The third-annual Women’s Health Symposium went off without a hitch Saturday at Fort Frances High School and organizers said they couldn’t be more pleased with the results.
“I thought the 2008 Women’s Health Symposium was phenomenal,” enthused committee member Dianne Faragher, noting the event drew more than 450 people.
“It was great how it all pulled itself together.”
“From the comments I heard from participants and exhibitors, I think this year’s symposium was another success,” echoed fellow committee member Jan Beazley.
The event, which ran from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., featured several guest speakers, along with more than 60 exhibitors. There were many returning organizations with booths, as well as several new ones.
This year’s theme, “Go Green,” provided plenty of information about being more environmentally-friendly as exhibitors and speakers were encouraged to embrace the “green” theme.
For instance, Jackie Lampi-Hughes of Energy Fitness started off the morning with her presentation on “Go Green Pilates,” demonstrating a series of stretches and positions that women could do anywhere.
Renate Winkler, a doctor of natural medicine and certified pharmacist, then offered up a session called “Going Green A-Z,” which focused on making your home more environmentally-friendly.
By going from basement to attic, Winkler provided many tips on what women can do to improve each room of your house and make it more “green.”
Margaret Anderson, currently employed with the Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora through the methadone program, gave a presentation on addictions while Diane Clifford spoke on the topic, “Spirituality—Discover the Connections.”
But it was Jo-Ann Waytowich, a Thunder Bay-based actor, singer, and playwright, who drew the largest crowd of the day with “Ivanka Goes Green.”
“She was absolutely hilarious,” enthused committee member Jenni Condon.
“I incorporated new material with the ‘going green’ theme in mind—a ‘consumption’ game show and recycling tips for hotel shower caps, dryer sheets, and pantyhose,” Waytowich explained.
“Plus, I did three bits from ‘Ivanka Delivers The Goods’—make your own boa kit, the pantyhose routine, and what to do with sanitary napkins,” she added.
Waytowich has been entertaining audiences from coast to coast for the past 10 years with her unique brand of humour and, in fact, took part in last year’s Women’s Health Symposium with “Ivanka Chews the Fat.”
She certainly had the audience involved by getting volunteers on stage. And she had everyone cracking up with laughter.
“It’s great to wrap up the day on a humorous note,” Condon noted.
In addition, the exhibitors offered plenty of information—both “green” and otherwise.
There were health-related booths, such as Drs. Lidkea, Elliott and Lidkea Optometry and the Northwestern Health Unit, but there also were exhibitors that didn’t necessarily relate to health, like Investor’s Group and Service Canada.
There also were some interactive booths, including Energy Fitness and Bombshell, which offered up demonstrations with participants. And a booth dedicated to jewellery-making was a real hit, as well as few exhibitors providing massage and physiotherapy.
The Women’s Health Symposium committee also had a place where people could show off their creativity by contributing to a “Go Green” collage.
Lunch of chili and a bun was provided, as well as fair trade coffee and water throughout the day. Prizes were given away by the committee and exhibitors, with some even featuring the “Go Green” theme.
As well, the first 400 people through the door received a recyclable bag and water bottle.
“It couldn’t have happened without our committee members who all worked so hard to make it a success,” Faragher stressed.
“All the teamwork from organizing exhibitors, speakers, booth set-up, decorations, registration, media, giveaways, food preparation, sponsor letters, and technical support—this diverse and dynamic group of women made it all happen.”
Students participating in the Young Women’s Conference later this month offered assistance throughout the symposium, along with members of the local Beta Sigma Phi sorority.
The committee suggested a “toonie” donation for admittance to help with a student bursary it provides, which brought in more than $900.
“It will be interesting to see what the evaluations say,” Beazley noted, adding many people filled in the forms to offer feedback.
The committee already is throwing out ideas for next year, and would welcome anyone who is interested in getting involved to approach this year’s committee members.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
