The Active Aging Two-Day Expo returned last week with information and activities both days.
Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) and the Town of Amherstburg jointly promoted the expo last Friday and Saturday at the Libro Centre. Friday’s activities included over 40 local vendors and a free lunch for visitors who stopped by at least 15 of them, free tastings from local wineries and breweries, demonstrations and entertainment and health and wellness presentations.
It was more of a sports and fitness-related Saturday, with Pilates, Zumba, badminton, body forging with Coach Kevin Philion, pickleball and “Golden Games on the Turf” available for people to try.
Trese MacNeil, the town’s manager of recreation services, said Friday it was going well. She tracked 80 people in the first 40 minutes that the expo was open. Of the 40-plus vendors, MacNeil said there was something for everyone from retirement homes to government officials to the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex, Garage Gym and Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, among others.
“What is different this year is we have a little bar area with breweries and distillers providing samples,” said MacNeil, noting Amherstburg-based The Blond Coach Bar was on site.
Culinary students from North Star High School were also walking around the building serving hors d’oerves.
Presentations and demonstrations were on a variety of topics including fall prevention and the importance of physical activities for seniors. Keeping older adults active and engaged socially was important, added MacNeil.
“In addition, having this all going under one roof and being able to provide information and a list of services is important for older adults,” said MacNeil.
ACS executive director Kathy DiBartolomeo agreed the expo went well, and said it “was nice partnered with the Town of Amherstburg for this event.”
DiBartolomeo said for seniors to come to one place and get the information and services they need was key, noting they can socialize, mix with vendors and learn new things all in one place. She said seniors could get one-on-one time with service providers and get their questions answered.
“I think they can go at their own pace and get the information they’re seeking,” she said. “It’s such a great event.”
There are many people who are surprised at the amount of services that are available locally, she added.
The main goal of the expo is to keep seniors happy and living in their own homes as long as possible, DiBartolomeo added. She said ACS knows of many seniors who want to get out and meet new friends and socialize with one another.
The Active Aging Two-Day Expo was funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors program.
ACS, town co-present Active Aging Two-Day Expo at the Libro Centre
By Ron Giofu
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