Considering that a study reported this summer in the Bangor Daily News indicates the annual cancer rate for Washington County is above the Maine average, the free conference “There is Hope Here in Washington County” should be a “must-attend” event for many people.

Tami Dinsmore of the Regional Medical Center in Lubec wrote that the conference is 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the Pellon Center on Court Street in Machias.

For more information, to register or inquire about car-pooling, call Dinsmore at 733-1090, ext. 2214. You also may register the day of the event.

“Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor,” Dinsmore wrote, “participants … pay no fees and receive a complimentary lunch.”

The conference is funded through a grant from the Maine Cancer Foundation.

The welcoming speaker will be former Maine Gov. Angus King and the keynote speaker, Marianne Moore, will discuss “Just What is a Survivor?”

Professional panelists include oncologists and family practitioners with cancer survivors and caregivers. Panel discussions will be open for questions and concerns.

Entertainment will be provided by the University of Maine at Machias Ukulele Club, and the conference-ending, candle-lighting ceremony will be in memory of those who have died of the disease.

Penobscot Valley Senior College members have until Wednesday, Oct. 1, to register for a bus tour, Searsport Marine Museum & Sites Along the Way, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, departing from University College of Bangor.

Retired University of Maine professor and PVSC instructor Jack Battick will offer commentary along the route.

Registration is $30 and may be made by calling the PVSC message phone at 262-7927 and leaving your name and telephone number.

To confirm your reservation, send your check to Senior College, 25 Texas Ave., Bangor 04401.

The registration fee covers travel and museum admission. You should bring your lunch and comfortable shoes for your self-guided tour of the museum.

After Oct. 1, others may call the number above to learn if space is available to accommodate members of the public.

For information about the museum, visit http://www.penobscotmarinemuseum.org/.

Jodi Freedman of the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, in Falmouth, reminds us its remaining Memory Walks will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, at several sites.

Walk locations in our circulation area on that day are Augusta-Waterville, Bangor, Bar Harbor, Calais, Fort Kent, Rockland and Skowhegan.

To make a donation, to support a team or to register for the walk, call the association at 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org/Maine.

Gaile Nicholson reports registration is still open for the fifth annual Katahdin Valley Health Center Autumn Golf Tournament. The tournament benefits diabetes programs and begins with a shotgun start at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at VaJoWa Golf Club in Island Falls.

Greens fees are $50 per golfer and you may register as an individual or a team. The four-person scramble offers three gross and net prizes, holes-in-one and other prizes.

Registration forms are available at VaJoWa, all KVHC locations, at www.kvhc.org, by calling 866-366-5842 or 528-2285, ext. 301, or e-mail gnicholson@kvhc.org.

Lois Nealley has issued a call for artists for an Exhibit & Art Sale to benefit Maison de Naissance, a birthing center in rural Haiti.

Sponsored by J.B. Parker’s Cafe and Haiti Matrix of St. John’s Episcopal Church, work ready to hang in frames or on canvas stretchers may be dropped off 9:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct, 9; 2:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10; and 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 11, at St. John’s Episcopal Church office, 234 French St. in Bangor.

Proceeds from sales will be 40 percent for the artist, 40 percent for Maison de Naissance and 20 percent for J.B. Parker’s. Donations of artists’ proceeds are also welcome.

The artwork will hang through Nov. 8, at J.B. Parker’s, 52 Main St., Bangor.

For information about the exhibit, call LeeAnne Mallonee at 942-9253 or e-mail mallonee@verizon.net.

For more information about Maison de Naissance, visit http://www.maisondenaissance.com.

Are you an experienced handbell ringer?

Jackie Frisk e-mailed that the Jubilation Ringers, “a five octave Handbell choir located at Hampden Highlands United Methodist Church, has openings for a few new members, experience preferred.”

She wrote that the ensemble shares its music “at services once a month, and also performs in the community for special events.”

The choir rehearses Monday evenings.

More information is available by calling Frisk at 947-2545.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.net; 990-8288.