Area seniors can expect a morning full of helpful resources, fun games, exciting giveaways and live music at the first Leader Farmington Area Senior Expo.
The expo, which is geared toward those 50 and older, is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Industry and Technology Center at Mineral Area College, 5270 Flat River Road, in Park Hills. Admission is free.
Katelyn Mary Skaggs, digital marketing manager for the Leader, said she is excited about the first expo in the Farmington area, adding that it is time to venture out and make new senior friends.
“It is our first-ever expo south of De Soto, and we’re very excited,” she said. “We’ve added Farmington because we really love these expo days as opportunities to connect with the seniors in our community and offer events to bring them together.”
Skaggs said that Mineral Area College was selected for the expo because of its location and its beautiful Industry and Technology Center building.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Mineral Area College. And while senior citizens are probably not their typical student, you can still be a student at any age,” she said. “It is also just a great community gathering spot.”
Expo opens
Faith Cowboy Church in Desloge will provide a shuttle bus at the expo, making the journey from the parking lot to the venue more convenient and accessible.
“The shuttle bus will run the duration of the event and pick up seniors from the front parking lot and the overflow lot across the street from the Industry and Technology Center. Just give the driver a wave, and they will pick you up and drop you off right at the front door,” Skaggs said.
Doors will open at 8 a.m., when seniors will be greeted by vendors and have the chance to get some free coffee and doughnuts sponsored by First State Community Bank, which has locations in Farmington, Park Hills, Desloge, Bonne Terre and Terre du Lac.
More than 30 vendors will be on hand, providing information about services ranging from banking to health care. Many vendors will offer giveaways and drawings for free items.
Speakers
Three speakers will be featured during the expo.
First, at 8:30 a.m., attendees may listen to Dr. Huzaifa Haider from Crystal City Foot and Ankle Care, who will share foot wellness tips for seniors.
“Your feet and your ankles get you around, and when you have issues with that, you can’t be as mobile or active as you wish; it can really make people homebound. So, if you can get some tips to ensure your feet stay healthy, which is your first mode of transport, you can stay out and about,” Skaggs said.
The second speaker of the day, Dustin Tate with St. Francois County Ambulance District, will take the stage at 9:30 a.m. and will talk about senior safety tips.
“There’s a lot that you can do inside your home that helps you either prevent an emergency from happening, or if it does happen, prepares you for one,” Skaggs said. “These tips and tricks will help seniors be more proactive and problem-solve faster.”
At 10:30 a.m., the last speaker, Tiffany Kramer with Mineral Area Monuments, will share information about planning for end-of-life celebrations.
“When it comes to discussing end-of-life plans, you want to make sure you’re celebrated in a way that you feel is right for you,” Skaggs said. “Tiffany will share some helpful information, whether you’re planning for yourself to make it easier on your own family or planning for someone else in your family.”
Bingo
At 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., attendees may play bingo, a senior expo favorite, Skaggs said. Heather Corley from Pharmax Pharmacy in Festus will call the two sessions of bingo.
“Bingo is a fun game at any age. At the expos, it’s a fun activity that gets seniors together and gives them the opportunity to hang out with new and old friends,” Skaggs said. “You could also win fabulous prizes, including gift cards to local restaurants and businesses, or the all-coveted ‘I love the Leader’ T-shirt.”
Grand prize
At the Leader booth, attendees may enter their names in a drawing for the grand prize, a St. Louis adventure package, offering the winner a day to explore Union Station. The package includes four tickets to the Union Station Aquarium, a $100 gift card to St. Louis Union Station, and a $100 gift card to The Pitch Athletic Club and Tavern at Union Station.
“The grand prize is perfect for those who are in need of a fun day trip. Take your friends, your children or your grandchildren; this is a prize that anyone would enjoy,” Skaggs said. “You must be present to win prizes, and only one entry is allowed per person.”
Live music
The expo will wrap up with a performance by J.B. Louis and the Legends band at 11:15 a.m.
