Lunch with the legislators

By Karen Donato
Staff Writer
    Local legislators were guests for lunch at Houlton Southside’s School on March 29. The legislators were invited to lunch by the coordinators affiliated with Healthy Aroostook Partnership.
    Lynn Brown, SAD 29 school health coordinator, Martha Bell, district tobacco coordinator from the Houlton ACAP office, Tracy Tweedie, project director for Healthy Aroostook and Carol Bell, Presque Isle project director met with Representatives Patricia Sutherland of Chapman, Richard Cleary of Houlton and Henry Joy of Crystal.
    The legislators were invited not only to have lunch, but to hear about the success of the healthy snack and fitness program funded by monies provided by the state and federal government. They also stressed to the legislators how important it was to continue the support of the program.
    Early in the fall of 2008, Brown and other SAD 29 personnel wrote a grant and received  $28,000 to provide healthy snacks for students in grades four through 12.
    Since the incorporation of the healthy food breaks, Brown said that students look forward to the daily snacks. The kitchen staff purchases a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and when possible locally grown items are served.
    The legislators were provided with an overview of how these funds have been used in the district and how successful the program has been. They were informed of the many activities that are offered due to the original federal funds received from the tobacco money that was funneled to the state and then to local communities.
    Coinciding with the healthy food program for students and staff is an exercise program. One of the most popular programs purchased with these funds was the Wii activity. Jake Drew, Garrett Putnam and Emma Peterson demonstrated a Dance, Dance Revolution to show how the activity incorporates fun into exercise.
    Rep. Patricia Sutherland was very impressed with the program and said how helpful it was to see programs that are funded through the government put into action and know the money is being spent wisely. Sutherland serves on the education and cultural affairs committee.
    “It is great to get a first-hand look at what is going on here in the county,” she said.
    Rep. Richard Cleary of Houlton agreed with Sutherland’s observations, as did Joy of Island Falls.
    “I appreciate being invited to see how the funds are being used,” said Rep. Joy, who serves on the department of human services committee.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Karen Donato
FIRST HAND VIEW — Southside students from left Emma Peterson, Jake Drew and Garrett Putnam demonstrate the Dance, Dance Revolution using the Wii for local legislators, Richard Cleary, Patricia Sutherland and Henry Joy. Funds from the federal and state government provide programs initiated by the Healthy Aroostook partnership for students in local school districts.
    Healthy Aroostook not only works in the schools but is also a community program. They have conducted several health projects throughout this year including, get up and get moving programs, providing seniors of the community with appropriate programs to stay healthy and active, offering workshops on cooking healthy for one or two, how to prevent accidents in the home and disposal of out of date or unused prescription drugs at a supervised drop-off site.
    Healthy Aroostook is campaigning now for smoke-free housing and for all public outside common areas to be smoke-free.
    The Healthy Aroostook coordinators were pleased that the lawmakers came to Houlton to see the program in action.
    “We are very appreciative that the representatives could fit us into their schedule,” said Brown. “We wanted them to see how beneficial this program is for the students and also how important it is for them to continue to support programs that lead to good health.”