Health, safety training

The Pine Tree chapter of the Red Cross has scheduled nearly 40 affordable health and safety training courses in four Maine communities between Jan. 1 and March 31, including first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, use of automated external defibrillators, babysitting safety and pet first aid.

“These courses are designed to save lives,” said Pine Tree chapter Health and Safety Program Director Lynn Duswald. “They can be taken in Rockland, Ellsworth, Bangor or Presque Isle. They are available on weekday evenings and on weekends. And they are very inexpensive.”

Serving eastern and northern Maine since 1919, the Pine Tree chapter responds to disasters such as house fires, floods and storms, offers Armed Forces emergency communication and referral services, and delivers disaster preparation programs as well as health and safety training.

For information on skills classes, locations, fees and registration, call the local Red Cross office at 941-2903 in Bangor, or 667-4737 in Ellsworth.

The class schedule for Bangor is:

. Before Providing Care, 6-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7.

. Adult CPR, 7-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7.

. Infant/Child CPR, 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9.

. First Aid, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10.

. Adult, Infant and Child CPR and First Aid, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19.

. Adult, Infant and Child CPR and First Aid 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26.

. Before Providing Care, 6-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4.

. Adult CPR, 7-9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4.

. Infant/Child CPR, 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6.

. First Aid, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7.

. Adult, Infant and Child CPR and First Aid 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16.

. Adult, Infant and Child CPR and First Aid 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23.

. Before Providing Care, 6-7 p.m. Monday, March 3.

. Adult CPR, 7-9 p.m. Monday, March 3.

. Infant/Child CPR, 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 5.

. First Aid, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, March 6.

. Adult, Infant and Child CPR and First Aid 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 15.

. Adult, Infant and Child CPR and First Aid 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 22.

Several courses also are set for Ellsworth.

Weight loss surgery support

BANGOR – The Weight Loss Surgery Support Group has a new schedule for its meetings in the Mason Auditorium at Eastern Maine Medical Center:

. 5-7 p.m. first Tuesdays.

. 4:30-6:30 p.m. first Fridays.

. 5-7 p.m. third Tuesdays.

For information, call 973-6383.

Giraffe Omnibed

BANGOR – A specialized, high-tech bed for the neonatal intensive care unit was among several gifts presented recently to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor at the annual meeting of the EMMC Auxiliary at the Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono.

The Giraffe Omnibed gives families and health care providers greater access to tiny premature infants without having to handle or move them. A radiant warmer, an X-ray tray and finely tuned humidity control are among the features of the bed, which costs between $40,000 and $45,000, according to outgoing auxiliary president Lynne Spooner.

The new bed brings to three the number of Giraffes in the 23-bed NICU. Department head Tina Gist said that the short-term goal is to have five of the specialized beds.

The auxiliary also gave the hospital a check for $100,000 earmarked for CancerCare of Maine – the first installment of a half-million dollar commitment over the next four years, Spooner said.

Four students in the Husson College nursing program each received a $1,000 scholarship from the auxiliary, as well.

New auxiliary officers also were installed. Taking over for Spooner is incoming president Carol Colson, vice president for marketing at Bangor Savings Bank. The auxiliary’s vice president is Mary Beth Lozada. The secretary is Jill Savage and treasurer is Cindy Curran.