Patty Hester and Kathy Hayes had a fun time posing with goofy hats and silly signs for pictures in a photo booth Thursdaylast during the “Positive Aging Expo” at the Richland county Fairgrounds.
The annual event, hosted by the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) District 5, had a “Back to the 50s” theme and included a day with a plethora of giveaways, vendors, free lunch, entertainment and door prizes.
Bev Rosich, community programs supervisor with the local AAA, said the event, in its fifth year, has grown every year.
“This event provides an opportunity for folks to have a one-stop-shop,” she said. “Wherever they might be in the aging spectrum, they can talk to vendors about homecare, assisted living, nursing home care, but also before they get to that point. If you’re a care-giver or if you’re recently retired and looking for some fun activities to do or maybe they just want to do some planning, so we have financial planners and banks here. We also have funeral homes, the end of life and hospice care here. So, we try to provide a wide variety of things. We believe in folks being educated on the front end before there’s a crisis.”
“Elvis’s lost brother,” Eric Bressi, an Elvis Presley impersonator, performed at noon for the seniors as some strolled through Fairhaven Hall collecting information, freebies, and nostalgic candy and treats, while chatting amongst each other. Everything was free of charge to the seniors although non-perishable food items were taken to be donated to Catholic Charities.
While Hester and Haynes looked through the table of goofy hats at the Mid-Ohio photo booth, they laughed at how their grown children would be embarrassed by their silly behavior.
“This is the first time I’ve ever did a photo booth,” said Hester. “It was a blast.”
Carol McKinney, who was decked out in a hot pink vinyl record poodle skirt and saddle shoes, said she lived in the 1950s and enjoyed dressing up for the event.
“I love 50s music and everything about the 50s,” she said. “This is a fun theme.”
Katie Allgire, director of Public Relations at Crestwood Care Center, 225 W. Main Street, Shelby, said she had fun sharing information about the rehabilitation center and extended care facility with seniors over age 60.
“This is a wonderful event where they get a chance to get out and enjoy themselves,” she said. “It’s also fun to dress up and interact with them too.
Rhalanda North, Candy Yacoub, Heidi Petererson and Sherrie Taulbe, employed by Continental Home Health Care, on Longview Ave., Mansfield, were all decked out in their poodle skirts, hot pink neckties and high pony tails.
North said they googled the 1950s to see what kind of candy and goodies they could share with the seniors.
“The moon pies are going quick,” she said with a smile. They also offered candy necklaces, Mary Jane candy, Dum-Dum suckers and Cracker Jack’s. They even borrowed an old-time mini juke box and milkshake/malt maker to coordinate their decorations with their outfits.
There was also a dance contest and a best costume contest, Rosich said. Popular dances of the 50s were the Jitterbug, the Twist and the Lindy Hop.
“We encourage people, couples and friends to get in there, have some fun and be a little goofy and take home a memory from today,” she said of the photo booth. “Hopefully this is a fun day for them.”
Twitter: @angelnichole222
