Midlife is one of those times when we reach a crossroads. Midlife is not defined by age, but more as a turning point when our life goals and responsibilities change.

Many tend to define it in terms of years from 35 to 65. But, the midlifers of the present exude a wide variety of differences.

Kathleen Brehony in her book "Awakening at Midlife" describes midlife in this manner: "At midlife some of us are grandparents while others are having their first child. Many are immersed in a longtime career or profession while others have made major changes and are starting out on entirely new ventures.

"Some are even embarking on retirement. At midlife some of us notice the subtle and not-so-subtle effects of aging on our bodies, while others are in the best form of their lives.

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Penn State Cooperative Extension, in collaboration with extensions in Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia, will host a three-day conference next month to address the issues of midlifers.

The conference will be April 3 to 5 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion.

Areas to be addressed include: financial security, caregiving responsibilities, health and wellness, family relationships, personal development and housing issues.

Sunday evening will kick off with a presentation from Karen Vadino, a nationally recognized speaker and humorist on "All Stressed Up and No One to Choke."

On Monday morning, a keynote presentation will be "Nourishing Our Souls … The Spiritual Invitation of Midlife" by Sam Quick, a University of Kentucky emeritus.

Following the presentation, there will be a choice of 27 workshops, from which attendees can select three. Lunch on Monday is included in the registration fee. Tuesday includes a selection of four extended workshops, with the conference concluding around noon.

Attendees may participate all three days, or just one or two days.

Full registration cost before March 18 is $65. Cost after March 18 is $95. Partial registration cost before March 18 is $50. Cost for late registration is $80. Registration costs do not include accommodations.

A conference like this only occurs once in four years, and this time we have the pleasure of hosting it in Pennsylvania. Human resource agencies will find the Tuesday workshops very beneficial, allowing them to take back a program they can use with their clients.

Monday's workshops are shorter in length, but not in information.

For more information, log on to

www.celebratingmidlife.org

or contact me at 724-287-4761, Ext. 224.

Registration can be done online or by mail. For overnight reservations, contact Seven Springs Resort at 800-452-2223. Be sure to tell them you are with the Celebrating Midlife conference.