Tri-Town Youth Services has recently mailed postcards to all box holders of Chester, Deep River and Essex.  The post cards were created through the Social Norming Committee, and bear the message that “86% of Region 4 Parents Ask Where Their Kids are Going and With Whom.”  The mailer side of the cards contains important information for parents and teens on underage drinking and encourages keeping “our kids safe, alcohol- and other drug-free through prom, graduation, and beyond.

Members of the Social Norming Committee, Jessica Ramage, Mackenzie Holdmeyer, David FitzGibbons, Cate Bourke, and Gail Onofrio, were intentional in having the post cards mailed just prior to the prom season.  Social norming is a manner of presenting information in a way that is similar to positive reinforcement.  Most parents do an admirable job in monitoring their teens, but may not realize they are such a majority.  The statistic used on the post card was gleaned from the most recent administration of the Search Institute survey, Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors.

The Social Norming Committee is one of several committees that comprise the Tri-Town Substance Abuse Prevention Council.  The Council is in its second year of a Drug Free Communities grant.  Funding is provided through an ONDCP and SAMHSA partnership.

"Eighteen participants of the IFoundFitness RiverValley Slim Down lost 191 pounds and raised $400 in canned goods, provided from the Deep River Adams Super Food Store at cost. The items were donated to the Shoreline Soup Kitchen." Pictured above: Phyllis Cappuccio MS, Development & Outreach Director for the Shoreline Soup Kitchens &Pantries: Donna Scott, Owner of IFoundFitness: Jeff Prindle, Manager of theDeep River Adams Super Food Store. Photo by Sarah Crisp, LymeGreen Inc.

DEEP RIVER, CT— In January, twenty-three enthusiastic shoreline health seekers began participating in the River Valley Slim-Down challenge run by IFoundFitness in Deep River.  It’s been 12 life-changing weeks since then, and 18 of the original participants recently completed the program run by Donna Scott, owner of IFoundFitness.

River Valley Slim-Down is akin to the Biggest Loser where participants compete to lose the highest percentage of weight and to win a jackpot cash reward along with other prizes.  The challenge focuses on weight control, exercise and group motivation.  On Thursday, April 5, Donna announced the winner of this winter’s slim down challenge, Bryan Ambrosino, who earned the jackpot prize of $1,859.00.  In second place was Hannah Schillawski and third place went to Carol Green.

In total, the participants lost a total of 191 pounds due to their hard work and Donna’s personal dedication to helping her clients achieve success towards their personal goals.  Through exercise, nutrition and health education, positive reinforcement, and empathy with each participant, Donna has motivated the group to achieve milestones they may have otherwise thought were unattainable.

River Valley Slim Down participant Hannah Tiffany Schillawski shared a day of excitement “I went shopping today and got a size 6 capri! I have NEVER been a size 6!”.  Ginny Mislick, who is getting in shape for her wedding next year, said, “Week after week in the River Valley Slim-Down, I was able to see results.  Whether it is on the scale or in the way my clothes fit me with inches lost, something was always happening along my journey to greater fitness.   I am a changed person, both mentally and physically.  The added and unexpected bonus was becoming part of a team of great people working toward the same goal to lose weight and become fit.  I was able to enjoy others’ success and feed off of their excitement.”

“My reward is seeing my clients motivated to make lifestyle changes that they can sustain.” said Donna Scott.  “It’s not about dieting, it’s about making healthy choices along their journey, choices that they can maintain.  And it’s about forgiving themselves if they go off track – which is going to happen from time to time.”

As part of Donna’s commitment to give back to the community, IFoundFitness donated over $400 worth of canned goods to the Shoreline Soup Kitchen.  IFoundFitness partnered with Adams Super Food Store in Deep River who generously provided the canned goods at cost.  “Recently Adams Deep River launched the Culinary Health Club, a healthy eating initiative that dovetails nicely with the River Valley Slim-Down challenge.” said Jeff Prindle, manager of Adams Super Foods in Deep River.   In support of Donna and her hard work with her participants, Adams kindly donated four Culinary Club memberships that were given to the challenge runner-ups.  In addition to Adams, Vitality Spa in Old Lyme and Essence in Old Saybrook provided prizes for the challenge winners.

