Women's expo welcomes hundreds
By Melody Brown-Peyton
Published in News on May 6, 2018 5:34 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Mothers, friends and family walk through the vendors set up in the Maxwell Center for the inaugural Wayne WOMAN Expo Saturday.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Betty Johnson sits up, relaxed, from a massage at the Skin Therapy Day Spa booth at the Wayne WOMAN Expo Saturday. She and her daughter Marie Best-Bunch, also pictured, attended the expo as an early Mother's Day
It was a day of pampering infused with a bit of professional networking as hundreds of women from Goldsboro and surrounding areas came out for the first Wayne WOMAN Expo on Saturday at the newly-completed Maxwell Center.
The women made their way through the doors and were met with brown and pink-trim tote bags handed out upon entering.
The first 50 woman to register in advance of the day's event received tote bags filled with an assortment of useful items, merchandise and branding materials donated by area businesses sponsoring the expo.
Lisa Jennett, along with her sister Shannon Scott and their mother Brenda Taylor, said the gift bags made for the perfect start to an early Mother's Day weekend.
Women shopped until they dropped -- nearly -- as they made their way through a host of vendors which offered some- thing for everyone.
Lucille Ulrich said that event was a lot of fun and well worth getting up early for.
"I hope that they make this an annual event. It is great having something like this in our area," she said.
The day began with a continental breakfast, where sponsor Wayne UNC Health Care experts led discussions on important women's health concerns.
Howard Whitfield, administrative director of rehab services, kicked things off with a demonstration on the proper way to stretch before the start of a workout.
"The proper stretching is paramount to a health start to any workout. By doing this, it reduces the chances of injuries," Whitfield said.
The warm-ups included neck rotations and leg stretches. Health officials recommend that before beginning a workout, a five to 10-minute warm is done.
Offerings inside the expo included health screenings, shopping and door prizes given away hourly.
Michelle Estrada, of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, put on a cooking demonstration promoting healthy eating.
Estrada served up a healthy dish of whole wheat pasta with pesto and vegetables. She said the dish will serve up to eight people and can be easily prepared in 30 minutes. The dish offers the recommended daily serving count of vegetables for women and only has 396 calories per serving.
It is recommended that women eat two cups of vegetables each day.
One of the many volunteers for the event, Torette Williams, said that it was a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact on the community.
The expo was all about meeting the needs of women, while also celebrating them. Women from all back- grounds filled the room and shared positive energy while making new friends.
Debra Simpson of Greenville said that it was a great event to connect and share with other women.
Kena Blain is the associate publisher of Wayne WOMAN magazine and the event's key organizer. Blain complimented The Maxwell Center staff, Wayne UNC Health Care and the additional sponsors for the vast efforts put into bringing the event about. She said that next year's event will be bigger and better.
"Over 600 women took part in this annual event. And next year, we are looking at making it a two-day event," she said.