ROCKPORT — The following events are sponsored by the Pen Bay Medical Center, however not all events are held at the hospital.

Naturopathic Doctor to Address Parkinson's Group - February 2
Deb Moskowitz, MD, licensed naturopathic doctor and founder of Camden Whole Health, will be the featured speaker at the Parkinson's disease Support Group second meeting of the calendar year. The group will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 2, from noon to 1:45 p.m. at Quarry Hill 30 Community Drive.

Drawing on her in-depth understanding of human biochemistry and special interest in neurochemistry, Dr. Moskowitz will discuss the role that naturopathic doctors can play in managing and treating the symptoms of Parkinson's.

Parkinson's Support Group meetings are open to all those with Parkinson's, as well as their loved ones and caregivers. Admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring bag lunches; Quarry Hill provides beverages and desserts.

For information, please contact Carol Witham at 594-1637.

Community Health Discussion in Union — February 3

The Knox County Community Health Coalition, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Midcoast District Coordinating Council and Pen Bay Medical Center are holding a meeting to share and discuss community health needs identified in the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The purpose of the meeting is to present key findings from the assessment, learn from community members about what is important to them and begin to identify community health priorities for Knox County. This is one of four community meetings to be held in Knox County.

This will take place at the People's United Methodist Church 31 Depot Rd Preregistration is highly encouraged. Please visit chnacommunityforums.ticketleap.com/knox-county-community-forum-union/ to register.

For more information contact Rachael McCormick, manager of Community Health and Wellness at Pen Bay Medical Center, at 921-3957 or rmccormick@penbayhealthcare.org.

Free Cholesterol Screening — February 5

Pen Bay Medical Center (PBMC) will offer free cholesterol screenings in honor of National Wear Red Day, which is celebrated the first Friday in February each year to raise awareness about heart disease in women. According to goredforwomen.org, 80 percent of heart disease and stroke can be prevented by making lifestyle changes. Keeping your cholesterol in a healthy range is one of the factors that can help prevent heart disease.

February 5, 11 a.m. — 1 p.m., at Pen Bay Medical Center Conference Room A at 6 Glen Cove Drive.

The screenings are free and open to both women and men. Space is limited so preregistration is required. Call 921-3950 to reserve a spot.

Quarry Hill's Adventures Series Offers February's Tastiest Talk — February 17

If you find yourself looking for another chocolate fix after Valentine's day, here's good news: The woman behind Bixby & Co., the startup that's put Rockland on the chocolate-making map, will be the speaker of the day when Quarry Hill presents its next Adventures in Living Well event on Wednesday, Feb. 17 (snow date: February 24), from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Anderson Inn. And she's bringing samples.

Bixby founder and CEO Kate McAleer will trace the company's impressive rise from its founding in New York state in 2011 to its recent move to the former O'Hara Ice plant off Tillson Avenue in Rockland. Visuals will show how the company makes its innovative bars and attendees will be offered free samples of the confections.

According to their website, Bixby & Co.'s candy bars are "packed with fiber, protein and the best quality ingredients available." In surprising flavors like Sweet Currant Maine Sea Salt Hazelnut and Dark Chocolate with Crystallized Ginger and Pecan, the bars are organic, made entirely in the USA, and contain no high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives, or additives. They are also Vegan Verified, Earth Kosher Certified, NON-GMO Certified, and certified gluten-free.

McAleer, who, at age 27, has been named Maine's Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, said the company's five employees, including her parents, are busily turning out up to 5,000 bars a day to satisfy a fan base that has rapidly exploded from local to nationwide.

Admission to all Adventures in Living Well programs is free, but registration is required. To sign up, contact Quarry Hill at 921-6116.

Free Guided Snowshoe Hike at Erickson Fields Preserve — February 24

Health Educator Hester Kohl will take you on a guided snowshoe hike along the new Wellness Trail at Erickson Fields Preserve. The 1.4 mile trail gently loops through fields and forests. Snowshoes
will be provided for each participant.

Participants should arrive wearing snow or hiking boots and dressed in warm layers. We recommend warm socks, synthetic (non-cotton) long underwear (shirt and pants), a mid-layer (such as a fleece or wool sweater), a winter jacket, a winter hat and gloves or mittens.

Space is limited so preregistration is required. Visit www.journeytohealth.coursestorm.com/course/snowshoeing-at-erickson-fields to register.

Call 930-2514 with any questions.