Cindy McElroy

News & Information

Friday October 23,

Great Turnout for Alzheimer's Feel the Love on Wednesday Night

Thanks to all who attended. The Cascades Manor House was the perfect setting. The Feel the Love foundation is off to an exciting beginning!!

	Last Saturday was totally devoted to music appreciation!! First of all I had a great time at the Meridian Farmers Market! It was a beautiful but chilly morning. I was a little worried about the cold and the fingers...guess I'm tougher than I thought. After that I went to play at Fenner Park for the coolest event, The Apple Butter Festival. The Mid-Michigan Songwriters did a bang-up job! We all had such a wonderful time and even did a couple of group sing-a-longs! Did I happen to mention the Apple Butter? MMMMMmmmmmmmmm...really good stuff! Thanks to Judi for her joyous hospitality! Oh yeah and they also offer Rice Camp presented by Barb Barton and Friends...a piece of my heritage I've never learned about. They offered a hands-on clinic to teach how to harvest wild rice! I want to go to Rice Camp next year!! BTW, after Fenner Park a few of us met for dinner in Old Town and then we went to see Claudia Schmidt at Stage 1210. Wow!!! She is so AMAZING!! The BIG news is I've been asked to play for the Mayor's Go Green Initiative. I'll be performing in the Lobby of Lansing's City Hall from 11:00 - 12:30 on November 19th. I'll keep you posted about that, but I'm just so thrilled that they called me!
Sunday August 23,	Pitching In: Cindy McElroy of Jackson hopes to raise Alzheimer's awareness with performances by Joanie Hauglie \| Jackson Citizen Patriot Sunday August 23, 2009, 8:18 PM We all know someone with Alzheimer's. Many of us have experienced it within our own families. Cindy McElroy of Jackson is all too familiar with the disease. She watched helplessly as two loved ones — first her grandmother, then her mother — were robbed of their memories. That's when helping families touched by Alzheimer's and other memory-loss diseases became Cindy's life work — and her passion. She and her husband, Mike, own Highland Alzheimer's Care Residence, 1948 Cooper St. Highland helps make this insidious disease more bearable — for the victims and their families — by providing a safe, caring, "at-home" environment for its residents. But that's only part of Cindy's story. The Drummond Island native (Ya, she's a Yooper) was born with the gift of music. And she's using that gift to spread awareness about Alzheimer's. "I was looking for ways to play my music for more people," she said. "Somewhere along the way I happened upon the thought that I might put together a show with a theme related to Alzheimer's, and that the show might somehow benefit people who are affected by this terrible disease." Cindy's show, "Alzheimer's ... Feel the Love," is a collection of stories, each paired with a piece of music. Cindy wrote most of the show's tunes. Her first performances took place at Highland. "It was there that I realized the importance of music to people living with memory-loss diseases," she said. "Early on I noticed that there were many people who seldom, if ever, spoke," she said. "The first time I played guitar and sang, those same people were tapping their toes to my music, and many were able to sing along." These days, Cindy has taken her show on the road. She will perform this weekend in Lansing. Several local concerts are also planned, and a CD is in the works. A portion of the proceeds from CD sales will go toward Alzheimer's. The bottom line for Cindy? "It is my wish to spread the news that Alzheimer's is here, and that the best we can do is learn to accept it — for now — and to truly 'feel the love' that surrounds those who have it, those who care for them, and those who love them." Concert details Cindy McElroy will perform "Alzheimer's ... Feel the Love" at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Stage 1210, 1210 Turner St. in Lansing's Old Town District. A suggested $10 donation will go toward Alzheimer's care. To learn more about her show, call Cindy at 517-896-1644 or visit her Web site, www.cindymcelroy.com. — If you know of a person, group or business helping those in need, or if you know of a way the rest of us can do our part, e-mail jhauglie@citpat.com.
Thursday May 21,	The Exchange Downtown Lansing,MI. Sang Skoryoke with Mike Skory’s band at the Exchange…Mike wasn’t there but it was a total riot thanks to Bill M, Eric, Bob, and Bill (keys). I felt like a real star!! ;)
Friday May 15,	Brookings South Dakota. Surprised my entire family by showing up at an open mic where my brother was reciting some of his poetry. The MC let me perform first and I got the thrill of lifetime watching my brother’s mouth drop open when I walked on stage!! Thanks to my beautiful niece and Ken and the fantastic Delany Brothers who are really phenomenal musicians!! BTW…the idea of my new non prof. organization tentatively called "Norway House" (thanks to Hank!) was born!! I’m sooooooo excited!!
Wednesday May 9,	Ronda’s Barn Laingsburg, MI My wonderful friend, promoter and potter, Ronda Liskey, graciously offered her barn to host the “World Premier House Concert” for “Alzheimer’s…feel the Love”. It was a great experience and I received some wonderfully helpful critiques.
Monday May 4,	Interfaith Shelter, Jackson, MI Shared the stage with the talented and funny Ben Hassenger. We had a good time and even played some “kid music”!! Thank you Bea Furman for coordinating this very special venue and I look forward to playing there again with you on Monday, August 3.