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Come down to the Life Enrichment Expo

By Debbie Gardner

PRIME Editor



It's that time of year again! Time to come and see the best of what the Pioneer Valley has to offer at the 16th annual Life Enrichment Expo, presented by the Springfield Jewish Community Center (JCC) and PRIME Magazine, a division of Reminder Publications, Inc.

The event, scheduled for April 26, will once again take place at the Basketball Hall of Fame in downtown Springfield.

According to show coordinator Nancy Posnick of the JCC, 60 exhibitors showcasing everything from the latest in eye surgery and holistic health trends to retirement planning and the best addresses for all-inclusive living will fill the Hall of Fame's MassMutual room from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the day of the Expo.

As always, admission and parking to the Life Enrichment Expo are free, and the facility is handicapped accessible. Posnick said People's Bank, WMAS AM and NovaCare Rehabilitation are the major sponsors of this year's event.



You'll be entertained

Among the highlights of this year's Expo are a return of the two popular strolling entertainments.

According to Posnick, the Expo has invited back the talented singers from the JCC's teen theater group, Theatrix, to entertain show-goers with a repertoire of show tunes.

"They were fabulous last year. Everybody loved them," Posnick told The Reminder.

D'va Coutour is also returning with its popular walking fashion show, featuring local women modeling the latest in styles for spring.

"It was received extraordinarily well . everyone really liked it," Posnick said.



You'll be enlightened

Posnick said this year's show will also offer a new slate of screenings and seminars.

For example, Dr. Henre Andosco will be offering a screening titled "Spine, Posture and Foot Analysis." Posnick said Andosco is a new exhibitor this year.

In addition, the following free, informative seminars will be conducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame auditorium:

At 11:30 a.m. Novacare will present a seminar titled "Slips, Trips and Falls."

"We'll be talking about safety tips for the home, cues that you are in danger of falls, and how physical therapy can help you avoid trip-ups," Stephen Davis, NovaCare center manager told The Reminder.

At 1:30 p.m., Novacare will return with a second seminar on "Peripheral Neuropathy."

"We'll be discussing using infrared treatment to increase blood flow to alleviate symptoms," Davis said.

And at 2:30 p.m., the tech experts from the JCC SeniorNet will give you tips on how to dazzle your friends with a vacation photo slide show in a seminar titled "Wouldn't You Like to See the Pictures of My Trip?"

Posnick said all three seminars are scheduled to last an hour.

"Look for the signs," she said.



You'll be informed

Show-goers will also find plenty of tips on living their best life in every aisle of the Expo. Posnick said she wanted to welcome new exhibitors Balin Eye Center, Easthampton Chiropractic, Mercy Blood Donor Bank and Hampden Bank to this year's show. She also wanted to thank longtime exhibitors Reed's Landing, Baystate Senior Class, Jewish Geriatric Services, Avada Hearing Care Center , Neuro-Psychology Associates and Jewish Family Services for their loyalty to the annual event.

Among the other companies joining this year's Expo are: East Village Place, Emizian Mariano & Associates, the Weldon Center at Mercy Medical Center, the Loomis Communities and Byron-Hafey Funeral Home.

Information on Medicare plans will be available from Tufts Health Plan Medicare Preferred and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

In addition to presenting seminars, Novacare will also have longtime physical therapist Claudia Paulette on staff in their booth to discuss physical therapy programs and needs with show-goers.

"She'll be there to answer any questions visitors have about physical therapy," Davis said.

And, once again this year, King Ward and Mohegan Sun Casinos will be on hand to help people plan their day trips.