VALDOSTA — The South Georgia Senior Living Showcase presented by The Valdosta Daily Times Saturday was a huge success, entertaining more than 500 participants at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center on Saturday.

Claire Spriggs and Marie Wood were back for their fifth year attending the senior showcase as models in the fashion show with clothing provided Fads ‘N Fashions and just for entertainment. “This is our fifth year,” said Spriggs. “We’re the only two participants in the fashion show to wear three outfits because they know we are quick change artists.”

“We always enjoy the senior showcase,” said Wood, “We gave away pins and scarfs while on stage and bought a lot of gifts from Pinstripes and Polkadots. If you didn’t attend, you missed a treat.” Joyce Ruis was also on scene and said, “If you didn’t attend, you missed a great time. There was something here for everyone not just seniors.”

Pinstripes and Polkadots, a fashion boutique in Lake Park that sells women’s luggage, hand bags, jewelry and more, was a big hit among many of people who attended the showcase. In its second year as a vendor at the South Georgia Senior

Living Showcase, owner Audrey Rogers, accompanied by co-owner Kasey McMahan, said that business was doing great. “We opened in November 2007, and this is a great opportunity for us to come out and meet people. A lot of people don’t know we’re down there in Lake Park so this was nice to raise the awareness about our store. It was a nice turnout, and we did well with sells,” said Rogers.

Pauline Crank, a transplant from Riverdale, New York, was pleased with her first time attending the South Georgia Senior Living Showcase. “I enjoyed the booths and seeing the old-fashion things that they had here,” said Crank. “I also enjoyed the fashion show and would have loved to have actually participated in it. Anything that brings joy to people, I like to do. And like Valdosta, this is my kind of town with the people and these types of events.”

Prudential Real Estate had several Realtors present as a vendor. Realtor Abigail Hughes was a first year participant as a vendor and was impressed with the turnout, participation and interest of the community. “I thought is was great. I loved the fashion show, and this was a very good opportunity for the company to get its name and business out in the community. We’ve been really busy.”

During the South Georgia Senior Living Showcase, Eva T. Rucker, a foster grandparent, and Bert Powell, initiator of Honor Flight South Georgia, were honored with the Edith D. Smith Super Citizen Award.

Hyundai of Valdosta, Davita and Hospice of South Georgia were a few of the many vendors present at the South Georgia Senior Living Showcase.

Southern Landing, a lifestyle community coming to Lake Park for active adults 55 or better, was a vendor at the showcase represented by Sandra S. Hayden and construction manager Scott Orenstein. “Southern Landing is geared up and scheduled for opening in the spring of 2009,” said Hayden. “We’ve had a great response today and a lot people were here last year and wanted information about the project again. We’ve had a really positive response and even with the economy, it’s still a go and many individuals are still highly interested.”

The new Southern Landing development will feature land reserved for conservation, including miles of walking trails that wind around a 40-acre lake, an amphitheater area, library and computer area, tennis courts, activity center and much more all behind the security of a gated entrance. For more information on Southern Landing, visit SouthernLanding.com.

For the young and those “55 or better,” as Hayden stated, the 2008 South Georgia Senior Living Showcase was great opportunity to have fun, shop, and get informed all under one roof, and many are already looking forward to next year’s event.