's Society B.C. - Courtney

Alzheimer's Society B.C. - Kelowna

Alzheimer's Society B.C. - Surrey

My good friend Tara came out to the Surrey presentation! |
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Friday, 02 April 2010 06:44 |
Beautiful British Columbia
We are finally back from being away for a full month! Before heading to B.C., we took a two week vacation to Costa Rica for a friends wedding, which was great! On Feb 28 we flew from Costa Rica to Vancouver arriving the same time as the Closing Ceremonies for the winter Olympics, which was fine because the airport was empty! We were glad to have two relaxing weeks in the sun because we knew B.C. was going to be busy! The first thing was to do some press, I was interviewed on Global morning B.C. on Tuesday morning, and was interviewed by Grania Litwin for the Times Colonist newspaper in Victoria.
Vancouver
My first presentation was in Vancouver on Wednesday Mar 3rd at the Paetzold Education Centre, Vancouver General Hospital. The screening went very well and the turn out was about 75 people including my sister-in-law Krista, Kim & Nathan, and even some old friends Kim and Becky. I always try and sell copies of the film after each presentation, usually because people always want to buy them, but I never know how many I will sell. As well travelling around meant I could only take so many with me to B.C. I thought 50 would be enough, I was wrong! On the first night in Vancouver I sold 30!!! Thanks to everyone who came out that night and thanks to Kern and everyone at the Vancouver office!
http://www.alzheimerbc.org/In-My-Community/Vancouver-Coastal.aspx
Victoria
The next day Kim, Nate and I were off to the island. We caught the Horseshoe Bay ferry to Nanaimo then rented a car and headed down to Victoria. Kim was born and raised in Victoria, so needless to say we had a lot of people to visit. I also had more press lined up, I did a radio interview with The Eagle radio station in Courtney and the next morning I was interviewed for A-Channel Victoria, with MariBeth Burton, thanks for the story. The Victoria presentation was held on Saturday March 6th at the Ross Place Retirement Community. The place was packed and they even told me they had to turn away 60 people who called to make a reservation!!!! I think there were close to 120 people, and again I was lucky to have some family come out. My cousin Kim and cousin Tory and her daughter Rachael came out for the screening. Again the film was well received and like all the other presentations I made some new friends. Thanks Christin & Lori!
http://www.alzheimerbc.org/In-My-Community/Vancouver-Island.aspx
Courtney
After a great weekend in Victoria visiting friends and family, we headed up Island to see even more family and my third presentation in Courtney/Comox. On Monday I was interviewed on the Bill Goode show on CKNW radio station which is the biggest talk show in the province. The screening was held at the Florence Filberg Centre on Monday March 8, again I was lucky to have family come out including my cousin Janet, my cousins Jill, Will & Jamie and even my dad’s older sister Mary, who have all been a great in supporting the film. Even though the venue was a bit small, the people we packed in, I think close to 100 people, including a couple who run a local film festival and might want the film for next year.
Thanks to Jane and everyone for their help!
http://www.alzheimerbc.org/In-My-Community/Vancouver-Island.aspx
Kelowna
The next morning we were up early and back on the ferry to Vancouver. We had a night off in North Van with Kim’s sister and family, then the next morning we were off for a long drive into the Okanagan Valley. Kim’s cousin Jenn and family live in Vernon, and my 4th presentation was going to be in Kelowna. It was great to finally spend a couple of days at the same place and I love Vernon! The presentation was held on Thursday March 11th at the Okanogan college in Kelowna. This was probably the biggest screening in B.C. The film was played in one of the classrooms and they were bringing in chairs from other classrooms because there were so many people. The question period afterwards went on forever, so many people we very engaged in finding out more about the disease. I was told that this was the biggest event that Alzheimer’s Kelowna had ever had. I am always glad to help out in anyway I can, and if me doing these presentations means I can get more families to come out and meet and connect with people at different chapters, then my job is done! I had to take orders of the DVD because I had run out! I just want to thank Philis and Melanie for their help!
http://www.alzheimerbc.org/In-My-Community/Okanagan-Kootenay.aspx
Surrey
We spent a couple more days in Vernon, then we headed back to Vancouver for the last part of the “tour” and our vacation, I have to thank Nathan for being such a great traveller! Before the last presentation Kim’s sister Krista was volunteering for the Para Olympics and got us tickets for Wheel Chair Curling. After being in Costa Rica and missing most of the Olympics it was great to go to an event, thanks Krista, and Canada won as well. My last presentation was on Tuesday March 16th in Surrey at the Czorny Centre, which was amazing to see, I will write another blog about the centre very soon.
The screening brought out about 60 people and even Tara a friend of mine from the website came out with a friend to the screening. Thanks to Rose!
http://www.alzheimerbc.org/In-My-Community/Fraser-Valley.aspx
B.C. ended up being a great trip and the presentations were very enjoyable and the people I met really touched me in different ways. Kim and Nathan and I hope to come back out west this summer and maybe I can re-contact with some of the great people I met along the way!
I will post some Photos soon!
Chris
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Tuesday, 23 March 2010 07:04 |
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Hello Everyone
I am off to Sault Ste. Marie this Thursday for two presentations, a public on on Thursday and as a part of a conference all day Friday!
Please check out http://www.alzheimeralgoma.org/ for times and locations!!!
I will be posting about my amazing trip to B.C. in a couple of days, with photos!!!!!!
Welcome to all the new members, we are almost at 200 members!
Chris |
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Monday, 08 February 2010 15:52 |
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Here are the up coming screenings for B.C.
I will be at every screening and talk after the film.
DVD's will be available for sale at each screening!
Forgetful Not Forgotten -- Documentary Screening Details
March 3, 2010 -- Vancouver
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Time
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7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
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Venue
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Paetzold Education Centre
Jim Pattison Pavilion, 1st Floor
899 West 12th Avenue
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Notes:
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Free public screening - Registration not required; arrive early to be sure of a seat
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March 6, 2010 – Victoria
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Time
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7-9 p.m.
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Venue
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Ross Place Retirement Community
2638 Ross Lane, Victoria
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Partners
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Embrace Aging; Ross Place Retirement Community
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March 8, 2010 -- Courtenay
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Time
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7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
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Venue
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Florence Filberg Centre Seniors Lounge, Lower Level
411 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay
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Notes:
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- Free public screening.
- Registration not required; arrive early to be sure of a seat.
- Coffee and tea will be served
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March 11, 2010 -- Kelowna
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Time
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7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
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Venue
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Health Building ,Room 115
Okanagan College
1000 KLO Road, Kelowna
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Notes:
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Free public screening - Registration not required; arrive early to be sure of a seat
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March 16, 2010 – North Surrey
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Time
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7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
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Venue
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Czorny Centre
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Cost
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Free
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Registration:
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Free, pre-registration required
To register, phone: 604-533-5277
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Notes:
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Free public screening - Registration not required; arrive early to be sure of a seat.
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Tuesday, 02 February 2010 13:14 |
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Alzheimer's Society of Timmins, Ontario

