GOACC Combines Events into One Large Weekend
By Barbara Arnstein
With a new name and in a new location, the Health Home Fitness Expo opens this Friday, April 22nd at the Good Times Events Center, 800 East State Street, Olean. The expo, presented by the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, will present countless ideas on enhancing your health and fitness and recreation. Show goers can talk to a number of area experts and learn about home, health, fitness and more –all in one place.
The EXPO will take place over the weekend of April 22-24 (Friday 5-9pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 10am-4pm). This year’s show will have no admission fee but all expo goers are encouraged to enter the basket raffles for $10/sheet. More than 50 items will be raffled off with most products or gift certificates for service from the expo vendors.
The vendors will be located on the main floor as well as the second-floor space. An elevator is available for those needing assistance. There will be many vendors to visit.
On Saturday – the first 200 customers to the expo will receive reusable grocery tote bags courtesy of the Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York. Sunday, the first 100 customers to the expo will receive either a flower pot or a basil pot courtesy of Miller’s Farm Market. Also, Cattaraugus County Health Department will have COVID TESTS available for free (to pick up) at their booth. GOACC booths will also be selling their chili vessels from their CHILI CRAWL as a fundraiser for WNY Heroes. Get yours at the show for $10 per vessel.
Here are the complete demo/workshop schedules: On Friday, April 22nd from 5-7pm you can join staff members at the Quick ArtMobile from St. Bonaventure University with plant art activities. Have a go at marbling flower pots, DIY mini-wreaths, and sun catchers. The ArtMobile provides access to the Quick Center’s collections of original works as well as quality art lessons and activities.
Also on Friday, April 22nd, from 6-6:30pm, there will be a fly-fishing demonstration. You can learn how to fly fish for trout, bass and much more there. Steve Skvarka, the demonstrator, is with the Kinzua Fly Fishing School, an instructional camp organized and taught by professional teachers who have years of fly tying, fly fishing, teaching and coaching experience.
The third event on Friday, from 7-7:30pm is a session with a Simulation Teaching Mannequin. It is a simulated anatomic human body which bleeds, cries, voids and talks. (You can imagine it has a lot to complain about!). Members are taught to insert a chest tube, perform an intubation and check vital signs.
On Saturday, April 23rd, from 11-11:30am, you can participate in Tai Chi exercising. Tai Chi involves a gentle yet effective series of slow movements that lead to better health and calm. The demo will begin with warm-up exercises and progress steadily.
Also on Saturday, between noon and 12:30pm, you can learn about the prevention and treatment of heart attacks. There will be tips about prevention and a discussion about how to stop a heart attack.
Another event on Saturday, between 1-1:30pm the Friday Fly Fishing demo will be repeated. From 2-2:30pm you can hear the inspirational speaker Suzy Woo, who will talk about how your thoughts impact your health. Using a spiritual, heart-centered model, Suzy coaches’ entrepreneurs, teams, groups and individuals to clear energy blockages, increasing flow, and joy in all areas of life! She will share what worked for her to rebuild her life and find success after enduring 22 years of domestic violence. Her message is to never lose hope, to realize how powerful you truly are, and to fully step into that power to lead an empowered, joyous, fulfilling life.
Additionally, on Saturday, between 3-3:30pm, you can learn about the signs & symptoms of a stroke, treatment options & prevention. Every second counts if you or someone you love is having a stroke. A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Just a few hours can make the difference between recovery or learning to walk and talk all over again, or even death.
On Saturday between 3-4pm, you can learn more about fly fishing. If you’ve always wanted to learn about fly fishing, but didn’t have the equipment, don’t miss the free demo class outside at the expo. If you have never been fly-fishing before, it is an excellent way to get a quick introduction to fly fishing with one of Kinzua Fly Fishing School qualified instructors. They will be demonstrating how to set up a rod, basic fly casting, flies, and some basic terminal tackle.
On Saturday between 4-4:30pm, you can learn all the dirt about composting, and easily learn how to make compost at home in just a few steps. That means soon you’ll be able to enjoy the many benefits of home composting, which includes living an eco-friendlier lifestyle and creating healthier soil for your garden. The speaker will also touch on food waste prevention tips.
The final Saturday demo is from 5-6pm and deals with cupcake making. You can learn about materials and equipment required for cupcake designs, basic buttercream icing techniques, how to use pastry bags and piping methods, and the art of cupcake design. The demo is free, but you can make your own to take home for just $3.