The annual Healthy Communities Month in Woolwich is once again upon us, with a full slate of events and activities lined up to help residents get out and enjoy the warmer weather and appreciate just how much the township has to offer.
“The main goal of Healthy Communities is really to try and enhance the social, economic and environmental well being of residents through out the Township of Woolwich,” said organizer Joy Finney.
The kickoff for the sixth annual Healthy Communities Month will be A Taste of Woolwich, which has been moved to the Breslau Mennonite Church this year. The event will take place on Apr. 16 and runs from 5-8 p.m. The event allows the community to connect with local farmers.
“We have moved the event to Breslau because of the population growth and we wanted to help build relationships between farmers and the new residents there. Part of the motivation for that is to allow farmers to learn what people would like to see grown here,” said Finney.
This year’s program includes tips for quick and nutritious meals for young families, the art of cooking slowly for healthy families on the go and why we should pay for the benefits of local food. There will also be a youth recipe challenge with the winning recipe to be showcased by Chef Ryan Terry of Flow Catering. Admission to A Taste of Woolwich is only $2 per adult.
The following weekend, on Apr. 21, there will be a community clean-up and yellow fish storm drain painting event that begin at 8:30 a.m. and runs until noon.
Later that evening, a free screening of the movie ‘Revenge of the Electric Car” will be shown at Trinity United Church starting at 7 p.m. The documentary explores the electric car craze and the future of the automobile as a film crew go behind the closed doors of some of the major automakers to chronicle the story of the resurgence of the electric car.
On Apr. 28 the biggest event of the month will take place as the St. Jacobs arena hosts the Green Living and Tech Fair. The show will run from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and includes workshops on creating an energy-smart living space, energy saving ideas and technologies for under $100, building a strong back and healthy mind through hiking and healthy active living with information from the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“The event gives people access to and knowledge about local businesses that are supporting green and healthy living,” said Finney.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet local business owners to discuss green energy, healthy living and discover tips for reducing daily energy use.
There will be a free electronic waste drop off at the fair as well as an old bicycle donation bin courtesy of The Working Centre.
A bus tour leaving from the arena in St. Jacobs to REEP house in Kitchener will be available for fair visitors. The REEP house is a completely renovated century home that highlights some of the alternative energy resources available including in-floor heating, ground source heat pump and recycled polymer roof shingles. Tours start at 12 p.m. Admission to both the fair and bus tour is free.
The month ends with a bird watching hike with Mark Bauman along the Health Valley Trail in St. Jacobs on Apr. 29, 2-4 p.m. The hike is part of an effort to get people out to enjoy the fresh air while encountering the different types of birds the area with the scenic views of St. Jacobs.
For more information about these, or any other events scheduled for Healthy Communities Month in Woolwich, visit their website at www.healthywoolwich.org.
