By Naeisha Rose
On a picturesque summer’s day, hundreds gathered for a health fair at Cunningham Park last Friday on topics ranging from fire safety to holistic well-being and even to mountain bikes.
Sponsored by Community Board 8, it featured free information on preventive and post health care at the park located at 196th Street and Union Turnpike. The board encompasses Briarwood, Utopia, Flushing South, Fresh Meadows, Jamaica Hills, Holliswood, Jamaica Estates and Kew Gardens.
During the event, the FDNY had a smoke-filled fire simulation inside a trailer as Lt. Frank Manetta, of the Fire Safety Unit passed out fire safety information.
“It’s a simulator on how to escape your home if there is a fire, and we have a smoke machine in there,” Manetta said. “It makes it a little more realistic as far as escaping in a smoke condition.”
“Everybody should have a meeting place as part of their safety plan at home,” he added.
Senior health was important to many at the fair.
Manuela McGovern, a Fresh Meadows resident originally from Brazil, came to the event to gather information for her father-in-law, Larry, who is in 70s, so that she can learn more to educate him on ways to maintain his health. In tow with her were her sons Daniel, 7 and Benjamin, 3.
“I just got some physical therapy information to make him more active and for the kids,” McGovern said. “The health fair has fun stuff for the kids and good information for my father-in-law.”
Providing services for patients after they leave the hospital but before they go home was Silvercrest Center of Nursing and Rehabilitation.
“We provide occupational therapy, speech pathology, pulmonary care, swallowing intervention and we take care of short-term rehab patients, in addition to long-term care,” said Marta Kazandian a representative for the center.
Silvercrest is located at 144-45 on 87th Ave. in Briarwood.
To entertain the children at the event a puppet show retold the story of “Cinderella.”
As jazz music finished playing in the background at around 3 p.m. a marionette show started with the Brazilian musical twist on “Cinderella.”
“It’s called “Cinderella Samba,”” said Bruce Cannon, the director of city Parks and Recreation. “It’s the classic story of Cinderella, but we took it to Brazil.”
“I think this is good, because puppets are very often the a child’s first exposure to theater,” he added.
Smiling ear-to-ear throughout the show was Lila Burgos, 5.
“I love all the Disney Princesses,” said Lila from Fresh Meadows.
Speaking to visitors about the park was President Mark Krieger of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce.
“There are 60 chapters all over the United States and some in Canada,” Krieger said. “Our medicine does wellness for the whole body, we do not shoot you up with chemicals for everything. There are spices, and if you have the right food we can help with your health. Our practitioners are about preventive care, they don’t wait until you have a problem, because then a lot of times it’s harder to get better if you get sick,” said Krieger, who is from Floral Park.
The Holistic COC holds meetings at 181-34 Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows.
Bikes also had their day in the park.
Lead volunteer Campbell Sorenson,17, of Trip for Kids, taught younger kids how to ride mountain bikes.
“We try to teach life lessons through mountain biking,” Sorenson said. “If you have an obstacle, the best thing to do is to look past it and go over it. We think it is the same through life. Plus mountain biking is a very physical sport and great for your health.”
You can learn more about Trips for Kids at www.trips
Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose
