The article below was published as Health Matters in the Central Oregonian, Prineville, Oregon on Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
Welcome back from summer. Now that we have our children back in school, we can start planning healthy fall activities for our families. The one that comes immediately to my mind is the Prineville Health Fest on Saturday morning, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon. This free event will be held in tandem with the Prineville Farmers Market in the City Center Plaza across Third Street from the Crook County Courthouse.
The Healthy Lifestyles Committee from the Crook County Community Health Improvement Partnership has been working together for months to plan this one morning.
“I hope that people will come and discover all the programs for a healthy life that already exist in Prineville,” committee chairman Fred Hosillos said. “I hope they discover that they can attain a healthy lifestyle without spending incredible amounts of money or having to drive to Bend or Redmond .” Hosillos has headed the CHIP Healthy Lifestyles Committee since September of last year.
One stop at the Health Fest can introduce you to so much knowledge, great food and fun. More than 20 organizations will participate. The exhibitors will cover the spectrum of healthy living from medical services to weight control (Weight Watchers, T.O.P.S.), to exercise venues (Prineville Athletic Club, Norm’s Xtreme Fitness, Prineville Fitness Boot Camp and Curves for Women). People can have their blood pressure checked and can find out their body mass index. Health professionals will include podiatrist Dr. Jarrod Shapiro, chiropractors Coby Hanes and Paul Slater, dentist Dr. Gary Dehm, Prineville Medical Associates and Mosaic Medical (the new name for Ochoco Community Clinic). The Community Coalition will be there, as will the Crook County Library Bookmobile chock full of books, videos and other health-related materials, along with Rimrock Trails and Rebel’s Roost.
Committee member and dietitian Shelly Schwartz echoes Hosillos goals. “After people meet and make connections at the Health Fest, they will be more comfortable with the people and organizations here in Prineville,” she said. “I will be there to answer nutritional questions and questions about body mass index or BMI numbers, and to explain the meanings of some of the expected lab values, like blood pressure, blood sugar and nutrition and exercise recommendations.”
If you think learning about healthy living might be boring, there will be live entertainment. Committee member Patsy Dunn has worked to bring performers to the event including RhonaLee, Steve and Chad Campbell. Dancers from High Desert Dance Arts will perform and the Saggy Bottom Boys will bring their talents to the Health Fest.
In addition, there will be prizes and give-aways throughout the morning. “The freebies are the icing on the cake,” Hosillos said.
If you are “in the market” for healthy food, browsing the farmers market will be easy. It is right there, too. You’ll find locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, lavender and more.
I confess that I may not have a complete list of everything that will be happening at the Health Fest. If I have left anyone out, the omission is not intentional, so please accept my apologies in advance. If you have questions concerning the Prineville Health Fest, call CHIP coordinator Sharon Vail at 541-447-6254, ext. 380.
I encourage you to come take steps toward a healthy lifestyle, and bring your family and friends, too.