The Older People With Active Lifestyles group will hold a celebration Oct. 25 at Wheeling Park’s White Palace.

Food, fellowship, a health expo and a history presentation await all who attend this upcoming event which is open to the public.

The OPALs group, sponsored by Ohio Valley Medical Center and East Ohio Regional Hospital, will celebrate its 28th anniversary in style at its annual luncheon.

Festivities begin at 11 a.m. with a health expo highlighting the services and programs offered by OVMC and EORH. A buffet luncheon will begin at noon.

After lunch, keynote speaker Jeanne Finstein will give a presentation, “The History of OVMC and the OVGH School of Nursing.” The program will recall events of 1892 in Wheeling when a group of 10 women from St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church had a vision to open a hospital to serve the community. Finstein will give a look at the people behind the story.

Shortly after the City Hospital opened, the first nursing school in West Virginia was opened to students in what later became the Ohio Valley General Hospital School of Nursing.

Finstein is a local historian who enjoys discovering and sharing interesting pieces of the past, particularly Wheeling history. She is the co-author of a book on local history, “Walking Pleasant Valley,” and is a long-time, active member of the historic preservation organization, Friends of Wheeling.

Mary Velez, OPALs director, said, “OVMC and EORH are thrilled to be hosting this event for our community. We are celebrating the 28th anniversary of OPALs, but you do not need to be a member to attend.

“Jeanne Finstein is a fabulous speaker and anyone who enjoys learning more about the history of Wheeling will certainly love this program.

“All are welcome to join us for what promises to be a great day,” Velez said.

The cost of the program includes the luncheon buffet, presentation, health expo and a chance to win prizes. To make reservations, call the OPALs reservation line at 304-234-8877 and leave the names of those attending, address and phone number.

The deadline to make a reservation and send a check is Oct. 16. Checks, made payable to OPALs, are to be sent to Mary Velez, OPALs, 2000 Eoff St., Wheeling, WV 26003.

To get more information on the luncheon or how to become an OPALs member, contact Velez at 304-234-8643 or by email at mvelez@ovrh.org.

East Ohio Regional Hospital, located in Martins Ferry, and Ohio Valley Medical Center, located in Wheeling, are newly acquired Alecto Healthcare Hospitals.