Rambles

June is packed with events as Alaskans get the most amount of sunshine of the year this month. The summer solstice is June 20 at 6:41 p.m. Alaska time.. https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/anchorage?month=6 You can get out and enjoy the summer through a variety of activities. … An event to bring metaphorical sunshine into your life takes place June 6. The Forget-me-not Chorus, a program of Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, is performing its spring concert at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center Ballroom. Complimentary refreshments will be served following the performance, which starts at 1 p.m. There will be American Sign Language interpretation. If you have questions, contact Ann Farris, program manager at afarris@alzalaska.org. … This month is a highlight for road races in the state. The Alaska Run for Women is June 7 in Anchorage. It’s one of the largest women’s runs in the country and raises money for breast cancer research. The Alaska Men’s Run is June 14 in Anchorage and raises money for prostate and testicular cancers. The Midnight Sun Run is a 10-kilometer (6.2 miles) race in Fairbanks is a tradition dating back to the early 1980s. It raises money for FRA, a nonprofit that champions people with disabilities. This year’s race begins at 10 p.m. June 21. That same day is the Anchorage Mayor’s Marathon and Half Marathon in Anchorage … The Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. is having a Miles for Meals Fundraiser, a community-driven event where every step taken supports the independence, health, and dignity of seniors across the Mat-Su. The goal this year is to raise $100,000; this equals 8,333 meals. The WASI Miles for Meals Fun Run is June 21. Register at 9 a.m. and the run begins at 10 a.m. at 1301 S. Century Circle in Wasilla. Registration is $30 but includes a barbecue after the run. The barbecue only is $10 for non-runners, $5 for children. Go the distance for seniors. Sign up, donate, or learn more. The Homer Spit Run is June 28. It’s Homer’s oldest running race. … It's Cancer Survivors Month, and several organizations will have events to mark it. For example, the Alaska Black Caucus is organizing the Corene Davis Graham Cancer Telethon on from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 8 in the Wilda Marston Theater, Loussac Library, 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage. https://www.thealaskablackcaucus.com/events2/corene-davis-graham-cancer-telethon/ … June is also known as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. June is also National Aphasia Awareness Month. Aphasia affects approximately 2 million people in the United States, though most Americans say they haven’t heard of it. Aphasia affects a person’s ability to communicate as they lose the ability to find the words they want to use. It often affects people who have had a stroke or a brain injury. Actor Bruce Willis’ family announced he was quitting acting because of an aphasia diagnosis. He was later diagnosed with frontal temporal dementia.

Rambles is compiled from senior center newsletters, websites and reader tips from around the state. Email your Rambles items to editor@seniorvoicealaska.com.