Variety attracts visitors to lifestyle exposition

February 04, 2002

Variety attracts visitors to lifestyle exposition

By RICHARD F. BELISLE / Staff Writer

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - There was a lot going on Saturday morning at Waynesboro Area Senior High School.

Visitors could eat pancakes and sausage, pick up information on funeral planning, banking, assisted living, kitchen countertops, insurance, sending cargo overseas by ship, get legal advice or shake hands with Rosalyn V. Menon, Miss Pennsylvania 2001.

The sixth annual Community Lifestyle Exposition was in the high school gym. The expo was held in conjunction with the Waynesboro Lions Club's annual sausage and pancake breakfast next door in the school cafeteria.

"The two events feed off each other," said Carol Henicle, executive director of the Greater Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce. Those who come for the Lions' breakfast usually visit the expo and vice versa, she said.

The Waynesboro Vision 2015 held its annual sports equipment exchange and giveaway in the hallway between the gym and cafeteria. Parents bring in their children's outgrown sports equipment and either leave it to be given away or exchange it for equipment that fits their growing children.

About 30 exhibitors - from area nonprofit groups to retail, financial and service businesses to manufacturing companies - set up booths in the school gym.

A constant stream of visitors passed by or stopped at the booths all morning.

Henicle said the yearly event usually draws from 900 to 1,000 visitors.

Miss Pennsylvania was one of the biggest attractions.

Her trip to Waynesboro was sponsored by Long Jewelers Inc., of 26 W. Main St.

Menon said it was her first visit to Waynesboro. Her 14-carat gold crown, valued at $29,000, was nearly as big a hit as she was. She posed for photos with the crown on her head and put it on the heads of little girls as she posed with them.

Menon, of Hazleton, Pa., became Miss Pennsylvania in June. She graduated from Brown University with a degree in English last year.

Menon said serving as Miss Pennsylvania is a full-time job for a year. Saturday's visit is typical of her duties.

"The best part of this is meeting the people," she said.

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