I would like to applaud the efforts put forth by the staff of the children’s area in the public library this summer. Under the leadership of Nancy Crowell, library director, with the creativity and follow-through of Kristen Peto in the children’s area, and with wellness ideas provided by Scarborough Wellness, the library was able to launch a new adjunct to its summer reading program, entitled “Quest for Wellness: Exercise Your Mind and Body.”

This colorful checklist was designed to encourage children to practice weekly safety, exercise and healthy eating tips by checking off all the suggested items they performed each week. The program also offered healthy tips/recipes, quick snack ideas and an exercise log to be turned in along with their summer reading log.

Each week, a name was drawn from the participants and the winner was able to choose an activity toy (jump rope, Frisbee, children’s lacrosse sticks) provided by Scarborough Wellness. Congratulations goes out to this summer’s first round of winners: Noelle Guiffre Breen, Anthony Guiffre Breen, Maya Ahluwalia, Abigail Cates, Elizabeth Poulin and Katie Poulin. We all hope you have enjoyed your new outdoor toys!

For those of you who aren’t familiar, Scarborough Wellness is a group of local citizens promoting healthy lifestyles for all ages. The group has organized wellness fairs, town wide walks, and provided speakers for wellness topics just to name a few. For more information, log on to scarboroughwellness.org and let us know if you want to be on our email notification list.

Our next event is the second annual Bridge to Health Walk (or bike) on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. Bring your family and friends for quality time together outside. The walk will take place along the beautiful Eastern Trail where it crosses the Scarborough Marsh.

Parking is available at Blue Point School on Pine Point Road, or at Gawron Architects, 29 Black Point Road. The event is free with healthy snacks and water provided. Thank you to Scarborough Community Services, Communities Promoting Health, the Current and Hannaford for their ongoing support in these events. Hope to see you there!

Heidi Will

Scarborough