The Jackfish Lake Health, Education and Exercise program had an open house celebrating its first year of operation at the Meota Complex in conjunction with a regular monthly noon luncheon Oct. 18.
Among the special guests was Joan Wentworth, Primary Health Care team manager, Prairie North Health Region. Others were: Brenda Pikaluk, chronic disease management exercise therapist, PNHR; Margaret Maunula, chronic disease nurse educator, PNHR; Madison Yurah, exercise therapist and program co-ordinator with BTC Treaty 6 Health Program; Glen Wouters, PNHR board member; John Macdonald, mayor of Meota; and Barbara Johnson, president of Edam Seniors' Association. Also present were the JLHEE and Ex Program board member Lloyd Beaumont; Carmen Beaumont, program co-ordinator; Bob Zurowski, volunteer exercise leader; Lawrie Ward; Karl Caslor; and Pearl Hawkins.
Wentworth gave a brief presentation on the program and how the Meota program was established with the support and vision of the community. She outlined the program benefits to participants and caregivers that offers a happier, healthier lifestyles to a rural population.
Mayor Macdonald praised the volunteer and program people who operate the project three mornings a week. He also acknowledged the support of the PNHR staff for educational classes and consultations. The program receives financial support from the village office, service clubs, the Stromberg Foundation, the credit union and private and corporate donations.
The "strides" exercise program consists of 12 classes in major health areas like heart disease, diabetes, lung conditions and others, identifying the risk factors that can be changed, how to change or reduce risks through goal setting, programming and peer support. This service is free and available to all residents in the villages, hamlets, farms and acreages around the lake.