Alzheimer's Society of Kitchener & others, Ontario

Alzheimer's Society of Cambridge, Ontario

Alzheimer's Society of Niagara, Ontario

Alzheimer's Society of Peel, Ontario

Alzheimer's Society of Kingston, Ontario

Alzheimer's Society of Sharbot Lake, Ontario

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Tuesday, 02 February 2010 12:23 |
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Timmins, Ontario
On Jan 12,13& 14 I had the pleasure of traveling to the northern Ontario town of Timmins. The Alzheimer’s Society of Timmins organized three separate screenings of the film in their area. On the evening of January 12th, we had a public screening at the Timmins Vocational High School, there were about twenty people who attended and the presentation went very well. On January 13th the film screened at CARE 3, which was a full day conference featuring some great presentations. There were over 100 professionals, caregivers and people from the community. I was fortunate to present the film in the afternoon, which was great timing because all the morning presentations involved different kinds of information about Alzheimer’s and dementia. Screening the film in the afternoon was perfect for people to see a very personal story and a great example of the disease. I even got a standing ovation! The final presentation was again at the high school to over 100 students, which was great! It was the first time I had presented to a group of students and I think it’s very important to help educate the younger generation about Alzheimer’s. I just want to thank everyone who helped out with the screenings and to all the great people I met along the way! Thanks Kayla, Sandra and Steph and everyone else at Alzheimer’s Timmins!
After a short stop back at home, Kim and Nathan and I headed out on a road trip to Southern Ontario for four presentations in a row! We left on Monday, January 18 for the long drive. This would be Nathan’s first time in the car for this long, but he ended up being really good and slept most the way. On Monday night we made it to Oakville to stay with my brother and his family. Thanks to Nathan’s cousins, Polly and Emily, for all their help!
Kitchener, Ontario
On Tuesday January 19th we were up early and off to Kitchener for the first of four presentations. I presented that evening at the Kitchener Public Library, which is an amazing facility and organization. Kim and Nathan had a lot of fun checking everything out while the film was playing. We had a great turn out of more than one hundred and thirty people. The question and answer period after the film was great and everyone seemed to want to find out more about the making of the film and the disease. Again, I’d like to thank everyone at the Kitchener chapter who did an amazing job of promoting the event. From newspapers and radio shows to community events listings, it seemed I got a new “Google Alert” almost everyday about the screening in Kitchener. Thanks again, Charlotte for all your hard work!!!!
Cambridge, Ontario
The next day, after a very comfortable night at the Hampton Inn, Kim and Nathan and I did a little shopping in Kitchener and a relaxing afternoon at the hotel, Nathan even had a nice long nap. That night, Wednesday January 20, we had a short drive down to Cambridge to do the next presentation. The screening was at the Cambridge City Hall, which is a beautiful building and two screens were ready to show the film. Again it was another great turn out, I believe just around one hundred people coming out to see the film. And again, there were many questions and some great discussions. For a lot of these presentations, instead of people asking questions, they just start telling me about their own situations and the problems they are having. In a way it’s almost like a big support group every night. Thank you, Jennifer for all your hard work and thanks to the Cambridge chapter of the Alzheimer’s Society for a successful presentation.
St.Catherine’s, Ontario
My third presentations was in the beautiful town of St. Catherine’s, again we were up early and on the road to try and make it there by noon. Kim had a meeting at Ridley College and before that we met a colleague of hers for lunch. While Kim was off to do her presentation, Nathan and I hung out at the Holiday Inn where we read a bunch of books. That night, Thursday January 21, the screening was held in the auditorium at the Linhaven Home for the Aged. For the third night on a row more then one hundred people showed up for the screening! I don’t usually watch as the film plays at these screenings, not because it’s emotional to watch, but because I have seen it so many times! But for this screening it was a bit hard for me, because Linhaven reminded me a lot of where my father lived before he died. It was a very nice place. After the film there was more great discussion and questions and even more people coming up to me to talk after the Q&A. Thanks to Teena and all the girls for the great dinner before the presentation and all their hard work in putting on the event.
