Lisle fair helps keep promise to get healthy
Health Fair '09 will refresh resolutions to live a healthy lifestyle.
Lisle Unit District 202 will offer plenty of support for those who want to be healthy. The free public event runs 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Schiesher Elementary School small gym.
"We want to reach out to our students, parents and the entire community," said organizer Patti DeNichols, district nurse for grades four to eight. "We want to help educate everyone on healthy eating, living and overall wellness, and put all in touch with community resources that are right here and available to them."
DeNichols said school nurses nationwide are concerned with the obesity epidemic in kids today.
"This is the first generation that might not outlive their parents as past generations did," she said. "We talk to the students, but know we need to do more."
The district nurses are Darlene Musbach, who works at Lisle High School; DeNichols, who is half-time at Schiesher Elementary School and half-time at Lisle Junior High School; Carol Schmidtke, who works with preschool through third grade at Tate Woods Elementary School and Schiesher; and Amy Stephens, the district's health aid.
On the fair's docket are games of chance, nutritious treats, health advice, fantastic prizes and loads of free samples and handouts. There also are opportunities to talk to health and fitness professionals, receive a discount on resource materials, learn health habits and watch exercise demos.
Food is all about nutrition that impacts a person's physical and emotional well-being. At press time, the food vendors that will offer healthy food and snacks samples include Fruitful Yield, Jamba Juice, Trader Joe's, Great Harvest Bread, Ultra Foods and Whole Foods.
Lisle high school athletes will be on hand to talk with youngsters about their sports and the importance of making healthy choices.
Among the local vendors taking part, Jeni Stump is the owner of Triple Threat Dance and Performing Arts Studio, 4723 Main St., Lisle. The studio, which opened in September, offers dance classes for children age 2 through adult, and voice and acting classes for age 6 through adult in group and private lessons.
"Dance is a great outlet for a healthy lifestyle," Stump said. "We try to promote it as much as we can while having fun."
Stump said jazz and hip-hop dance are a couple of her most popular classes that are guaranteed to keep students moving.
Dick Pond Athletics store manager Wayne Howorth offers fun runs for school-age kids every Thursday evening from the store at 2775 Maple in Lisle. The local running store keeps its free run lighthearted.
"We do a short 3- or 4-mile run and incorporate some kind of game with it," Howorth said. "We meet at 6 p.m. for adults all year and then at 5:30 p.m. for the junior high and high school kids during June, July and August."
Jill Braselton, a nurse and injury prevention coordinator at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, works to reduce the risk for injury.
"We talk to students and parents about preventing serious spinal cord injuries," Braselton said. "We tell young people that they are responsible for the choices they make and that they should think first before doing something."
Braselton works with the national program ThinkFirst that educates young people about their personal vulnerability and the importance of making safe choices. Information is at thinkfirst.org.
"Four to 24 years old is the highest risk group for sustaining all kinds of injuries," Braselton said.
When in a car wear a seat belt; when driving make sure everyone in the car is wearing a seat belt, too. When riding a bike, skateboard or inline skates, wear a helmet. To prevent sport injuries, you need the right equipment, training and a coach who can teach you the proper techniques so you won't get hurt.
The Lisle Park District will bring information on all its healthy lifestyle programs, activities and facilities.
"With the rate of heat disease and obesity going up each year, not only for adults but children as well, there is no time like the present to take advantage of the opportunities provided by your park district," said Jennifer Porrevecchio, aquatic/fitness supervisor. "Park district programs and services are affordable, local and give back to the community."
New programs not in the district's spring brochure include kickboxing and a Cardio Surge class for anyone 14 and older. Check it out at lisleparkdistrict.org.
Another local vendor that will be at the fair is the Bulls/Sox Training Academy at 6200 River Bend Drive in Lisle. Sports performance director Mark Crabtree said the Lisle academy offers educational sports programs on baseball, fast-pitch softball and basketball. In addition, sports performance-training programs focus on flexibility, mobility, core-strength, speed, agility and stability as applied to sports for student as young as 7 and continues on to professional levels.
Everyone who comes to Health Fair '09 can enter a raffle for the academy's eight-week, 16-session Fitness Explosion training program valued at $375. Additional raffle prizes include a family membership to the Morton Arboretum, a $100 gift certificate to Triple Threat Dance and Performing Arts Studio, a weekend stay at the Lisle Hyatt with breakfast for two, four VIP tickets to the Shedd Aquarium and an array of gift baskets and gift certificates. Winners do not need to be present to win.
A healthy new directive is waiting for you.
• Joan Broz writes about Lisle. E-mail her at jgbroz@yahoo.com.