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OPINION
There’s an old saying “Families that pray together, stay together,” that most people are familiar with. This week, I’d like to modify it a bit, to add, “Families who PLAY together, stay (healthier) together..” Why bring this up? To help celebrate the start of a great new venture here- in which one and all are encouraged to get active and get healthy! And when families do so together (as most already know) the rewards are endless. Talk about your quality time together! Along this line, I invite you to join me in welcoming local resident Kristine Hensley, who was recently hired as the new project coordinator for the new LiveWell Fountain program. As pictured on the front page of this issue- this new local leader already has the principle of playing together with her family in practice! Just last nite, she visited the Fountain City Council meeting, during which the council issued a proclamation supporting and encouraging community participation in the program to get healthier. As some of you might remember, last year the El Paso County Department of Health conducted a mail-in survey of Fountain residents regarding various health issues, and the results came back to say that Fountain has a higher percentage of obesity than other communities in the state. To bring about positive change and get local folks feeling and looking healthier through weight loss and improved good health habits, not long ago it was announced our city would be the beneficiary of health grants – that would afford us the opportunity to have a local “Live Well Fountain” program- an extension of Live Well Colorado. Now that the new program’s director has been hired, soon she will be off and running (or at least jogging) working hard to get the rest of us moving. The older we get, the more we tend to be faces with the realization that for sustained good health, getting active is crucial. And if you happen to ignore the voice in your own head, there are the headlines jumping out at us from newspapers, magazines, junk mail and more- just as TV news reports focus on healthy, not to mention all the commercials and infomericals promoting exercise equipment of all types and products intended to help a person lose weight, improve muscle tone, and much more. Some of those ads leave me feeling leary for anyone “sold” on their “must-have” products, but one thing is for sure- there’s one opportunity that remains free of charge- getting out and getting active! There’s no warning label on getting some fresh air and activity in your own yard or local park. And, soon, you’ll see Kristine overseeing community gardening projects, giving tours at local grocery stores on smart shopping and reading labels, and much much more. If you get the chance, I hope you’ll join me in welcoming Kristine. Granted, she has already been a local resident, but now, we are blessed to have her taking charge of many many plans that will surely help this local community become healthier and thus- happier. What a gift that truly is!!
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