My family, friends, and loved ones will no longer know me as myself."  Dr. Tanzi goes on to explain, "Alzheimer's disease robs you of who you are.  I don't think there is any bigger fear for a person than to think I lived my whole life accumulating all these memories, all these value systems, all these places in a family and society.  Here is a disease that is going to come in every single day and rip out the connections and tear out the seams that actually define who you are as a person."

Hope to see you all on December 4 when we explore this puzzling, merciless disease.   

Don't miss a terrific children's program Create Your Own Gingerbread House.  It will be held at East Forest Park Branch Library, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010 from 3-5 PM.   This program is for children 5-years-old and up.  It is limited to 12 participants.  Participants can make one gingerbread house per family.   You must pre-register by calling the branch at 413-263-6836 or dropping by during our hours of operation.

I interviewed the staff programmer of Create Your own Gingerbread House about this upcoming afternoon of fun.

Reggie Wilson  -  "Your gingerbread house program is wonderful Maureen.  It's so seasonal and is very "hands on" for the children.   Where did you learn how to make gingerbread houses?"

Maureen  - "When I was a little girl, our family always made gingerbread houses. It was a family tradition during the holidays.  It was cool creating a candy house, and everyone in the family had an opportunity to add some creative spices to their gingerbread house.  One of my favorite parts was putting some fluffy, white whipped crème on them and eating some of the candies!" 

Feature Movie (Call Forest Park Library for the Movie Title) - An After School Teen Movie - Tim Burton brings his unique take on the classic Lewis Carroll story about a girl named Alice to the big screen. Alice falls down a rabbit-hole into a fantasy realm populated by talking playing cards, the raging Red Queen and a stark raving Mad Hatter.  The special effects are incredible in this movie.  An added bonus is that the movie stars Johnnie Depp.  It's is rated PG and is 108 minutes long.

Feature Movie (Call Forest Park Library for the Movie Title) - This movie  welcomes back Woody, Buzz and the whole gang to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in …daycare! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it's all for one and one for all as plans for the Great Escape get underway.  Join us for a wonderful family film as the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Michael Keaton are heard again in this well-done sequel.  It's rated G and is 1 1/2 hours long.

Feature Movie (Call Forest Park Library for the Movie Title) - Here is your chance to see a movie that is sure to get an Oscar nomination.  This thriller is an action-packed sci-fi action movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams. Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. It's rated PG-13 and is 142 minutes long.