Healthy Mahanoy City Update
Healthy Mahanoy, a committee in town, is hard at work to improve the health of residents. The committee recently recruited and trained walking group leaders.
Presently there are three walking groups: one group that is open to any resident of the school district meets Monday morning at 7 am and/or Thursday evening at 7 pm at the corner of Centre and Catawissa. The leaders of that group are Jessica Billbe and Christine Weirkrykas.
Benefits of Walking
Walking is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. Almost anyone can walk¾some farther or faster than others¾but we still move. Walking has been shown to be beneficial for strength and flexibility, cardiovascular health, weight maintenance or loss, improved memory and clear thinking, and getting people out to socialize with each other. Walks of 10 minutes or more allow walkers to realize these benefits. If you are not able to walk for 10 minutes at this time, you could build up to that as your first walking goal.
The walking program is supported by Schuylkill County’s VISION through a WalkWorks grant. WalkWorks seeks to create and promote opportunities for physical activity within our communities. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has partnered with the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Center for Public Health Practice to create a network of fun, fact-filled, community-based walking routes and walking groups with its local partners.
Healthy Mahanoy City Programs
Healthy Mahanoy has also held educational programs every other Tuesday afternoon at the Mahanoy City Senior Center to encourage healthy choices. These fun, free, and interactive programs covered topics which included: Say Yes to Fresh: Incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet; Nutritional facts and myths: What can you believe; Chair Yoga; Walking for Health; Stress=Dis-Ease: Identifying, understanding and handling life’s challenges; Stretching and Strength for Seniors; and a recipe swap.
Healthy Mahanoy is currently exploring the possibility of a Community Garden at 5th and Centre Streets. The committee hopes that phase one of the garden will be built and ready for planting in the spring of 2017. We need community interest and support to make this happen.
Raised beds will be available to individuals, families or groups for a nominal cost. Leasing of a raised bed or beds will require some commitment to help with the upkeep of the garden area. Plans are in the works for educational programs specifically about gardening, starting seeds, supplementing soils, composting, preserving the harvest, and more.
If you are interested in participating in the planning and building stages of the Community Garden please email Jeanne at Schuylkill County’s VISION or call 570-622-6097 for more information.
Mahanoy vs. Shenandoah
The Great Mahanoy Area – Shenandoah Valley Walking Challenge has ended and the miles are being tallied. We still do not know the winner of this challenge. The winner of the Walking Challenge will be announced at the football game between Mahanoy Area and Shenandoah Valley on October 28.
Thanks to all of you who participate in our Walking Groups, and we welcome any resident to join the groups at any time. Please come on out and walk with us. Please check out Healthy Mahanoy’s Facebook page for more information and updates.
Contributed by Jeanne Elberfeld, Director of Community Programs, Schuylkill County’s VISION.