The Annual Health Fair, sponsored by the Spencer Area Activity Center and the RSVP Volunteer Program, will be Thursday, May 22, starting at 9 a.m. at Gateway North Center. People of all ages are invited to participate.

A new addition to this year's Health Fair is the opportunity for participants to attend several workshops, including the following:

* RSVP volunteer Nora Biegler will lead a SAIF presentation at 9:30 a.m. and again at 10:15 a.m. in the Activity Center meeting room. SAIF -- Seniors Against Insurance Fraud - is a program sponsored by the Iowa Insurance Division and provides information about how to avoid insurance fraud and other scams.

* Lee Schoenewe, a local bird expert, will discuss "Birds of Northwest Iowa" and will show slides at 11 a.m. in the Activity Center card room.

* Dee Vaage, Spencer Hospital Infection Control Nurse, will lead a workshop entitled: "The Best Defense is a Good Offense: Protecting Yourself Against Infection." She will review recommendations for influenza, pneumonia and shingles vaccines; review some common infectious diseases; and discuss ways to prevent transmission of infections.

* Cindy Drefke, Lifeline Coordinator, will explain the Lifeline Program and the peace of mind that Lifeline can provide.

* Megan Whitaker, Spencer Family YMCA Senior Program Director, will lead a "Stretch and Flex" session in the Iowa Lakes Community College Fitness Center and answer questions about staying fit from 9 a.m. to noon.

* Nelson Hearing Aid will provide hearing screenings in the Activity Center Craft Room from 9 a.m. to noon.

There will be 40 exhibitors providing information, giving away free items, and conducting health screenings (blood pressure, bone density, hearing tests, and others) from 9 a.m. to noon in the mall area.

Coffee and rolls will be provided by Iowa Lakes Community College from 9-10 a.m. A roast beef meal will be served at noon followed by a drawing for door prizes.

The only cost for the event is for the noon meal which is optional. To make reservations for the meal, please call the Spencer Area Activity Center at 262-1782 by May 20.

There are several new exhibitors this year including: Spencer Municipal Utilities; Christian's Sheet Metal; Riverview Terrace; Trimark Foot & Ankle; Home Instead Senior Care; Walgreen's; Heritage Landing Senior Apartments; Project Alert; Northwest Iowa Bone, Joint & Sports; Clay County Ag Extension; and Milford Nursing Center.

Returning exhibitors include: Spencer Hospital (AgriSafe, Women's Health Services, Lifeline and others); Vision Helpers of Urbandale; Alzheimer's Association; Thrifty White Drug; Northwest Iowa Alcoholism & Drug Treatment Unit; Gentiva Health Services; Spencer Family YMCA; Seasons Center; Eldon Kopel Insurance; Nelson Hearing Aid Service; Clay County Veterans Affairs; RIDES; Experience Works; Warner Funeral Home; AARP; Iowa Eye Institute; Farmers Bank Heritage Club; Med-Equip; Spencer Area Activity Center; and the RSVP Volunteer Program of Iowa Lakes Community College.

Businesses and organizations that want to host a booth are asked to call Mary Ann Harden at the Spencer Area Activity Center, 262-1782, as soon as possible, so that space can be reserved.