Health And Public Safety Fair Demonstrates That Newtown’s ‘Got Health’

By Jan Howard

Newtown’s annual Health and Public Safety Fair on September 22 drew a large and enthusiastic crowd. Inside Newtown Middle School people milled about, looking at exhibits, collecting giveaways and samples, watching demonstrations, and having health tests, while outside members of Newtown’s fire and ambulance departments proudly displayed their fire and rescue trucks and equipment.

Children and adults saw a picture of farm life with the Paproski family’s cows on the front lawn. Children tried to guess the height of a corn stalk, and Marcus Dairy milk and fruit juice products were popular.

The Hawleyville Fire Department demonstrated the extrication of victims from a car crash, explaining the steps taken from the time of their arrival at the scene to taking the victims to the hospital.

The theme of the fair was “Got Health.” The co-chairmen of the event were Mae Schmidle, Dr Della Schmid, and health director Mark Cooper. Sponsors were the American Red Cross, Ashlar of Newtown, Colonial Chiropractic Centre, Newtown Health District, Newtown VNA, Newtown Woman’s Club, The Newtown Bee, Newtown Ambulance Corps, and Dr Charles Ray.

Among fair highlights were information on Lyme Disease prevention, an environmental education van from Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority, glaucoma screening, spinal and scoliosis screening, blood pressure screening, first aid and CPR education, information on disaster services, blood sugar screening, and dental health. There were also demonstrations having to do with AIDS education, massage therapy, the Police Department’s DARE program, and the Heimlich Maneuver.