OZZIE SMITH TO SPEAK AT HOSPITAL EVENT

St. Louis Cardinals baseball great Ozzie Smith will be keynote speaker when Southeast Missouri Hospital holds a free community-wide conference from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 1 at the Show Me Center.

The conference, "Linking Generations for a Better Tomorrow," will acquaint the community with the hospital's new Generations Center. Scheduled to open in March, Generations will offer a wide spectrum of services for individuals of all ages.

Southeast administrator James W. Wente said "Linking Generations" will complement the mission of the Generations Center by "focusing in a positive way on issues concerning healthier families and communities."

The concept of the conference grew out of Southeast's work with community groups, he said. "This involvement with people of different ages and in different stages of life underscored something we all know -- that quality of life and intergenerational activities are vital to the health of individuals and the health of our community."

The Generations Center, on the first floor of the hospital near the lobby, extends Southeast's long-standing emphasis on family-focused care into the community. The center features a comfortable, home-like atmosphere that includes a library, meeting rooms and exam rooms for clinical consultations and Internet access.

The center also introduces ParentLink to the region. Through ParentLink, headquartered at the University of Missouri-Columbia, families may access many kinds of helpful information on parenting.

"ParentLink offers resources on everything from the terrible twos to the teen years," said coordinator Ladonna Wills. "It's a service that will be a real benefit to many families."

Smith's Cape Girardeau appearance will be one of the first public presentations following retirement last fall as the Cardinals' shortstop. Long known as an advocate for youths, Smith is active in a number of St. Louis charitable endeavors.

After Smith's 11-a.m. presentation, "The Wizard of Oz," parents, educators and others interested in positive youth-development efforts within the community will have an opportunity to hear a presentation from the nationally-known Search Institute. James Vollbracht will discuss how healthy communities nurture healthy youths at 1:30 p.m.

Vollbracht has over 20 years of experience in conducting positive youth-development training programs. In his position with the Search Institute, Vollbracht works to assist organizations and the community as a whole in implementing programs and strategies that promote the healthy development and communitywide support of young people. He is also the author of three children's books used in schools, congregations and other settings to teach kindness, respect and compassion.

Throughout the day, community resources and enrichment opportunities available through over 75 exhibitors representing dozens of non-profit agencies and organizations will be showcased in one of seven conference pavilions.

These areas include fun and fitness, safety, community resources, new generations, education and enrichment, health support services and senior citizens.

"Linking Generations will pull together the many fine family resources available in our community and highlight the valuable services each provides," Wente said.

A number of exhibitors will offer special activities for children and parents to enjoy together, including a "hands-on" art experience; a "Body Walk" that helps youngsters understand what a marvelous machine they are; and "welcome to Scouting" activities by the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.