Ruby Foundation raises money for Parkinson’s research

It’s that time of year for the Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson’s research — to donate money toward projects at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

The foundation is providing $50,000 each for two projects at the hospital, but if I mentioned the doctors and the complex title of the projects, it would leave many of you scratching your heads. In short, these doctors continue to seek a better understanding of what causes Parkinson’s and what happens to the brain because of it.

The foundation’s major fundraisers — the Concert for a Cure and the Sub-5 Century Challenge bike race and recreational ride — play a vital role in supporting research.

But how’s Paul Ruby doing?

Ruby, the general manager of the Herrington Inn in Geneva who was diagnosed about nine years ago, continues to be optimistic about his future and the potential for medical breakthroughs.

“In spite of less government funding, I believe there is still good progress being made with research,” Ruby said.

Ruby’s adjusted his own medication. “It affects the on/off time of how the meds work, and it has helped me and can help others,” Ruby said.

It’s been proven that physical training and exercise can help Parkinson’s sufferers, Ruby said. “Rock Steady Boxing is a program that has become popular, and it’s offered at TriCity Fitness,” Ruby said. “The people in this kind of program are those who maybe would not go to a support group, so it has really helped those people.”

Ruby has participated in the boxing program, noting his “balance, strength and stamina really improved.”

Ruby expressed gratitude to Arcada Theatre owner Ron Onesti for “his generous offer to host the Concert for a Cure” last summer. He also sees the annual bike race as an “awesome fundraiser” for the foundation.

“The bike race is really growing, and they are talking about replicating it in different cities, with the goal of raising $50 million in the future,” Ruby added.

Staying safe: Mike Dixon of St. Charles sent an email to let me know, at the moment, he is safe despite the growing tensions in Ukraine, where he has been serving with the Peace Corps for a few years.

Residents have been protesting the government’s recent decision to cuddle up with Russia again, rather than continue to distance the country from Russian influence.

“I am safe but a little stressed out, with my electric service out for several days,” Dixon wrote. “Also, the media service here is cyber hacked, and I get only spotty information.”

It’s been an emotional time for Dixon, who said the demonstrations in his city of Vinnystia have so far been peaceful. “I have much respect for those who just want a better life,” he said.

Lifting your spirits: It feels great to help others, and Kari Bartel of Geneva was getting a dose of that feeling last week when buying items at Target to donate to families served by TriCity Family Services.

“I had two carts because I had a lot of cleaning products that one of the families said they could use,” Bartel said. “The lady at the checkout made a comment about it, and I explained what it was for.”

A lady right behind Bartel told her she was helped by the agency in the past and quickly gave her a $15 off coupon for the purchase. The next lady in line overheard what was going on and donated $50 toward a gift card Bartel was adding to her donation.

“I didn’t know either one of these women,” Bartel said. “It made me feel good for the service to get paid back like that.”

Ice cream temptation: I was proud of myself for walking the 3.1 miles in the frigid temperatures last weekend at TriCity Family Services’ annual Snowflake Shuffle.

But what was at the finish line? The Colonial Restaurant marketing float with the giant “Kitchen Sink” sundae on top.

It was nice for a sponsor to have a visual like that. But when driving home, what do you think I followed the whole way? Colonial’s Kitchen Sink float. Think I had ice cream on my mind when I got home?

Lots of margaritas: Congratulations are in order for Paul and Mary Lou Douglas of Geneva as they mark their ninth year of operating the Margarita Man catering service.

Any way you shake it, they’ve made a lot of margaritas for various parties and events. But they’ve done more.

Last month, Margarita Man donated 10 percent of sales to the Alzheimer’s Association, and this month the same percentage is going to the Wounded Heroes Foundation.

Check those teeth: Some troops overseas may need a visit to the dentist upon their safe return. And maybe that’s what Geneva Family Dental had in mind?

The dental office conducted a Halloween Candy Buyback program in which kids turned in their leftover candy and were awarded $1 per pound for up to 5 pounds of the sweet stuff.

The dentists sent the candy, snacks and, of course, toothbrushes to the troops through the Fox Valley Troop Support program.

Just in case the soldiers were looking for even more candy, Lindsay McNally’s second-graders at Heartland Elementary School in Geneva collected 384 pounds of leftover goodies to send.

Voting for a tree: If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Giving Trees display at the Geneva History Center, you have another week or so to check out the decorated Christmas trees and cast votes for your favorites.

The organization with the winning tree keeps accumulated donations from the $1 votes. You can vote at the center or on the history center website through Dec. 28.

All of the trees are excellent, but the Hearts of Hope tree got some of my votes. So did Geneva Garden Club, the Cub Scouts, TriCity Family Services and Greater Geneva Art Guild.

Looking for a tree out of the ordinary? The art guild’s created a metal tree with pipes and ornaments, looking like something out of an “Iron Man” movie.

dheun@sbcglobal.net