SN50 and Better

The surest sign of spring in northern Illinois is the start of the season's senior expos. These events take place throughout the SN50 readership area and offer attendees an opportunity to mingle with peers, enjoy entertainment and demonstrations, receive free health screenings and education, and find information on numerous products and services most needed by the 50 and better crowd. SN50 is proud to sponsor the following events.

Active Senior Expo

Active Senior Expo, an event dedicated to inform, educate and entertain senior citizens, has announced it will again present six events in 2019. The first of six shows in the 2019 series was held March 6 at Embassy Suites in Naperville. Additional shows will be held at Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest on April 24; Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn on June 12; Holiday Inn Chicago North Shore in Skokie on July 24; William Tell Holiday Inn in Countryside on Sept. 11; and Atlantis Banquets in Arlington Heights in October. Show hours are 9am to 2pm.

Each event features hundreds of products and services for seniors. Offerings include health care, retirement communities, assisted living, financial, legal, insurance, estate planning, home care, travel, consumer products, government programs and more. Special attractions include free seminars, free health screenings, live entertainment and free prize drawings.

"We're excited to feature two new locations in our 2019 schedule: Naperville and Skokie," said Event Manager Bob Cycon. "The overall schedule gives seniors throughout the Chicago area opportunities to attend events in convenient, easy-to-reach locations.

"Once again, we're proud to have Senior News 50 and Better as our presenting sponsor. Pace Suburban Bus, the Regional Transportation Authority and Humana will be major sponsors for all events this year."

Entering its 18th year, Active Senior Expo has attracted over 350,000 seniors to its events.

Cycon expressed, "We thank all of the sponsors, exhibitors and attendees who make Active Senior Expo such a valuable event for all involved."

For further information, contact Silver Star Expositions at 630-620-6347; via email to activeseniorexpo@hotmail.com, or visit the website at www.activeseniorexpo.net.

Senior Celebration Day

The 31st annual Senior Celebration Day will be held on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Rod. in Arlington Heights.

This popular event will offer free health screenings, giveaways and informative exhibitors and presentations.

The celebration is a way to honor seniors in the community and recognize the meaningful ways they contribute to the quality of the community we live in.

AMITA Health, Northwest Community Healthcare and the Mount Prospect Lions Club will provide free health screenings.

Information will be available on home healthcare, assisted living, and services that are provided by local government agencies, local park districts, townships, healthcare systems, senior centers, and more.

"It's a lot of information all gathered in one place coupled with great entertainment and fun," said Lynndah Lahey of Wheeling Township, who serves on the Senior Celebration committee. "It is a very active, engaging event and a great opportunity to get information and make new friends."

Guests can stop by the Secretary of State table and get their I.D. or driver's license renewed.

Entertainment will be provided by the popular Peter Oprisko and the Dixieland Jazz Cats. Oprisko will belt out traditional adult pop and jazz tunes. The Dixieland Jazz Cats will welcome attendees with the spirit of New Orleans and Mardi Gras.

Ageless Grace by Amita Health will also return this year. Ageless Grace is a wellness and fitness program that consists of 21 simple exercise tools for people of all ages to help the body and mind.

A reduced-price lunch for $6 (cash) will be provided by Tailgate Catering. Bingo will also make a comeback this year.

Participants can also visit a prize table in order to enter drawings to receive a variety of prizes provided by several donors.

Tickets to the 31st annual Senior Celebration Day are available at the District 214 Community Education office, area senior centers and park districts, Wheeling and Elk Grove Townships, or at the door on the day of the event. For more information, call 847-718-7700 or visit www.ce.d214.org.

College of DuPage Senior Expo

College of DuPage Continuing Education will be hosting the annual Senior Expo "Wisdom, Wonder and Wellness" from noon to 4 p.m., March 31, in the Homeland Security Education Center, Room 1022, on the College's main campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Past expos have drawn up to 425 attendees.

