12th Annual Health & Public Safety Fair Set For Sept. 24 At The Middle School

The 12th annual Newtown Health and Public Safety Fair from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, September 24, at the middle school on Queen Street, promises to be the biggest and best ever, according to its organizers.

The health fair will feature more free health screenings and information than ever before; local residents will be able to check out their health from head to toe, and get a massage as well.

Danbury Hospital health care professionals will be bringing valuable health and wellness screenings and information. For the first time, the Danbury Hospital Wellness on Wheels, a huge van, will be parked in front of the middle school offering a full range of health services including screenings for all ages, even infants. Dr Jack Fong, a Newtown resident who is chairman of the department of pediatrics at the hospital, and his staff, will be in charge. Reservations are not required, but for convenience can be made by calling the Newtown Health District at 270-4291.

Danbury Hospital professionals also will staff a booth where cardiac risk assessments will be available. The hospital will also have several booths dealing with wellness information related to women’s health including one staffed by the Family Birth Center on pregnancy, prepregnancy planning, the latest in newborn care, doula, and breast and formula feeding. Also represented will be the hospital’s Regional Heart and Vascular Center, Praxair Cancer Center, pediatrics and endoscopy.

There will be free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, plus a full-body skin cancer screening by Dr William Notaro, a Newtown resident who is a dermatologist. Reservations for the skin cancer screening are recommended but walk-ins also will be accommodated. Reservations can be made by calling 426-6556.

Kevin’s Community Center will offer blood pressure and weight screenings. Dr Della Schmid and Colonial Chiropractors will be doing screenings for scoliosis and posture. The Connecticut Visiting Nurse Association will introduce fairgoers to telemonitors and blood pressure screening. MCCC will provide information on addiction programs.

The Enlightenment Center for Healing and Education will offer holistic treatments and information on therapeutic aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, reflexology, and Jin Shin Jyutsu. (Comfortable clothing is recommended.) Cathy French will demonstrate spiral energy healing.

Dr Joel Segalman, local podiatrist, will do screenings for foot and ankle problems. Aqua Environmental will be providing information on water quality. The Families Network of Western Connecticut will provide practical information on how to prevent infant and child injuries. Family and Children’s Aid will discuss foster care.

Newtown Youth Services will provide information on subjects involving teens including the risks of drug dependence and AIDS. The Hopeline Women’s Center will be providing information on teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

The Newtown Lions Club will spend their time at the health fair doing vision and eye screenings, concentrating on cataracts and glaucoma, and collecting eye glasses that are no longer used. The Bethel VNA will provide information on home health care. Hearing screenings will be performed by Hearing Aid Specialists of Southbury.

Prudential will provide identification cards for children. Children also will have the opportunity to practice yoga and karate as both Yoga Dimensions and Porco Karate of Sandy Hook will be on hand to do demonstrations. TOPS, the local Take Off Pounds Sensibly chapter, will provide information about its organization.

The Newtown Woman’s Club is sponsoring a poster contest for elementary school students on “My Family and Friends Enjoy Eating My Favorite Healthy Food.” Prizes will be awarded by age groups. The Chamber of Commerce is holding a free drawing for a GT Timberline Comfort mountain bike provided by World of Bikes.