Mississauga, Ontario
It was finally Friday and we were off to the final presentation. I think at this point Nathan was getting a little bit tired of his car seat, but he was still being great! We made it to Mississauga by noon and checked in to our room. This time we were not staying in a hotel, but the Alzheimer’s Society of Peel had reserved a room for us at Origin Evergreen Retirement Community, which is a beautiful place. Our room was a one bedroom suite with all our meals included. I would like to thank everyone at Origin for making us feel so welcome! As luck would have it the screening was also going to be held at the theatre just downstairs from our room. I was very happy not to have to drive to the event. The theatre was state of the art and the film sounded great! I always care about the sound of my productions! There were about 30 people at the screening, but again everyone was interested in watching my story and talking about it afterwards. Thanks to Katie, Donna and everyone else at Alzheimer’s Peel. And Nathan thanks you for Duncan the teddy bear!
Kingston, Ontario
So after another short weekend at home, On Tuesday Jan 26 I was off to Kingston, Ontario for another screening. The Alzheimer’s Society of Kingston had setup a screening at the Seniors Association. Kingston is such a great town, I’ve always liked visiting there. There were about thirty people who came out to the presentation and again it was well received. I believe that people can really relate to the film, especially those who are going through the same thing. I also believe people like the fact that the film tells the truth about what a family goes through. After the screening I had a nice walk around downtown Kingston and stopped into a small pub for a drink and something to eat. Thanks again to Sara and everyone at the Alzheimer’s Society for inviting me to Kingston.
Sharbot Lake, Ontario
About an hour north of Kingston up highway 38, there is the small community of Sharbot Lake, you will find it just before you hit highway 7. The screening was held at the local church, which is attached to the Alzheimer’s Society. This chapter of the society was only started in the spring of 2009, but there was an obvious need in this small community for help and I commend them on their hard work. The screening was on Wednesday afternoon and about fifteen people were there and almost all of them were caregivers and again could relate to the film. I would like to thanks Candace at the Alzheimer’s Society for inviting me to this great small town. I would also like everyone at the Inn for a great stay and a great diner!
The Reframe Film Festival -Peterborough, Ontario
My final stop in January was in Peterborough. This screening was a little bit different. It took place as a part of the Reframe Film Festival. The film has only played at about ten film festivals at this point and I really enjoy attending film festivals, especially if my film is playing at it. The film screened at 5pm on Friday at the Showplace theatre, to about forty people. As well it was great to have some of the Alzheimer’s Society of Peterborough on hand to talk with as well. I wish I could have stayed for the full festival, but after being away for four days, I really needed to get back to Kim and Nathan. Thank you Wanda!
Wow what a Month! It really means a lot to me to get out and do these presentations and I am so honoured to meet everyone along the way. Over a three week period I presented the film ten times at eight different towns, covering a large part of Ontario and had easily over seven hundred people in total come out to see the film. Again thanks to everyone who helped organize these screening and all the people who came out to the film and see me talk, I hope our paths will cross again soon.
In early March I will be doing presentations all over British Columbia!
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Alzheimer's Resource Centre
Interview with Chris Wynn
Was it hard to film your father in his condition?
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