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Planning a healthy new year

A national New Year's message from the Departments of
Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services

[DEC. 31, 2002]  On behalf of all of the families of the dedicated employees at the Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, we want to take this opportunity to wish you and all Americans a happy and healthy new year. We especially want to invite you, along with our nation's children, youths, families, educators, health practitioners and faith-based leaders, to make healthy New Year’s resolutions along with us.

The beginning of a new year is a traditional time when we make promises anew to ourselves, our families and especially our children. Preparing to return to school and work from a busy winter break, we often pledge to do something a bit healthier -- spend more time with our children and families, read more for ourselves and to our children, finish homework on time, eat more sensibly, exercise more, get more rest, procrastinate less, be in touch with family and friends more often.

As we reflect upon 2002, many of us think about what went right over the year, especially for our children, and in what areas we want to improve. In looking forward to 2003, New Year's Day will be a time to enjoy festivities, football, food and family fun. It is also a time when we want to challenge ourselves to keep New Year’s resolutions that will help make our lives and our children's futures brighter -- resolutions that will help our children to learn, to grow and to develop their full potential.

In June, President Bush unveiled his Healthier U.S. initiative (www.healthierus.gov), a common-sense approach to healthy living, designed to raise awareness about the steps individuals can take to improve their overall health and wellness, including healthy eating. The initiative has identified four keys to a healthier America:

  • Be physically active each day.
  • Eat a nutritious, balanced diet.
  • Get preventive health screenings.
  • Practice healthy behaviors and decision-making.

[to top of second column in this article]

A good deal of the work we perform at our three departments focuses on achieving the president's goals. We do research to learn more about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, educate families and children on what we have identified as healthy behaviors, and help meet the nutritional needs of our citizens -- particularly our young people, who will be tomorrow's leaders.

We are a nation of abundance and opportunity; we have advantages no other nation or generation has enjoyed. A healthy lifestyle can improve our readiness to learn, increase our energy to perform day-to-day tasks, promote well-being, and prevent disease and disability. All of us can take simple, effective steps to improve our health:

  • Take the steps instead of the elevator.
  • Bring a piece of fruit along for a snack instead of stopping for something loaded with calories and little nutritional value.
  • Get out and play with your children.
  • Read to your children and enjoy a healthy snack.
  • Eat only half of your dinner and save the rest for tomorrow's lunch.
  • Check with your doctor for guidance on preventive screenings and health promotion.
  • Remember to always buckle in, buckle on and buckle up.

As we look to the new year, we want to encourage our children and young people -- in fact all Americans -- to join us in promoting a healthier lifestyle. We encourage opportunities to engage in healthful eating, exercise and playing together with our children. Let us enjoy the fruits of our harvest, albeit in moderation.

We wish you a happy and healthy 2003.

[News release]



Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

How to quit smoking

[DEC. 2, 2002]  As the New Year approaches, we all begin to make resolutions for a healthy and happy New Year. If you smoke, you may be contemplating giving up cigarettes as your New Year's resolution. There is nothing easy about giving up cigarettes. But as hard as quitting may be, the results are well worth it. In the first year after stopping smoking, the risk of heart disease and lung disease drops sharply. Quitting will also save you money. With the average cost of a pack of cigarettes reaching $4.25, a pack-a-day smoker can save $1,400 a year by not smoking cigarettes.

Take time to think about other benefits of being an ex-smoker. This is an important first step in kicking the smoking habit — figuring out for yourself what you have to gain. And don't just switch to smokeless tobacco — the dangers and the addiction are just as damaging as with cigarettes.

Once you decide to stop smoking, a few preparations are in order. Set a target date for quitting. Don't choose a time when you know you will be under a lot of stress. To help you stick to your quit date, write the date on your calendar, find another friend or family member to give you special support in your efforts to quit or another smoker to quit with you, and make a list of how you'll reward yourself for becoming an ex-smoker.

On the evening before your quit day, throw away all cigarettes, matches and lighters and give away your ashtrays. Plan some special activities for the next day to keep you busy. Ask family members and friends not to smoke in front of you. Your goal is to get through that first important day smoke-free.

To quit successfully, you need to know your personal smoking "triggers." These are the situations and feelings that typically bring on the urge to light up. Especially during the first weeks after quitting, try to avoid as many triggers as you can.

 

[to top of second column in this article]

Replace "triggers" with new activities that you don't associate with smoking. For example, if you always had a cigarette with a cup of coffee, switch to tea for awhile.

Keep busy. Get involved in projects that require you to use your hands. When you feel the need to put something in your mouth, have low-calorie snacks on hand.

Know what to expect. You may experience some temporary withdrawal symptoms. It is important to know that these are signs that your body is recovering from smoking and symptoms will end.

Call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline 1 (866) QUIT-YES — 1 (866) 784-8937 — for help.

If you "slip," don't worry. It doesn't mean that you've become a smoker again. Most smokers "slip" three to five times before they quit for good. Get back on the nonsmoker track: (1) Don't get discouraged. Keep thinking of yourself as a nonsmoker because you are one. (2) Learn from experience. What was the trigger that made you light up? (3) Take charge. Make a list of things you will do the next time you are in that particular situation. Reread your list of all the reasons you want to quit.

You're on your way!

[Logan County Health Department]


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Announcements

American Red Cross January blood drives

[JAN. 7, 2003]  The Lincoln Kiwanis will sponsor two blood drives at the Lincoln Sports Complex in January. On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the hours for the blood drive will be noon to 6 p.m., and on Wednesday, Jan. 15, the hours will be noon to 5 p.m.

There will also be two blood drives sponsored by local churches. On Wednesday, January 22, Mount Pulaski Christian Church will have a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Wednesday, Jan. 29, Atlanta Christian Church will have a drive from noon to 6 p.m.