“J.B. Louis and the Legends will be joining us down in the Farmington area, and they’ll be rocking the house with all their classic tunes,” Skaggs said. “Seniors should be ready to end the day with their dancing shoes on.”
Future expo
Skaggs says the Leader’s last Senior Expo of the year will be from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at The Timbers of Eureka, 1 Coffey Park Lane.
“We are having our last senior expo at another fabulous community center,” she said. “We’re so excited to be back at the Timbers of Eureka this year. We can’t wait to see our senior friends there.”
Expo schedule
8 a.m. | Expo opens: Vendors will be on hand, many offering giveaways and drawings for free items. Also, free doughnuts and coffee will be available.
8:30 a.m. | Speaker: Dr. Huzaifa Haider from Crystal City Foot and Ankle Care will share foot wellness tips for seniors.
9 a.m. | Bingo: The first of two bingo sessions will be played with the chance to win prizes. Heather Corley from Pharmax Pharmacy in Festus will call the game.
9:30 a.m. | Speaker: Dustin Tate with St. Francois County Ambulance District will talk about senior safety tips.
10 a.m. | Bingo: The second of two bingo sessions will be played with the chance to win prizes.
10:30 a.m. | Speaker: Tiffany Kramer with Mineral Area Monuments will share information about planning for end-of-life celebrations.
11 a.m. | Prizes: The grand prize winner will be announced, along with winners for vendor prizes.
11:15 a.m. | Music: J.B. Louis and the Legends band will perform.
Noon | Expo closes
Directions
Industry & Technology Center at Mineral Area College, 5270 Flat River Road, Park Hills
■ About 30 minutes from De Soto.
■ About 50 minutes from Arnold and Cedar Hill.
■ About an hour from Eureka.
Drive carefully if traveling I-55 from Herculaneum to Festus. Construction may slow your commute.
From I-55, driving south:
■ Take exit 174B in Festus and merge onto Hwy. 67 south.
■ Drive for 30 miles, then take the MO-32 W exit at Leadington/Park Hills.
■ Turn left onto Hwy. 32, which turns into Flat River Road.
■ Drive about 500 feet, then turn left onto Dixie Kohn Drive, at the sign that says "Mineral Area College."
■ Take the first right turn to reach the event center.
From Hwy. 21, driving south:
■ Take the MO-110 E exit at De Soto.
■ Drive for about six miles, then turn right onto southbound Hwy. 67.
■ Drive for about 23 miles, then take the MO-32 W exit at Leadington/Park Hills.
■ Turn left onto Hwy. 32, which turns into Flat River Road.
■ Drive about 500 feet, then turn left onto Dixie Kohn Drive, at the sign that says "Mineral Area College."
■ Take the first right turn to reach the event center.
From Hwy. 67, driving south:
■ Take the MO-32 W exit at Leadington/Park Hills.
■ Turn left onto Hwy. 32, which turns into Flat River Road.
■ Drive about 500 feet, then turn left onto Dixie Kohn Drive, at the sign that says "Mineral Area College."
■ Take the first right turn to reach the event center.
Union Station is at 1820 Market St. in St. Louis, several blocks west of Busch Stadium and down the street from the Enterprise Center.
Grand prize package offers fun for whole family not far from home
By Lindsay Recar
For Grand Times
One lucky Farmington Area Senior Expo attendee can look forward to a fun-filled excursion in St. Louis.
The Farmington Area Senior Expo is set for 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Industry & Technology Center at Mineral Area College, 5270 Flat River Road, in Park Hills.
During the expo, visitors should stop by the Leader Publications booth for a chance to win a Union Station grand prize package. The prize includes four tickets to the St. Louis Aquarium in Union Station; a $100 gift card to The Pitch Athletic Club and Tavern, which is inside the station; and a $100 gift card for other Union Station activities.
“I’m jealous of the grand prize winner who gets to go,” said Katelyn Mary Skaggs, digital marketing manager for the Leader. “It will be a fun day in St. Louis. Go on a day trip, explore the station and the city.”
