Information on programs, services and resources available to older residents of Carbon County was served up, along with a free lunch, at the Senior Citizens Expo at the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company.

The 2026 edition of the yearly event, cohosted by state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, and state Sen. David Argall, R-Carbon/Schuylkill/Luzerne, was held Wednesday.

“I work hard with Sen. Argall to do this annually,” Heffley said. “It’s an accumulation of a year’s work to help seniors with a one-stop shop. It’s a great community.”

Tables with information filled the fire hall, with some setting up outside.

The Ladies Auxiliary of the fire company prepared the free lunch for everyone.

“We’ve been prepping for two days to make potato salad, macaroni salad and cookies,” President Chris Lilly noted. “Local businesses donate a lot of the ingredients.”

Hot dogs were the main dish, with chips and soda also available. Twenty-five volunteers helped with serving between 900 and 1,200 lunches.

Attendee Stephen Hrinkonigh said that he eats lunch first to fuel up so he’s energized to gather information. He also gets his free flu shot there every year.

The Penn State Extension was among the organizations on hand at the event. It offers classes in Master Gardening and has a gardening hotline on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

“We answer questions related to gardening, including questions about flowers, bugs and lawns,” trainee Jessica Knappenberger said. The hotline number is 570-325-2788.

The next online Master Gardener class starts on Oct. 1. Email jcv5092@psu.edu to enroll.

Helping seniors stay in their homes was the goal of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s table. Services are offered to assist with any kind of problems and help with socialization.

Deb Kunsman of Lehighton was “finding out what’s new” as she went to the many informative booths.

Gary Beaver won a T-shirt by spinning a wheel at Armored Life LLC. Prizes that could be won included pens and flashlights. Armored Life offer life insurance, health insurance and help with Medicare, owner Patty Gledhill said.

The Zion Church in Lehighton shared that every Wednesday starting at 4:30 it hosts a Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) class. “Check it out and see if you like it,” representative Maryann Corcione said. “We charge $1 monthly and $1 dollar each week you come.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Health was there to offer information on exercise, diabetes and healthy living. In addition, the department provided information about ticks, rabies, the flu and diet.

Deb deBeauclair, board member of the Friends of Beltzville State Park, was hoping that people learned about the activities and improvements that were done at the park.

“We are coping with the capacity issue and have put wheels on the docks,” she said. “Five acres have become a conservation area, replacing invasive species.”

Whether you were looking for information about local activities, hunting or fishing, saving for the future or just interested in general resources, the Senior Expo had it all, including a free lunch.