Mary Ann Malack-Ragona, executive director/CEO recently announced that the Long Island Alzheimer's Association's Annual Memory Walk event will relocate to Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage.

Ragona announced that this new venue provides a more central location for this event, as the association services families in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. In addition, a new component is being added to the Walk, a Fall Festival and Old Bethpage Village Restoration provides the perfect venue for what Ragona is calling, "a family oriented event."

Old Bethpage Village Restoration is a journey back to 19th century Long Island. The Village is an outdoor living history museum located on 200 acres of rustic countryside, housing a number of historic homes, shops and buildings that have been relocated and arranged to recreate rural village life as it was in the mid 1800's.

Memory Walk is the Alzheimer's Association national signature event to help those battling Alzheimer's disease. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $175 million and is the largest national fund-raising event for Alzheimer's disease.

Memory Walk takes place in more than 600 communities nationwide; most events are held in September and October. Millions of men, women and children will participate as walkers, volunteers and sponsors this year!

Participants walk as individuals or as part of a team. Walkers ask friends, family, business associates and others to sponsor them by making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association. Others volunteer their time to register walkers, staff rest stops and offer refreshments.

The Long Island Memory Walk will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies, beginning with the presentation of colors, will start at 10 a.m. The Walk ribbon will be cut at 11 a.m. Breakfast, lunch, music, entertainment, crafts & more will be provided.

For more information about Alzheimer's Association Long Island and Memory Walk, please visit www.alzheimersli.org or contact Mary Ann Malack-Ragona at 1-800-272-3900. To register for Memory Walk online, please visit www.memorywalk2005.kintera.org/longisland.