Members of da Upper Yoopers’ Barbershop Chorus sing to attendees of the Senior Citizens Expo held by The Mining Journal at the Holiday Inn of Marquette Tuesday. The free event featured numerous speakers, a free lunch, raffle prizes and even a can drive to support local food banks. (Journal photo by Cecilia Brown)

MARQUETTE — A diverse array of topics including breathing techniques, helping those with dementia live in the moment and community resources for seniors were covered by local experts who presented during Tuesday’s Senior Citizens Expo held by The Mining Journal at the Holiday Inn of Marquette.

Beyond the presentations and speakers, the event offered attendees a chance to socialize, enjoy free lunch and even win raffle prizes throughout the day, organizers said.

Senior Citizens Expo attendees also received a special surprise before the lunch hour — a visit from members of da Upper Yoopers’ Barbershop Chorus.

The chorus sang several songs and invited the audience to participate on classics such as “The Star Spangled Banner.” They also provided information on how attendees can get involved with the group.

The group includes nearly 20 men and women who aim to “create harmony in our community,” said da Upper Yoopers’ Barbershop Chorus President Marlina Martinez. It also supports youth in musical endeavors, takes part in highway cleanups and shares the gift of song at many events.

Overall, organizers were glad to provide a day of speakers, lunch, music and more for local seniors, Mining Journal Interim Publisher Ann Troutman said, noting she was grateful for the “awesome turnout.”

“The barbershop chorus was great and the speakers have been wonderful,” she said. “It’s been a really nice event.”

Senior Expo presenters included Carla Skaates and Anja Hoffstrom of Superior Dental Care, who spoke about senior dental care; Cathy Ruprecht of UP Health System Rehab Services, who delivered a talk titled “Breathing Techniques: Let’s catch a breath”; Marquette Senior Services Manager Maureen McFadden, who told attendees about what’s going on at the Marquette Senior Center; Della Slavsky, clinical coordinator and program lead at Upper Peninsula Health Plan, who spoke about care management services; Brian Gaudreau of Brookridge Heights Assisted Living, who delivered a talk titled “Dementia — Living in the moment”; Dr. David Shahbazi of UP Health System-Marquette, who spoke about helping your doctor help you get the best medical care; Cynthia Nyquist of U.P. Home Health and Hospice, who presented “Keeping high quality health care local”; Dr. John Kublin of Eye Associates, who spoke about eyes, health and disease; and Mark Canale of Canale Tonella Funeral Homes, who delivered a talk on funeral pre-planning.

The event also collected canned goods to support local food banks by encouraging attendees to bring a canned or dry good with them.

For more information about da Upper Yoopers’ Barbershop Chorus, visit upperyoopers.org. The group meets at 6:15 p.m. Thursdays at the First United Methodist Church at 111 E. Ridge St., Marquette.

Cecilia Brown can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is cbrown@miningjournal.net.