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The Citizen, 2006-08-24, Page 20Smiling faces Vicky White of Ontario Works, Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell, Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson and Dr. Beth Henning, medical officer of health for Huron County, share a laugh Thursday at the community garden near the Good Food Box program's depot. (Clinton News Record photo) forthcoming Marriage Robert and Elaine Galbraith along with Stew and Shirley Hunter are pleased to announce the upcoming wedding of their children Ashley and Mark Saturday, September 9, 2006 in Atwood. WHAT IS ASTHMA? - Asthma is a chronic breathing disorder affecting both children and adults. It is characterized by: • Asthma symptoms can include cough, severe shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheeze and usually occur after exposure toe allergens, viral infections and exercise, or exposure to irritants such as fumes and cigarette smoke. • Exposure can cause inflammation of the airway wall and abnormal narrowing of the airways, which may lead to asthma symptoms • An asthma attack can be frightening with feelings of suffocation, breathlessness and loss of control and can be potentially life threatening • Asthma can develop at any age, but is common in childhood. • Mr, and Mrs. Brian Armstrong along with Mr. Paul Blake and Ms. Janice Blake are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their children Richard Mark and Stephanie Lynn on Saturday, August 26, 2006 at the Armstrong family farm. Open reception at 9:00 pm. 8.1t. 1•11.1r selre moR`pia11.4.r. HURON PERTH HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE HURON PERTH HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE Volunteer Opportunities Local Advisory Committees • 2 members from the Clinton community • 1 member from the Seaforth community Applicants should be prepared.to commit time and energy to Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance business. This is an opportunity to provide community perspective to the Alliance Board on issues of importance to the communities served by Seaforth Community Hospital and Clinton Public Hospital. Information is available on request from either: Bonnie Royal, Site Administrator, Clinton Hospital Site 519-482-3440 ext. 6241 or Mary Cardinal, Site Administrator, Seaforth Hospital Site 519-527-3000 Expressions of Interest will be accepted until September 1, 2006 after which time the selection process will begin. Resumes are to be sent to: Chair, Governance Committee Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance 46 General Hospital Drive Strafford, ON N5A 2Y6 PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2006. Health Minister pays tribute to Huron program By Cheryl Heath Clinton News-Record Ontario's Health Promotion Minister made a pit stop at Huron County's Good Food Box location Thursday morning to pay tribute to the all-volunteer crew, and present the health unit with recently created- Heather Crow Award for its ongoing efforts. - Minister James Watson, along with Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell, first gave thanks to the more than a dozen Good Food Box volunteers for being gracious enough to wait for him to arrive for the approximate 11 a.m. press conference given that some of those present had been on hand to pack boxes since 7:30 a.m. "It is a unique program," says Watson, noting the Good Food Box, which supplies participants with a twice-monthly heaping helping of fresh produce from area farmers at reasonable prices, is an example of a rurally rooted idea that could take hold in Ontario cities. "We don't always have to try and reinvent the wheel. some of our best programs come from small towns," he says. Watson says that as part of his mandate as the newly-created Health Promotion portfolio, one of his duties is to find ways to combat the province's growing obesity problem as part of the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) strategy put forth by the province's Healthy Weights, Healthy Lives report. He says the Good Food , Box program is successful in not only its focus on nutritious foods, but also in that it promotes the agricultural community as well as volunteerism. He also pays tribute to the Huron Field to Table Network which is dedicated to educating consumers about food, nutrition and agricultural issues, creating new markets for farmer, and enhancing food security and increasing public access to nutritious food. Its primary program is Good Food Box. More than anything, says Watson, healthy lifestyles must be promoted to ensure future generations do not suffer from the types of problems diabetes, some types of cancers and heart disease — that some of today's population face as a result of weight- related issues. The goal, says Watson, is to get youth "hooked on healthy eating at an early age." He notes a pilot project held in Chatham-Kent a few years back shows children are more inclined to eat fruit and vegetables if they are introduced into their regular diet. Watson adds the county deserve kudos for its "pioneering" decision to introduce a smoking ban in 2004 — two years before the government stepped up with its smoke-free Ontario legislation. The day that ban came into effect "was one of my most proud moments in the legislature," says Watson. Watson presented the Heather Crow Award — named in honour of an Ottawa waitress who contracted lung cancer from second-hand smoke at her place of employment — to Dr. Beth Henning, medical officer of health for Huron County. Health units must do a better job of getting people active, quit smoking and take better care of themselves, says Watson. Huron-Bruce's MPP also paid tribute to those present. "The difference you make in someone's life is so important to them," she says. "It is sometimes the simple things that do make a difference."