Arbor Health brings a strong lineup of wellness-related activities for East Lewis County for the week of August 21-26, all under the name of Wellness Week. The intention of the event is to encourage community members to get moving, learn about healthy eating options and just have some fun, free activities.
Monday, August 21 — Get Moving Monday’s Community Walks
Arbor Health staff members are leading community walks in each of our clinic-home communities — Packwood, Randle, Morton and Mossyrock. These walks will be pleasure strolls designed for the casual walker. This is an opportunity to connect with your neighbors and see some scenery while “getting moving.”
Join your family doctor and other healthcare providers for a community walk at 6 p.m.
The walks will begin and end at each Arbor Health Clinic:
- Morton
- Mossyrock
- Packwood
- Randle
Tuesday, August 22 — Arbor Talks
Morton Roxy Theater
233 West Main Street, Morton
Have you heard of TED Talks? Well, we have Arbor Talks. These are informal, wellness-related topics presented on topics you want to hear about.
Our lineup of speakers includes:
Going From Weepingly Weary to WOW!
Sherry Blakely will tell how she nearly threw her life away, again and again, by not taking care of herself. Even after having bariatric surgery to escape the life-threatening effects of obesity, she didn’t follow medical advice, which nearly cost her her life. However, Sherry turned it all around with the help of Arbor Health’s Extended-Care Rehab staff. Today, she is vibrant and living strong. She’s a success story through and through. Sherry will tell you her story and her dreams for the future.
The Tortoise Won the Race!
Many people believe that getting weaker and more feeble is a natural part of aging. But that is not necessarily the case. Join Physical Therapist Edwin Meelhuysen as he shares real-life stories and the research findings that tell us that we are not necessarily doomed to lose our strength, our ability to be active or even our independence. No matter what you’ve been telling yourself, you can do it!
Don’t Go Out There, Unless You’re Prepared
Mt. Rainier National Park Superintendent Greg Dudgeon will review the importance of being prepared when venturing to the outdoors — whether it be climbing a mountain or going on a simple hike in the woods. An enjoyable outing can turn into something very different very quickly. What steps should you take to ensure your safety? You’ll find out here.
Benefits of Eating Locally Grown
Is there really that much difference between locally-grown and mass-produced vegetables? They’re all grown in dirt, right? Yes, but that’s not the whole story. For instance, mass-produced tomatoes aren’t picked when they’re ripe. They’re picked green when they’re the “right size.” Then they’re blasted with ethylene gas to make the skin turn red. Learn about this and more reasons why growing your own vegetables or buying from farmers markets can be life-changing.
Making the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice via Blue Zones
Blue Zones is a community-wide approach to well-being. The Blue Zones approach helps people live longer and better lives by identifying opportunities for individual communities through community transformation programs. The result is a healthier community where it is a great place to live, work, and play. And it’s coming to Lewis County. Shawna Herriford will give a preview of what is to come.
Wednesday, August 23 — Affordable Whole Foods Cooking Class
Seventh-Day Adventist Church
500 Kosmos Lane, Morton
6 p.m.
Yes, we know we should eat healthier, but how? Plus, doesn’t it cost a lot? Or does it? Deborah and Edwin Meelhuysen will demonstrate how easy and tasty whole foods can be and share recommendations for changing our mindsets. Entry is $5 per person to cover the cost of food samples. Register online here so we may adequately prepare the right quantity of samples. You don’t want to miss out on the samples!
Thursday, August 24 — Family Fun Kickball
Yes, that’s right, we are challenging you to a kickball game. Join our medical providers and clinic staff for an evening of active play held at the elementary school playgrounds. It will be fun and memorable and requires no athletic skill! Starting at 6 p.m., it’s open to anyone who wants to play. (Liability waivers will be available for adult participants and parents of participating minors.)
- Mossyrock Elementary School
- Randle Elementary School
Friday, August 25 — Healthy Fun Friday Photo Contest
Invest some time in your health and wellness, and send us a photo of you doing it. To be clear, we do not want photos from the hike you took on your last year’s vacation. Please limit it to the shots from the previous couple of months. Photos that tell a story of activity are our favorites! Winners will be announced, and prizes will be presented in the week following Wellness Week.
Upload your photo submission here.
Saturday, August 26 — Health Expo
Morton Hospital parking lot
9 to 11 a.m.
Vendors from a whole host of health and wellness topics will be set up in the Arbor Health —Morton Hospital parking lot. Including:
- Morton Fire Department will demonstrate to kids how to escape a burning building.
- Washington State Patrol will provide free child-seat safety checks.
- Discover Children’s Museum will provide tabletop activities for the kiddos.
- Find vendors of many varieties.
- Door prizes! Visit every booth and be entered into a drawing for great raffle prizes.
We are still accepting exhibitors! There is no charge for booth space. Register online here.
Saturday, August 26 — Joy in the Journey 5K Color Run
You can walk, or you can run. And you can get colorized or come out looking just as you started. It’s all your choice. The color aspect is courtesy of the Arbor Health Foundation.
This event is intended to be fun for the whole family! That is why the base fee is only $8 per person ($10 day of race). Kids are free when registered with an adult! We would love to see whole families participating! The deadline for the T-shirt guarantee is August 14.
There are three levels of fun!
Yellow Brick Road Level
$8 ($10 day of race)
Participants receive a participant medal and water bottle (children 12 and under free with adult registration for color-fun level).
Over the Rainbow Level
$35 ($40 day of race)
Participants receive a participant medal, water bottle and white (ready for all of that color) Arbor Health T-shirt.
Ruby Slipper Level
$55 ($60 day of race)
Participants receive a participant medal, water bottle, Arbor Health Color Run T-shirt, Dorothy headband and temporary glitter tattoo. Register online here.
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