During this free event, cosponsored by DuPage County Community Services, the Daily Herald and the COD Foundation, attendees will learn about resources and services of interest to adults 50 years of age and older in DuPage County. This event is designed to celebrate reinvention and to guide participants in aging and living well, and making the most of the second half of life. Free chair massages will be offered by the COD Professional Massage Clinic, refreshments will be provided, and attendees can enter to win one of several exciting raffle prizes.

This year's keynote, "Creating Transformational Change in Your Community and Life," is presented by philanthropy expert Lisa Dietlin and will share methods of success to create the change we want to see in our world, our community, and in our own lives.

The event once again aligns with Money Smart Week. Financially-focused speakers present throughout the day on topics including personal finance and investing, retirement options, Social Security, Medicare and budgeting. Attendees will also enjoy vendor exhibits offering information related to personal health and financial fitness, as well as one-on-one financial planning consultations by The Financial Planning Association of Illinois

In addition, this seminar will feature entertaining and informative breakout sessions on topics such as wellness and healing, brain health, technology and volunteerism.

According to Continuing Education Lifelong Learning Manager, Julie Konczyk, the annual event presents another opportunity for College of DuPage to serve the wants and needs of the Plus 50 community.

"We are so pleased to host this event," she said. "Serving the Plus 50 population is a priority at College of DuPage. This is a great chance for us to connect members of the community to all the wonderful opportunities, assistance and services available at College of DuPage and in DuPage County."

In addition to life-enriching educational opportunities, College of DuPage Continuing Education offers a variety of programs to lifelong learners in the area, such as free Lunch Break Lectures, special Plus 50 programming, collaborations with MAC theatrical and musical productions, and discounts for adults 55 and older.

The event is free and open to the public and registration is welcome but not required. For more information or to register for this event, call 630-942-2208 or email ce@cod.edu.

Maine Township MaineStreamers Swing into Spring Senior Expo

Maine Township MaineStreamers "Swing into Spring" Senior Expo is scheduled for April 25 in the Golf Mill Shopping Center in Niles. The 13th Annual Senior Expo has been a success over the years by showcasing a wide variety of senior services to nearly 2,000 annual visitors. The one-day event has a senior-friendly theme of "Springtime" and will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"Our senior community is a treasured resource of experience, information and support for Maine Township," Supervisor Laura J. Morask said. "The MaineStreamers continue to offer residents exciting, first-class events like the Senior Expo."

This event continues to be an excellent opportunity for the local business community to reach a concentrated audience of older, active adults looking for products and services to improve their lives. Exhibit space sells out every year and is going to be limited again in 2019 to only 75 display tables which are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Event sponsorships are also available ranging between $250 to $2,500.

Exhibit spaces are available for $300 for companies, $250 for non-profit organizations and for Golf Mill Shopping Center tenants. The expo will continue to be publicized in all the local news media and headlined in large mailings, as well as featured in Mainely News, the township newsletter with 55,000 circulation.

Call the MaineStreamer office at 847-297-2510, stop by Town Hall at 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge, or the visit website at www.mainetown.com to explore all the resources and services available to senior residents.

Palos Hills Community Health and Wellness Fair

Palos Hills Community Resource and Recreation will present its Community Health and Wellness Fair from 9 a.m. to noon April 26 at 8455 W. 103rd Street, in Palos Hills. Admission is free.

The event will feature blood pressure screenings, dental care information, visit with local representatives and information from RTA on reduced fare transit cards for seniors. Dozens of exhibitors also are expected, including University of Chicago/Ingalls Hospital, Palos Township, Plows Council on Aging, Illumident, Inc., Pace Suburban Bus, Jen Care Senior Medical Center, Comfort Keepers, and The Vitamin Shoppe, with more added daily.

For more information on attending or exhibiting, contact Sandy at 708-430-4500 or via email to sdemoor@paloshillsweb.org. You can also visit the website at www.paloshillsweb.org

North Riverside Senior Fair

The North Riverside Senior Fair will be held from 10am to noon on May 16. This free event, to be held at the Village Commons, 2401 DesPlaines Ave., is a great resource for seniors and caregivers.

