Service representatives visit school for health fair

By TOM STANKARD

[email protected]

Hurley - While taking a break from class, Hurley K-12 elementary students learned how to live a healthy lifestyle at the annual Health Fair on Friday.

Scattered at tables in the gymnasium, representatives from DOVE, the University of Wisconsin-Extension office, Hurley Police Department, Northlakes Community Clinic, Sam's Club in Wausau, Iron County Human Services and Iron County Health Department spoke to students about a variety of topics.

Zona Wick, Iron County health officer, said children learned how to be active, eat and drink healthier and how to be safe in an unsafe world.

At the UW-Extension station, Kaden Krall, a fifth grader, rode a stationary bike to demonstrate the importance of daily exercise. While riding the bike, a blender connected to it whipped up a smoothie. Deborah Leonard, UW Extension office nutrition educator, said smoothies can be an easy way to nourish the body with essential nutrients. Plus, she said making smoothies helps prevent fruit from going to waste, while providing benefits that keep people on track to good health.

Wick said kids and teachers "really enjoyed it." The kids got a prize from the representatives to take home.

Meanwhile, area residents participated in the annual Development Days. Health professionals examined children 6 months to 3 years old to see if they have achieved the correct milestones for their age levels.

Having fun, Korbin Chey, 1, of Saxon, jumped up and down on a trampoline to test his motor skills.

To learn more about the Health Fair or Development Days, call the health department at 715-561-2191.