Walk Across Tennessee Contest to Kick-Off April 1

March 13, 2019
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Being physically active is one of the best things you can do to improve and maintain your health, yet nearly two-thirds of Americans aren’t getting the activity they need. Consider taking up walking with friends or your family by participating in Walk Across Tennessee, which is an eight-week program that will spark some friendly competitions in DeKalb County. The event is being conducted by the University of Tennessee Extension office of DeKalb County. Beginning Monday, April 1 teams of eight will compete to see who can log the most miles walking, jogging, biking, and other forms of exercise in their community. Biking or jogging teams can have a team of four. The miles walked are not literally across the state, but reported on a map posted at the UT Extension Office, Green Brook Park, Smithville Review, online and social media.

Since everyone participates in a variety of sports, the Walk Across Tennessee program also has an exercise conversion chart so that participants can count aerobics, swimming, weight lifting, etc. For example, 16 minutes of high intensity aerobics would equal one mile.

The Walk Across Tennessee kickoff for DeKalb County is set for Monday, April 1 at Green Brook Park at 6:00 PM. “Teams will keep track of their miles, which will be posted in the Extension office, Greenbrook park, Smithville review, on social media and the UT Extension of DeKalb County website at http://dekalb.tennessee.edu. Teams can be composed of coworkers, teachers, students, neighbors, etc. This is an excellent team competition for the workplace, neighborhoods, and families” said Dr. April Martin, DeKalb County UT Extension Agent. For general reporting purposes, 20 minutes will equal one mile.”

According to Martin, “There will be prizes for the winning teams and individuals. There will also be weekly team challenges and prizes for that. There is no cost to participate. Remember if most of the team members are runners or bicyclists, the team is limited to 4 people. To join Walk Across Tennessee, first choose your team of up to 8. Then choose a team captain and go to our website at dekalb.tennessee.edu to download the registration forms. Registration is due before or on Monday, April 1st.” We also have team captain packets at the UT Extension office and at the fitness center located in the DeKalb County Complex building at 722 South Congress Building in Smithville.”

Many people are unaware of the positive benefits of exercise. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the No. 1 problem in the United States. The risk of heart disease could be significantly reduced by regular exercise. According to the Center for Disease Control, the positive effects of physical activity are not limited to lowering the risk of heart disease. Not only does regular exercise help relieve stress and anxiety,” physically active people outlive inactive people. Participating in Walk Across Tennessee DeKalb County is not only a great way to get involved with our community, it’s a healthy habit,” Martin stated.

“Competition kicks off on Monday, April 1, 6:00 PM. at Green Brook Park under pavilion one,” Martin said. The competition will last for 8 weeks. “Come out and plan to have lots of fun.” For more information, call the Extension office at 615-597-4945 or visit the website.

All of the programs of the University of Tennessee are open to all people regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, or disability.

March 13, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Mayor Josh Miller wants the city to offer a new benefit to employees.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, Mayor Miller proposed providing a long-term disability insurance policy for city employees. Such a policy protects an employee from loss of income in the event that he or she is unable to work due to illness, injury, or accident for a long period of time.

“Our city employees do not have anything with long term disability. If they get hurt on the job workers comp will cover them but if they get hurt off the job and run out of sick time or vacation time they are not getting a check,” said Mayor Miller.

“There is a 30 day, a 60 day, and a 90 day option here. If we did the 60 day option where if you got hurt it would pick up after 60 days and it would cover 60% of your income. That would cost the city almost $8,500 a year (total),” said Mayor Miller.

“I am not going to ask for a motion tonight but it is something I want you to look at. I don’t know if you want to do it before our new budget but definitely for our new budget. I think If you take care of your employees then they will take care of you. I think this is just another perk for working for the City of Smithville.,” Mayor Miller added.

March 12, 2019
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Years of research tell us that even when we think teens aren’t listening to us, that they really are. Parents are their child’s first teacher and have the greatest influence on their physical, emotional, and sexual development. But, how do you grow a meaningful relationship with your teen? Join us to learn how! We’re starting a new series, called “Girl Talk, TOO” on….

April 4, 11, and 25 in the auditorium at the DeKalb County Complex.

 During this multi-week program, teen girls ages 12 – 16, will join their mother, or other trusted female adult, to learn about their changing bodies, behaviors, and beliefs. Fun and engaging activities will help grow relationships, setting a strong foundation for healthy and trusted communication so that teen girls will grow into women who are able to have healthy relationships. A light meal will be provided each night of the class.

The “Girl Talk, Too” classes are sponsored by UT DeKalb County Extension Service in cooperation with the DeKalb County Health Department and the DeKalb County Coordinator of School Health. The classes will be held on Thursday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Instructors include UT Extension Agent Dr. April Martin, Coordinator of School Health Elise Driver, Nurse Practitioner Dr. Gianna Owens, and Health Educator Megan Kinslow. Mothers and teens need to attend all sessions together. The class is limited to 11 adult/ youth pairs and pre-registration is required. Please call 615-597-4945 to pre-register.