March 21, 2026
When my kids were in grade school, whether at a school talent show, the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby, or a PTA meeting, a group of people …usually the same group of people…stayed after most had left to put away the folding chairs.
You know who I’m talking about.
Yes, you do.
You were one of them; weren’t you?
I knew it.
I call these folks “The Folding-Chair People.”
It’s a term of respect.
It’s my shorthand for those who, usually without being asked, step forward to take on a job all should share but most decline.
They don’t do so for any reason other than it’s just “…what you do.” If I had to guess, their parents used phrases like “For Goodness Sakes” or “Thank Goodness.” Or…hmmm…there’s another phrase…you know…we used to say it all the time…damn it…it’s right on the tip of my tongue…
Oh well, it will come to me.
Anyway, see these folks?
These are “Folding-Chair People.”
I took this screenshot last Wednesday when, by the miracle of Zoom and at their very kind but foolish invitation, I was given a chance to tell them a little about this goofy writing project you are now misguided enough to be reading. I thought I might use it as a means to remember names and faces.
These folks (together with many not on screen) run the Parkinson’s Support Group of Sonoma County.
They can be found at:
https://parkinsonsonomacounty.org/
Their mission is a simple one. Find ways to help Parkies, and those who care for Parkies, to just get through a day. They put on presentations by neurologists like Dr. Nandipati. They foster support groups. They educate folks dealing with Parkinson’s, often alone, on resources available to them. Many of them, I hazard to guess, most of them, have a friend, an uncle, an old workmate or spouse with the damn stuff. Some have lost love-ones to it.
As often happens with the “Folding-Chair People”, they’re content to continue to fold the chairs. But they could use a hand. Some have been folding for a long time.
I ain’t asking. They’re not asking. Folding-Chair People usually don’t.
You young folks? Thanks, but save it. You tend to your busy lives. Making a living. Pinewood Derbies, Talent Shows. PTA kerfuffles. There’s little enough time to do that.
But if you’re an old fart, maybe on the leeward side of retirement, maybe know someone wrestling with Parkinson’s, and have been looking for an opportunity to fold chairs like you used to, write them and see if there might be a way to help. You can reach them at
Nice folks.
BINGO!…it just came to me…the phrase I forgot…I remember it now…
“Goodness gracious.”
Can't Hold Still 