ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—On Sept. 15, hundreds of people walked through the Ferolie Gallery at Englewood Health (EH) seeking information and motivation to enhance their wellness and longevity.
The Wellness Fest was organized by Carol Rauscher, president of the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, and was hosted by the Englewood Chamber of Commerce and Englewood Health with sponsorship from Englewood’s Special Improvement District (SID) and Lakeland Bank.
“This the first health fest ever held in Englewood and it is really exciting!” Rauscher said. “Health and wellness is everything today, and Englewood is in the forefront of this movement! We have an abundance of health and fitness resources right here in our community, so people do not have to travel to New York City or elsewhere to get fit.”
From 1 to 3:30 p.m., dozens of area vendors were on hand to give advice about health, nutrition and the benefits of the mind, body and spirit. The extensive list included Club Pilates, Englewood Dental Center, the Englewood Department of Health, Englewood Health, Ethos Wellness Center, Good Neighbor Juice Bar, GymGuyz, iLoveKickboxing, The Joint Chiropractic, Karma Organic Spa, Kika Stretch Studios, Rica Water, Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts, Vantage Health System, VIDAproject, and the YWCA Northern New Jersey.
There were also booths set up by the Women’s Rights Information Center, the Bergen Family Center and other organizations.
Several local officials attended the Fitness Fest, such as Mayor Michael Wildes and Councilman Wayne Hamer (who came with his wife, Valerie), and former Rotary President Aleta Frezzell.
On hand to lend the public their expertise were numerous medical experts from Englewood Health, including gastroenterologists, a mental health practitioner, a breast feeding educator and an acupuncturist.
There were activities and lifesaving tests for people of all ages, including pulse and blood pressure testing and appointments for mammograms and colonoscopies.
There were also free promotional items, such as dental supplies and kits for new mothers.
A variety of vendors offered services for the general public to learn new ways to attain soundness of mind and body through exercise. Yoga, martial arts and stretching were also popular topics and the Graf Center offered complimentary massages.
A number of attendees were eager to learn how to reduce and eliminate pain and many were interested in what is new in alternative medicine, nutrition and organic foods. There were samples of vitamin-packed vegetable juices, different types of waters, and salad bowls ready to be filled with healthy greens.
“Today’s Fitness Fest is just the beginning!” Rauscher said. “We will be holding more of these fitness events, and through the entire month of October, Englewood will be participating in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, culminating in Englewood Health’s annual Walk for Awareness.”
Photos by Hillary Viders
Author’s Note: Find more about Englewood’s Health’s Oct. 27 Walk for Awareness by visiting www.englewoodhealthfoundation.org/event/walk-for-awareness-2019.