"Creating the Best You: Mind, Body, Spirit" is an event for women of high school age or older being offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church.
The church's United Methodist Women group developed the program, in keeping with its mission. "Part of the purpose of the United Methodist Women is to educate women. When you educate women, change happens," said Sharon Feldman, program organizer.
Feldman said plans for the day grew out of a recent Carroll Hospital Center assessment of seven critical things that need to be addressed for well-being and health in Carroll County. The event is structured around those: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, mental health, cancer, substance abuse and lack of exercise.
Attendees will get a choice of visiting workshops, demonstrations and presentations that meet their interests. They can also talk with representatives in a resource room to ask questions about topics such as domestic violence, mental illness and hospice care or meet with health and wellness coaches.
Carroll Hospital Center will offer two workshops, one on diabetes and obesity, and the other on caregiving and palliative care. The hospital will also offer seated massages and acupuncture along with providing people to handle questions in the resource room.
The Carroll County Sherriff's Office will present a workshop on cyberbullying.
A local Master Gardener will have a workshop on how to plant and cultivate herbs.
The demonstrations will include a chef showing methods of healthy cooking. There will also be exercise and self-defense demonstrations.
Those attending can also attend presentations on stress management and depression.
At 11 a.m., the workshop will feature its keynote speaker, Dr. Dona Hobart, medical director of the Center for Breast Health at Carroll Hospital Center.
Feldman said the event will be informative but relaxing as well. "We're going to have a creative corner with hands-on creative activities," she said.
For those who love retail therapy, there's the option to take a stroll through the unique marketplace. "We found vendors who had handmade, homemade, recycled or handcrafted items for sale," said Feldman.
A more competitive shopping atmosphere will be in the day's silent auction. Feldman said, "Some of our local businesses have donated items to help us."
A relaxing, restoring day can also include food treats. Rita's Italian Ice and Sweet Simplici-Tea tearoom and bakery will be onsite to sell refreshments.
Admission is $6 per person at the door.
This event is not designed for young children.
Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church is at 961 Johnsville Road, Eldersburg.
For more information, call Feldman at 410-552-1197.
Soccer registration
May 17 is the last day for regular registration for Freedom Optimist fall soccer, part of the Freedom Area Recreation Council. After that, late registrations will be taken through Sept. 1, if space is available.
Registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Freedom Optimist Hall. Online registrations will be accepted at farc.sportsignup.com.
The fees for the fall soccer program are, per family: $75 for one player, $140 for two players, $195 for three players, and $250 for four or more players. Late registration fees are $90 for one player, $170 for two players, $225 for three players, and $250 for four or more players.
You can get more information by calling 410-795-7697 or visiting http://www.eteamz.com/fosoccer.
The Freedom Optimist Hall is at 6315 Sykesville Road, Eldersburg.
Softball signups
Are you all grown up, but still missing the crack of a clean hit with a bat or the soft thud of a glove catching a ball? It's not too late to get out on the field and play.
If you're interested in playing co-ed fast-pitch softball, you need to email fdosoftball@gmail.com to get a participation code to register. Then, you can register online at farc.sportsignup.com.
The co-ed fast-pitch softball season runs from late May to late July, and games are at 7:30 p.m Tuesdays and Fridays at Freedom Park. The cost will be approximately $100 per player.
Registration for women's slow-pitch softball is open until May 21 at farc.sportsignup.com. There will be a practice night at 6:30 p.m. May 28 at Freedom Park field 5.
The women's slow-pitch softball season runs from June 4 through July 30. The cost will be $40 per player.
For more information on these or other Freedom Area Recreation Council programs, call 410-549-6296 or email freedomreccoordinator@gmail.com.
Freedom Park is at 100 Raincliffe Road, Sykesville.
