Giveaways among Senior Expo excitement

Jack Keeter talks with nurse Linda Hodges with Rowan Regional Hospice Care about his blood pressure on Tuesday while he attended the Senior Expo at Salisbury Mall. Photo by Shavonne Potts, Salisbury Post

Craig Cox Jr., 2, joins in the dance with the Cabarrus County Senior Center Silverliners, who performed Tuesday during the Senior Expo at the Salisbury Mall. Photo by Shavonne Potts, Salisbury Post

The Cabarrus County Senior Center Silverliners perform Tuesday during the Senior Expo at the Salisbury Mall. More than 20 vendors participated in the event. Photo by Shavonne Potts, Salisbury Post

Carolyn and James File play a game of Bingo as Patsy Young, far right, looks on. The group attended the Senior Expo at the Salisbury Mall and stopped at the booth sponsored by Salisbury Gardens and Liberty Commons. Photo by Shavonne Potts, Salisbury Post

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

Jack Keeter stopped by the Salisbury Mall on Tuesday to pick up a gift and wound up sitting with a nurse getting his blood pressure checked.

The retired Catawba College professor wasn't aware the mall was hosting the Senior Expo.

Keeter said he had been meaning to have his pressure checked and thought since that service was available, he'd do it.

Twenty-six vendors participated in this spring expo. The event is co-sponsored by the Salisbury Post's Prime Time and the Salisbury Mall.

"I wanted to see the display," he said of the Rowan Regional Medical Center booth.

He went through cardiac rehabilitation not too long ago and stopped by to gather some information at the hospital's table.

Rowan Regional had two tables, one dealing with cardiac rehabilitation and the other with diabetes. The hospital always participates in the Senior Expo, said spoksewoman Zandra Spencer.

"Sometimes patients come by and get more information," she said.

Carolyn and James File usually attend the Senior Expo. On Tuesday, the couple decided to play bingo.

"We usually try to visit most all of the booths," Carolyn said.

She picks up literature and other pamphlets from the vendors.

James said he attends with his wife when he's not working.

His feeling about the event is, "if it's free, it's for me."

Many of the vendors have giveaways or door prizes for people who attend.

"I think it's a great idea. You get a chance to get familiar with the booths," Carolyn said.

In addition to playing bingo, they like the prizes from Chik-fil-a.

The two played bingo at a table set up by Salisbury Gardens and Liberty Commons. The two retirement facilities began hosting regular bingo sessions last year at the Salisbury Mall.

They started with fewer than 10 participants and now average about 40, said Kathleen Rooney of Salisbury Gardens. "It's a good way to reach out to the community," said Shirley Rye, of Liberty Commons.