Stories this week at WFU

By Sarah Mansell
336.758.5237
June 26, 2003

NATIONAL REC & PARKS MONTH PROMOTES ACCEPTANCE, ACTIVITY – The National Recreation and Park Association has declared July National Recreation and Parks Month. Wake Forest experts can comment on how people can take advantage of parks to better their lives. “When people get together to ‘recreate,’ that interpersonal contact helps build community,” says Ananda Mitra, associate professor of communication and an expert on recreation studies. “The idea of community is central to the well-being of a society.” Mitra, the author of “Research Methods in Park, Recreation and Leisure Services,” says when communities spend time together socially they begin to overcome their fears of others who may be different. Mitra was invited to give the keynote address on this subject at a recreation and parks conference last fall. Experts in Wake Forest’s health and exercise science department can also comment on the benefits of outdoor activity. To arrange interviews contact Sarah Mansell at manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-4393.

HEART DISEASE: HOW EMOTIONS MAY AFFECT FUTURE HEALTH —Wayne Sotile, author of the new book “Thriving with Heart Disease” and director of psychological services at Wake Forest’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, says the fate of those living with heart disease depends in large part on how they manage the emotional side of the illness. Sotile, a nationally known expert in the field, has worked with heart patients for more than 25 years and pioneered much of his work in the psychological counseling of heart patients at Wake Forest’s Cardiac Rehab Program. Wake Forest’s program, which has included a psychological component to treatment since the program opened in 1975, is recognized as the world’s first comprehensive mind-body cardiac rehabilitation center and programs across the country have used it as a model. Approximately 200 heart patients currently participate in the program, which recently moved to a new facility featuring weight machines, stationary bicycles, an indoor walking track and several meeting and counseling rooms. Sotile and Peter Brubaker, director of Wake Forest’s Cardiac Rehab Program, are available for interviews. For more information, contact Sarah Mansell at manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-4393.

LEARNING ABOUT THE LAND OF CEDAR AND SEA — Children in grades 1-5 will take an imaginary journey to America’s Northwest Coast during the Wake Forest Museum of Anthropology’s summer camp. In “Exploring the Land of Cedar and Sea,” children will learn about the Native Americans of the Northwest Coast, create bentwood boxes and button blankets, study authentic artifacts, play games and hear stories. The weeklong camp runs from 9 a.m. to noon July 7-11. For a more detailed schedule of activities or to arrange coverage, contact Cheryl V. Walker at 336-758-5237 or walkercv@wfu.edu.

FIRST TERM OF SUMMER SESSION ENDS – The first term of Wake Forest’s summer session ends July 2. Second term begins July 7.

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