Union Station, at 1820 Market St., is several blocks west of Busch Stadium and down the street from the Enterprise Center.
The facility’s original elaborate design is preserved in the Grand Hall. According to its website, Union Station was a hub of railroad activity from 1894 to 1978, especially during the 1904 World’s Fair and World War II.
In 1985, the station was reopened as a mixed-use facility, housing retail shops, event spaces and restaurants.
These days, there are plenty of things to do inside the station, Skaggs said.
The site is home to the St. Louis Wheel, a 200-foot-high Ferris wheel that provides riders a view of the city skyline. Other Union Station attractions include a mini golf course, carousel, mirror maze, ropes course, 3D light show and three new carnival rides.
The St. Louis Aquarium is also a big draw for Union Station. According to its website, the aquarium has galleries for local aquatic wildlife, rivers across the globe, deep sea creatures, river otters and more. The aquarium includes four interactive touch pools, where visitors can get up close to wildlife, like sharks, stingrays and sea urchins.
After exploring the activities Union Station has to offer, the prize winner may stop for a meal at The Pitch, which features sports games playing on televisions throughout the restaurant. Union Station has eight other dining options, including spots for drinks and dessert.
Visit stlouisunionstation.com for hours and information about parking, events and seasonal activities throughout the station.
Remember your mailing labels
Bring mailing labels with you to the Farmington Area Senior Expo to make registering for prizes and giveaways quicker and easier.
Readers’ Hometown Gems include parks, other special spots
By Teresa Inserra
For Grand Times
Shirley Henderson, 61, of High Ridge won the $100 first-place prize in the Hometown Gems photo contest for a photo taken at Don Robinson State Park in Cedar Hill.
The other two winners in the contest will also receive prizes for photos they took of local parks.
Laura Lonati, 63, of Fenton won the $75 second-place prize for her photo of Don Robinson State Park, and Charmin Gans, 50, of Festus won the $50 third-place prize for her photo of Larry G. Crites Memorial Park in Festus.
The three winners were randomly drawn from more than 30 submissions for the Hometown Gems photo contest, which asked readers 50 and older from Jefferson County, Eureka and Wildwood to submit pictures of their favorite local places, such as parks, attractions or other special spots. The contest was sponsored by Grand Times, Leader Publications’ magazine for senior citizens.
Readers submitted several photos of Don Robinson State Park and Larry G. Crites Memorial Park, along with the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site outside Hillsboro.
Winning photos
Henderson took her winning photo in January while hiking with her husband, Joe, at the state park.
Shirley Henderson of High Ridge took this picture in January while hiking at Don Robinson State Park in Cedar Hill. “We ventured out on a cold day to take in the beauty of natural ice formations,” Shirley said.
“We ventured out on a cold day to take in the beauty of natural ice formations,” she said.
Henderson said they hike any chance they get and have hiked at several Missouri state parks.
Lonati took her second-place photo of the state park in February 2019. The photo featured her mother, Betty Maxey, walking through a pavilion at sunset. Her mother died in February 2021.
Laura Lonati, 63, of Fenton took this picture in Feb. 2019 of her late mother, Betty Maxey, at Don Robinson State Park in Cedar Hill. “I’ll never forget this day, ever!” Betty said. “She was able to stay late and enjoy the sunset, and we were all alone.”
“I’ll never forget this day, ever,” said Lonati. “She was able to stay late and enjoy the sunset, and we were all alone.”
Lonati said her mother inspired her to submit the photo.
“Mom always pushed me with my photography,” Lonati said.
Gans submitted a photo of a sunset at Crites Park.
Charmin Gans, 50, of Festus took this picture in July at Larry G. Crites Memorial Park in Festus. “On our way home from shopping, my daughters and I noticed the sky glowing with a beautiful sunset,” Charmin said. “We made a quick stop at the park—one of our favorite spots with its barn and ponds—and the view was so breathtaking that I had to take this photo.”
