Children play doctor for a day

By Kevin Sanders

Every year Little People's Hospital provides area children a chance to play doctor as they participate in mock medical procedures designed to acclimate them and their families to the routines of regular health-care checkups. It will be Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University Mall in Athens.

"Your children will have the chance to examine their stuffed animals the same way a doctor might examine your children. They will be able to measure for height and weight, check vital signs such as blood pressure and do bandaging on their stuffed playmates," said Tia Trivison, National Osteopathic Medicine Week coordinator for OU-COM.

"This year again we're asking children to bring their teddy bears or other stuffed animals. We think learning about medical checkups this way will make visits to the doctor less stressful for children and their parents," she said.

The Little People's Hospital is co-sponsored by OU-COM's Community Service Programs. It is part of OU-COM's celebration of National Osteopathic Medicine Week and is held in conjunction with "Celebrating Families."

For more information, contact Tia Trivison at (740) 593-9572.

Kevin Sanders is a writer/editor with the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Kwanzaa Experience comes to Athens

By Jaime Ciavarra

Dancers, drummers and delicious food will highlight the Kwanzaa Experience, a pre-Kwanzaa dinner for students and faculty that will be held 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Baker University Center Ballroom.

The dinner will celebrate African tradition with cultural expression and soul food, said Mosadi Rhodes, assistant director of multicultural programs. Because most students will not be in Athens when Kwanzaa begins in December, the dinner is a way for students to feel connected to tradition while on campus.

"We want to bring the community together for a night, since people are so busy, and share in cultural experiences that highlight African tradition," Rhodes said.

The dinner will feature traditional soul food, including chicken, grains, macaroni and cheese and fried fish. Students will play the drums and perform authentic African dances. The pouring of libations, a ritual remembering African ancestors, will also help celebrate the event.

Tickets for the dinner are $12 and available at the Office of Multicultural Programs in the Baker University Center. The second part of the Kwanzaa Experience program will feature Ayanna Gregory, daughter of comedian/activist Dick Gregory, on Nov. 5 at Baker University Center Ballroom. The presentation, titled "Music and the Movement," is free and will begin at 7 p.m.

Jaime Ciavarra is a student writer with University Communications and Marketing.