Gluten-free support group meets today
TRAVERSE CITY -- The Traverse Area Gluten Free Support Group will sponsor a Food Retailer Discussion Forum at its meeting today.
The group will meet at 7 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 3686 S. Airport Road. Representatives from area health food and grocery stores will discuss how they make selections of gluten-free items for their businesses, new products, events and promotions.
Call 943-9285 or 946-1687, or visit www.traverseareaglutenfree.org.
Sundae bar benefits Munson Hospice
TRAVERSE CITY -- Mother Natures has been tempting northern Michigan residents with spring-like weather and now Moomer's will tempt the taste buds at its fifth annual "A Taste of Summer" benefit for Munson Hospice.
The Gourmet Sundae Bar, featuring Moomer's homemade ice cream, will be available from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday. The cost is $7.50 for adults and $5 for children. Proceeds benefit Munson Hospice House.
Moomer's is at 7263 N. Long Lake Road. For details, call Munson Hospice, 935-8485.
Munson will sponsor education programs
TRAVERSE CITY -- Munson Healthcare will offer a presentation on osteoarthritis and an informative session on how to eat healthy on a budget.
Sara Bancroft-Treadway, MD, will provide an update on osteoarthritis, labeled by some "the Baby Boomer disease." The program will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
On March 18 from noon to 1:30 p.m., Munson Medical Center dietitian Laura McCain, RD, will give a program on planning healthy, budget-friendly meals.
Both presentations are free and open to the public, however registration is requested. Sessions will be held in classroom A & B at Munson Community Health Center, 550 Munson Ave. Call 935-9265.
Benefit for victim of snowmobile accident
TRAVERSE CITY -- A spaghetti dinner and silent auction will be held for Kyle McGhee, who suffered severe head injuries in a snowmobile accident.
Donations for the silent auction will be accepted through Friday and may be dropped off at Ranch Rudolf, 6841 Brown Bridge Road, where the fundraiser will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The meal is $10 for adults, free for children ages 3 and younger, and $30 for families of up to five members. Proceeds will go to McGhee's family to help with medical expenses.
Call 947-9529 or 922-9344.
Medical assistants invited to meeting
TRAVERSE CITY -- All medical assistants are invited to the next meeting of the Northwest Michigan Chapter of Medical Assistants.
The meeting will begin at 5:45 p.m. on Monday at Munson Family Practice Center, 1400 Medical Campus Dr. There will be a short business meeting and a program on diabetes.
Contact Christie Johnson, christiejcma@gmail.com, for more information.
Orientation set for weight-loss class
FRANKFORT -- Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital is introducing the Working Off Weight (W.O.W.) program and will hold an orientation on March 18.
The program is designed to help participants lose pounds by redirecting their lifestyles into wiser and more healthy eating and exercise patterns. It includes sessions with registered dieticians, fitness specialists, classes in nutrition and behavioral health, and access to long-term online support. Participants must have a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or greater to qualify.
The orientation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Betsie Hosick Health and Fitness Center, 102 Airport Road. The orientation fee is $20 and participants must pre-register. For details or to register, call 352-9661.
Have some fun and help Boots for Kids
TRAVERSE CITY -- Families are invited to have loads of fun while helping local children.
Family Fun Fest will take place from 2 to 9 p.m. March 21 at Wilderness Crossing complex, 1355 Silver Lake Cross Blvd. It will feature six live bands, a silent auction, a raffle, face painting, a juggler, a cartoonist, balloons and Guitar Hero playing. Admission is $5 per person at the door or $4 per person when individuals purchase 10 or more tickets at www.wildernesscrossing.com. Proceeds will benefit the Boots for Kids program, a local nonprofit organization that supports local boys and girls in need of boots, hats, mittens and gloves.
Call 943-0893 or e-mail bootsforkids@yahoo.com.
Cancer, end-of-life care teleconference
CADILLAC -- Mercy Hospice will offer a live via satellite and Webcast educational program on cancer and end-of-life care.
It is an opportunity for a wide variety of professionals, including doctors, nurses, funeral directors, psychologists, educators, social workers, bereavement counselors and families to share and exchange ideas. Continuing education credits are available.
The session will feature a multi-disciplinary panel of experts who will address care options related to cancer diagnoses as well as loss and grief reactions for patients, families and professional care-givers. It also will examine psychological aspects of cancer, pain management and ethical issues related to the disease.
The nationally recognized distance learning program will be broadcast from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. March 24 and may be viewed in the Dublin Room, McAuley Building at Mercy Hospital. Registration is from 1:15 to 1:30 p.m. Call Pastor Brad Center, 779-9550.
Cancer Society merges offices
EAST LANSING -- In an effort to sustain its lifesaving mission in a challenging economy, the American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, has made a necessary business decision to close its northern Michigan office, located in Traverse City.
The American Cancer Society will consolidate its operations with the Bay Area Service Center in Essexville and the West Michigan Area Service Center in Grand Rapids. The Northern Michigan Area Service Center served Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford counties.
The consolidation will allow the mission-driven activities in each of the northern Michigan counties to be managed under one operating system. Mike Lindhout, executive director, American Cancer Society, West Michigan Area Service Center, said that patients, caregivers, local volunteers and community partners should not be impacted by the consolidation.
Call (800) 227-2345.
-- Compiled by Stephanie Beach
