Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital offer educational events, and which are usually free of charge unless materials are needed. Here is the latest listing by date with each event's date, time, location, cost and registration information, if registration is required.

Colon Cancer Awareness: The Strollin' Colon to visit Pen Bay Medical Center
The Pen Bay Medical Center Endoscopy department will host a public event with a focus on colon cancer awareness. Patients, families and the public are invited to get the latest updates on prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer.

You will have the opportunity to walk through a giant inflatable colon and learn more about polyps and colon cancer. Tours of the Endoscopy department will be available and door prizes will be given away including a "Pamper Me" gift basket.

Nursing staff, endoscopy technicians, a gastroenterologist and surgeon will be in attendance to answer questions and provide resources and support.

• Date: Monday, March 28
• Time: 2 — 5 p.m.
• Location: Endoscopy Suite at Pen Bay Medical Center, 6 Glen Cove Drive, Rockport.
• Cost: Free

Strengthen & Lengthen with Mirja Pitkin
Are you looking to increase your strength and flexibility? Join Personal Trainer Mirja Pitkin for this low-impact exercise class to learn easy routines you can do at home. Appropriate for all fitness levels.

• Date: Mondays, April 4 — May 16 (no class April 18)
• Time: 10 — 11:15 a.m.
• Location: First Church of Belfast, 8 Court Street, Belfast
• Cost: $37.50 for 6-week series
• Register: journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or 921-3950  

Parkinson's group holding talk on deep brain stimulation
The use of deep brain stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson's disease will be the focus of the next meeting of the area's Parkinson's disease Support Group, scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, from noon to 1:45 p.m. at the Anderson Inn at Quarry Hill in Camden.

Janelle Michaud of Medtronic, the global healthcare solutions company that developed Deep Brain Stimulation, will discuss and answer questions regarding the technique, which is used to treat shaking, stiffness, and other movement-related symptoms of Parkinson's

Support group meetings are open to all those with Parkinson's, as well as their loved ones and caregivers. Admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring bag lunches; Quarry Hill provides beverages and desserts. For information, contact Carol Witham at 594-1637.

• Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2016
• Time: Noon to 1:45 p.m.
• Location: Anderson Inn at Quarry Hill, 30 Community Drive Camden
• Cost: Free & open to those living with Parkinson's, their families, and caregiver

Introduction to Meditation
Are you interested in meditation but don't know where to begin? Join Health & Wellness Coach Barbara Crowley for this three-session series to learn about meditation: what it is; the physical, mental and spiritual health benefits of practicing; and how to incorporate it into your life.

• Date: Wednesdays, April 6 & 20; May 4
• Time: 5 — 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Waldo County General Hospital Classroom, 118 Northport Ave. Belfast
• Cost: $15 for 3-session series
• Register: journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or 921-3950

Foxtrot for Beginners (2 Locations)
Are you looking for a fun way to exercise? Do you want to dance to classic songs performed by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Michael Bublé? Join this four-week beginner dance class to learn basic foxtrot steps you can use at weddings, parties or even in your own living room.
Individuals and pairs welcome. No experience necessary. Space is limited so preregistration is required.
ROCKPORT

• Date: Wednesdays, April 6, 13, 20 & 27
• Time: 6 — 7 p.m.
• Location: Midcoast Recreation Center, 535 West Street Rockport
• Cost: $20/individuals; $30/pairs
• Register: journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or call 930-2514

SWANVILLE

• Date: Tuesdays, April 5 — 26
• Time: 6 — 7 p.m.
• Location: Kermit S. Nickerson School, 18 Townhouse Road, Swanville
• Cost: $20/individuals; $30/pairs
• Register: http://journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or call 930-2514

Learn to Make Fresh Salads in a Jar
Mason jars aren't just for canning — they make portable, portion-control meals simple and keep salads fresh for up to a week. Join the Community Health & Wellness team to learn how to make tasty mason jar salads. Participants will create their own salads to take home.

• Date: Thursday, April 14
• Time: 5:30 — 7 p.m.
• Location: Rockland Congregational Church, 180 Limerock Street Rockland
• Cost: $10
• Register: journeytohealth.coursestorm.com

Lyme disease: What You Should Know
Cases of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases continue to rise in the Midcoast. Join Paula Jackson Jones, president and co-founder of the Midcoast Lyme disease Support & Education organization to learn more about what you and your family can do to protect yourselves. She will also share important information about identifying symptoms and seeking an accurate and timely diagnosis for effective treatment options. For those already living with the disease, Paula will offer hope with support and resources available in our community to help sufferers cope and manage more successfully.

• Date: Thursday, April 14
• Time: Noon — 1 p.m.
• Location: Picker Family Resource Center, 756 Commercial Street Rockport.
• Cost Free & open to the public
• Registration is required — Please call 921-4500

Quarry Hill to host AARP driver safety course
Drivers age 50 and over are invited to attend a half-day AARP Driver Safety Course scheduled for Monday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Anderson Inn at Quarry Hill in Camden.

AARP's Smart Driver curriculum, presented by instructor Paul Sheridan, features a research-based workbook and instructional video. It covers defensive driving, existing and new rules of the road and the impact of recent changes in automotive technology on the driving environment. Also discussed are age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time and how to know when it's time to give up the keys.

The entire training takes place in the classroom. There is no actual driving and no exam.
Maine drivers age 50 years or older who successfully complete the course qualify for a three-year, state-mandated discount on their auto insurance premiums.

• Date: Monday, April 18,
• Time: 8 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
• Location: Anderson Inn at Quarry Hill, 30 Community Drive Camden
• Cost: $15 for AARP members; $20 for nonmembers

Healthy Cooking with Olive Oil and Pasta: Nancy Harmon Jenkins to speak at Quarry Hill
Adults age 50-plus will enjoy the tastes and aromas of the Mediterranean when Quarry Hill presents "Olive Oil and Pasta in a Healthy Italian Kitchen."
Speaking will be Camden's own Nancy Harmon Jenkins, an internationally known Mediterranean cuisine author, speaker, and radio and television commentator. Harmon Jenkins will talk about her 40-year love affair with Italy and its culinary traditions, and offer tastings of recipes from her two most recent cookbooks.
Copies of Harmon Jenkins's newest books — Virgin Territory: Exploring the World of Olive Oil, and The Four Seasons of Pasta, co-authored by her daughter Sara Jenkins — will be available for purchase and signing (cash only).

• Date: Wednesday, April 20,
• Time: 10:30 a.m. — noon
• Location: Anderson Inn at Quarry Hill, 30 Community Drive

Cost: Free & open to adults age 50-plus. Registration required; 921-6116.

A Peaceful Night's Sleep
Sleep is important for overall health. Learn how much you should be getting and why it's important, find out what happens when you don't get enough and learn practices that can help you sleep better.

• Date: Thursday, April 28
• Time: 5 — 6:15 p.m.
• Location: Waldo County General Hospital Classroom, 118 Northport Ave. Belfast
• Cost: Free
• Register: journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or 921-3950

Self-Care with Massage: Dealing with Headaches
Self-care includes any intentional actions you take to care for your physical, mental and emotional health. Join Emily Waltz-Lash, BS, LMT, director of admission at Downeast School of Massage, for this workshop that will help you identify common triggers for headaches, learn
techniques to combat them at their onset and relieve tension while experiencing a headache.

• Date: Thursday, April 28,
• Time: 6 — 7:15 p.m.
• Location: Teen Center, 10 Knowlton Street, Camden
• Cost: Free
• Register: journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or call 921-3950