FAIRBURY — The Spring Salad Festival of the Jefferson Community Health & Life Auxiliary will be held Thursday, May 18, at the Fairbury Elks Club. The Salad Festival is a fund-raiser for the JCH&L Auxiliary which has been a community event since 1965.

“The Salad Festival has a long history in our community, and has been a wonderful fund-raiser for the JCH&L Auxiliary,” said Lana Likens, director of public relations at Jefferson Community Health & Life. “It is also something that has provided wonderful food and fellowship.”

The salad festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets will be $6 in advance, and $6.50 at the door. Advance tickets will be available at several local businesses in May.

The Spring Salad Festival is the main fund-raising event of the auxiliary. The auxiliary provides scholarships to students entering medical fields, provides Christmas gifts for residents at JCH&L Gardenside, and provides volunteer help at JCHC in a variety of projects.

Anyone interested in more information about the auxiliary or the salad festival should contact Lana Likens at (402) 729-6855.

FAIRBURY – Join us for the March Health Today session: “Sodium: Shake the Habit,” by Twila Scheetz RN, Cardiac Rehab Nurse. The program will teach participants about sodium – why they should reduce it, and how to do it.

The session will be held at 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, in the Conference Room at Jefferson Community Health & Life.

Health Today is a free monthly health education session offered by Jefferson Community Health & Life in a lunch-time session. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch, or are welcome to purchase lunch in the JCHC cafeteria, which is located near the Conference Rooms.

JCH&L works with a wide variety of professionals who will be bringing educational programs on health-related topics each month. Please note that the day of the week for the session may change because of presenter schedules.

Reservations are not required. The program is FREE. The only cost for participants would be their lunch, if they choose to purchase it. Participants are also welcome to carry in their lunch.

Anyone who would like to be on a mailing list to directly receive notices about the monthly sessions or anyone with questions about the program should contact Likens at (402) 729-6855.

Thirty-two excited (and maybe slightly nervous) high school students tried their hand at suturing and giving shots to oranges, taking blood pressures, and taking blood samples on Tuesday at the Southeast Community College Career Academy event at Jefferson Community Health & Life in Fairbury on Tuesday.

“We are always pleased for opportunities for Health Career Academy students to learn about the many health care careers, and have the opportunity to try hands-on activities,” said Adam Niederklein, SCC Career Academy Coordinator for the Southeast Nebraska Career Academy Partnership (SENCAP.)

While at JCH&L, students tried health care techniques themselves, and also learned about doing body composition analysis and other fitness skills; had a tour of the facility; learned about a range of health care careers; and learned the importance of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.

SENCAP is a partnership between Southeast Community College and 38 school districts, offering high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to enroll in college level courses in fields in their area of interest: agriculture, business, criminal justice, education, health sciences, information technology, and manufacturing. Besides taking dual credit high school/college courses, the students have the opportunity to explore their career in a hands-on approach through job shadowing, field trips, professional speakers and annual events highlighting resume building, mock interviews and other career-related activities.

Jefferson Community Health & Life has worked with the SENCAP program in a variety of ways, including career exploration, tours, and shadowing. On Tuesday, they hosted 32 students and 3 educators from Fairbury, Fillmore Central, Thayer Central, Bruning-Davenport, Shickley, Norris and Meridian.

“This is a partnership which benefits not only the students, but also our community, as it encourages young people to consider career opportunities in health care,” said Lana Likens, JCH&L director of public relations.

Jefferson Community Health & Life Burkley Fitness Center will offer a youth swim event on Friday, Feb. 17, for youth in grades 1 through 6.

The lifeguarded swim gives youth the opportunity to swim from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. without a parent or guardian present. The event is free for members, and $3 per youth for non-members.

Registration is limited. Pre-registration is required by calling the Burkey Fitness Center at (402) 729-6139.

FAIRBURY – Join us for the February Health Today session: “The Sunshine Vitamin: Vitamin D,” by Lisa Edeal, RDN, LMNT. The program will help participants understand why Vitamin D is important to their health.

The February session will be held at 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the Large Conference Room at Jefferson Community Health & Life.

Health Today is a free monthly health education session offered by Jefferson Community Health & Life in a lunch-time session. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch, or are welcome to purchase lunch in the JCHC cafeteria, which is located near the Conference Rooms.

JCH&L works with a wide variety of professionals who will be bringing educational programs on health-related topics each month. Please note that the day of the week for the session may change because of presenter schedules.

Reservations are not required. The program is FREE. The only cost for participants would be their lunch, if they choose to purchase it. Participants are also welcome to carry in their lunch.

Anyone who would like to be on a mailing list to directly receive notices about the monthly sessions or anyone with questions about the program should contact Likens at (402) 729-6855.