These concerns were not exclusive to Central New York. Our sister chapters nationwide saw the same comments from their walkers. Together with our national Walk staff, we are happy to unveil our new online platform. Powered by Convio, the 2012 Walk websites are now live and ready for you to use. See the details after the jump!

Right off the bat, walkers are greeted with vibrant colors, large photography and an easy-to-navigate interface. The new front pages feature:

• The ability to login, start a team, join a team or register without having to click to another page.
• A search field to find a walker
• Clean page organization with each element segregated by topic -- join us, donate, Walk information, etc.

So, how do you get there? Easy. Visit http://alz.org/walk, type in your zip code and find the Walk nearest you. Or you can use one of the links listed below:

• Greater Watertown Walk (Aug. 18): http://act.alz.org/walkwatertown
• Binghamton Walk (Sept. 15): http://act.alz.org/walkbinghamton
• Canton Walk (Sept. 16): http://act.alz.org/walkcanton
• Utica Walk (Sept. 22): http://act.alz.org/walkutica
• Greater Syracuse Walk (Sept. 29): http://act.alz.org/walksyracuse

Regular visitors of the blog and close friends of the Chapter know that Grant Fletcher, our associate development director, is also a stand-up comedian. Grant, who is a regular at comedy clubs in Central New York and the Finger Lakes, recently developed an independent event (we call them third-party events) that marries his creative craft with our mission.

Don't Forget To Laugh made its debut on Feb. 4 at Terra Cotta in Binghamton. Presented by AXA Advisors and S.E.E.D. Financial Strategies, DFTL was a dinner and a show event that brought together more than 70 people. Grant served as master of ceremonies for the event, with five local comedians on the bill: Brock Shields, Maryanne Donnelly, Brandon Dyer, Anna Phillips, and Jarwan Nelson.

Stay tuned to the blog for updates as to when Grant and his crew of funny people will strike again. Until then, enjoy some photos from the evening after the jump.

No furnace means no heat. And that's very good news!

We're getting new furnaces! This week, our 20+ year old furnaces will be replaced with new high efficiency models. It's another step we're taking to save energy and reduce our heating costs.

Of course, there is some bad news that comes with this. In order to complete the work, we will be without heat and must close the Kirkpatrick Day Program. We will definitely be closed Tuesday, January 17, Wednesday, January 18, and Thursday, January 19. Depending on how quickly the work can be completed, there is a chance that we could reopen on Thursday. Our staff will update participants who attend on Thursday if we can open.

We look forward to sharing the warmth of the day program (literally and figuratively) with you when the work is all done!

Jared underestimated his colleagues.

At the end of the Walk season, the Chapter's board of directors and staff combined to raise nearly $21,000 for the event. And, as a result, Jared's hair was to disappear. To make it more than just a headshaving, Jared created a fundraiser where people could sponsor staff and board members to use the clippers and take a pass at his head. In all, Jared raised $615 and 20 swipes were sponsored.

On December 7, the staff and board gathered at Twin Trees Too in Solvay for dinner and the main event. Charles Fielder Jr., a licensed barber and friend of the Chapter, led the headshaving, while Toni served as the mistress of ceremonies. A week later, Jared's hair is starting to grow back in, though he says he is a little cold.

Check out the photo slideshow below and if you would like to support the event, make a donation at Jared's Crowdrise page.

Our next awards presentation brought us to Candor. The Tioga County town is home to the White family and Bert's Buddies, the 2011 Binghamton Walk To End Alzheimer's Grand Champion Friends and Family team. Bert's Buddies have been the top family fundraising team in Binghamton for many years. This year, it was the Chapter's top family and friends fundraising team, tallying $8,110.

The Chapter also presented Mary White with a posthumous award for her husband Bert. Bert, who lost his battle with Alzheimer's this year, was the top individual fundraiser in Binghamton at $4,025.

Joining Lori White (seated at left) and Mary White (seated at right) were: (standing, left to right) Brianna Hulbert, Jeremy Hulbert, Torey Clark, Helen Beach, Laurie Hulbert, Steve Yappl, Michelle Gonzalez and Nicole Gonzalez.

Wright's Sanitation dons their tie-dyed t-shirts and walks in memory of their loved ones who have lost fights with Alzheimer's. The company has been the top corporate fundraising team for two consecutive years and raised $3,260 in 2011.

Pictured above at the award presentation are: (front row, left to right) Tanner Alger, Becky Wright, Donald Alger Jr., Richard Smith, Wesley Alger, Brandon Harvey; (second row) Chapter CEO Cathy James, Holden Snow, Art Smith, Donna Smith, Tammy Alger, Karen Snow and Larry Snow.

The Walk To End Alzheimer's road show moved to the North Country last week for two award presentations. Chapter CEO Cathy James (far left) and Associate Development Director Julie Darling (far right) presented the Dexter-Brownville United Methodist Church with the 2011 Walk To End Alzheimer's corporate team award. Rev. Patricia Walz and walker Olive Silver accepted the award on behalf of the team.

The parish is a longtime supporter of the event and raised $2,488 at this year's Watertown walk.

Members of Russell's Reminiscence also joined in the festivities. This family team, co-captained by sisters Brenda Doney and Dawn Beckstead, accepted their team award from Cathy and Julie at the church. Russell's Reminiscence was the top family and friends team, raising $4,330.