Business Expo draws a crowd

Spring-like weather ushered in the semi-annual Members’ Business Expo, held indoors March 25 at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge. Thirty-seven businesses of all types showed their best and catered to the senses at the evening expo, backed by live music. “This is by far the best booth,” 9-year-old Mariela Torres said as she played with an over-sized pen at the Life Without Limits booth.

Spring-like weather ushered in the semi-annual Members’ Business Expo, held indoors March 25 at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge.

Thirty-seven businesses of all types showed their best and catered to the senses at the evening expo, backed by live music.

“This is by far the best booth,” 9-year-old Mariela Torres said as she played with an over-sized pen at the Life Without Limits booth.

Sharon Andor, owner and occupational therapist at Life Without Limits, said her business is geared toward children from birth to 18-years-old.

“Occupational therapy incorporates all the senses,” she said of the different colors, textures and shapes of the toys on the table at her booth.

On the next aisle, Dr. Harry Turner enjoyed the sense of touch during a relaxing chair message, compliments of Kelly Jones, LMP of Indulgences, located inside North End Fitness Center.

Judging by the amount of traffic around the restaurant booths, aromatic culinary samples piqued participant’s sense of smell, proving to be a successful interest-inducing tactic. Appropriate to island living, fish dominated as the main ingredient.

Dave Hand, chef and co-owner of Bay City Bistro lured mollusk-loving diners with two pans of mussels drizzled with butter, garlic and olive oil; Jenny Heard and Melissa Shepard of Kevin’s Sushi & Grill doled out sushi rolls; and Jack Ng, owner of Imperial at Kasteel, provided samples of his restaurant’s most requested item, walnut shrimp.

For those who thought bipeds are limited to five senses, think again.

Mia Wallgren of the Christian Reading Room, said the world-wide public library helps satisfy the spiritual sense through its dedication to healing.

“It’s very practical,” she said of the information available at the Christian Reading Room.

The event was sponsored by the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, to give business owners a chance to mingle with one another and the community.