Great American Health Fair Was A Success

By Kendra Bobowick

The annual Great American Health Fair “did great,” according to Director of Health Donna Culbert. Last Saturday’s sunny weather brought out crowds of residents who enjoyed the fair set up both inside and out at Newtown Middle School.

Visitors to the September 16 event received an eyeful of demonstrations from belly dancing to emergency extrications of victims trapped inside a car. Children with balloons mingled with adults stopping for one health screening or another, or picking up pamphlets about Newtown’s emergency or health services.

Ms Culbert explained that the fair’s primary goals focused on free health screenings. She also hoped residents would leave the fair with balloons, brochures, and an increased awareness of routine health care’s importance.

Underlining her point, Ms Culbert stressed, “Get your annual check ups and exams!”

After a blood or skin cancer screening for example, a resident may think, “I need to pay attention to this,” said Ms Culbert. Screenings, demonstrations, and informational booths offered visitors background in areas from nutrition to exercise.

“We had quite a few screenings, and a good crowd,” she said. Residents also had a chance to meet their local emergency personnel from fire department members to Emergency Medical Technicians to the K-9 police officer as they mingled and moved through the displays set up on the gymnasium and on the front lawn. Indoors, Officer Amity Lafantano who handles activities associated with the senior center and crime prevention, spoke with residents, and was later joined by K-9 officer Andy Stinson.

While many exhibitors were repeat guests from past years, several new faces emerged.

Sacred Spaces Reiki, Nutrition Support Services, and Woodbury Yoga Center were among the new variety that entered the fair Saturday, said Ms Culbert.

Also performing were belly dancers from the Danbury-based Riskallah Riyad Dance Theatre Co., who presented several routines, including Egyptian-style dance.

Enjoying the many displays were father and daughter Lindsay and Dave Jossick. They were among the large crowd of parents and children at the fair. James O’Bryan carried daughter Alexandra on his shoulders while she held onto a balloon she received Saturday. Brother and sister Colton and Lacey Hein, ages 3 and 6, watched the firefighters at work and also had a chance to pet a Jersey cow from Castle Hill Farm.