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Rome neighbors Frances Walker and Sibyle Stepps enjoyed a girls’ day out Saturday at the 2006 Spring Training Health Fair, but they had more than just fun on their minds.

“I’m a heart patient,” said Walker. “The blood pressure test ... that’s what we come for.”

Stepps agreed. “We like things like this,” she said. “It’s good for older folks.”

The only problem, said Walker: “They need to have them more often!”

Walker and Stepps were among more than 350 people streaming through the Palladium on Saturday, receiving everything from information to free health screenings to free food and other goodies.

Patrons took advantage of a number of services, from cholesterol and blood sugar level testing to cancer and bone density screenings and more.

A special AngioScreen test used EKG and ultrasound technology to measure heart rate and blood pressure, providing a color printout and compact disc of the results for fairgoers to take home and show their doctors.

Whether people are concerned about one particular body part or wanted general health information, said organizer Sharon Baker, the annual fair serves as a one-stop shop for free assistance.

With several providers coming together under one roof, she said, fairgoers are exposed to services they might not have known were right around the corner.

“The average person not in the health care field — and even those of us that are — sometimes has to hunt around to find what they need,” said Baker, a nurse practitioner, health educator and executive director of Rome’s Affordable Health Care clinic. “This lets you know what kinds of health care resources we have in the community.”

The fair drew positive responses from attendees. “I think it’s wonderful,” said Wanda Dula of Rome, waiting in line for services from the National Kidney Foundation. “I called my husband up and told him to get on over here.”

Dula says her last doctor’s visit left her concerned about cholesterol levels, so the health fair was the perfect way to monitor that — without paying for another doctor’s visit. “I thought I would just come and check it out,” she said.

Marvin Henderson of Summerville said he, too, uses the information and tests to remain proactive about his health. “A lot of the bloodwork is good to have,” said Henderson, who plans to follow up with his personal physician, if needed.

“I always give it to my doctor to put in my file,” he said.

Roman Brenda Radke said many of the tests and screenings she underwent were things she would not have normally have thought about, so “it was well worth the time.”

STILL TIME FOR SPRING TRAINING

Even if you missed out on the Spring Training Health Fair, organizer Sharon Baker says it’s not too late to start improving your health — and put yourself in the running for a $1,000 cash prize while you’re at it.

Today is the last day to sign up for Baker’s Spring Training health promotion, a program that encourages participants to make sound lifestyle choices.

Separate from the health fair, the Spring Training promotion is a four-week program in which competitors use baseball-themed scorecards to keep track of their goals for health, fitness and general well-being each day.

Like baseball teams, competitors gang up in groups of nine, Baker said. Members help and encourage one another to complete their individual scorecards, because teams with all cards completed in four weeks are eligible for entry into the $1,000 grand prize drawing, she said.

Team rosters and completed scorecards must be received by June 6. The prize-winning team will be announced June 8.

Baker encourages those who haven’t signed up to visit www.infoforwomen.org to download materials to do so.

Call 706-234-8483 or e-mail baker8483@comcast.net for more information.