They came for all the excellent information about local and regional resources, but they stayed for Reptile Man.
Or perhaps it was the other way around.
Or more than likely, Reptile Man only mattered to those who brought their kids along.
In any event, more than 400 people braved the stormy weather Saturday to head to Enumclaw High School and learn about the plethora of excellent resources available pertaining to health and wellness, according to organizer and Enumclaw Regional Healthcare Foundation director Rene' Popke.
Vendors included everyone from to Juice Plus, Costco, to an assortment of medical resources from Franciscan Health System. was there, as was Dr. Wendy Walker, DDS, Live to Forgive Ministries, Ode to Joy Farm and .
Spur Custer, of Enumclaw, said he came to the event for more information about how he might be able to stop taking some of his many medications since having a stroke and perhaps look at natural remedies. He said he didn't find exactly what he was looking for, but "it's just life," he shrugged. "I came to better myself and my health."
Angela Coe, also of Enumclaw, brought her two children. "I work in the mental health field and so I'm always interested in these community events and hearing about what programs and agencies are out there. I brought my children because I want them to have a healthy attitude and interest in being healthy and being informed."
Perusing the resources in the high school gym that were focused on children, Coe said she'd already enrolled her daughter in dance classes with Enumclaw Park & Rec and got more information about Amber Alert.
The big draw in the children's area for the kids seemed to be Reptile Man himself, Scott Petersen, who before his show began on the kids stage already let his desert tortoise loose.
A biology teacher by profession, Petersen had an assortment of critters to show and tell the kids, including snakes, lizards and an alligator. (See www.reptileman.com for more information)
The event was made possible by a partnership between and the Enumclaw Regional Healthcare Foundation.
