Polson wellness fair wards off winter blues

Event a benefit for Life Savers Animal Rescue

By BRETT BERNTSEN

Lake County Leader

POLSON – Local residents looking for techniques to ward off the mid-winter blues filtered through Polson’s Red Lion Inn on Saturday as part of the Lake County Winter Wellness Fair.

Hosted by Polson Family Chiropractic, the fair featured booths offering a wide range of health-conscious products, from custom hearing aids to carcinogen-free coffee.

In addition to helping themselves, attendees also had the opportunity to benefit others by participating in holistic stress screenings with all proceeds benefiting Life Savers Animal Rescue.

Dr. Pam Sandall of Polson Family Chiropractic said identifying everyday causes of stress is the first step in pursuing a healthier life style.

Perhaps more comforting, however, was the opportunity to meet with Jerry, the charming Chihuahua puppy who has emerged as an unlikely ambassador for the shelter. Rescued from a puppy mill outside Charlo in August, Jerry has become a local star on social media.

“He became a great representative of our efforts,” said Lynette Duford, who calls herself Jerry’s “caretaker.”

In its second straight year at the Red Lion, the fair attracted a strong showing of local residents seeking healthy lifestyle choices.

Polson resident Barbara Grinde, who distributes a line of chemical free household products called Sisel, said she attracted at least 20 new customers through the event. She said attendees this year seemed genuinely interested in learning about her products, rather than simply signing up for “free stuff.”

Mary Frances Caselli, owner of Mrs. Wonderful’s Marmalade Café, manned a booth selling her organic baked goods as well as a nutritional supplement she swears by.

“It’s kept me in the restaurant business,” she said.

As a restaurant owner specializing in all-natural, organic food, Caselli said the fair gives her an opportunity to attract new customers and promote the benefits of eating well. A self-professed “lifelong foodie,” Caselli said she has noticed a growing interest in natural living.

“I’ve manned a lot of booths in my life,” she said. “The slow-food movement is in. It’s here to stay.”