The Great Bend Tribune’s second-annual Central Kansas Health and Wellness Expo set for Saturday, Jan. 11, is a multi-faceted event touching on a wide range of topics to improve one’s life. 

It will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St. Admission will be free to the public due to the financial support of the vendors.

“There are many aspects to health and wellness,” said Mary Hoisington, publisher of the Tribune which is sponsoring the event. “These range from mind and body to finances and fitness.”

Vendors and speakers at the expo will present information on the many resources available in the community, she said. “There are many new and cutting-edge technologies as well as new approaches to help us improve our lifestyles and health. We want to give people the tools they need to meet their goals.”

In addition, vendors have the opportunity to offer information on topics concerning the health and wellness of our community.  

Lunch will be available from Great Bend Coffee. The Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau will provide a free coffee bar for attendees.

Besides having booths and topics for men and women, the expo will offer activities for kids. 

The Great Bend Recreation Commission invites children to stop by its Imagination Playground. Imagination Playground is an innovative playground equipment system that encourages learning, social development and movement. 

In addition to the exhibitors, those attending the expo will have the opportunity to sit in on several speaker presentations. These include: 

• 11:30 a.m. – Curtis Wolf, Kansas Wetlands Education Center

His topic will be Bird Watching 101. He will discuss some of the basics of bird watching, including what to look for, binocular use and field guide use. There will also be an interactive part where participants will be able to put their skills to the test.

• Noon – Melanie Schroeter, University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus

She will discuss dizziness, balance and vestibular.

• 12:30 p.m. – Berny Unruh, Great Bend-based family and consumer wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District

She will focus on getting organized and reducing stress as part of a healthier lifestyle.

• 1 p.m. – Kristian Pearson, the Center for Counseling and Consultation based in Great Bend

His topic: What is mental health first aid?

• 1:30 p.m. – Dr. Mark Fesen, Central Care Cancer Center in Great Bend 

His topic will be lung cancer and smoking cessation.

• 2 p.m. –Barry Bowers, Spectrum CPA Partners in Great Bend

He will discuss social security, the income limitations, income tax issues and other considerations. Social Security has a lot of rules and you need to know some of the basics to ask the correct questions when you meet with them.

• 2:30 p.m. – Pharmacist Preston Moore, Hyatt Life Sciences of Sterling

He will give an overview of the company, dietary supplements and Afaya, a mixture of black calla lily and other extracts used as an herbal treatment.

3 p.m. – Dr. Sam Beugelsdijk, a Great Bend chiropractor.

He will present on the iTrack chair, used for treating neck problems by realigning the neck’s natural curvature through a series of traction treatments.