DECATUR - While physical therapist Jen Hinkle spent the day talking with women about serious health-related issues, she was distracted by some attractive handbags at a booth across the aisle.

"I've been looking at this stuff all day," Hinkle told Deena Warrick and Jodi Barbagallo, operators of the Thirty-One Gifts booth.

Before returning to her post at the Decatur Memorial Hospital display, Hinkle promised herself she would later find something from Thirty-One to take home.

"I love the monograms, and I love the different designs on the bags," Hinkle said. "They're unique."

Barbagallo and Warrick are sisters who recently became consultants for Thirty-One, a direct-sales company specializing in personalized products such as blankets, baskets and backpacks. They were among 72 vendors at the 18th annual Women's Day, held Saturday at the Decatur Civic Center. The event was presented by WAND-TV.

The vendors were providing information and products, ranging from birth control to funerals, catering to exercise, cosmetics to educational opportunities.

A Decatur native and St. Louis resident, Barbagallo was promoting a lightweight thermal tote bag, which holds up to eight cans or two large bottles. Warrick, a local consultant, may be contacted at 421-6055.

Barbagallo said she enjoyed the Women's Day fair, especially because it was well organized.

"There is a good amount of traffic," she said. "I like the way they have everybody set up. They don't have everyone who does home parties together. They have us all mixed in."

Hinkle explained to ladies who stopped at her station that physical therapists can help with a variety of health problems, such as incontinence.

"A lot of people don't know there's help for weak pelvic floor muscles," Hinkle said. "They think it's surgery or nothing. We help them strengthen those muscles."

Hinkle said common causes of incontinence include chronic coughing and childbirth.

At the other end of the main hall, a woman carrying a 1-month-old baby visited the New Life Pregnancy Center booth. She told Leslie Kent, coordinator of the New Life support and training program, that she lives near the center and has been meaning to stop by.

Kent whipped out a sheet of paper listing the center's programs, showing her the many available classes and opportunities.

"These are our parenting classes," Kent told her, adding that students earn coupons by attending, which may be redeemed for diapers, clothes and furniture. "We would love to have you."

Betty Hunsicker, New Life office assistant, has been working the center's booth at Women's Day for seven years or so. In recent years, the center has added a display on how to be an effective grandparent because of the many seniors at the fair.

"I love meeting people and love getting the word out about the pregnancy center," Hunsicker said.

Tracie Hunter and her daughter, Misty Edwards, visited the event for the first time Saturday.

"I think it's great," Hunter said. "Just a lot of knowledge, businesses you didn't know were out there."

"It's a really great idea," Edwards said. "It's empowering for women."

hfreeman@herald-review.com|421-6985