Our family team raises $1,000 for Alzheimer's Association

Shanna writes: "I am so proud to say that between online and cash donations, we now have raised $1,000 for this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's.

"We hit our goal and still have 3 1/2 weeks left until the walk. Keep it coming! Just because we hit the goal doesn't mean we have to stop raising money for this cause."

"Thank you again to everyone who has shown support. You guys are awesome!"

Join us at the walk, Sunday, Oct. 23 in Manhattan's Riverside Park. To learn more, go to our family team web page.

Marching band competition season in full swing

Both Andy and Christopher performed in marching band competitions on Saturday night.

Christopher is in his first year as a member of the Hilliard Darby High School Marching Band. The band performed at the Lexington High School Band of Gold Festival along with 14 other bands. Darby won first place in its class (AA) and the competition's "Grand Champion" trophy. It also took top awards for music, visual presentation, percussion and color guard. Darby earned a Superior rating and qualified for State Finals in October.

Andy, a sophomore, is in the drum line of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Marching Band. It took part in its first U.S. Scholastic Band Association competition of the season, at Roxbury High School. Of 22 bands at this particular event, it was the only one in the "Group 6-A" large-band category. So it took the group trophy, but more importantly, it achieved a good score that shows it's on track for a successful season, which culminates in November with State Finals and the USSBA's northeastern championship.

Below is a brief clip of the SPFHS band performing at its Home Show one week earlier. As the clip opens there's a clear view of Andy with his set of five tenor drums. The picture at right shows where to find him.

Art and wine - a fine combination

Art work by Dolores was on display at the Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival earlier this month (Sept. 9-11).

"There was large crowd of art lovers, and a LOT of wine tasters," Dolores writes. "Sold well, too."

DCLA&WF via Facebook

According to the event's web site, "The Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival features beautifully handcrafted works by local and regional artisans, wine tasting from over 200 Maryland and national wineries, live music, children’s activities, wine pairing dinners, lodging packages, and more." It was conceived in 2004 as the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce sought to extend the summer tourism season. The festival is held annually the weekend after Labor Day.

Brennan on leave before next assignment

Pat writes from Saratoga: "Brennan is now home on a two week leave. He will be going to the Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Va.,for 6 months more schooling next Friday. It is great to have him home!"

Brennan spent the past six months at Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 in Pensacola, Fla., training with Aviation Maintenance Squadron 2.

Team prepares for annual Walk to End Alzheimer's

The crowd in Riverside Park at the start of the 2010 Memory Walk.

Shanna writes: "Believe it or not, The Walk to End Alzheimer's (formally known as Memory Walk) is less than six weeks away -- which means it's time to start spreading the news."

The annual walk takes place Sunday, Oct. 23 in Manhattan's Riverside Park. Our family team has participated each of the past years, raising a total of $1,890 for research to end Alzheimer's.

2009 walkers

Visit the family team's website for more information and to add your contribution to the cause. You can also check our team blog for updates, and e-mail any questions to murphymemorywalk@gmail.com

"Join our team! Donate! Walk with us! And spread the news to your friends and family. You never know who may have been touched by Alzheimer's."

American Tune

2002 Star-Ledger photo

Many’s the time I’ve been mistaken
And many times confused
Yes, and I've often felt forsaken
And certainly misused
Oh but I’m alright, I’m alright
I’m just weary to my bones
Still, you don’t expect to be
Bright and bon vivant
So far away from home, so far away from home

I don’t know a soul who’s not been battered
I don’t have a friend who feels at ease
I don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered
Or driven to its knees
Oh but it’s alright, it’s alright
For we lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the road
we’re traveling on
I wonder what's gone wrong
I can’t help it, I wonder what's gone wrong

And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying

Oh we come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age’s most uncertain hours
And sing an American tune
Oh, and it’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright
You can’t be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow’s going to be another working day
And I’m trying to get some rest
That’s all I’m trying to get some rest.

- Paul Simon, 1973

New year under way for our scholars

Our family's roster of scholars is smaller this fall after last spring's spate of graduations. On the other hand, we have a new teacher in the family: Shanna.

Here's our back-to-school rundown, for teachers and students alike. Please let us know of any errors or omissions.

Kathy - Back to school Tuesday, teaching science at School of the Holy Child in Rye.

Shanna - Starts Wednesday teaching at the Ann and Andy Child Care preschool in Elmsford. She has a class of 3-year-olds in the morning and a 4-year-old class in the afternoon.

Rebecca - Began her third year Monday at Rochester Institute of Technology, studying polymer chemistry in the College of Science.

Christine - Began classes Monday in her freshman year at Rochester Institute of Technology in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

Patrick - Started classes Aug. 29 in his freshman year at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Lizzie - Starting her junior year at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School.

Andy - Starts his sophmore year Tuesday at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.

Christopher - Started his freshman year at Hilliard Darby High School on Aug. 23.

Stephanie - Started classes Aug. 23 at Hilliard Tharp 6th Grade School.

Shannon - Starts Wednesday in eighth grade at Maple Avenue Middle School in Saratoga Springs.