QuitLinks Carnival A Near-Perfect Event

Yesterday's QuitLinks four-hour family carnival drew about four hundred people to the Western Gateway Heritage State Park for free popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, and games and entertainment.

Families And Fun:"Terrific"

QuitLinks is a smoking cessation program that targets pregnant women and mothers but health information offered at the event was not limited to smoking cessation. Dozens of Berkshire region agencies hosted information booths during the carnival.

BerkshireRides program coordinator Jana Hunkler Brule staffed an agency temporary tattoo booth with help from 13-year-old Kalynn Drummond.

"It's a great way for families to have a lot of fun, for free, and spread the word about the many community agencies," Hunkler Brule said.

Shannon Shurtleff attended the carnival with her four-year-old sister and her three-year-old daughter. The games and activities kept the children entertained and the information was extremely helpful to her, Shurtleff said.

"My little one has asthma and I'm hoping to get good information about quitting smoking," she said. "I want to quit smoking."
Christmas Brook Skating Club skaters and club officials said they participated at the carnival because of the health rewards skating can deliver. Club president Lisa Waltermire and Board of Directors members Hanne Booth and Sara Senecal agreed that ice skating is a disciplined sport that provided physical activity, discourages smoking, and may be enjoyed throughout a lifetime.

REACH Community Health Foundation Breast Health Program Director Polly Macpherson was among the carnival's most popular volunteers. Macpherson operated a popcorn machine and was almost in constant motion as she handed out paper cones filled with freshly-popped corn.

"I think this is terrific," she said. "To have so many families coming out here and doing all these things for free, it's just a great experience for families and kids."

Priscilla Savary and Carrie Savary brought children Jessica Savary, 15 months old, and two-year-old Michaela Savary to the carnival.

Carrie Savary lives in the Northfield, N.H. area and came to the city to visit family and attend the event.

"This is really good and I wish we had stuff like this in the area of New Hampshire I come from," she said.

Don't Forget June 25 "Dirt Day"

Child Care of the Berkshires Inc. volunteers erected a booth to promote summer play groups and tomorrow evening's very popular pre-school and toddler event "Dirt Day."

"Dirt Day" is set to begin at Kemp Park on Kemp Avenue at 5:30 p.m. and conclude at 7:30 p.m.. Children are able to play in mounds of dirt and pails and shovels are provided. The first 75 children to arrive at the event will receive a t-shirt. organizers reminded people that children often become covered with the dirt and recommended bringing a change of clothes so that the soiled clothing may be removed at the park when the event has concluded.
source:www.iberkshires.com