Record numbers at health fair

Nearly 100 people attended this year's Clark Fork Valley Hospital Health and Harvest Fair, which is a record number for Janie Hom, the event coordinator for the last three years. She also had a record number of participants with 28 booths, adding several arts and crafts vendors to the event this year.

The Health and Harvest Fair was held at the Sanders County Fairgrounds pavilion Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. She added the crafts and local artisans this year to make it more fun and exciting, said Hom, the hospital's community health improvement specialist. She also moved the health fair from the agriculture building to the pavilion, which she believed was a lot brighter looking with more room. The hospital gave away almost 100 goody bags, which included an EKG voucher, and 25 children's goody bags. They also raffled off 15 items ranging in size from an emergency blanket to a digital air fryer valued over $100.

The hospital also provided free blood pressure and blood sugar checks, as well as free blood type test, something everyone should know but does not, said Hom. Registered Nurse Sondra Howland-Paul gave 14 flu shots and Registered Respiratory Specialist Robbi Gascon provided more than 50 blood pressure tests to people from age 40 to their 80s. Certified Nursing Assistant Cassie Craft raffled nine children safety items, including a bicycle helmet and a certified car seat. There were also free Covid tests.

It was a first for Plains resident Rick Williamson and his service dog "Waimea" to have an information booth about the Local Advocacy Council, which helps people that are constantly anxious or depressed, have trouble coping with life in general, or have post-traumatic stress disorder. It's a nonprofit group that partners with Clark Fork Valley Hospital.

"I was here mostly because I wanted to find out my blood type," said Thompson Falls resident Kathy Hojem, who has been attending the health fair for the 10 years the hospital has sponsored it. "It's got a nice variety of information and it's nice to see the crafts," said Hojem.

Paradise resident Jill Hermes of Jill Hermes Massage Therapy said she has attended the fair all 10 years. But it was the first time for the Plains Lions Club to participate in the fair. Margo and Marv Tanner provided 21 eye tests for youth and adults. Each year, the Lions Club conducts free eye tests at Sanders County schools, a service they've been doing for 10 years.

Hom said the health fair is important for the community. "We have health disparities and needs in our community and I want to help fill in those gaps," said Hom. She added that having the free screenings is important because they are a preventive medicine tool. "It's that preventable key - awareness - that's what this is all about," said Hom.

There were several first time participants, mostly local vendors, such as Nancy Fields and her Thompson Falls Pickleball Club, Lisa Mueller and her McMueller Farm Creations of Hot Springs, and Lyla Lammert's Power Up Fitness, which meets Monday and Thursday evenings at Plains Alliance Church. It was also the first time for The Spicy Lady, Jessi Co Treasures, and Bling Bling Hand Jewelry, all of Thompson Falls. MiGuelle's Natural Bath and Body from Hayden, Idaho, participated for the first time, too and it was the first time for TOPPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) of Plains, to participate. Linda Bursell, the TOPPS advocate, said the nonprofit organization is designed to help people promote healthy living through eating and exercise, which is also a preventative medicine.

There were a few who have participated in the fair in previous years. Nonprofit organizations were present once again, including Sanders County Coalition For Families of Thompson Falls, which participated in 2019, and the Cancer Network of Sanders County, which will be having its annual fall fundraiser at the fair pavilion on Oct. 22. This was the second year for Pampered Chef of Athol, Idaho, and for Zumba By Becky of Plains, as it was for Plains Drug Store, which gave away health books. The county's Public Health Department had material on tobacco, emergency awareness and WIC (Women Infants and Children).

"I felt it was a big success. We had more participation, more positive feedback and it was a better location," said Hom, who has some ideas to make it better next year and wants to have more booths and over 100 guests. She also wants to get children more involved and possibly have a children's corner with a basketball hoop and face painting. "I want to be able to offer more screenings to the community and decrease those gaps in our health care needs."