Story By Katie Hightower
On Jan. 22, the Jackson County Council on Aging hosted its 18th annual Senior Expo at the Goose Pond Civic Center in Scottsboro. A wide variety of vendors, organizations and service providers attended the event to share their resources with community seniors. One Love Hearing sponsored the free event.
The Senior Expo had a lower turnout this year, but it still attracted a lot of community members despite winter storm preparations and this year’s active flu season. Close to 350 people attended the event with 47 vendors. Jackson County COA Director Chad Coleman said he was in the process of moving the event to April next year.
Vendors at the event included One Love Hearing Center, CaptionCall, Huntsville Hospital Home Health, Mountain Lakes Behavioral Health, Devoted Health Plans, Hospice of North Alabama, NARFE, Complete Care Inc., First United Methodist Church, DeKalb Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, VIVA Health, Cloverdale, Raymond James, Jackson County Probate, Home Care Assistance, Jackson County Revenue Commissioner, Jackson County Sheriff, Scottsboro Lions Club, Jackson County EMA, As Close As Family, Alabama Hearing Center, Jackson County Master Gardeners, Broad Street Church of Christ, DeKalb Regional Medical Center Senior Care Unit, Rudder Funeral Home, Jackson County Home Health, Hospice of North Alabama, Family Guidance Center of Alabama, Northeast Alabama Health Services, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, CenterWell Home Health, First State Bank, VFW Post 6093 and Auxiliary, Scottsboro Funeral Home, Legacy of Hope, Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, Shepherd’s Cove, Volt Gym, Aveanna Hospice, Jackson County Council on Aging, Aetna, Jackson County Solid Waste, UAB Medicine, Morris Pest Control, MMI Breast Center, Community Action and Humana.
Those who attended the event were treated to a free hot dog lunch and free live entertainment. Musicians at the event included Jimmy Ray and Elderberry Wine, Ken Morris and Harmony Sounds. George Petatis gave a Tai Chi demonstration to the crowd. Tables and chairs in the front of the auditorium near the stage filled up with an audience who looked forward to the entertainment. Door prizes were given away at the end of the event, including a $500 grand prize drawing.
Many seniors who attended the event looked forward to socialization and used it as an opportunity to connect with friends and have a good time while learning new things. Seniors benefited from the event through the many resources that were offered to them. Four individuals benefited from free eye screenings by the Scottsboro Lions Club. Jackie Graham from the club said the screenings play a vital role in the welfare of those screened.
“If people need to follow up with a doctor, then they have that information,” Graham said.
Jackson County COA Director Chad Coleman was pleased with the turnout.
“Thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 Jackson County Senior Expo,” Coleman said. “Your support, participation and enthusiasm made this event a great success.”
