Keep Memory Alive hosts summer social and rodeo with Emeril Lagasse, raising funds and awareness for brain disorders

Keep Memory Alive hosted its annual Summer Social and Rodeo at Shakespeare Ranch, a private Lake Tahoe estate, this past weekend to raise money to support the work of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and its fight against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, ALS and more.

Friday started off with a classic American rodeo complete with bull and bronco riding, barrel racing, ribbon roping and entertainment from rodeo clowns. Kids enjoyed carnival games, face painting and a photo booth, and competed in a watermelon eating contest judged by Keep Memory Alive co-founders Larry and Camille Ruvo and celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.

Following the rodeo, guests browsed silent auction items with luxury gifts ranging from jewelry and travel packages to sports memorabilia, before making their way to the grand lawn for a barbecue with all the fixings, along with specialty cocktails and mocktails from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and artisanal gelato from Chef Luciano Pellegrini. Champion auctioneer Joseph Mast called out exciting live auction packages including an appearance on “Bar Rescue” with Jon Taffer, a trip to Montage Los Cabos resort, an autographed guitar from Sammy Hagar, a Las Vegas package with Lionel Richie tickets, a trip to New Orleans for Lagasse’s Boudin, Bourbon & Beer celebration and a luxurious private yacht adventure. The rodeo winners were presented with custom championship belt buckles before guests two-stepped all night long to an energetic performance from country artist tribute band Left Of Centre. Actress, writer and producer Nicollette Sheridan was spotted enjoying the evening in a white lace dress, turquoise tassel necklace, cowboy hat and boots, and later in the night Emeril joined the band on stage, showing off his drumming skills.

The next evening, guests returned to the picturesque estate for a gourmet dinner prepared by Lagasse under the Tahoe stars and a performance from rock legends Little River Band, singing hits such as “Help Is On Its Way” and “Reminiscing.”

After showing an emotional video demonstrating the difficult role caregivers have in providing for their loved ones, Larry and Camille Ruvo addressed the crowd with their first-hand experience of watching Larry’s father pass away from Alzheimer’s and his mother deal with the devastating effect. They started Keep Memory Alive to honor the memory of Larry’s father by funding innovative research through Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, but also providing the resources and support caregivers so desperately need with an expanding array of no-cost services and educational programs to help them find a new sense of balance.

“We are on the cutting edge of a lot of great things,” said Camille Ruvo. “But until that actually happens, these caregivers play a crucial role in the lives of those who are burdened with these neurological diseases. You may not have somebody with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s or MS, but many of you all have a loved one that may fall ill or you have to take care of, so we are all in this together. Do what you can, while you can, so you can make a difference, and we no longer have to worry about the burden of taking care of a loved one.”

Larry Ruvo recognized the doctors from Cleveland Clinic, calling them real heroes, along with Rhonda Carano and her late husband Don Carano of Ferrari-Carano Vineyards for their contributions to Keep Memory Alive, and reiterated his wife’s sentiments, “Until there’s a cure, there’s a caregiver.”

For additional information, visit keepmemoryalive.org or follow on Instagram @keepmemoryalive, Twitter @keepmemoryalive, and facebook.com/keepmemoryalive.

- Story provided by Keep Memory Alive