Cameron, Elk, McKean MH/MR (CEM) and Northwest Health Connections held a health fair at Wildcat Park in Ludlow on June 27. "Big Smiles, Healthy Lifestyles" was the theme for this, the first event jointly-sponsored by CEM and NWHC.

Approximately 250 people attended this event, traveling from as far as Erie, Corry, Clearfield, Shinglehouse, Butler, and Danville to see what "Big Smiles, Healthy Lifestyles" was all about. The focus of the health fair was to show how easy and fun it can be to get or stay in shape. There were lots of activities and gifts for everyone who came. A catered lunch was provided.

Activities included gardening, exercising, and rock painting. There was also an assistance animal demonstration and a presentation on self-advocacy. Each activity was offered at least two times and people were free to choose whatever they were interested in. All the activities were well-attended and everyone seemed to have a great time.

Pam Zukhowski hosted the gardening class, which seemed to be the most popular activity of the day. Everyone who attended the gardening class was able to plant a flower, which they were able to take home with them. Julie Anderson demonstrated how easy it is to exercise and stay fit using exercise bands that participants were able to take home so they could continue the exercises the learned at the fair. Bonnie Jewell and Amy Tobolski were on hand for rock painting, where participants were furnished with rocks and everything needed to bring out the artist in us all.

Another very popular activity was the assistance animal demonstration. Amy Bennett demonstrated, with the help of London and Rex, how assistance animals and rescue animals are used. London, a beautiful Golden Retriever, wowed the crowd by picking up items that Amy dropped on the floor, including a pen and a sheet of paper. Rex, an energetic Border Collie, demonstrated how he can find missing people by following their scent. Rex also let anyone who wanted to throw the Frisbee or ball for him. Amy answered many excellent questions from the audience.

Caroline Vidt presented an enlightening program about self-advocacy. Ms. Vidt is very active in promoting the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities.

NWHC would like to thank Jennifer Messinger of CEM for writing the grant for this event and getting the ball rolling. We would also like to thank Doris Hungiville of CEM for her invaluable assistance at the registration table. Additional thanks go out to Jonathan Shimko, Joy Shimko, Charlene Furterer, and Chris Kyler for all their help throughout the day.

Items for this event were donated by: Agway of Youngsville, Big Joes of Warren, Celestial Gardens of Warren, Ekey Florists of Warren, the

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