Food & Health

The Rice County Integrated Opioid Response Project has made impressive strides in addressing the impact of opioid drug misuse throughout Rice County. In its first six months, it addressed the local availabililty of Medication-Assisted Treatment, and it referred more than 50 people to local services that support opiate use disorder treatment and recovery.

"Providers in Rice County have been desperate for these services for over 10 years, and we have worked with clients in crisis who have struggled to get the services they need and deserve," said Yvette Marthaler, Rice County chemical health social worker. "The Opioid Response Project provides treatment and hope for people and our community."

During national disasters and emergencies, the risks of illicit opioid use increase. To help prevent overdose deaths, the Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition and the Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, in partnership with Sterling Pharmacies in Faribault and Northfield, and the Steve Rummler HOPE Network, have made free naloxone kits available at several local pharmacies.

*Insurance will be billed if the individual has insurance and a prescription from a provider.

Naloxone is a medication used to temporarily reverse the effects of the opiate overdose. If a community member is concerned about themselves or a loved one, they can pick up a free naloxone kit at the following pharmacies:

• Allina Health District One Pharmacy, 200 State Ave., Faribault, MN 55021

• Cub Pharmacy, 2423 MN-3, Northfield, MN 55057

• Hy-Vee Pharmacy, 1920 Grant St NW, Faribault, MN 55057

    How is you body handling daily stresses?  Allergies are a type of stress that our body may have difficulty processing.  Allergic reponses can show up in the gut, in breathing, or with inflamed skin.  These reactions can start when you are young or as you get older.  Your personal allergies are one of the top 10 measures you should know in order to promote increased quality of life and longevity.

Join local nutritionist Noel Aldrich to learn how your body successfully handles allergies and what do to when it is not.

                             Thursday, May 16, 6:30 pm   Northfield Public Library Meeting Room.

As the winter approches, your immune system needs to be prepared.  Dr. Noel Aldrich will review the key nutrients your immune system requires and what are the frequent items that weaken  your immune sytem.  Quality food choices will be included in this free seminar presentation along with a handout on Thursday, November 1, at 6:30 pm at the Northfield Public Library.

Dr. Noel Aldrich is a Licensed Nutritionist in Northfield.  He is a senior consultant with Nutrition Proportion located at 153 Water St. Northfield.

The River Bend Nature Center Maple Syrup Fun Run and Pancake Brunch is coming on Saturday, May 5 at the Center.  There will be a one-mile walk, and 5k, 10k, 25k or 50k fun runs. Registered participants will receive the 2018 Syrup Fun Run T-shirt, and admission to the pancake brunch which will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration has been extended through Sunday, April 22 for those who want guaranteed availability of shirts. After that, registrations are welcomed through the race day. If you’re not a runner, you can sign up as a “Couch Potato” and receive he T-shirt and admission to the pancake brunch. Sponsors of the 2018 Maple Syrup Fun Run are Humfeld Chiropractic and Edina Realty. 

The Y is Hiring ! 

To view all open positions and to apply, visit our website by clicking here. 

Are you...

Graduating this year or home for the summer?  Looking to make a difference? Good with Kids? Not afraid to be creative or get a little dirty?  Apply to join the Y's summer camp staff team.

Duties: Serve as a lead for a group of 8-10 campers each day; oversee the health, safety, and welfare of the campers; provide supervision, direction, enthusiasm, and positive reinforcement for the campers; demonstrate patience and positive role-modeling and teach daily skill session activities. Works 20-35hours/week.

     Are you stuck in a rut with your daily food plan?  Come and hear local nutritionist Noel Aldrich talk at the Northfield Public Library on Thursday, April 19, at 6:00 pm about the the Rainbow Diet.  A rainbow of options are available to help you increase energy, reduce blood pressure, decrease weight, control cholesterol, and identify the natural food sources and colors that will benefit you most.  Dr. Aldrich will give a one hour presentation with resources and ideas for improving your health in 2018.  The program is free and open to the public.  Questions?  Please contact Joan Ennis at 645-1802

The Northfield Area Family YMCA is very pleased to announce two new community members who have joined the Y's Board of Directors:  Nancy Antoine, Bridgewater Elementary School Principal and Nate Engle, Controller for St. Olaf.  Nancy and Nate will provide wonderful guidance with their time and talent in support of our local YMCA.  Pictured (L to R):  Gretchen Ehresmann, Board Chair, Nancy Antoine, Nate Engle and Virginia Kaczmarek, Executive Director

Participate long distance in Rotary’s 17th annual Turkey Trot

You’re not going to be in town for the 17th Annual Northfield Rotary Turkey Trot? No worries. Join us long distance through our Free Range Turkey Trot option.  

Gather friends and family wherever you are on Thanksgiving Day and run or walk your own 5K to support the important causes supported by this event and show your solidarity with the 1,000-plus runners and walkers making their way through the friendly neighborhoods of Northfield.

Funds raised at the Turkey Trot will support Rotary’s ongoing work with its youth exchange program and polio eradication. Northfield is known as a “rock star” in Rotary youth exchange circles. Northfield regularly sends 10 to 15 students abroad each year and this year is hosting six foreign students.

The 17th annual Northfield Rotary Turkey Trot is an opportunity to have fun while doing good.

The 5K Run-Walk Thanksgiving morning in Northfield raises funds for Rotary International’s Polio Plus campaign and for Northfield’s successful youth exchange program. And don’t forget the Northfield Food Shelf. Runners and walkers are encouraged to bring a food item to replenish the store.

The Turkey Trot will begin at the Carleton College Weitz Center at 9 a.m. Same-day registration opens at 8 a.m. The cost is $15 per participant if you register by Thursday, Nov. 9, or $20 if you register after that. Runners and walkers are encouraged to bring their dogs to the event. Canines will be recognized with a bandana complements of Countryside Animal Hospital and Kennels, one of the Turkey Trot’s major sponsors.

Summer is here and the kids might already be looking for something fun to do.  Direct some of that energy into running, swimming and biking at the Y’s Kids Tri on Saturday, June 24th at the Old Memorial Pool.  

The 8th Annual Y Kids Tri is a fun, non-competitive triathlon that’s all about getting kids excited to get fit! Kids ages 6-14 will experience a morning of encouragement, cheers and satisfaction of completing this swim, bike and run event. There’s nothing like the excitement of crossing a finish line! No experience is necessary! Kids are encouraged to train during the summer, so it’s a great way for family to get fit together.

Join This Is Medicaid for a public conversation about the benefits Medicaid offers to Minnesotans in Northfield, what coverage will look like if the AHCA passes the Senate in its current form, and what you can do to advocate for protecting Medicaid. The event will be held on Wednesday, May 31, from 6  to 7:30 p.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church (500 3rd Street West, Northfield). More information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/this-is-medicaid-northfield-townhall-tickets-34470793070.

The state of health care in Northfield is the topic to be discussed at a forum onThursday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church.  A panel will talk about current health care plans and challenges, the consequences of repeal of the Affordable Care Act as well as pending health care legislation at both state and federal levels. Members of the panel are:  Steve Underdahl, president & CEO of Northfield Hospital and Clinics; Charlie Mandile, CEO of Health Finders Collaborative; Ashley Hodgson, Assistant Professor of Economics at St. Olaf College; and David Bly who represents Northfield in the Minnesota House.

The public is invited to attend. The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Northfield-Cannon Falls.