“On our way home from shopping, my daughters (June and Scarlett) and I noticed the sky glowing with a beautiful sunset,” she said. “We made a quick stop at the park – one of our favorite spots with its barn and ponds – and the view was so breathtaking that I had to take this photo.”
The photo contest is being held in conjunction with the Leader’s first-ever Farmington Area Senior Expo set for 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Industry & Technology Center at Mineral Area College, 5270 Flat River Road, in Park Hills.
See all entries here:
A picture of the Big River from the late 1930s or early 1940s.
Big River has provided local families with ‘good times’ over the years
By Kathleen Brotherton
For Grand Times
Jefferson County is rich in not only history, but also in its many scenic views, so it’s not easy to pick a favorite. The beauty along the Big River, however, is one of my top picks.
The Big River has always attracted many visitors, especially those who love to fish, camp and swim. Before our family moved from Maplewood to our farm in Hillsboro in 1949, our family and some of my mother’s relatives would make weekend trips to the old wooden bridge at Brown Ford on Big River to camp.
I wasn’t old enough to remember those camping trips. I was told my bunking spot was in the back window of our car, which should tell you how young I was since I could fit in there to sleep. Other stories from those camping trips, which were told time and again, are still fresh in my memory.
Apparently sleeping bags weren’t around at that time (or at least not available to my family), so some brought along Army cots, while others made a bed of horseweeds and other large weeds they gathered just before dark, piled in stacks on the ground and covered with blankets. What they didn’t count on during one of those trips was how active the grasshoppers became in those weeds after lying down on the blankets, which made for a night with a lot of lost sleep.
One of my aunts, who was about 19 or 20 at the time, had problems of her own as night settled during that trip. A bat came swooping down out of the trees above where she was just about to go to sleep, hitting her right in the face. Her blood-curdling scream must have been heard for miles down the river!
The grownups mostly slept in their cars, although some made beds on the ground as well so they could be with the older kids who didn’t fit in the back windows of their cars.
While the sleeping might not have been the best on those trips, the fishing was good, and most of the guys spent their time on the river bank. The women and older kids, however, found the low spots in the river where they could go swimming.
Going back to the 1800s, a number of mills were built along the Big River, like the ones in Byrnes Mill, Cedar Hill and Morse Mill. Those old mills were once used to make flour and grind the grain grown locally to make feed for the area farmers’ cattle and other livestock. While most of those mills are long gone, several parks have been built near where they used to operate, and families can still enjoy the scenic views of water rushing over the dams that were constructed for those old mills.
As a kid growing up, it was always a treat for me to go along with my dad to the mill in Cedar Hill to pick up sacks of feed for our cows and hogs. When you’re a kid, the scenery isn’t quite as important as getting to stop at a local “filling station” to get an Eskimo Pie on the way home. My dad always got one of the treats for my mom, too, taking it home to her. During the summer, unfortunately, it was half melted by the time she got to eat hers!
Things may have changed along the Big River since then, but memories of good times can still be made along its banks and at the parks that have replaced the original old mills.
Caramel Apple Cake
It’s apple season, one of the best times of the year. While it’s always great to just grab one of those delicious apples and gobble up the juicy, sweet treat, there are also so many delicious desserts you can make using the fruit.
Here is a recipe for a Caramel Apple Cake your family is sure to love. The addition of caramel makes it so different from all other apple cake recipes.
-- Kathleen Brotherton
Caramel Apple Cake
- 1 1/2 cups baking mix (like Bisquick)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 medium cooking apples, peeled and sliced (about 2 cups)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup boiling water
- Whipped cream or whipped topping, if desired.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine baking mix and granulated sugar in medium bowl. Stir in milk and vanilla until blended.
- Pour into an ungreased square 9-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish, or an oblong one of similar size. Place peeled apple slices on batter; sprinkle with lemon juice.
- In another bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over apples. Pour boiling water over apples. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Serve with whipped cream or whipped topping, if desired, and add a few unpeeled apple slices. You may also leave several slices of apples unpeeled for a more colorful garnish. Makes 6 servings.