Seniors living in the Greater Pittsfield area have an opportunity to enjoy a free afternoon of fun, have a wonderful lunch and learn something that will help each attendee “Take Care of Yourself.”

That’s the title of the event offered by the Central Maine Agency on Aging Senior Spectrum from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Pittsfield Congregational Church on Park Street.

And while there is no charge to attend the lunch or the event, reservations are required and must be made by calling (800) 639-1553.

Health and Wellness Coordinator Karen Belyea said that there are still plenty of spaces available for those who wish to attend the event, which is a first for Pittsfield area seniors.

A similar program in Skowhegan recently attracted 100 people, Belyea said, and sponsors hope the Pittsfield event will do the same.

And even if you do not drive, you can still attend, because transportation is available for those in Pittsfield, Burnham, Detroit, Hartland and Palmyra. All you need do is call the telephone number above.

“Take Care of Yourself,” or TCY as it is known, will offer ideas and useful tips for older adults and caregivers relating to social activities, nutrition and physical activity.

Following lunch and entertainment, Senior Spectrum staff and staff members from the program co-host, Healthy Living, will offer suggestions of solutions for a better life.

Healthy Living is one of 31 Healthy Maine partnerships funded by the Maine Bureau of Health, Department of Human Resources and operates out of Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield.

It encourages seniors to take a proactive approach in improving the quality of their lives, and Saturday’s event is intended to do that in a nutritious, fun-filled manner.

If you cannot attend, but would like more information about Senior Spectrum, call the number above or, if you are one of those many seniors who is now computer literate, visit the agency’s Web site at www.seniorspectrum.com.

It is not too late to plan to attend the third annual Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center Silent Auction and Annual Dinner, which begins with the auction at 5 tonight at Spectacular Events in Bangor.

Admission to the silent auction, only, is $5 per person, and $45 per person for the auction and dinner.

Auction items include artwork by Temple Parker, gift certificates for Restaurant Angelica, Momma Baldacci’s, Pizzeria Uno and the Sea Dog; a dried flower arrangement by Kristi Solmon, a garnet ring donated by Quality Jewelers, a variety of house wares, and gift certificates ranging from cross country skiing to a polarity therapy session.

Proceeds from the auction help support a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services that Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center provides women in the Greater Bangor area and throughout Maine.

During the Annual Dinner, the Eighth Annual Mabel Sine Wadsworth Women’s Health Award will be presented to Maine’s First Lady Mary Hermon, for her work in promoting women’s health.

Major sponsors for the event include Central Protection Services, WERU, Merrill Merchant’s Bank, Miller Drug, Northeast Cardiology Associates and the Bangor Daily News.

For tickets, more information about the event, or services available at Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center, call 947-5337.

Sue Rizza and members of the Winterport Historical Association invite you to attend their annual plant sale from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18, in front of the Union Meeting House on Route 1A in Winterport.

The sale, which benefits the association’s historical museum and other activities that help preserve the history of that community, includes perennials, assorted plants and shrubs.

Folks who love to dance to swing music might want to make their reservations (and press their zoot suits and swing skirts) in preparation for the Mount Desert Island High School Music Department’s “Spring Swing Dinner and Dance” from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in the MDI gymnasium.

And, if you don’t know how to swing dance but have always wanted to learn, you’re in luck if you attend this event.

Four dance teachers will offer lessons throughout the evening, according to event coordinator Shane Ellis, who recently toured with The Tommy Dorsey Band.

After the dinner, which will be catered by August Moon of Bar Harbor, the MDIHS award-winning jazz band and combos will get you on the dance floor with their great tangos, cha-chas, mambos and waltzes.

Prepaid reservations are $25 per person for the gourmet dinner, during which you will enjoy the mellow jazz tones of the Tyner Combo. Your dinner reservation includes admission to the dance.

However, if you wish to attend the dance only, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the high school, that cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Tickets just for the dance can be purchased at the door. Refreshments will be sold as you dance to the music of the Darth Vader, Obi-Wan and Yoda jazz bands.

Dinner reservations can be made by calling Kathy Stanley, during regular business hours, at Sewing By the Sea, 664-2588.

For more information about the event that benefits the school’s grand piano fund, call Ellis, 244-9883, or Dan Granholm, 288-5011.

A grand piano for the school is one item on the MDIHS Music Boosters Project Wish List, launched in the fall of 2001 to help the school music instructors purchase instruments.

For more information about Project Wish List, contact MDIHS Music Boosters President Nin Ferm, 244-3046, or email her at Marshians@webtv.net.

Unfortunately, I have learned that the St. Joseph Hospital “Teddy Bear Clinic” scheduled for Thursday, May 16, at the Bangor hospital, already has a kindergarten class scheduled for that event, and that no other spaces are available.

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