There will be more than 50 representatives from retirement communities, government agencies, home healthcare, medical specialists, community groups, senior clubs, and trip planners. Learn about housing options and other senior services.

The fair will host the Secretary of State Mobile Unit from 10am to 2pm in the Community Room for state ID cards and drivers license renewals, and the state's unclaimed cash and property programs.

For more information, call 708-442-5515.

Elderwerks Education and Resource Fair

Elderwerks Educational Services, a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation, will hold its annual Elderwerks Education and Resource Fair - Planning to and Through Retirement at McHenry County College, 8900 US Highway 14, Crystal Lake on Aug. 14. Fair hours are 8:00 am until 3:00 pm.

Offerings include 12 classes involving health, finances and the legal aspects of aging; over 90 resource tables; live music; and free donuts, coffee and lunch for the first 400 attendees. The event is designed for older adults and seniors who plan on aging well. This is not your typical senior fair!

Resource booths will be open from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. Exhibitors are still being accepted. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities receive benefits including first choice of booth location and promotion on flyers and posters being created for the event.

For more information, call 847-462-0885 or via email to events@Elderwerks.org

Senior Lifestyle Expo

The 24th Annual Senior Lifestyle Expo, a two-day event, will be held Aug. 20 and 21 the Drury Lane Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In celebration of the 200th birthday of Illinois, attendees will enjoy fun and colorful entertainment, historical presentations and so much more. There will be games and attractions, educational seminars, health and wellness screenings and, most importantly, the largest gathering of exhibitors in the area. The Senior Lifestyle Expo provides the ultimate marketplace showcasing all of the best places, products, services and specialties available specifically to older adults. Businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the Expo should visit www.SeniorLifestyleExpo.org or call 312-540-9700.

The Expo is hosted by the Agency on Aging Northeastern Illinois and will feature a new addition this year, the Tech Connect Ballroom. The Crystal Ballroom will become a high-tech showroom for various technology companies specializing in products geared toward older adults. There will be demonstrations so attendees can see the product, how it works and possibly try it out themselves. Products might include ones that keep older adults connected to loved ones, caregivers, healthcare professionals and emergency services.

Expo tickets alone are $3 at the door. A $1 discount coupon and online survey for a free ticket are available online. Your Expo ticket is good for both days.

In conjunction with the Expo, a free Family Caregiver Seminar will also take place at 6pm Aug. 20. Look for all of the details on this event and the Senior Lifestyle Expo in the August issue!

For more information, visit www.SeniorLifestyleExpo.org or call 630-293-5990.

Lifescape Senior Expo

Lifescape Senior Expo is the largest event for older adults in Northern Illinois. This year's expo will be held from 9am to 3pm Sept. 7 in the Physical Education Center at Rock Valley College.

The Lifescape Senior Expo is expected to draw thousands of caregivers, working adults, and adults approaching retirement age, as well as the organization's traditional audience of older adults. The Lifescape Senior Expo provides a great opportunity to showcase information, services and products for older adults and their families.

Dan Hampton will be the guest speaker at this year's expo. With the expo being held at the start of one of the most anticipated Bears seasons in the history of the franchise and Rockford being home of unwavering Chicago sports fans, event organizers decided Hampton is the perfect guest speaker. Hampton is a retired Hall of Fame American football defensive tackle who played twelve seasons for the Chicago Bears from 1979 to 1990 in the National Football League. In 1985, his team won Super Bowl XX over the New England Patriots. Hampton will discuss his time as a professional athlete as well as the importance of health and wellness as a retired professional athlete. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Hampton and receive an autograph.

Potential exhibitors may register for the event by visiting www.lifescapeservices.org/lifescape-senior-expo-2019/

For more information, contact Zach Satterlee via email to zsatterlee@lifescapeservices.org, or call 815-963-1609.