Florence Henderson adds life to Life expo - Aug. 24

photo Florence Henderson

IF YOU GO• What: Life: Boomers & Seniors Expo• When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24• Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza• Admission: $5• Phone: 423-756-6900• Website: www.timesfreepressevents.com

photo The cast of "The Brady Bunch'' is shown in this 1975 file photo. Clockwise, from bottom left: Susan Olson as Cindy, Eve Plumb as Jan, Christopher Knight as Peter, Barry Williams as Greg, Ann B. Davis as Alice, Maureen McCormick as Marcia, Mike Lookinland as Bobby, Florence Henderson as Carol (center left) and Robert Reed as Mike.

One of TV's most beloved moms will be in Chattanooga on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Florence Henderson, known to fans as Carol Brady, the doting mom on "The Brady Bunch," will be the special guest at Life: Boomers and Seniors Expo. Henderson says she hopes to inspire guests about how hard work and perseverance can help people reach their dreams.

Henderson penned her life story in her autobiography, "Life Is Not a Stage: From Broadway Baby to a Lovely Lady and Beyond," a book that chronicles her life from her rural, poverty-stricken childhood in Indiana and Kentucky to an ongoing career in film, stage and TV.

She will talk about these experiences and other interesting tidbits from her life during her visit here.

"I'll talk about my book, my experiences, aging, and I'll be happy to answer questions as well," Henderson says in a telephone interview from her home in California. "I hope to make people laugh and make them think about their own lives. And I hope to be a little uplifting."

Henderson, 79, twice married and the mother of four and grandmother of five, says she has fond memories of playing Carol Brady. And, like the family portrayed on the show, they were close off the set. In fact, Henderson stays in touch with the cast, including Ann B. Davis, 87, who played Alice, the family's housekeeper. Henderson says she and Davis keep in touch constantly by phoning and texting one another.

Robert Reed, who played Henderson's TV husband, Mike Brady, died in 1992.

The television series aired from 1969 to 1974 and has been in constant syndication since.

At the Life expo, Henderson will pose with guests for photos beginning at 1:45 p.m., followed by "A Conversation with Florence Henderson" at 3 p.m.

The expo also offers free hearing evaluations, product demonstrations by Comcast and Beltone, on-site recreational vehicle display by Camping World and performances by Cigna-HealthSpring Silver Stars, among other activities. There also will be bingo (with prizes) and a chance to win a Christmas getaway at the Opryland hotel. Local bluegrass band Slim Pickins will entertain.

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