Members of the Tennessee Regional Group from the Memphis area dedicated themselves to a little educational and physical activity October 14-15, beginning with a downtown Memphis display table (see accompanying photo) and a three-mile walk with their white canes. On the previous night, the group held a catered “Dining in the Dark” private event that educated and entertained many of their family members and friends.

“We had a great time with all these events, and they were fun and enjoyable for everyone who came and participated,” said Terry Richardson, president of the regional group. “We hope to do similar things in the future because of how they went this time.”

“Dining in the Dark” on “White Cane Eve” was coordinated by BVA Auxiliary member and friend of the group, Gwen Barr, also a veteran herself. According to Terry, Gwen has recently helped with several of the regional group’s service projects and social activities.

White Cane Awareness Day itself began with eight members of the regional group assembling an information table outside WREG News-Channel 3 in downtown Memphis. In addition to the free water, there were BVA brochures, pens, and other literature available to the public in a busy area of the city, especially as the lunch hours approached.

With their canes, sighted guides, and lively background music, the group then conducted a round-trip walk on the renowned Big River Crossing, a pathway on the historic Harahan Bridge across the Mississippi River and the state line into Arkansas. The bridge allows, on a daily basis, hundreds of pedestrians and cyclists their own right of way with spectacular views of the Mississippi River and the Downtown Memphis skyline.

The event culminated with a group lunch at the historic Blues City Café on Beale Street back in Memphis.