By DEBORAH GERTZ HUSAR

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

PITTSFIELD, Ill. -- Pikeland Superintendent Paula Hawley knows what you say, and what you do, makes an impression on others.

Hawley and fellow Pike County educators hope to use their words and actions to stress the importance of good health for students and the community.

Health and wellness resources serving Pike County along with the health ambassadors -- Hawley, Western Superintendent Rodger Hannel, Pleasant Hill Interim Superintendent Don Peebles, Griggsville-Perry Principal Andrea Allen and John Wood Community College Director of Education Centers Kent Hawley -- will be featured Thursday at the 2008 Health and Resource Fair.

"It's a great opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle not only for the people in the community but for the kids that are in the schools," Hawley said. "You hear all the time about childhood obesity, and if we can help address that, we certainly want to."

Free events get under way at 10 a.m. at the Crossroads Center, 125 W. Jefferson in Pittsfield.

More than 60 interactive booths will be available with information, giveaways and demonstrations including recipe modification, massages and exercise equipment to help participants "Discover a Healthier You." Blood pressure, blood sugar, bone density and colon cancer screening kits will be offered free of charge.

Speakers will target health-related issues including:

* Nutrition for Good Health presented by University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator Shirley Camp.

* Stress Management by Dianne Watson, a reflexologist from Alternative Medicine.

* Physical Therapy for Arthritis by Tim Smith, coordinator of rehabilitation from West Central Illinois Therapy and Sports Medicine.

Pike County health-related organizations coordinate the fair, held every other year, and see it grow thanks to additional partnerships.

The fair is underwritten by Illini Community Health Care Foundation, Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Women's Health and Pike County Community Health Partnership and sponsored by the health department, Illini Community Hospital, John Wood Community College and University of Illinois Extension in Pike County.

"We believe the Health and Resource Fair is the best vehicle for offering people a vast array of health resources and information available right here in Pike County. There are many excellent resources that individuals and families can take advantage of," ICHCF executive director Patricia McIntosh said.

More information is available by calling Illini Community Health Care Foundation at 285-6080, Pike County Health Department at 285-4407 or Illini Community Hospital at 285-2113.

-- dhusar@whig.com/221-3379