Local News
New Age Expo features tarot cards, massage, music
BY STEPHEN J. PYTAK
STAFF WRITER
spytak@republicanherald.com 07/16/2006
Take it from tarot card reader Marge D. Mengle of Auburn.
The Schuylkill Pagan New Age Expo at Quality Inn & Suites, Pottsville, was an eye-opener.
“It’s a great diversification of stuff,” said Mengle, who visited the second annual event Saturday morning. “You can get crystals. You can get Reiki information and candles and jewelry. Put me down for two thumbs up, and I can’t believe how far people are coming. A lot of these people aren’t from around here.”
The two-day event will continue today. Proceeds will benefit the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, Mount Pleasant.
There were 23 vendors at last year’s New Age Expo, held at The River Inn, Route 61, Pottsville. This year there were 45, said the people chairing the event, Michael J. Bacha, Frackville, and Shelly A. Grigg, Lake Wynonah.
By going to other expos and getting the word out about the one in Schuylkill County, the Schuylkill Pagans were able to attract more vendors and talent, like acoustic guitarist and medieval rocker Scott Helland of New Paltz, N.Y.
The Rev. Charlene R. Schine, a medium from Bradford and author of the book “Heaven Knows It’s Real,” was also there.
“I am a tool to connect with loved ones who passed on,” said Schine, her table accented with a rose quartz stone and a burning white candle.
There were also stands featuring Schuylkill County vendors.
Andrew M. Hohl, Schuylkill Haven, sold homemade yellow, black and purple candles. Patricia Quinn, Schuylkill Haven, representing IamBlueGreen.com, encouraged people to try natural food supplements made with blue-green algae.
Quinn told passersby she was on disability with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Thanks to the organic supplements she now sells, she’s completing her medical degree and working full-time in the health-care field.
Cynthia Foley, Cressona, sold white brass and sterling silver earrings and necklaces. Meanwhile, Anthony J. Iacovitti, a professional massage therapist from Pottsville, helped Bacha work out some of his stress.
“Mike tends to get stress in here, in the rhomboids and the upper traps,” Iacovitti said while giving Bacha a back massage. “I do therapeutic and energy massage. I studied in the martial arts for 8½ years traditionally, Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, and I learned acupressure through the martial arts.”
Other tarots here included Nikki M. Fisher, Oneida.
“The best thing people say about me is I’m honest about what I do. If I don’t see something. I’m not going to make it up,” Fisher said as she turned over a few cards.
The Six of Pentacles.
The Page of Cups.
The Eight of Swords.
“I have no clue what the meanings of these cards are by the book,” Fisher said, “I read them as I see them, as I get the feeling from the card.”
There were a number of card readers there, including Rita J. Sparkes, Hazleton, who had a five-pound crystal ball and Celtic runes she made herself.
Mengle does card readings out of her gift shop, Mermaids Treasure Chest, Auburn. She learned about the expo through an advertisement in the newspaper, and came to check it out and get a free reading from James “Mystic Jim,” Roberts of West Hazleton.
“And I had a very good reading with him. He’s very accurate,” said Mengle, who’s thinking about setting up a table at next year’s expo.
2-day event
The New Age Expo continues today. When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Quality Inn & Suites, Pottsville.
How much: $5. Proceeds benefit the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, Mount Pleasant.
©The REPUBLICAN & Herald 2006
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