Plans are currently underway for the Fifth Annual Children's Healthy Fun Fair. This year's event will take place on Saturday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ag Building on the Seward County Fairgrounds.

Exciting things are planned this year as we work toward getting the fair plans finalized. Once again Lifetime Smiles will be on hand to do free fluoride washes. Various types of eye screenings and information will be provided by the offices of Drs. Cauble and Davis and Drs. Jury and Farrar. Our police department will be on hand to do fingerprinting, and the fire department will provide all sorts of information on fire safety. Of course, Sparky the Firedog will be on hand for photo ops. The importance of good handwashing will be brought out this year by Southwest Medical Center RN, Jenice Short, at our handwashing area. The black light and special gel reveal areas that youngsters might have missed when washing and helps to enforce the importance of performing this task several times daily.

One of the participants located in the annex room last year was the Liberal Parks and Recreation fitness challenge. This year that challenge will be in a more visible spot in hopes that more youngsters take part. It is not a competition between children, but merely a way for your child to challenge him or herself in several exercise activities.

Parents this year will be able to gather valuable information from newcomers. Some of these include the Blind and Physically Handicapped audio book service, which is a federal program with regional coordination. Learning Quest will be on hand to answer any questions about setting up an education savings account for your youngster. Information will be available about Homework Kansas , the on-line homework tutor. Best Market will be on hand with samples of some of the healthy items that can be purchased at their store. Nature's Cupboard will be providing some healthy snack items, as well, to help parents with alternatives to high sugar or high fat snacks. Members of the local 4-H groups are joining the fair with year with a fun activity for kids.

A big draw for little ones is always the series of activities provided by USD 480 preschool. The teachers and para educators work hard to provide innovative, fun ways for youngsters to be engaged at their various stations. You'll not want to miss what they have planned for this year.

Everyone is working hard to make their contribution to the fair one which parents and children alike will enjoy. Be sure to mark March 1 on your calendar and plan to join us for a fun and informative time at the Children's Healthy Fun Fair.

The subject of healthy eating and physical fitness has come to be presented in a fun way that even the youngest of children will understand. You might want to check out the following books in Memorial Library's collection: Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park. This is a charming rhyming book about a family working together at preparing a traditional Korean dish. It even includes the recipe. On the surface, you may wonder why this book was included. The reason is that it demonstrates a meal being prepared from 'scratch', as those in the old school call it. Fresh ingredients were used and the family joined in on the fun of working together. This book could be a springboard to a family discussion about what meals could be prepared as a joint effort at your house. From there, information on the nutritional value of certain foods could be shared with younger family members. What a fun way to learn!

On order, but not in just yet, is a cookbook geared to parents by Jessica Seinfeld (wife of comedian Jerry Seinfeld). Jessica, like lots of moms, struggles to get her children to eat properly and has come up with some recipes that include veggies and other healthy things presented in unique ways in her book entitled Deceptively Delicious.

Another publication helpful to parents is "I'm Like, So Fat!" Helping Your Teen Make Healthy Choices about Eating and Exercise in a Weight-Obsessed World by Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD. In this age when young people seem to become concerned about body image at a younger and younger age, this book covers what exactly the problem is, how our society promotes it, and what parents can do to help change its impact on their children.

Enjoy these and many other offerings at Memorial Library. Be sure to join us for the Children's Healthy Fun Fair on Saturday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ag Building on the Seward County Fairgrounds.