About 375 people attended the Farmington Area Senior Expo on the Mineral Area College campus in Park Hills on Sept. 24.
“We were so pleased and delighted that the community came out to our first ever senior expo here,” said Katelyn Mary Skaggs, digital marketing manager for the Leader. “It’s always nerve wracking wondering what the turnout will be for a first expo. We are thankful for our loyal readers and for all those who came out to their first senior expo.”
We met lots of new senior expo friends. The Industry and Technology Center at Mineral Area College was the perfect space and we appreciate their partnership.”
Sherrie Korn, who recently moved to Desloge from Oklahoma, was the winner of the grand prize: a St. Louis adventure package, offering the winner a day to explore Union Station. The package included 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. She said she is looking forward to taking some of her grandchildren to Union Station.
A total of 25 vendors turned out for the expo, offering information about products and services for seniors, such as health care options, senior living, home improvement and burial planning. The expo included free doughnuts and coffee sponsored by First State Community Bank.
Two rounds of bingo were held, and the event featured three speakers.
Skaggs said she was grateful to Dr. Karen Melton of Hearing Care who filled in last minute for a speaker who was sick and talked about hearing loss. Dustin Tate of St. Francois County Ambulance District spoke about senior safety tips and what information is most important when calling 911. Tiffany Kramer of Mineral Area Monuments spoke about planning for end-of-life celebrations, which Skaggs said is an important topic that no one wants to talk about.
Faith Cowboy Church of Desloge provided a shuttle so seniors did not have worry about walking across the parking lot.
“We really appreciate them being our shuttle and bringing seniors to the door,” Skaggs said.
The event ended with music from J.B. Louis and the Legends.
The last senior expo of the year will be the Eureka Senior Expo from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 22, at The Timbers of Eureka, 1 Coffey Park Lane.
“If you haven’t been to a senior expo this year or if you’ve only been to one or two, you can’t miss this one,” Skaggs said. “And if you have been to all the other six expos this year, you can’t miss Eureka.”
Skaggs is excited about the grand prize for the Eureka Expo, which is a Springfield, Mo., adventure package that includes two tickets to the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium and two tickets to Dickerson Park Zoo, a Springfield swag bag and ballcap, and a BruMate tumbler for hot and cold beverages.