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Presentation on sleep

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare’s Center for Sleep Medicine will mark National Sleep Awareness Week by educating the community about sleep and the services offered by the center.

Statistics show that 60 percent of adults have driven drowsy at least once in the past year.

Lori Mercuri, certified respiratory therapist of ResMed, will host a community presentation on the topic of sleep 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, in the Willette Conference Room, Building 1, St. Joseph Healthcare Park, 900 Broadway.

Or join Center for Sleep Medicine staff on Friday, March 31, as they visit the Select Comfort store at the Bangor Mall to determine how to select the right bed. Informational materials and refreshments will be available to those who visit the store. For more information, call 262-1724.

St. Joseph Day

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare celebrated St. Joseph Day on Monday in honor of the organization’s patron saint. An interfaith service was held and a complimentary meal served to hospital employees and volunteers.

St. Joseph Healthcare’s mission advisory committee is collecting nonperishable food items for the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen through Thursday, March 30, in honor of St. Joseph Day.

St. Joseph, patron of the poor, of carpenters, of all workers, of the home and family, of the sick and dying, is known for offering assistance to the afflicted.

St. Joseph Healthcare employees strive to exemplify the mission of the organization by providing food items to those in need.

The mission advisory committee consists of employees whose express purpose is developing and implementing outreach activities and events in conjunction with St. Joseph Healthcare’s mission.

Amputee support group

BANGOR – The Greater Bangor Area Amputee Support Group meets 6-7 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month at Vascular Care of Maine, off the second level of the parking garage at Eastern Maine Medical Center.

For information, contact Chad Thompson at 827-4233.

Women’s health center

BANGOR – The Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center has announced the leadership of its $1.3 million capital campaign. Dr. Frank Bragg and Linda Westphal, both of Bangor, will serve as co-chairmen of the capital campaign steering committee.

Working with Bragg and Westphal are committee members Sharon Barker, board president; Sue Bernier, campaign counsel; Wilma Bradford; Betsy Brewster Case; Sarah Clark; Cindy Collins, administrative assistant; Arthur Comstock; Stephanie Cotsirilos, board past president; G. Clifton Eames; Leesa Easton Cook; Dr. Geoffrey Gratwick; Susan R. Kaye; Ruth Lockhart, executive director; Deanna Partridge, development coordinator; Dr. Alice Passer; Janet Pease, Andrew Pease and Martha Wildman.

For information, call Deanna Partridge at 947-5337, ext. 104.

Children’s bone health

Health and education leaders had an opportunity to hear about the recent American Academy of Pediatrics report on children’s bone health and calcium intake while sampling specially prepared dairy dishes at an event March 8 with hosts Gov. John E. Baldacci and first lady Karen Baldacci at the Blaine House in Augusta.

Eastern Maine Community College culinary arts chefs Mark Janicki and Russell Flewelling prepared chicken Veronica, sauteed chicken with grapes in a yogurt sauce.

Dr. Dora Anne Mills, Maine’s public health director, spoke on a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics which offers steps parents and health care providers may take to reverse the nation’s low calcium intake. According to the report, nine out of 10 teenage girls and seven out of 10 teenage boys fall far short of meeting current calcium recommendations.

“The AAP recommends children eat three servings of milk, flavored milk, cheese or yogurt a day,” said Mills. “While there’s no cure for osteoporosis, eating three to four servings of low fat or fat-free dairy foods will help children get the calcium they need to build strong bones, which will benefit them throughout life.” The report also emphasizes adequate calcium intake as a family issue and the importance of parental role modeling.

Leaders from the Maine Dietetic Association, the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Maine School Food Service Association and the Maine Department of Education sampled each of the dairy dishes prepared by Maine’s community college instructors and students, selecting their favorite for the People’s Choice Award.

The Maine Dairy Promotion Board asked chef instructors to challenge their students to create their most dairy-delicious recipes, each providing 20 percent of the Daily Value for calcium.

“We wanted to spotlight dairy’s role in a healthy diet and the 3-A-Day of Dairy educational initiative,” said Cheryl Beyeler, executive director. Recipes had to use cow’s milk, cheese or yogurt as one of the main ingredients.

By showcasing the work of some of Maine’s up and coming chefs, the event also celebrated Maine’s five community college culinary arts programs. York County Community College, Southern Maine Community College, Central Maine Community College, Eastern Maine Community College and Washington County Community College all participated.

Three-Cheese Seafood Chowder Magnifique created by students at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland was chosen as this year’s award recipient.