MEL TOADVINE Kelly Graham gives a free massage to one of the many visitors to her exhibit, Cabana Palms Day Spa of Lehigh

The 2009 Lehigh Acres Senior Citizen Health Fair was one of the largest ever held at the Center on Plaza Drive.

Nancy Barlett is vice president of the Senior Citizen Center’s board of directors and in charge of events.

“We’re excited because of the enormous crowd,” Barlett said. “There are cars parked everywhere. This is our third Health Fair here and there are more people here than last year,” she said.

Guestimates of 500 or more were made in the number of those attending Friday morning to noon.

The health fair was filled with vendors in all types of the health field. Lehigh Regional Medical Canter used the outside screened-in porch to hold screenings from eight different departments.

Nancy Barlett

The screenings included glucose testing, blood pressure checks, bone density tests and more. And it was all free, courtesy of the hospital.

LRMC’s Wound Center had a display and Aida Tavarez, a rehab tech explained the purpose for the wound center and how it uses the latest in technology in Lehigh.

The auditorium of the Senior Center was filled with hundreds of people going from table to table to gather literature and enjoy a treat, sometimes cookies, cakes or other finger foods.

Barlett said this year that when a visitor came to the Fair, they were given a sheet of paper with a long list of the 39 or so exhibitors. Visitors had to get the sponsoring agency at each exhibit to initial, confirming that the visitor had stopped by and gotten information or had been screened for various health problems.

“Then we were going to take all the sheets back and draw one for a $50 gift certificate to Publix.

MEL TOADVINE Many people were given blood pressure checks at the Health Fair

“I think all the food at each vendor’s exhibit helped to bring the people out this year,” she laughed.

In addition to the grocery prize, many of the exhibitors were giving away items and also doing drawings.

Many exhibitors were in classrooms off of the auditorium because the auditorium was not large enough to contain them all, and as reported, Lehigh Regional Medical Center occupied he outdoor’s screened in large porch. The temperatures in in the high 70s so it was comfortable in the porch area, which is always closed during the summer because of the outside heat.

Theresa Perkins, executive director of the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizen Center, said she was overjoyed with the turnout.

“It’s great to see so many people here. Not only are they members but many in the community may have come for the first time.”

MEL TOADVINE John Graham, owner of Cabana Palms Day Spa, draws a ticket from a glass jar at one of the booths manned by him and his wife. Several vendors gave prices throughout the day.

A membership drive was also being held to get people who have never joined the Senior Center to become members and participate in its many varied programs.

The people who attended Friday’s Health Fair were jovial as they went from booth to booth. Many even took the time to get a free massage from Kelly Graham of Cabana Palms Dayspa. She and her husband, John, who own the business, were manning that particular station and John was drawing tickets for free sessions throughout the health fair.

“This is really successful,” Graham said and he watched the line slowly inch itself to the massage firm’s exhibit.

“If you’ve never had a massage, you will be surprised how well it will make you feel,” he told those approaching the table.

Perkins said the fair ended midday and the vendors were treated to a luncheon at the Senior Center.

“This has really been a success … probably one of the largest health fairs ever in Lehigh. We’re so happy that the people turned out and we hope they gained some important information about their health.

The Senior Citizen Center has about 1,500 members, including snowbirds who are now returning to Lehigh. Memberships cost $15 per person or $25 for two people living under the same roof. For that small fee, members are treated to a mirage of programs, including all types of classes, social get-togethers, dances, shows, and trips to local restaurants.