BY MARCELLE HANEMANN

The Daily News

The eighth annual Bee Fit Health Fair, for employees of the sponsoring Bogalusa City Schools and LSU Health Bogalusa Medical Center as well as members of the community, was abuzz as always this year, even after a change of venue from the YWCA to the larger YMCA.

Bee Fit 2012 started with a Fun Walk at Goodyear Park at 7:30 a.m., and the general crowd started to gather while the 30 participating vendors were still setting up before the 8 a.m. opening of the three-hour regular event.

Before the morning was done, hundreds of people from school students to senior citizens took advantage of the opportunity to get free screenings, to obtain information on various health issues and to gather up bags full of related giveaways.

All at one time and in one space, attendees could check their blood pressure, body mass index, bone density, cholesterol, vision, oxygen saturation and risk of falling, get screened for asthma, have a diabetic foot assessment and more.

They could also get information on health-related agencies and services, ask questions and get professional answers.

LSU BMC Director of Education Beverly Sheridan pointed out that Bee Fit is as good for service providers as it is for recipients. She said she was particularly delighted that nursing students were able to take part in providing the screenings.