Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-10-16, Page 2An indoor walking program called Walk For Wellness will kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 21 in Brussels and hopes to continue on throughout the year, Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. Family Health Team social worker Joan Spittal is spearheading the program which has already been met with much success in Seaforth. “At our launch in Seaforth, we were expecting six, maybe 12 people. We ended up with between 30 and 40,” she said. Spittal says the Family Health Team is partnering with the municipality to bring free, no commitment accessibility to the centre’s auditorium not only during the fall and winter months, but the spring and summer months as well. She says the smooth floor surface is ideal for seniors who may have problems walking on uneven sidewalks or roads and that the environment is very user-friendly. “It will be nice and cool, there are chairs and washrooms available if people need breaks and it will also provide a social environment as well,” Spittal said. What the Family Health Team has done in Seaforth, Spittal says, is added some programming to the afternoons as well. Not all the time, she said, but on occasion, members of the team will come by to give presentations and assist walkers on their path to a healthy lifestyle. Presentations that have been given in Seaforth regarding diet, general health, state of mind and depression. The initial Walk For Wellness plan was developed through the Huron community Family Health Team to promote an increase in physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.The program addressed challengessuch as time constraints, expensivefitness programs, weather andtransportation issues as well as self-image concerns.Once the program began in Seaforth, word began to spread and citizens found themselves waiting for the program to expand to Brussels. Nelva Scott, who has been participating with the planning said she and several of her friends are anxious to get started. After hearing about the Seaforth program, she said the Walk For Wellness program would be a perfect fit for Brussels. Scott said she has tried to walk outdoors in Brussels, but since a recent fall, she can only walk with the aid of a cane or a walker. The uneven sidewalks and months of road construction in Brussels, she said, haven’t helped either, adding larger hurdles to walks to the corner store, bank and supermarket. This program, she said, will be perfect for her. Spittal, as she did successfully for the Seaforth program, plans on requesting funding from Huron County to contribute modestly to the program in the form of pedometers and bottles of water for the participants. No notice is required for the program. There will be a list at the front of the auditorium where Spittal asks users to sign in and out, so the Family Health Team can gauge how many people are participating. Once the program begins, Spittal also hopes to have calendars made up monthly so participants will know exactly when presentations will be taking place, cancellations and when other programs they may be interested in might be going on. Thanksgiving weekend 2008 is over but hopefully the feeling and our reality here in Canada will stick around for a while. It doesn’t take too long to see others who are not in as good a place as we are. Forgotten and taken for granted are the very basics of life that are ours just by world positioning. We do not have to walk miles for water, duck bullets to get to work or visit stores that have no products. By living in Ontario we have clean water to drink, schools that every child can attend and the opportunity to access health care. Our abundance of food choices is the envy of many. Opportunities are available for career, social and recreational choices. Oh yes we have a lot to be thankful for. Gathering the food for the Thanksgiving crew was a joy as the bounty of our area was available – turkey, apples, potatoes, beets, bread, pumpkins, cabbage and lots and lots of flowers. What a feast, and all in Huron County. We need to just remember to take time more often to forget all the negatives that are so easy to spew and remember to give thanks instead. On another note the election is now over and hopefully we can get on to some productive time by governments on many levels. It’s eating-out season. Just check your favourite group and they’ll let you know their date. The United Church is serving Oct. 19 at the Brussels church at 5 p.m. and Ethel United will serve you the next Sunday at Grey Central School. Good food and good company. Get your tickets soon. Did you ever wonder how long it will take the cement house on the road south of Brussels to finally hit the ground? Or, what are the chances of two companies that produce modular homes meeting on our road, heading in opposite directions with their home parts ready for assembly? Take time to see the unusual in life. It’s always there. Speaking of unusual, Charles Corbett is causing the United Church to become haunted. With his flair, props and love of this very weird season Charles, with the help of of some United volunteers, is hosting the haunted church. So if you need a little suspense or fright in your life, plan to visit Oct. 22-24 between 7 and 9 p.m. or if you want to come in the daylight, the spooky spot will be open on the Saturday from 1-4 p.m. Celebrate Halloween a little early on King Street near the river – creepy! Enjoy this week. Bye now, Betty G.W. PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2008. By Jo-Ann McDonald Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. We at the Brussels Legion hope all were able to enjoy time with family and friends over the beautiful weekend. It was a quiet week at the Branch with the usual events happening. The Cadets met on Tuesday evening. The downstairs lounge was used for a business meeting and was well attended for the group. The Friday night supper of cold plate had a good turnout. This Friday will be roast beef. Remembrance Day is coming around quickly. During the service many people lay wreaths in memory of loved ones. The wreaths range in price from $35 to $55. Anyone wishing to lay a wreath, please contact the Branch as soon as possible and leave a message for the poppy chairman Catrina Josling. Walking for Wellness at Brussels arena Keep well Walk For Wellness is set to kick off in Huron East later this month and it hopes to provide an outlet for many Brussels residents who don’t walk because of hazardous outdoor conditions or inclement weather. From left: Huron community Family Health Team social worker Joan Spittal, Donna Bauer, Nelva Scott and Abi Corbett. (Shawn Loughlin photo) 401 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-8011 CAFÉ More than just a great sandwich! Friday Night 5 pm - 7 pm Ask about catering for your get-togethers ~ seating for 50 ~ available in our upper deck room. Oct. 17 ~ Chicken Cordon Bleu Oct. 24 ~ Prime Rib Oct. 31 ~ Stuffed Baked Salmon Watch for our Sunday Brunch HYDRANT FLUSHING WILL TAKE PLACE during the daytime in Brussels the weeks of October 14 and October 20 Thank you Phone: 519-527-1004 NOTICE AMERICAN WATER CANADA NEWS FROM BRUSSELS By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-6236 887-9231 A NOTE FROM BETTY By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen At the Branch