Great race
Dear Editor:
Switzerland County hosted its first ever “Grand Race” this past weekend and it was an amazing success with 19 teams of four participating. Teams from Indianapolis, Charlestown, Cincinnati, and many other towns throughout Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio came to our community to enjoy an exciting challenge.
I want to thank each property owner, volunteer, the Switzerland County Emergency Medical Services (for donating tables and chairs), and the employees of Switzerland County Recreation, Tourism, and Convention Commission members who contributed time or effort to make this event something to remember for those who participated.
I also offer very special thanks to Jeremy Cutter and Stephanie Streich, who first pitched this idea as a potential event for 2011. Jeremy and Stephanie both put countless hours of time in order to bring all the tasks, locations, clues, and supplies needed together. They both made a significant contribution and difference to our community.
T.J. Justice
Executive Director
Switzerland County Recreation,
Tourism and Convention Commission
Relay success
To the Editor:
The Switzerland County Homemakers Team Captains would like to give a big thanks to our team members for their support in the “Relay for Life” event. As one person we can do a little bit here and there, but when we come together and work together we can accomplish much. We want to especially thank the sheriff’s Department for their use of a golf cart which served as our taxi and their driver of the cart, Bert Allen.
The Relay Committee members work very hard not just for one or two days but for many, many days to put this event together for our community, and we owe each one tremendous thanks. Cancer is running rampant everywhere and the sooner we can find a cure for all types of cancer; it will mean many more birthdays for those we love, our family, friends and neighbors.
The Survivor Dinner was well atttended with 96 reservations, and no one went away hungry. Thanks to all who had a part in this effort, especially Gayla Bullock and the Switzerland County Farm Bureau, Inc., who have been sponsoring this for several years.
The Relay for Life is a community project for Switzerland County and is something that is worthy of our support. It can only become bigger and better if “you” lend a hand in helping.
Ruth Lohide and Maxine Meisberger
Team Captains
Relay for Life
Learn to swim
There were more than 3,300 unintentional drownings in the United States, an average of nine per day (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). For children 1-4 years old who died, 26 percent died from drowning (CDC 2006). Fatal drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Drowning claims the lives of too many children. There are many children who do not know how to swim because they lack the resources that are needed to gain access to a pool and swim instruction. Therefore, here at the YMCA, we feel it is critical that we diligently train Y staff to prevent, recognize, and respond to all aquatic incidents. This past week 24 hours of Swim Lesson Training was provided to our certified Life Guards.
The Y is here to create a community in which people have the opportunity and support to reach their full potential, whether it is the child learning how to swim or the instructor teaching the child to swim. Here at the Y we have a strategy and a plan to make a difference in our community by following our mission statement: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Tracey McFarland
Vevay