Local residents stress finding a balance in diet, activity

Photo by Tom Hintgen
Roy Graham, left, and Wayne Geary, right, look back on several years of service with the American Heart Association. They strived to promote healthy lifestyles throughout Otter Tail County.

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

The key to living life to the fullest, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), is not only eating right and being active, but also getting enough sleep, managing stress and connecting socially with other people.

“Taking small, positive steps can help build a healthier routine,” said retiree Roy Graham who formerly served as a AHA board member in Otter Tail County.

Agreeing with Graham over coffee on March 6 was Wayne Geary who worked for the American Heart Association for 31 years. He was a regional AHA director in Otter Tail County for 16 years, retiring in 2019.

Graham and Geary, along with many local AHA volunteers, worked very hard to persuade people of all ages to lead heart-healthy lives. They pointed out two successful programs for youths in Otter Tail County, namely Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart.

The state AHA headquarters for Minnesota is in Eagan, just south of the Twin Cities. Their ongoing mission is to help improve the health and well-being of Minnesota citizens while saving and improving countless lives.

AHA Minnesota, working with volunteers in Otter Tail County and in the other 86 counties throughout the state, has a network of first responders through CPR kits in schools, blood pressure screenings and educating people about the dangers of tobacco and vaping.

Graham and Geary say involvement from the American Heart Association, today, is more important than ever. They urge continued support of AHA in Otter Tail County and efforts to help people lead healthier lives.