The following blood donors reached milestones recently: Kurt Hullinger, one gallon; Tamera Banister, two gallons; Anne Conrady, three gallons; Lyndol Kingsley, five gallons; and Bob Gephart, eight gallons.

[Provided by Katie Schlichter,
Illinois Capital Area Chapter,
American Red Cross]


Mobile health unit schedule

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit for 2002.

 

Morning: 9-11 a.m.

 

 

Afternoon: 1-3:30 p.m.

Monday

1st and 3rd

Hartsburg

1st and 3rd

Emden

 

2nd and 4th

San Jose

2nd and 4th

Greenview

Tuesday

Weekly

Chestnut

Weekly

Mount Pulaski

Wednesday

Weekly

New Holland

Weekly

Middletown

Thursday

1st and 3rd

Elkhart

Weekly

Atlanta

2nd and 4th

Friendship Manor-Lincoln

Friday

1st, 2nd, 4th

Village Hall-Latham

1st

Beason

     

2nd and 4th

Broadwell

 

3rd

Maintenance/ special events

3rd

Maintenance/
special events

The mobile health unit does not operate on the following dates for holidays during 2002:  Jan. 21 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), Feb. 18 (Presidents' Day), March 29 (Good Friday), May 27 (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), Sept. 2 (Labor Day), Oct. 14 (Columbus Day), Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving break) and Dec. 24-25 (Christmas break).

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.


Community resource list

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership and the Healthy Families Task Force, 732-2161, Ext. 409.         

Agency

Phone number

Address

Lincoln agencies

911

911 (emergency)
732-3911 (office -- non-emergency)

911 Pekin St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital

732-2161

315 Eighth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

American Red Cross
www.il-redcross.org  

732-2134 or 
1 (800) 412-0100

125 S. Kickapoo
Lincoln, IL 62656

Catholic Social Services
www.cdop.org 

732-3771

310 S. Logan
Lincoln, IL 62656

Lincoln/Logan County Chamber
of Commerce
www.lincolnillinois.com 

735-2385

303 S. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Community Action (CIEDC)

732-2159

1800 Fifth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Crisis Pregnancy Center/
Living Alternatives

735-4838

408 A Pulaski St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

DCFS (Department of Children
& Family Services)

735-4402 or 
1 (800) 252-2873
(crisis hotline)

1120 Keokuk St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Heartland Community College
- GED program

735-1731

620 Broadway St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Housing Authority

732-7776

1028 N. College St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP)
www.logancountyhealth.org 

735-2317 or 
1 (800) 269-4019

109 Third St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Illinois Employment and Training Center (replaces JTPA office)

735-5441

120 S. McLean St., Suite B
Farm Bureau Building
Lincoln, IL 62656

Lincoln Area YMCA

735-3915

319 W. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Lincoln/Logan Food Pantry

732-2204

P.O. Box 773
Lincoln, IL 62656

Lincoln Parents' Center

735-4192

100 S. Maple
Lincoln, IL 62656

Lincoln Park District

732-8770

1400 Primm Rd.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Logan County Department of Human Services (Public Aid)
www.state.il.us/agency/dhs 

735-2306

1500 Fourth St.
P.O. Box 310
Lincoln, IL 62656

Logan County Health Department
www.logancountyhealth.org 

735-2317

109 Third St.
P.O. Box 508
Lincoln, IL 62656

Logan-Mason Mental Health

735-2272 or
732-3600 (crisis line)

304 Eighth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center

735-1413

760 S. Postville Drive
Lincoln, IL 62656

The Oasis
(Senior Citizens of Logan County)

732-6132

501 Pulaski St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Project READ

735-1731

620 Broadway St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Salvation Army

732-7890

1501 N. Kickapoo
Lincoln, IL 62656

Senior Services of Central Illinois

732-6213 or 
1 (800) 252-8966
(crisis line)

109 Third St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

U. of I. Extension Service
www.ag.uiuc.edu 

732-8289

980 N. Postville Drive
Lincoln, IL 62656

Springfield agencies

Department of Aging
www.state.il.us/aging

785-3356

421 E. Capitol, #100
Springfield, IL 62701-1789

American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org 

546-7586
(24 hour)

1305 Wabash, Suite J
Springfield, IL 62704

Community Child Care Connection
www.childcaresolutions.org 

(217) 525-2805 or
1 (800) 676-2805

1004 N. Milton Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702-4430

Hospice Care of Illinois

1 (800) 342-4862
(24 hour) or
732-2161, Ext. 444

720 N. Bond
Springfield, IL 62702

Illinois Department of Public Health
www.idph.state.il.us 

(217) 782-4977

535 W. Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62761

Legal Assistance Foundation

(217) 753-3300 or
1 (800) 252-8629

730 E. Vine St., Suite 214
Springfield, IL 62703

Sojourn Shelter & Services Inc.
http://www.sojournshelter.org/

732-8988 or
1 (866) HELP4DV
(24-hour hotline)

1800 Westchester Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704

U. of I. Division of Specialized Care for Children
www.uic.edu 

524-2000 or 
1 (800) 946-8468

421 South Grand Ave. West
Second Floor
Springfield, IL 62704

Logan County libraries

Atlanta Library 

(217) 648-2112

100 Race St.
Atlanta, IL 61723

Elkhart Library

(217) 947-2313

121 E. Bohan
Elkhart, IL 62634

Lincoln Public Library
www.lincolnpubliclibrary.org 

732-8878

725 Pekin St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Mount Pulaski Library

792-5919

320 N. Washington
Mount Pulaski, IL 62548

(updated 2-15-02)

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