Anna Gavin of Sharon Hill (left) is greeted by Sen. Williams and wife Shari Williams as she arrives at the Mind, Body and Spirit Expo.
Folcroft, August 25, 2011– Nearly 200 vibrant and enthusiastic area seniors attended the Mind, Body and Spirit: Navigating Life After 50+ Expo presented by state Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-Phila/Delaware) in partnership with the Darby Community Development Center. The expo, held at Delaware County Technical School in Folcroft, was truly a unique event. It provided Delaware county residents with an opportunity to get up and move to music at line dancing classes as well as to interact with legal, financial, consumer and Social Security experts. The holistic approach to helping navigate life after 50 proved to be a hit with those that attended the daylong seminar.
“I am also a Baby Boomer,” said Williams in his welcoming remarks. “Now that I am in my fifties I have a greater appreciation of the importance of paying attention to my health and overall well-being. I urge everyone here to do the same.” Following Williams’ remarks the attendees fanned out to take part in a wide array of activities and workshops including Zumba, low-impact exercises, weight training, nutrition, Social Security information, financial security, mental and physical health, home security, energy deregulation and legal advice.
According to Jean Kristie the drive to the expo was worthwhile. The Folsom resident who attended the expo with her husband US Navy veteran James Kristie had longstanding questions about her Social Security benefits.
“I have been collecting Social Security benefits for three years and I found out today that there is some useful and beneficial information I didn’t know,” said Kristie. “There is a lot of information and assistance for seniors but sometimes it can be very confusing and overwhelming so seminars like this are very helpful.”
Kristie also attended a low stress exercise workshop. “Until today I had no idea that there was such a thing as low-impact exercise. This is great information. I am glad we came.”
While getting valuable legal and financial advice was the focus of some attendees, for Folsom’s Dot Wadlinger it was a chance to get up and dance.
“I loved the line dancing class,” said the energetic Wadlinger. “I have enjoyed line dancing with Ronnie Williams before. This seminar was practically right in my backyard there was no way I was going to miss a chance to line dance with her again. She is a great instructor. I absolutely loved it.”
As Baby Boomers age events like this will become even more common and necessary.
“The 8th Senatorial District is home to a great number of mature citizens, many of whom are facing an increasingly complex world and need guidance navigating it,” said Williams.
In fact, in the Delaware County segment of the district, one in five residents is age 50 or older. In areas such as Yeadon and Glenolden, one in four residents is 50 or older. In Ridley Park, it’s closer to one in three, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
“While this area has a larger population of older citizens, as today’s event demonstrates, they are a smart, health conscious and active group of people,” said Williams.
Continuing with the holistic theme, the day ended with each attendee receiving environmentally friendly and reusable cloth grocery bags filled with fresh fruit and vegetables and resource information.
“It was a great day,” said Williams. “As our population ages, I will continue to be a resource and strong advocate for our seniors.”
For more information about upcoming events, including the Saturday Sept. 3 Summer of Peace 2011 Cookout in Eastwick Park, please visit www.senatoranthonyhwilliams.com or call (215) 492-2980.
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