County

Health department celebrates National Nutrition Month

The Woodford County Health Department is celebrating National Nutrition Month, a nutrition education and information campaign focusing attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

The theme for 2016 is “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right,” which encourages everyone to take time to enjoy food traditions and appreciate the pleasures, great flavors and social experiences food can add to our lives. How, when, why and where we eat are just as important as what we eat. The goal is to develop a mindful eating pattern that includes nutritious and flavorful foods, as the best way to savor the flavor of eating right. The campaign focuses on savoring the flavor of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables have vitamins, minerals and fiber, and necessary nutrients to keep families healthy and active.

Some helpful tips to increase a family’s fruit and vegetable consumption:

• Try to make half your lunch and dinner plate full of vegetables and fruits
• Talk to your children about what fruits or vegetables they enjoy
• Mix fruit and vegetables into smoothies
• Keep fruits and vegetables visible in your home (i.e. fruit bowl), and
• Pre-cut fruits and vegetables and store in the refrigerator for a quick on-the-go snack

Visit www.eatright.org for more helpful tips and kid-friendly recipes.

For more information, visit the Woodford County Health Department website at www.woodfordhealth.org, its Facebook page or call (309) 467-3064.

Director of Corrections addresses League of Voters

Illinois’ corrections system will be the topic of a League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria event on April 7.  John Baldwin, the state’s new director of corrections, will speak on “Correcting Corrections in Illinois.”

The event will have a social hour at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. followed by Baldwin’s speech at 7 p.m. in the Waterhouse Ballroom in the Maxam Building, 316 SW Washington, Peoria. Tickets are $50 and reservations are due by March 25. Checks should be made out to LWVIL Education Fund, and mailed to League of Women Voters Greater Peoria, 605 W Stratford Drive, Peoria, 61614. PayPal is available on the League’s website, www.lwvgp.org.

Baldwin is responsible for the management and operations of 35 state prisons, work camps and transition centers as well as the supervision of parolees. He oversees a $1.3 billion budget.

The League is a non-partisan, issues-oriented, volunteer, member-directed organization committed to open, responsive and effective government brought about by informed, involved citizens with membership open to both men and women in Woodford, Tazewell and Peoria counties. For more information, go to www.lwvgp.org.

Metamora

The heather is on the hill in ‘Brigadoon’ at MTHS

A mysterious Scottish village, which “comes alive” for only one day every hundred years, will appear this week on stage at Metamora Township High School.

“Brigadoon,” will be performed at 7 p.m. March 17-19 and 2 p.m. March 20, at the school, 101 W. Madison St. Ticket prices are $8 for adults; $7 for senior citizens; and $5 for children eighth  grade and younger and non-MTHS high school students. Tickets are free for MTHS students with current school ID. For tickets, call (309) 367-4151, ext. 574.

The original production of “Brigadoon” opened on Broadway in 1947. The story involves two male American tourists who stumble upon the town. Tommy, one of the tourists, falls in love with Fiona, a young woman who lives in Brigadoon.

Church hosts community ecumenical prayer breakfast

The 45th annual Community Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the Metamora Woman’s Club, will be held at Metamora Christian Union Church, 925 W. Walnut St., at 9 a.m. March 19.

Cheryl Rhodes, a Bible storyteller from East Peoria, will present a portrayal of “Salome’s Journey to the Cross.” Local ministers will also participate at this event. A continental breakfast will be served and free-will donations will be accepted. All men and women are invited; reservations are not needed.

Rhodes grew up in Peoria, attended Peoria Christian School and Grace Presbyterian Church, and now lives in East Peoria. Her professional life has been varied: social worker, private practice psychotherapist, teacher at the college/university level and pastor. She holds a master’s degree in psychology, a doctorate in education and a master’s degree in divinity.

After teaching a Bible class at a local mission and attending a session of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Bradley University where she became acquainted with the Peoria Story Tellers Guild, she began formulating portraits of women from the Bible. She now brings Bible women to life as she gives presentations of women such as Bethsheba, Rahab, Ruth or Mary to churches, retirement communities, retirement organizations, and others in the area.

El Paso

Where to hunt for Easter eggs

Youngsters are invited to join the fun at the Grace Fellowship Easter Egg Hunt. Eggs will be ready for the finding 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at South Pointe Park Community Building, 523 S Sycamore, El Paso.

–Woodford County News Briefs–