‘Hearts For Harmon’ Brings Community Together

By Kendra Bobowick

Melissa Harmon and her mother, Rebecca, looked at the crowd of people gathered in the Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room Sunday, March 16 in memory of her father.

“It’s really cool,” Melissa said, regarding the many people who came out to recognize Kim Harmon, The Newtown Bee’s late sports editor who died at the age of 45 December 15, 2007 following a cardiovascular emergency. With their sister and mother Sunday afternoon were Mr Harmon’s sons Tyler, 13, dressed in his father’s Newtown Baseball sweatshirt, and Ben, 15.

“The support has been amazing,” Ms Harmon said. With moistening eyes, she put an arm across her daughter’s shoulders. Taking a soothing breath she continued, “We always knew he was loved, and we hope that today people are aware — you never know.”

The weekend’s health and wellness event saw guests including Dr Z. Michael Taweh, founder of Kevin’s Community Center, the Newtown Health District, the American Heart Association, the Visiting Nurses Association, and the Fitness Loft owner Cody Foss, who also established the free Newtown Fitness Challenge, which he promoted Sunday, among others. The community organizations and individuals participated in a day of information sharing that concluded with a live auction to benefit the Harmon Family Fund.

From their seats in one of the back rows, Mr Harmon’s wife and children at times laughed or shared a whisper as the auctioneer, Rosie DeStories of Newtown-based Fairfield Auction, and her husband, Jack, maintained lively bidding throughout the auction. Before Ms DeStories grabbed the microphone as lead auctioneer and Mr DeStories held up items for view, Ms Harmon and Melissa had walked along the foot of the stage and looked at the items donated for auction.

Also raising funds Sunday was a raffle to benefit the American Heart Association.

Securing an auction card of her own was Canine Advocates of Newtown (CAN) President Virginia Jess, who was attending the event Sunday to show her gratitude for Mr Harmon’s efforts benefiting her organization. He regularly placed pets’ adoption notices in the newspaper. CAN supports the Newtown Dog Pound. Caught up in his efforts, Mr Harmon had adopted a dog of his own, Rascal, she said.

“He has a place in our hearts,” Ms Jess said. He also touched many residents involved in the sports community. Glancing around the room, Ms Jess noticed, “A lot of kids came today.” Facing the small stage where musicians Darryl Gregory and Melissa Faith Cartoun performed were Camden Fowler and his mother, Lynn. She brought her son to the Alexandria Room Sunday after reading about the event in The Bee. “We wanted to show our support,” she said.

Among those in the crowd were two residents who had a personal understanding of heart health and the possible risks. Board of Finance member Michael Portnoy is now a “card carrying member” of those who have received bypass surgery.

Slipping a card from his wallet that has a diagram of a heart and highlights in red areas where surgeons rerouted blood-flow around blockages, he recalled an angiogram he had on October 8 and the doctors’ words. “They told me, ‘We’re cracking you open tomorrow.’” On October 9 he had a triple bypass.

What had happened? Mr Portnoy explained, “About two months before that I was feeling tired, really tired. I walked the dog and would get a tightness in my chest.” He decided that he needed to see his doctor, who quickly sent him for a nuclear stress test, which shows blood flow. His doctor also added Mr Portnoy’s family medical history to the situation and sent him for an angiogram. Doctors found a clog in his heart arteries, he said.

Feeling better today than before his surgery, Mr Portnoy offers this advice: “Know your family history and obviously, do what you can to stay healthy. Eat healthy. Exercise.”

He has also made a few changes to his diet. “No Twinkies or Oreos any more,” he said.

American Heart Association (AHA) President Bob Attanasio also agreed that the day meant a lot — especially for him. “I am a heart attack survivor,” he said. He had learned about the events that day and offered to provide information on the AHA’s behalf, and speak, if needed.

What had happened to his health to prompt the heart attack in 2000? “It’s about balance,” he said. “Balance work with exercise with diet…I was out of balance.” He also attributes a heavy dose of work-related stress to his problems eight years ago. “My company was a stressful work environment at the time and I had elevated cholesterol.” Feeling great now, he has made some changes.

“I eat better. I exercise more regularly,” he said. He also began his work with the AHA, where he sees opportunities for others to volunteer.

At a booth set up for Newtown Ambulance, member Liz Cain explained the corps’ reasons for attending Sunday’s activities. “We want community to see what we do, promote [health] awareness, CPR.”

From Dr Z. Taweh, who spoke during the afternoon, came a clear message. “I see more and more heart health issues, “ he told residents. After talking about diet and lifestyle-related diseases including diabetes, he offered some simple advice. “Good diet, whole grains, vegetables,” he listed. “Switch from red meat to white meat.” Butter or olive oil? Oil, he said.

And, get some exercise. Aerobic exercises such as cycling, swimming, or rowing are good examples of exercises that involve or improve oxygen consumption by the body.

Through the kindness of the Newtown community Sunday that will likely be followed by nominal donation expected before week’s end, this year’s first Hearts for Harmon event raised $7,187 for the Kim Harmon Family Fund at Newtown Savings Bank, and delivered a $500 donation to the American Heart Association in his name.

The afternoon was an extension of a much smaller event that The Bee associate editor John Voket organized in 2007, and added to this past Sunday he saw an opportunity to expand public health messages. He then approached the Newtown Health District for advice, prompting district personnel to work in partnership on this pilot activity that may continue annually.