A record crowd of nearly 600 attended the fifth annual Affairs of the Heart, sponsored by Henry County Hospital and St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana on Feb. 28, 2013.

Besides browsing dozens of exhibitors, listening to inspirational speakers and catching performers like New Castle''s own Cornfield Cloggers, those who came were looking for direction on how to live healthier.

"My brother died last spring of a heart attack," said Janet Miller, who added that the evening marked her third Affairs of the Heart.  "I come to honor him."

Tamera Ankrom was named "Henry County's Sweet Heart," an inaugural honor designed to celebrate a renewed commitment to fitness. Henry County Hospital solicited nominations from a population whose medical history and current physical condition made them likely heart disease candidates. Ankrom''s personal essay was chosen as the best.

"I want to be healthier," Ankrom said. "My daughter is grown and now it's time to take care of mama," the 42 year old said. "My lifelong goal has been to go skydiving. My weight has always hindered me. They''re going to work with me and follow my progress," she said of the Affairs of the Heart program. "I don't have a weight goal in mind or a particular number. I just want to be healthy."

Event chairman Ricci Atchison, Public Relations/Marketing director for the hospital, was thrilled with this year's event.

"The evening was a huge success," she said. "I loved seeing our biggest turnout to date. The speakers were exceptional, the refreshments were delicious, the vendors pulled out all the stops all working together to create a memorable event of both fun and learning. What a wonderful way to spend an evening."