Meal

The Winchester Board of Commissioners Monday approved a draft budget for fiscal year 2012-13, which projects a general fund cash balance of about $1.6 million at the end of the fiscal year and total revenues of about $15.1 million. Commissioners cut some funding to outside agencies, but increased funding to others. Most notably, they voted unanimously to increase funding to Clark County Aging Services from $32,600 to $40,900 to provide the home meal delivery program to half of those currently on a waiting list.

Four days a week, Mabel Davis spends an hour driving around town, delivering hot meals to homebound seniors. Mondays are spent working with Homecare program clients, doing everything from washing dishes and folding laundry to grocery shopping. The seniors look forward to her visits for the company as much as the needed household help. “They look forward to it because they're so lonesome,” Davis said. The home delivery meal program and the Homecare program are two of several programs Kentucky River Foothills offers local seniors.

Last week, I looked at some basic ways to eat healthy and green at the same time. This week, I'll share some more specific ideas for meals and snacks thoughout the day. On any given day, you can make the decision to eat healthy for your body and the environment. These are just a few ideas:   Breakfast Don't go to a fast food restaurant. It is a fast fix, but it's not a good way to start the day. Most of the time, the food you get from a fast food joint isn't good for you. On top of that, you are creating lots of trash - everything is wrapped in paper or plastic, right down to the straws and forks.

About 70 percent of the adult U.S. population doesn't decide what to eat that evening until 4 p.m. or later. This can lead to another trip to the grocery or exceeding your food budget. To save time and money, you can plan your family meals. Just as mixing and matching clothing items results in dozens of different outfits, the same trick works in the kitchen. Stock up with basic foods and use quick flavor mixes to quickly add interest and excitement to the ensemble. The Clark County Extension Office is offering a program called Healthy Meals on a Budget.

As I enjoyed a meal at my favorite restaurant on a recent late Sunday afternoon, I became acutely aware of considerable commotion at a table behind me. In seconds, a group of interesting people - children, teenagers and young adults - came by my table. Then, for some reason, as a group and as individuals, they continued to go from, and back to, their seats regularly for the duration of my meal. I was struck by what I saw passing the table where I ate. Regardless of age or sex, everyone in the group had a very similar look.

Keeping seniors in their homes longer and providing them with quality care at home is a priority for Generations Center employees. Funds raised from chili lunch sales Feb. 14 and 15 will provide the money needed to make that goal a reality. Julie Woosley, director of the Generations Center's senior adult programs, said cuts to the state-funded Homecare program are making it hard for the center to continue providing at home services. “We operate on a very limited budget, as do a lot of programs.

Health care providers at Ertel Medicine and Pediatrics know all too well the statistics about obesity in America. They know the statistics, and they know the people who are suffering from a myriad of health problems because of their weight. In September, Dr. Larry Ertel felt it was time to do something to better serve his patients. He and wife, Gina Lang, attended Obesity Summit 2011 at the Cleveland Clinic to learn the latest research on fighting obesity. “We learned that meal replacements, over 10 years, show the greatest maintenance,” Lang said.

Once again, hundreds of Lincoln County children received a gift and the kids and their families enjoyed a Christmas meal at the annual Winterfest event held in the Lincoln County High School cafeteria.   Kendra Mitchell, first-time chairman, said 350 people enjoyed the meal and just over 200 children, 12 and under, received a gift. “We provided a hot Christmas meal and were able to aid families that need a little help this year,” Mitchell said. The hot meal was prepared by high school cafeteria workers; 11 of whom began preparing for the event early in the morning.

Students at East Jessamine High School coordinated a Thanksgiving lunch last week very much in the spirit of the holiday, hoping to show their appreciation for those who help them every day. Thirteen students with moderate to severe disabilities put on the event in the school's media center Friday, welcoming 200 friends and family as well as teachers and school staff. “They do something to share their appreciation with all the people that touch their lives - parents, teachers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists, everybody that works with them,” said teacher Sarah Whitfield, who instructs the students along with Lindsey Mulcahy.

Members of the Central Elementary School BETA club spearheaded a drive to collect cans of green beans for the Ark of Mercy Church Thanksgiving Day dinner. Helping with the collection were, from left, Kaitlyn Lockhard, secretary; Kayla McCoy, member; Pat Aldridge, sponsor; Grayson Barett, member; Veronica Napier, sponsor; Chaise Elliot, vice-president; and Gabe Williams, president. The students collected 500 cans of green beans during their community service project. ¿¿James Mann/jmann@winchestersun.com