River Park sponsors annual event at mall
By MARGARET HOBBS Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

An enthusiastic crowd gathered at Three Star Mall Saturday to attend River Park Hospital?s Healthy Family Fair. The annual event features both health related booths and others that are of particular interest to families.

Attendees gained valuable health information from several sources. They could get their blood pressure checked, fingerprints documented, bone density test and body fat analysis, just to name a few. Children could even get their favorite stuffed animal repaired at River Park?s Teddy Bear Clinic. Many enjoyed viewing the Life Force helicopter, an ambulance, police car and fire engines.

An enjoyable cooking session was hosted by local attorney Mike Galligan, his wife Rhonda and River Park?s human resource representative Ann Vance. Viola resident and cookbook author Ida Ramsey was scheduled to assist with his presentation, but was unable to attend.

?I enjoy cooking,? said Galligan. ?I like to eat, so it just goes that I would learn to cook. Actually I did learn a lot from Mrs. Ida, because I used to hang out at her home and ate many meals there.?

The Galligans? prepared a seafood dish with an Indian/Spanish influence. ?We fed the masses here, and they seemed to enjoy it,? said Galligan. ?Many times people are not big fans of seafood, but not this crowd. They really loved Rhonda?s beverage using mango sorbet too.?

Entertainment was at a premium with Ashley Gillentine with Ashley?s Attic organizing a spring fashion show featuring new spring styles for children and adults. Students of Paula?s Dance Academy gave impressive dance presentations.

Students of Gary Steele Karate Studio took to the stage with an extreme fighting exhibition, wowing the crowd with their dynamic feats.

Closing out the successful afternoon was The Barbersharps, a group of ladies presenting numerous a cappella numbers.