By Sandra Hare, SAD 70 nurse
Special to the Pioneer Times
HODGDON — Wednesday, Feb. 11, the Mill Pond Elementary School enjoyed an all-day health fair in honor of Heart Health Month and Dental Health Month.
BRUSH, BRUSH, BRUSH — Heather McGuire, a parent and volunteer for the health fair, demonstrated the importance of good tooth brushing to Mrs. Wilson’s Pre-K class.
Professionals represented various aspects of total health and offered classroom sessions for the students. Among the presenters were Lisa’s Hair Designs, Houlton Regional Hospital, Maine Warden Service and the Houlton Garden Club.
Students really seemed to enjoy the presentation on hair, skin and nail care from Lisa’s Hair Designs. Fire, snowmobile, ATV and railroad safety were big hits as was a presentation by Houlton Regional Hospital’s infection prevention nurse Ellen Bartlett and Barb Murray from the microbiology department.
Other presentations the children enjoyed were about art therapy, civil rights, yoga, E 9-1-1, pet care, and Tai Chi. The Mill Pond Gym hosted interactive booths featuring Maine’s own foods and fresh fruit tasting. The blueberry juice and blueberry smoothies were very tasty favorites.
Other presentations were also very popular. Houlton Garden Club members (Peg Coolong, Alison Bossie and Leola Bishop) discussed garden therapy while Jolyn Stevens of the Cooperative Extension promoted Maine milk drinks and the importance of a healthful breakfast. Maine Forest Ranger George Harris also spoke to the children about soil conservation. Cooperative Extension’s Christie Fitzpatrick promoted 4-H, skin cancer prevention with free sunglasses and sunscreen.
Favorite booths were a tie between the “Milk Moustache” booth sponsored by Healthy Aroostook students and “Hooked on Fishing” with fishing poles and “great catches” for all that tried.
Houlton Regional Hospital’s Respiratory therapist, Naomi Mills and Michelle Rogers attracted a lot of attention with ways to keep your lungs healthy. The students also enjoyed hearing from a Hodgdon graduate, Jamie Nightingale, who represented HRH’s radiology department with X-rays the students were able to view with special boxes.
The staff of the school extends a heartfelt thank you to the volunteer parents: Mrs. Jon McGuire, Mrs. Brad McGuire, Julie Bartlett, Jill Quint, L.P.N., Donalene Blackie R.N., Julie Chapla, R.N., Gib Chaloux, Randy Tidd, Danette Ellis and StaceyRitchie.