Connect with us

Government

Health Department to Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week August 1st – 7th

Published

on

Congers, NY, – Join the free annual “Live, Love, Latch! BYO Basket Picnic” in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Congers Memorial Park, located at 6 Gilchrest Road in Congers. This event is more than just a celebration, but a time to share experiences and learn interesting facts about lactation and human milk feeding while making it fun for families.

The event is hosted by several Rockland County Lactation Coalition partners, including the Rockland County Department of Health, La Leche League of Rockland County (LLL), The New York Milk Bank, Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network, and Montefiore Nyack Hospital. For details on the picnic and registration, visit https://flow.page/rocklandlivelovelatch2024. For questions, contact ClarkstownLLL@gmail.com.

Human milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that boost infants’ immune systems, protecting them from childhood illnesses like ear infections and diarrhea. It also helps to protect against chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and childhood obesity.

“The proven health benefits of providing human milk to babies make it not just important but essential for us to work together to help reduce barriers lactating families face. It is crucial to foster a culture in the community where lactating individuals feel empowered and comfortable to provide human milk for their babies wherever they are at any given moment. World Breastfeeding Week is an ideal opportunity to engage in activities that advocate for, safeguard, and support all lactating individuals,” said Laurie Messinger, IBCLC, Coordinator of the Rockland County Department of Health Lactation Promotion and Support Program.

Are you looking to be a part of the movement to help change the social norm around breast/chestfeeding in Rockland? Do you know about your labor and civil rights laws that protect lactating individuals? The Rockland County Department of Health can assist your worksite, childcare center/home, or pediatric or obstetric practice in becoming lactation-friendly. Our free services include lactation training for staff, assistance in setting up lactation rooms, and providing educational materials.  For more information or to become a Rockland County Lactation Coalition member, call the Health Department’s Lactation Promotion and Support Program at 845-364-3786, email messingl@co.rockland.ny.us, or visit http://rcklnd.us/lactation.  For more information on all events recognizing National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and World Breastfeeding Week in 2024,

visit http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/NBM and http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Government

West Point Memorial Monument Unveiled at La Fière Bridge Honors WWII Leaders

Published

on

A new West Point Memorial Monument was unveiled on June 4, 2026, at La Fière Bridge in Sainte-Mère-Église, France, as part of the 82nd Anniversary commemoration of D-Day.

The monument honors more than 150 graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point’s Long Gray Line who led and fought during Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy that began on June 6, 1944.

Among the most notable West Point graduates associated with the Normandy campaign are General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force; Lieutenant General Omar Bradley, who commanded U.S. ground forces on D-Day; Lieutenant General J. Lawton Collins, who led VII Corps during the assault on Utah Beach; and Major General Maxwell D. Taylor, who commanded the 101st Airborne Division during the airborne operations preceding the landings. These leaders played pivotal roles in planning and executing the operation that helped turn the tide of World War II in Europe.

Situated near the historic La Fière Bridge, a strategic objective during the Normandy campaign and the site of intense fighting following the airborne landings, the memorial stands as a lasting tribute to the courage, leadership, and sacrifice of West Point graduates who served during the liberation of Europe.

The bridge itself was a critical objective for Allied airborne forces, particularly elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, who fought to secure crossings and protect the inland advance from Utah Beach. The surrounding area remains one of the most studied and visited battlefields of the Normandy campaign.

The unveiling ceremony brought together military leaders, dignitaries, historians, veterans, and members of the public to honor the legacy of those who fought during D-Day and the broader Normandy campaign. The monument serves as a permanent reminder of the contributions made by generations of West Point graduates in defense of freedom during World War II.

Photo: Samantha Sergi

Continue Reading

Government

Rockland County Promotes Native Plants and Water-Smart Landscaping

Published

on

The Water Advisory Council is encouraging residents to embrace water-smart landscaping practices that conserve water and support environmental health.

Officials recommend reducing nonfunctional lawn areas and replacing them with native plants, drought-tolerant landscaping, rain gardens, bioswales, and rain barrels. These practices help reduce water consumption, manage stormwater runoff, improve groundwater recharge, and increase resilience to climate change.

According to the Council, water demand in Rockland County rises from an average of 30 million gallons per day to as much as 45 million gallons per day during the warmer months, placing additional strain on local water supplies.

Residents are encouraged to consider native plants such as Creeping Phlox, Foamflower ‘Elizabeth Oliver,’ and Jacob’s Ladder, which require less watering once established and are well-suited to local conditions.

Examples of successful rain gardens featuring native plants can be found at Orangeburg Library, Bowline Point Park, Kennedy Dells County Park, and Piermont Library.

By replacing sections of lawn with native plants and incorporating features that manage rainwater naturally, residents can play a direct role in protecting Rockland County’s water resources.

The initiative is part of the county’s ongoing effort to promote sustainable landscaping and encourage participation in the national “Less Lawn More Life” movement.

Continue Reading

Trending