It was an occasion that increased the public's knowledge of health services, free of charge.

That was precisely the goal organizers of the annual Community Health and Information Fair held Saturday at Blue Mountain Health System's Palmerton campus hoped to achieve.Co-hosted by Blue Mountain Health System and the Palmerton Lions Club, the event was staged on the main floor and cafeteria, where vendors educated members of the community on important health services and health issues.Those who attended received free screenings, such as fasting cholesterol and blood glucose, blood pressure, arthritis, balance and pulse oximetry, as well as EKGs.Down the hall, Cheryl Greaser of Hometown and Michele Fredericks of Lehighton received helpful information from Mary Beth Zulic and Lois Stocker, wellness advocates with doTERRA Essential Oils.Greaser said she learned about "the quality of essential oils. She told me everything I wanted to know."Fredericks said, "I came in with a very bad sinus headache. Smelling this breathe oil is helping to unclog my sinuses."Zulic said it's important for "people to experience natural wellness with essential oils."Across the hall, Evynne Gades, a phlebotomist with Blue Mountain Health System, conducted a free cholesterol and glucose check on Lois Casey of Ringtown.Gades said it's important to "try to keep everyone in line with what they're eating."Over in the cafeteria, Michael Palinchak of Mahoning Valley appeared at ease as he received a chair massage compliments of Valerie Neal with The Therapy Option in Jim Thorpe."They're good; I'm going to make an appointment for one," Palinchak said. "It got rid of some of the aches and pains."Representatives from agencies and organizations from Carbon and surrounding counties presented information and education on topics such as diabetes, nutrition, weight loss, foot health, exercise, insurance, Medicare and local government.Additionally, door prizes were awarded, while sandwiches and homemade baked goods, juice and coffee/tea were served courtesy of the Palmerton Lions Club.Mary Lou McGeehan, Community Education Coordinator for Blue Mountain Health System, said this year's event attracted 37 vendors and had about 180 participants attend.McGeehan said the health fair was a huge success in that it helped participants "get a lot of free screenings with information.""The feedback I got was very good, both from the vendors and the participants," McGeehan said. "We'd like to thank everybody for coming."Palmerton Lions Club President Robert Silliman raved about how successful the event was."It was the best health fair we ever had," Silliman said. "We look forward to next year."