The Mineral Community Hospital Health Fair took place on May 12. People were able to snack on homemade cookies and visit with health care providers and specialists in the Superior Elementary School Gym in the morning until noon.

However, due to low attendance, the event was canceled for next year. Monte Turner, who helps organize the event every year, said in an email that attendance has dropped off over the past few years. As a result, the Customer Service Committee of the hospital has decided to not hold a health fair next spring.

“The few that attended are the few who always come, yet this year there were no young families, or children. This tells us that these people, who all of us need for our businesses, have something more important to do than attend,” Turner said.

In the afternoon, the Mineral County Medical Foundation sponsored a well-attended talk with well-known local historian Hal Stearns in the Superior multi-purpose room. Ironically, Stearns delivered his talk on “Montana Towns: Then, Now, Tomorrow,” where he explored the topic of why some small Montana towns thrive while others “drift away.”

Vendors at the event included: Area VI Agency on Aging Community Medical Center; Dana Austin; Dental Hygiene at Home; Easy Living Caregiving; Healthy Relationships; Hospital Hikers; I-185 Signature Drive; Linking Systems of Care; MCH Telemedicine; Mineral County Health Department; Mineral County Medical Foundation; Missoula Bone & Joint; Montana Cancer Screening; Montana Telecommunications; MSU Extension/Gardening; Nu Skin; Partners in Home Care; Partnership Health Center; Pioneer Council; Superior Elementary; VA Montana Health Care; Veterans Services Officer; Western Montana Mental Health.