The Spring/Summer River Valley Slim-Down – 8 weeks to change your life, will begin in April 23, 2012 and will run for eight weeks.  Penny Smyth, CHHC, AADP, certified health coach will be offering a complimentary 30 minute consultation with each participant as well as offering several mini-workshops about weight management and healthier eating. To register and learn the more about the competition, contact IFoundFitness at (860) 961-4507 or email Donna at donna@ifoundfitness.com.

 IFoundFitness is personal training/group exercise business specializing in “Personalized, Personal Training” in an effort to improve clients overall health.  Donna Scott, owner and founder of IFoundFitness, is a certified AFAA (Aerobics And Fitness Association of America) Trainer; Zumba licensed in basic, gold and toning and is also Spinning (indoor cycling) certified. IFoundFitness is located at the Deep River Sports Academy at 190 Main Street in Deep River, Connecticut.  Learn more at www.ifoundfitness.com.

The Essex Garden Club is now accepting applications from high school students, undergraduates and graduate students to share scholarship funds of $5000.   The following criteria will qualify students for consideration of a scholarship:

1. Resident of Essex, Centerbrook or Ivoryton, Ct.
2. High school senior or undergraduate/graduate student
3. “B” or better grade point average
4. Plans to pursue or currently pursuing studies related to environmental science in an accredited two year or four year institute of higher learning:

-       Fields may include: biology, ecology, horticulture, forestry, land conservation

-       Closely related subjects may also apply: landscape design, nursery management

Interested high school students should request an application from the school guidance counselor and return the application to the counselor by APRIL 27, 2012. Undergraduate/graduate students should call 860-767-1722 for more information. The deadline for all applications along with transcripts and references is APRIL 27, 2012.

Take the Chester Historical Society Square Roots Challenge

Are you ready for a challenge, limited only by your imagination? This spring, those accepting this Chester Historical Society challenge will be using simple and colorful aluminum squares as a component to create finished pieces of art, jewelry, sculptures, etc.

These squares date back to the 1950s when they were manufactured in Chester by C.J. Bates & Son as knitting gauges, measuring 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″. The historical society has 150 of them, which are being offered as a challenge for area artists, sculptors, photographers, engineers, jewelry designers, and all others with a creative mind.

The finished works will be exhibited and sold by silent auction at the Historical Society’s Square Roots Champagne Reception on Saturday, May 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Chester Meetinghouse.

The Squares artists pay a $25.00 entry contribution and will receive 4 gauges and a ticket to the reception. The Historical Society hosted a similar challenge in 2004, “Brooks for Hooks,” which used hooks and screw eyes manufactured by M.S. Brooks & Sons, Inc. Much like that event, the simplicity of the Susan Bates knitting gauge opens the door to many creative options and interpretations.

The squares can be seen at the Chester Gallery in the center of Chester, where you can also sign up to participate (or call 860-526-9822).

State Representative Phil Miller D-Chester, Deep River, Essex, & Haddam), the new Vice Chair of the legislature’s Environment Committee, would like Connecticut to be the first state in the nation to require the labeling of food containing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

“Consumers have a right to know what is in their food,” said Miller. “When a parent buys fruit, they assume that they are bringing a natural snack home for their children, but that isn’t always the case these days. When we buy packaged foods, we can read the label and make an informed decision if we want to buy that product—so why shouldn’t parents know if fruit contains genetically modified ingredients?”

Legislation (HB 5117) introduced by the Environment Committee would require labeling of fruit, vegetables, and other genetically-engineered foods. It would also create best practices for GMO farming and preferences for food products that are voluntarily labeled to indicate whether they include genetically-engineered ingredients.

Miller noted that the only reason certain foods including fruit and vegetables were exempt from federal food labeling requirements was that when the laws were created there were no GMOs in foods.

“Fruit used to be just fruit. You knew if you bought an apple that is was an apple—plain and simple. Now you might be getting an apple that contains who knows what,” said Miller.

GMOs are products that have been genetically modified at the cellular level to increase yields and resist disease.  DNA molecules from different sources are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified genes.

Other states, including California, Vermont, and Washington, are considering similar legislation this year.

Miller, who will be taking part in a forum on GMOs at the State Capitol later this week, said he also be meeting and working with local farmers on the pending legislation.