Puttin' on the Ritz -- Gangster-style

As you can see we were “Puttin' on the Ritz” with 1920s swankiness Saturday at the Cambria-Somerset Heart Ball.

It was really a great time, and I'm not just saying that because my boss, Editor Chip Minemyer, was a co-chairman. Nor am I saying that because several people came up to me and thanked me for the work on The Tribune-Democrat's American Heart Month Project.

It really was fun for a great cause, The American Heart Association. Emcee Marty Radovonic of WJAC-TV got everybody thinking about how to support the important research work, and Eileen Graham and her party planning team created a festive theme for the evening. 

By the way those are "spats" over my shoes. 

I do have to admit I was struck by the irony of including fake cigarettes with our 1920s theme outfits after writing a huge story about the dangers of smoking last week. But I decided it also illustrated how far we have come in so many ways since those old days.

The rest of my Saturday was spent recovering from the busy week preparing stories for Sunday's and today's editions. Although I did help some friends load up their rented truck for a moving adventure, it really wasn't any sustained cardiovascular exercise involved; maybe some weight-training.

So it was important that we spend at least 30 minutes in vigorous movement on the dance floor. That is never a problem with my Lovely Bride. Becky would go dancing every night, if we could afford it!

There were two potential downfalls to the evening: The prime variety of beers and the exquisite dessert spread featured by the Sunnehanna staff. It was especially dangerous after our regular Friday night Happy Hour at Tulune's South Side extended into the evening, with supper and an additional draft on the calorie count.

So we took it a little easy on the food Sunday, and ended the day with a healthy walk around the Pitt-Johnstown campus, where we were carefully observed by about 20 deer in one of the athletic fields.

I am happy to report that, despite the diet extravagances, I was at 188 both Sunday and this morning, sustaining that weight for two consecutive days for the first time since before Thanksgiving.

I give some credit to Conemaugh Health System exercise physiologist and nutritionist Joe Shetler, whom I included in one of Sunday's story. I picked up a few more weight-loss tips during his program last week than I could include in that story. I plan bring some of those into this blog later this week.

My work on this coming Sunday's Heart Month package started today with a valuable interview with Dr. Matthew Masiello at Windber Research Institute. He is a pediatrician with an extensive background in public health science. Most of the experts I have been talking to all month say that heart disease prevention must begin with children, even as infants. That is why this week's package is focusing on children, with a look at school-based and community-based programs to encourage healthy diet and active lifestyles and discourage smoking.