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Western Mass. Women’s Expo returns to MassMutual Center |
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SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Medical Center will host the Western Mass Women’s Expo 2011 on Sept. 10 and 11 at the MassMutual Center.
More than 120 of the region’s finest companies and organizations will be on hand featuring products and services in the fields of health and wellness, acupuncture, nutrition, fashion, beauty, jewelry and accessories, psychic readings, entertainment and cuisine, financial planning and real estate, spas and salons, hardware, travel and much more.
“This is a weekend for women and about women,” Jay Appleman of Red Stone Promotions said. “The expo offers something for everyone, moms, daughters, grand moms, big sisters and little sisters, married, or single — whatever your status or interests.”
A day of pampering at the Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club in Lenox will be given away during the expo, Appelman said. Attendees can sign up at the show for the drawing.
Appleman said this is not the average expo. Educational seminars, fashion shows, hair makeovers and cooking demonstrations are among the special features.
Dr. Steven Schonholz, medical director of Mercy’s Breast Care Center, will talk about issues relating to breast health and cancer, and answer questions from the audience. He is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. on both days of the expo.
Schonholz will be covering several topics including hereditary breast cancer.
“If it runs in the family, there is certain criteria [under which] we would test people for a genetic mutation that can pass it on from mother to son or daughter and even father to son or daughter that can cause an increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer,” he said. “If somebody has that mutation, it changes the type of screening that they have and even surgery. For example, mammogram screening would start at about the age 25, instead of at 40.”
Schonholz will also cover the facts and fallacies of breast cancer. He said many times people are not clear on what is and what is not a risk for causing cancer.
“Another thing we’ll be talking about is lymphedema, the swelling of the arm after surgery,” he said. “We have a device that is able to pick that up before you can even see it. By treating it early you can prevent the long-term complications of arm swelling and infection with minimal treatment.”
Nancy Dell of Nancy Dell and Associates Nutrition Counseling and also of “Food for Thought” nutrition news segments on WWLP-TV will host the seminar presentation, “Nutrition: Your Fountain of Youth.” The seminar is “about how the power of food can actually slow the aging process,” Dell, a registered dietitian, said.
“I’m sure many people know someone who you’d say, ‘Oh, you don’t look your age,’ and somebody that may look older than their age. What we put into our bodies has a lot to do with that,” she said.
Jeff Rock of Swift River Coaching will talk about “Three Steps to a Winning Personal Brand.” Other seminars will be given by AARP, Abundant Wellness Center, Healthtrax, Sandi Lanigan Interiors, Shapes to Wellness, TD Bank, and Zumba & Artistic Dance.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to get a new hairstyle for the fall from Paul DiGrigoli’s Artistic Team.
“This is a great time for someone who wants a new look for the fall and winter,” DiGrigoli said. “We’re giving trims, but we’re also giving transformations. In addition, we can talk about the condition of the hair. Some might call it a mini consultation.”
The haircuts at the expo are $10. This is a great value since the haircuts normally cost $40. DiGrigoli said basic manicures will also be offered for $10.
DiGrigoli recommends that people planning to get a haircut should wash their hair beforehand. At the expo, their hair will be wet down with a water bottle by the stylist, DiGrigoli said, who also operates the DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology.
“We’re very excited about this show,” he said. “We’re very excited to be a part of it. The show is going to be very successful. It’s not your typical show.”
The expo will also feature two fashion shows.
Fashion stylist Debbie Wright will emcee the shows and It’s All About Me in Hampden, will provide the outfits. She said the shows will be borrowing the theme: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!”
“It’s going to be a mix of fall fashions. There will be something for every occasion,” Wright said, adding that they will share tips on “what key pieces you need to make the most out of your fall wardrobe.”
Wright, whose style reports can be seen on WFSB’s Better Connecticut and heard on 96.5 TIC-FM on Damon Scott’s show, said she helps “women look their best for any shape, lifestyle, or budget.”
Diane Merrick, owner of It’s All About Me, said, the shows will feature “clothes that are fashionable and flattering and affordable. We’re going to try to show color, how to dress your body for what it is now. That’s a big focus, dressing your shape.”
Cooking demonstrations will be presented by three Springfield restaurants: 350 Grill, Nadim’s Mediterranean Restaurant & Grill, and Scapade’s.
“We’ve packed in quite a lot for the two days,” Appleman said. “I’m sure everyone will find products, services and presentations to educate and entertain. Maybe even that perfect little gift for the hard-to-please, or even yourself.”
The expo hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 10 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 11.
Tickets are $10 at the door. A portion of the expo’s proceeds will be donated to Mercy’s Breast Care Center.
For more information, visit www.westernmasswomensexpo.com.
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