First Posted: 3/19/2015
Screening offered
Joint Township District Memorial Hospital will be offering free screenings for men ages 40 to 75 from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. April 23. Pre-registration is required. Contact [email protected] or 419-394-6132.
Schools host healthy week
Several area schools are hosting Action for Healthy Kids’ Every Kid Healthy Week. While the nationally dedicated week is April 20 to April 25 many area schools in Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Logan, Mercer, Putnam and Van Wert counties are choosing their own weeks to celebrate early to avoid conflicts with state testing and other school activities.
Through March 27 — Jennings schools. Themed Days: Monday, My Plate Obstacle Course; today, Plant it Grow It, Eat it! project; Wednesday, My Plate Food Drive; Thursday, Food and Fitness classroom projects; Friday, Try Day Friday, students will try new fruits and vegetables.
March 30 to April 3 — Columbus Grove schools. “The Rise and Shine Breakfast Challenge.” Mornings — kids will sample breakfast foods. Also planned: exercise to the beat of music, blindfolded taste test. The school will also start a breakfast club — students will get together to have breakfast and do some sort of physical activity before school starts.
March 30 to April 3 — Van Wert Early Childhood Center. “Artrageous Food Portraits: You Are What You Eat!” Students will create a self-portrait using cut-out pictures of fruits and vegetables in the art class. Classroom teachers will create a food sculpture using fruits and vegetables. Parents will be invited to judge the sculptures based on different aspects of the lessons. Students will get to eat their creations.
April 9 — Van Wert Elementary School. “Family Get Movin’ Night.” Activities include: Jump rope team, walking and healthy food scavenger hunt, Make it Take it demos by guest chefs, brain breaks; Cook-off by three teams of fifth graders.
April 13 to 17 — Riverdale schools. “Classroom Fitness Challenge” — students will do exercises and move more during class time. FFA students will talk to younger students about diet and the importance of various foods. All participating classes will get a healthy snack Friday.
Hospital continues support groups and programs
St. Rita’s Medical Center offers monthly Parkinson’s support groups available at two locations.
The Lima Area Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the first Thursday of every month continuing through November from 2 to 3 p.m. at St. Rita’s Medical Auxiliary Conference Center, 718 W. Market St.
The Putnam County Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month starting March 25 and continuing through November from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Henry’s Restaurant, 810 N. Locust St., Ottawa.
St. Rita’s will also feature exercise programs and education to help slow down the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The program focuses on strengthening, flexibility, walking, balance, swallowing, speech issues, safety with daily activities and adaptive equipment. Exercise programs are available at two locations:
The Putnam County YMCA (Ottawa) on Wednesdays beginning May 6 through Nov. 25 from 1 to 2 p.m.
At St. Rita’s Auxiliary Conference Center in Lima on Thursdays beginning May 7 through Nov. 1 from 1 to 2 p.m.
For more information on the Parkinson’s support groups or exercise groups, call 419-226-9019 or 419-523-5391.
