Health Expo - a success

“We’re delighted that so many people came out today to learn new things and to get the services of our exhibitors,” exclaimed a proud Victoria Schneps-Yunis, the Publisher of The Queens Courier chain of newspapers and chief organizer of the October 28 Health, Fitness & Wellness Expo at the Sheraton LaGuardia East in Flushing.
“I think we had the best turnout ever this year because we had such great speakers and people even pre-registered to attend. We got the word out in our newspapers, in El Correo de Queens, in The Queens Courier and in HealthWise magazine, that this was going to be something that was worth people taking time out of their busy Sunday to attend,” she said as the all-day event ended.
Schneps-Yunis was pleased that the Expo had something for everyone. From seminars on how to prevent colon cancer and osteoporosis, to exhibitors cooking up healthy cuisine and discussing innovative skincare treatments, there was a lot on the menu for those eager to adopt a healthier lifestyle or simply find an interesting way to spend a brisk autumn day.
The New Parkway Hospital table was a big hit at the Expo, giving out seventy-five free flu shots to people looking for a proactive approach to staying healthy this season.
Additionally, the raffling off of a pair of roundtrip airline tickets to anywhere in the U.S., courtesy of American Airlines, was a big draw. Cynthia Iza, of Douglaston, walked away the lucky winner. Iza called the Expo “a wonderful initiative,” adding, “I know [the Expo] is going to expand. I’m glad it came to Queens.” Iza will use the tickets to travel somewhere she has never been, such as Disneyworld.
The Expo provided learning experiences for those of various ethnicities and cultures, with a seminar and meditation instruction in Spanish provided by Science of Spirituality, as well as a Chinese presentation about Parker Jewish’s Chinese Adults Day Care Program.
Hugo, an Ozone Park resident who did not give his last name, visited the Expo with his son David. Speaking in Spanish, Hugo explained that he came to his first Health, Fitness & Wellness Expo, “to learn more about life and spirituality.” He praised the Expo for teaching how to attain “tranquility of the body and of the spirit.”
Elizabeth Aloni, a life, relationship, and career coach, and founder of Ejoy Coaching, flew in from Chicago to lead a group coaching session at the Expo. After her seminar, Aloni explained that people seemed excited to learn “that they can meet someone without having to change themselves dramatically, by being happier and being more sure of themselves.”
“I came here because I’m really not a healthy person,” said Harriet Reynolds, of Ridgewood, who is struggling with her weight. “I have a lot of problems with my back, my neck, my hands. I have diabetes that is really out of control and I’m just trying to find any way to make my life better,” she explained, adding that she was very pleased with the meditation instruction and some of the seminars led by doctors. “I’ve been here since it first opened,” she said.
Alfred Weissman, who was “born in Vienna, grew up in England and now [is] in Flushing,” came to the Expo because “I want to live another 150 years,” he said laughing, before quickly adding, “with her,” referring to his wife Claire, standing beside him. “We’re interested, we wanted to see what it was all about,” she added, smiling.
The 2007 Health, Fitness & Wellness Expo truly was an event for the ages - and one geared toward the multitude of cultures and diverse interests of the people of Queens.