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Education a big part of home, garden show

Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / Lezzer Lumber sales associate Chris Smith (right) demonstrates replacement window features for Mary Kough of Fallentimber during the Home and Garden Show at the Jaffa Shrine Center on Friday. The show continues from noon until 4 p.m. today.

The Blair County Home and Garden Show is a great place to meet different kinds of building contractors and landscapers.

However, there are many other types of vendors among the more than 130 who are participating in the 49th show at the Jaffa Shrine Center sponsored by the Blair County Chamber of Com­merce and Blair-Bedford Builders Association.

One vendor is hoping to expand business into the Blair County area.

“We are looking for business and people to represent us. I think this is a great area for us,” said Jack Unger, regional vice president for Metro Public Adjustment Inc., Bensalem. “We represent homeowners in the insurance claims process. Our job is to make sure the homeowner gets what he is supposed to receive. We want to educate people about insurance. We explain to the homeowners how insurance works.”

The American Cancer Society also has a booth at the show.

“We are trying to raise some money by selling candy bars and bracelets. We are here to help raise money for Relay For Life,” said Autumn McLucas, a member of “A Team.” “We want to get the word out about Relay For Life and make money for our team.”

Education is a big part of the show.

“We like to talk to families about how to be better prepared in case of a fire. We want to see as many people as we can and set up some appointments and educate, educate, educate,” said safety adviser Colton Wagner of Pro Fire Safety, Mill Hall, which sells fire prevention and detection products.

“We are here to help the gardeners, make them aware of invasive bugs. We want to let people know we are out here and let them know how they can use our services,” said Jim Dixon, a volunteer for Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Blair County.

Many vendors participate in the show to “get their name out there.”

“We want to promote our services to anyone who is looking for them. We offer all kinds of cleaning services. We can provide weekly, bi-weekly or monthly services,” said Tia Ramos, sales and marketing representative for Merry Maids of Duncansville. “We just want to make sure everyone knows we are available if they need our help.”

“I am not a native of Blair County. I am trying to meet more people in the community,” said Vicki Karns of Altoona, an Edward Jones financial adviser. “I want to let people know I am out there. I am meeting lots of nice people. They seem interested in what I am doing.”

Lisa Carper of Tyrone is a Tupperware independent consultant.

“Tupperware is a well-known company, and it is a good product. People sometimes don’t recognize it is around and this gives me good exposure. I hope to meet some new customers and date some parties,” Carper said.

Angelina Long, a ReMax Realtor, is trying to steer people to Deer Meadow, a 55-plus gated retirement community in Frankstown Township.

“This is a good way to get our name out there in front of people, people who may have not thought of Deer Meadow. We are holding an open house from 12-3 today in conjunction with the show so they can go out and see Deer Meadow,” Long said.

Jeff Leaper, owner of Jeff’s Jams and Salsas of Howard, is on hand to promote fundraising.

“We do a lot of fundraisers to help people out who want to raise money for good causes and make some sales at the same time. A lot of people are struggling to raise money. We do things to help them,” Leaper said.

The show runs from noon to 4 p.m. today. Admission is $3 per person; 12 and younger are admitted free.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.

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