A fun-filled and educational morning is in store for visitors to the Arnold Senior Expo on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the Arnold Eagles, 1725 Jeffco Blvd. The event is for those 50 and older and is sponsored by Grand Times, Leader Publications’ magazine for seniors.
Admission is free for the event, which will offer a full schedule of bingo, live music, speakers, food, prizes and more.
Doors will open at 8 a.m., with free coffee and doughnuts while supplies last, courtesy of Leader Publications.
Parking is free on the Eagles’ lot, and both Autumn Ridge Residential Care in Herculaneum and Fairway Automotive in Arnold will provide courtesy shuttle service between the parking lot and the expo entrance, beginning at 8 a.m. To receive a shuttle ride, stand by your car and someone will pick you up.
The Livin’ the Dream food truck will be on hand with ice cream and snow cones for sale.
“Unfortunately, the Arnold expo is typically our hottest one,” said Katelyn Mary Skaggs, digital marketing manager for the Leader. “I think it will be great to have a way for our seniors to cool off a little with cold treats.”
Busy morning for all
A full complement of 50 vendors will be on hand, offering products and services of interest to seniors. Many will hold giveaways and drawings for prizes, so smart attendees will bring along pre-printed address labels to make signing up easier.
At 8:30 a.m., Donna Masters and Taylor Miller from the Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation (JFCAC) will speak about the group and the EZMO Transportation program.
The expo will include two free rounds of bingo in front of the stage, with prizes of gift cards and free T-shirts, courtesy of Leader Publications. The first session begins at 9 a.m. Jefferson County library director Tony Benningfield will serve as bingo caller.
At 9:30 a.m., Public Education Specialist Lauren Dawidowski with Rock Community Fire Protection District will speak about senior safety.
The second round of bingo will start at 10 a.m., with Benningfield serving as the caller again.
At 10:30 a.m., Arnold Parks and Recreation superintendent Teresa Kohut will speak about what the department does and the farmers market, which runs weekly through Nov. 9 this year.
The Leader will hold a grand-prize drawing, with one lucky winner’s name drawn at random from all eligible entries. (One entry per person). The winner will receive a recliner from Genuine Appliance in Arnold.
“We are thrilled to partner with them for this,” said Skaggs. “Some lucky senior is going to be very happy.”
Visitors may sign up for the grand prize drawing at the Leader Publications booth. The grand prize and other prizes will be announced at 11 a.m. Attendees must be present to win.
J.B. Louis and the Legends, the official Leader Senior Expo band, will take the stage at 11:15 a.m. to finish out the morning with a lively set of their mix of country and classic rock tunes. The expo closes at noon.
For information about Senior Expo, call the Leader at 636-931-7560.
Favorite places
Three local readers came up winners in the first-ever “Hometown Gems” photo contest, sponsored by Grand Times. Those 50 years and older were asked to send in pictures of their favorite area park, attraction, gathering space or other special spot. Winners were drawn at random from among all eligible entries.
Bob Campbell won first place and $100 for a 2014 photo of his backyard oasis at Lake Wauwanoka outside Hillsboro.
Second place and $75 was captured by Elaine McKinney of Crystal City, who snapped a photo in 2022 outside Crystal City Hall during the official announcement of the James Hardie manufacturing plant coming to town.
Shahana Kidwai, 55, of Eureka took third place and $50 for her serene photo of her backyard at sunset.
All photos can be viewed here:
Bob Campbell’s photo of his retirement oasis in Lake Wauwanoka outside Hillsboro was randomly selected as the winner of the Leader’s first-eve…
Expo attendees will have the chance to win a recliner
By Lindsay Recar
The winner of the Arnold Senior Expo’s grand prize can prepare to kick back and relax with a brand-new piece of furniture.
Genuine Appliance, which has locations in Arnold and Festus, will donate a Stonemeade Manual Rocker Recliner by Ashley at the expo, which is set for 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the Arnold Eagles, 1725 Jeffco Blvd.
“What’s better than coming home to a plush recliner?” said Katelyn Mary Skaggs, digital marketing manager for the Leader. “It’s the best spot in the house where you can watch TV or curl up with a good book.”
The recliner is valued at about $430 and features foam cushioning, a metal reinforced seat and polyester upholstery. Not only does the chair recline, but it also has a gentle rocking motion.
Genuine Appliance’s Arnold store only recently began carrying recliners, said Kelly Otec, who is one of the owners of the family-run business and operates its Festus location.
The winner may either take the recliner home or arrange a delivery from Genuine Appliance, if he or she lives locally.
For a chance to take home the grand prize, visit the Leader’s booth during the expo. Entrants must be present at the 11 a.m. prize drawing to win.
In addition to providing the grand prize, Genuine Appliance will have a vendor booth at the expo with a few chairs and other pieces of furniture on display, Otec said.
As its name suggests, the business also sells a wide range of appliances, such as stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, washers and dryers, refrigerators and ovens.
Many expo vendors will offer giveaways at the event.