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National walking expert Robert Sweetgall returns to northeastern Connecticut Oct. 7 to bring his message of walking wellness to local students and community members.
In addition to his speaking engagements at local schools, Sweetgall will speak at The ARC Quinebaug Valley and also give a number of public presentations. Free community workshops open to the public will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Plainfield Town Hall; from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Killingly High School Auditorium; and from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Quinebaug Valley Senior Citizens Center in Brooklyn.
A special teacher’s workshop will also be from 2:20 to 3 p.m. Oct. 9 in Bowen Classroom 204 at Woodstock Academy. Interested parties may contact NDDH for information on any of the programs.
In 2009, Sweetgall assisted HealthQuest in launching their “WriteSteps School Walking Initiative,” a program that encourages schools to start their school day with a 10-minute walk and writing exercise. To preserve instructional time, students are given an academic topic to discuss while on the walk, then journal about upon return to the classroom. Since its inception, nine local schools have adopted the initiative and/or hosted presentations and walk rallies by Sweetgall – Plainfield Memorial School, Plainfield Central School, Pomfret Community School, Hampton Elementary School, Killingly Intermediate School, Canterbury Elementary School, Dr. Helen Baldwin Middle School, Thompson Middle School, Mary R. Fisher Elementary School, and Woodstock Middle School.
In October, Sweetgall will bring his message of walking to wellness to Brooklyn Elementary and Brooklyn Middle Schools, Putnam Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, and Woodstock Academy.
For more information about HealthQuest, contact NDDH at 860-774-7350 or visit www.nddh.org
Sweetgalll, who has walked across America the equivalent of seven times and is considered the nation’s leading recreational walker, lost several family members to heart disease and took up walking as a way to stay healthy. He is the only person to have walked through all 50 states in one year - a journey of 11,208 miles. He has authored nearly 20 books on walking, wellness, and active living and has appeared on hundreds of radio and television talk shows.
Sweetgall’s visit is being hosted by HealthQuest Northeast Connecticut, a coalition of health and wellness partners coordinated by the Northeast District Department of Health (NDDH) and working to make northeastern Connecticut a healthier place to live, work, learn, and play.
Sweetgall’s visit is being funded by grants from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Robert Sweetgall is a valued public health partner,” said NDDH Director of Health Susan Starkey. “His practical advice on the long-term health benefits of walking is important for everyone from students to seniors. We are looking forward to bringing his `Motivation to Move’ health talks back to northeast Connecticut and it’s the perfect way to help our region kick off the great month of Walktober.”