There will be plenty to do at the South County Senior Expo slated for 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, May 1, at the Kennedy Recreation Center, 6050 Wells Road in St. Louis County.
In addition to free doughnuts and coffee, an array of activities will be held, including two sessions of free bingo; live music and dancing; entertaining speakers and informational displays.
“These events are designed for seniors to come to one place and find all the resources they need,” Katelynn Mary Skaggs, digital marketing manager for Leader Publications. “From looking into health care options, planning their estate, getting home improvement projects completed, talking with bankers, getting information from the health department, planning vacations, and so much more. While all our vendors offer helpful information to seniors, the event is also fun. We play bingo and end the event dancing to some live music. “
Admission is free for the event, which is the second of six expos Leader Publications is holding this year for people 50 and older. Seniors from St. Louis and Jefferson counties and beyond are encouraged to attend.
Skaggs is very excited about the senior expo.
“Senior Expo days are the best days,” she said. “When the seniors arrive with a big smile on their face, it makes me grin from ear to ear. This is a totally new event and new expo, so you won’t want to miss it.”
The schedule for the morning looks like this:
■ 8 a.m. – Doors open; free coffee and doughnuts will be available, courtesy of Leader Publications. Vendors will be on hand with a wide variety of goods and services of interest to seniors. Many will offer giveaways and drawings for free items. Smart attendees will bring pre-printed address labels to simplify entering drawings, filling out forms or requesting information.
■ 8:30 a.m. – YMCA Instructor will teach you a workout you can do from your chair.
■ 9 a.m. – First session of free bingo will be played in front of the stage. St. Louis Police Officer Cecilia Young will call bingo.
■ 9:30 a.m. – Paramedic Nick Marty of Mehlville Fire Protection District will share safety tips for seniors.
■ 10 a.m. – St. Louis Police Officer Cecilia Young will preside over a second session of free bingo, with prizes of gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants.
■ 10:30 a.m. – Thad Ortman of South County Senior Law and Estate Planning Center LLC will share tips and tricks for planning your estate.
■ 11 a.m. – The grand prize and other prizes will be announced.
■ 11:15 a.m. – TheJ.B. Louis and the Legends band will perform.
■ Noon – Expo closes.
“I don’t believe we have ever had a police officer call bingo,” Skaggs said. “This specific police officer is a dear friend of mine and I believe she will be an excellent bingo caller. She is sweet and kind, but not afraid to keep any unruly bingo players in line.”
She is looking forward to hearing from the speakers.
“Thad Ortman of South County Senior Law and Estate Planning Center will talk about tips for planning your estate and he is full of good knowledge,” Skaggs said. “We will also have a paramedic from Mehlville Fire talking about senior safety and I always learn something while listening to these sessions. “
Prizes
Expogoers may register at the Leader booth for a chance to win the grand prize: A two-night stay at Echo Bluff State Park’s Lodge nestled along Sinking Creek near Eminence; or the (not-so) mini grand prize: Two tickets to a Monday-Thursday St. Louis Cardinals home game by Aug. 31 (exclusions and blackout dates apply.)
There is a limit of one entry per person, and you must be present to win. Only those 50 or older are eligible to win, but the winner may take a guest of any age.
Photo contest winners
Rosemary Graham of Hillsboro won first place and $100 in the Leader Publications’ “Way Back When” Photo Contest in connection with the senior expo.
Readers 50 years and older were encouraged to send in photos from 1999 or earlier, featuring people, places or events. There was a limit of two entries per person.
Graham sent in a picture from 1968 of her sister-in-law, June, and nephew, Chucky.
“Whenever we wanted to get out of the city for a while, we would take a trip to Bentonville, Ark., to visit June on their chicken farm where they lived,” she said. “It was a nice getaway when we had extra time and a little extra gas money. We found fun, enjoyment, and relaxation where we could.”
The winning photos and as many more as space allows may be found in this special section. Remaining photos may be posted to the paper’s website at myleaderpaper.com.
Upcoming senior expos
The Leader puts on several senior expos throughout the year, which include music, bingo, prizes, guest speakers, entertainment and vendors representing local businesses and organizations.
More information will be available in upcoming editions of the Grand Times, which are published the Thursday before each event.
The following expos are planned from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays.
■ Festus Senior Expo, June 26, at the Festus R-6 Performing Arts Center.
■ West Side Senior Expo, July 24, at Northwest High School in Cedar Hill.
■ Arnold Senior Expo, Aug. 21, at the Arnold Eagles Hall.
■ Eureka Senior Expo, Oct. 16., at the Timbers of Eureka.
Businesses and organizations interested in securing a vendor space for any of these events can contact the Leader at 636-931-7560 or ads@leaderpublications.biz.
