Terry and Carol Chappell were touring different booths and filling up their tote bags.

"It's really nice that they do this for us," Terry said, adding that the pair came to see a friend honored as an outstanding senior earlier that morning.

"It's nice to have this," said Carol,

Seniors visit vendor booths Wednesday during the Tribute To Seniors business expo in Vacaville. (Rick Roach / The Reporter)

agreeing and holding a bag of popcorn, a rose and several other items she picked up along the way. "They have good information."

The longest line formed right in front of the booths with free food. Mary's Pizza Shack, Rubio's Baja Grill, Outback Steak House, Mena's Bistro, El Azteca and Fenton's Creamery were busy throughout the fair.

NorthBay Healthcare also saw a steady stream of people at the booths offering blood pressure tests and flu shots.

Oretta Cortland is a NorthBay volunteer and didn't want to wait to get her shot.

"Now I have something to show the doctor when I go in (today)," she said, adding that the shot didn't hurt while encouraging everyone to get one. "I've had one every year since they've offered them.

It's a necessity."

Later that morning, cardiologist Milind Dhond gave a brief presentation on peripheral vascular disease and technology available at NorthBay facilities.

Earlier in the day, 12 seniors were acknowledged for their selflessness in making Vacaville a better place.

Kathleen Keeter, a member of the Saturday Club for 18 years, was thanked for myriad contributions to the club, including, among other things, serving as president and spearheading the creation of their two floats for Fiesta Days.

After the awards ceremony, Keeter admitted that she wasn't necessarily prepared to be considered a senior.

"I've been a presenter for other people three different times," she said. "Now I'm on the receiving end and this is very special. I'm very honored to be in this group of people."

An active volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Aldean Sharp also received an award.

"Volunteering is so great," she said. "I'm not going to stop."

Sharp was nominated by fellow Meals on Wheels board member Dorothy Raley and board President Dolly Maeda.

"I was wondering if we had anyone to nominate and then it hit me like a brick," explained Raley. "Aldean volunteers every week and helps us save so much money."

Maeda agreed.

"She's always there for me and volunteering in some way," she said.

Maeda also explained that the group really uses Sharp's experience as a former English teacher to help proof their Web site and newsletter.

"She's never complained," Maeda added. "She's done so much and she's never asked for anything."

Other seniors recognized for their contributions include Peggy Bassford Byrd, Jeff Jewell, Mary McCallum, Lee and Virginia Kloppenburg and Helen Vinson.

Mentor honorees include Leanna Wieser, Dianne Lee, Edward Beatty, Carol Harless and Sister Lynne Wanberg.