African American Health Fair

By LAURA RAINS, Staff Writer

Sunday, April 10, 2005 7:32 PM EDT

Cutting the sodium and fat in your diet doesn't have to be a painful process -- all you need is a little knowledge.

Some of the diseases in which high sodium and fat are contributing factors can be very serious, even life-threatening, to African-Americans.

Local health officials and members of the African-American community have organized a two-day Freedom Celebration. The event will be held Friday and Saturday at the Maysville Community and Technical College. Along with many exhibits and displays, Friday evening's program will feature the Lexington Children's Drum Choir performing at 7 p.m.

Saturday's focus will be health screenings open to everyone from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Debra Cotterill and area homemakers will present a food demonstration and tasting. They will prepare and serve Black Skllet Beef with Greens and Red Potatoes, and Broccoli Cornbread. Attendees will also receive packets of Hot 'N Spicy Seasoning. A grant from the Kentucky Beef Council funded the food for the samples.

In addition to the many exhibits, workshops will be presented Saturday on genealogy, percussion for adults and children, and a presentation on the images of African-Americans.