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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1994-08-31, Page 11Filling the generation gap Different people, different places, different ages, different lives - what could these people possibly have in common? Lillian, age 82, has just returned home from choir practice. John, age 9, has just finished writing a letter. Alison, age 15, is on her way to visit Martha. Jack, age 83, has just listened as Mark read him the local newspaper. All of these people are involved in different intergenerational programs in their communities. These are not real situations, but their example helps to personify how intergenerational projects could work in your community. The overall goal is to enhance the lives of both seniors and youth and to dispel the negative stereotypes of aging. The way this is accomplished can be as unique as the participants themselves. Each individual brings to the relationship their own strengths. The following are just a few examples of possible inter- generational projects. I. Lillian is involved in a senior/youth choir that is preparing Back to school for A Christmas concert at the high school. • John is writing a letter to his senior companion in the com- munity. Later this year, they will meet and have an opportunity . to share their life stories. • Alison and Martha are involved in a friendly visiting program through the local church. Martha, age 79, has been lonely since the death of her husband six months ago. Alison comes to talk, play cards and help Martha with small jobs around the house. • Jack has become legally blind in his senior years. Although Jack manages to liye independently, he cannot see well enough to read the local paper. Mark is involved in as reading program and spends four hours a week reading to Jack. What we can see in these relationships is only the tip of the iceberg. Some of these people will continue with their relationships long after the programs have ended. Friends and family have been recognized by the Premier's Coun- cil on Health, Well Being and Social Justice as being an important determinant of a healthy, long life. With 1994 being the International Year of the Family, public health nurses in the Healthy Seniors Program are planning inter- generational programs in Grey and Bruce Counties. If you or your group would like more information on inter- generational programs, call Elizabeth Broomfield at 881-1920. Did you know? Heartburn is caused when acids in the stomach flow up to the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. You can avoid heartburn by watching your reating .habits. Eat more slowly, don't lie down or slouch in a chair after eating and don't overeat. Also,lcohol, caf- feine and fatty food should be avoided. (Pharmacy Practice, Health Topics, Jan/Feb. 93). Brown bags don't have to be .boring All too soon, children and parents will be facing the often tedious task of preparing school lunches. "Brown bagging it' doesn't have to mean boring," Tena Van't Foort, public health nutritionist at the Bruce -Grey -Owen ' Sound Health Unit, strongly contends. With a little imagination, you can add some zest and fun as well as good nutrition to your children's midday meal. Van't Foort suggests that to make sure children actually eat the lunch they take to school, parents should get them involved in the preparation. "Allow the children to make some choices on what they want in their lunch box." Keep in mind , that a good lunch will have foods from each of the four food groups of Canada's Guide to Heal thy Eating - grain produci vegetables and fruit, milk products, and meat and alternatives. ' . Sandwiches are convenient to prepare, pack, and eat. Draw up a List of sandwiches each child is willing to eat so that when you find yourself in a rut, you can refer to this list. You canoften get kids to eat vegetables by including them in sandwiches. Besides lettuce and tomatoes, try alfalfa sprouts and thinly sliced cucumbers. Use a separate; container to . keep them. fresh. A crunchy spread can be made by using mix -ins like finely chopped apples, drained crushed pineapple or shredded carrots with peanut butter. If you add mayonnaise to 'sandwich fillint's, sprc"td the fillings on frozen bread to keep the - sandwich cold longer. Another way to keep sandwiches cool into freeze the drink you include. As the drink thaws during the morning, the foo0 stays cold. Instead of bread for sandwiches, try hard rolls, biscuits, buns, pita bread, tortillas; •bagels or English muffins. • Add character to 'brown . bag sandwiches by punching out various shapes in bread with cookie cutters. Seasonal cookie cutters (pumpkin, hearts) make holiday lunches extra - special. •Kids of any age love it. Another idea is to cut off the top of a hard roll, 'hollow' it out, and fill it with tuna, ctgg salad or whatever you like. Add onion, lettuce, and tomato, then put the 'top' back on. Left -over crusts and "hollowed -out" bread can be used in your next meat loaf or casserole: If sandwiches just don't make the grade with ' •your children, send Making Health LNEALTII_ Happen UNIT soups, stews, pasha dishes -qr lef- tovers in a thermal food jar. The food. does stay warm', especially if yolu fill the jar with hot water as you prepare the food. Thump the water and add the lunch, and you'll be amazed at how warm the food stays during the day. To keep food safe, it is important that cold foods stay cold and hot foods stay hot. And "pack extra snacks such 'as fruits, crackers and cheese or a milk shake for the child who has to go on to extra -curricular activities such Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, August 31, 1994 — Page 11 Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision! • Let us help you make the right ore! GARRY WOODCOCK • Quality Cars & Trucks We Can Save•You Money Drive A Little • Save A Lot LUCKNOW MONTGOMERY 528-2813 4150.111611,......r:—: J-800-567-2012 Lucknow Business Sgstems Joey Legrand .,tile Pruprterur Phone 519.528.2021 i1 s Support 319-528.202:1 Fax:.519.525-3523 . as hockey, soccer, piano lessons or ballet after school," Van't Foort suggests. Finally, add some extra fun to those school lunches. One 'parent sometimes surprises her family with "worm shaped carrot sticks" han- ging out the sides of the sandwich! Don't, however, go too far-out with new meals or surprises. Remember the importance of peer -pressure, especially .during the elementary gchool years. Respect your children's views and help them find foods that • are acceptable fare among their social set. Making Health Happen is written by staff from the Bruce -Grey -Owen Sound Health Unit. We welcome your comments and • suggestions. Please write to Making Health Happen, • c/o . Bruce -Grey -Owen Sound Health Unit, 920 1st- Ave West, Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 4K5. Justin Weber (left) looks slightly apprehensive as he waits his turn to try out the Puddleduck mini bike rodeo course. Justin's pal Ryan Smyth reassured him that he could make It around the course on his two -wheeler with training wheels, and he did just that. (Pat Livingston photo) BARRY W. REID B.A. CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT P.O. BOX 300 •WINGHAM, ONT. NOG 2W0 WINGHAM KINCARDINE 306 Josephine St. 357-1522 • 357-1551 (Fax) 1-396-7977 • Auditing • Accounting • Tax Services RUSS TAYLOR C.A. KEITH RAYMOND C.G.A. BARRY REID, C • End of season stock clearance Dot Sale Up to For a limited time, save Cy \ 0 off an specially tagged housewares. plumbing & bath boutique Items Fulford Hardware & Plumbing Mart • 874 2nd -Ave. East .• Owen Sound (519 37G-7729. • vinps ir,t •nm. /Ir„ ..Iv. and C,•, and c,NY. Not l•p11GE1. *AM .n, nf,r.I W.(,*r Odin A .nE, S.nl.mb.r D•GC LOYALTY �A DESERVES d� RE LUCKNOW APPLIANCE Atiffimi4scudg To all our loyal customers and friends who have supported us for the past seventeen years, please accept this small token of. thanks. Serving Lucknow, ,Ripley, Dungannon .and area with all your refrigeration and major appliance repairs. Remember to call the experienced and dedicated service depot whohave been part of your community for the last seventeen years and looking forward to the next seventeen Thank You Peter & Elaine Steer r" CLIP AND SAVE- ! w Q N LUCKNOW APPLIANCE CD rn CREDIT THE BEARER Eight Dollars $8.00 For Service Call 1 -o a. L 528-2946 Expires January 1, 1995 ONE PER CUSTOMER CLIP' AND SAVE J