USC Library Promotes Wellness and Harmony

The Upper St. Clair Library was the place to be on Saturday, especially if you were looking to unwind and relax.

The library hosted its first Harmony and Wellness Fair and Harmonious Book Sale from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Attendees got the chance to meet with area health practitioners and health food vendors, sample products, get free blood pressure readings and enjoy complimentary massages. Free or discounted flu shots also were available.

Susan Boyd, a USC resident and library volunteer, was one such attendee who took advantage of the flu shots, which were offered by Hometown Pharmacy.

"There are a lot of grandparents who live in Upper St. Clair," Boyd said. "It was nice to be able to come to an event like this where you can learn how to take care of yourself and stay well."

"The purpose of the Harmony Fair was to connect our community with area health care providers, including non-traditional alternative health care modalities, and local stores that specialize in organic, gluten free, and natural foods," said Helen Palascek, library director. "We hope that the information people received and the connections they made will bring a bit more harmony into their lives."

Several vendors participated in the event, including Appalachian Botanicals; Chinese Acupuncture & Herbs Center; Eden's Market; Holistic Approach 4 Life; Gallagher Home Health Services, which offered free blood pressure screenings; Sunny Bridge Natural Foods; Still Mountain Meditation; and Numerology with Francesca.

"The fair brought a lot of people together who do not know each other," said Sterling Painton, owner of Sterling Yoga in Dormont and one of the fair's vendors. "It was especially nice that the vendors got to meet each other and blend businesses."

The fair was a result of the library's Harmony, Mind, Body, Spirit collection of materials that was funded through a grant from the state's Library Services and Technology Act, which was awarded to the and South Park Township Library. The Friends of the Library organizations at both Upper St. Clair and South Park also provided funds for this collaborative project.

"I was thrilled to see people of all ages attending the fair. There was a nice cross-section of vendors who appealed to a wide range of interests," Palascak said. "We had more than 100 people in attendance which was a great turnout. We hope to have more events like this in the future."