The Center for Creative Retirement provides programs and resources that enhance the intellectual, physical and personal well-being of retirees in the Sandhills area. Classes are open to all.

Over the past decade, American investors increasingly have turned to mutual funds to save for retirement and other financial goals. Mutual funds can offer the advantages of diversification and professional management. However, as with other investment choices, investing in mutual funds involves risk. It pays to understand both the upside and the downside f mutual fund investing and how to choose products that match goals and risk tolerance.

"Mutual Fund Investing" will be offered on Tuesdays, April 6-20, from 3 to 5 p.m. Designed to better equip retirees in mutual fund investments, classes will cover various types of mutual funds and expenses. Participants will learn how to evaluate and balance funds and much more. The registration fee is $45 (waived for those 65 or older). Preregistration is requested by March 30.

Summer vegetables are easy to grow and are very rewarding at harvest time. Master Gardener Bruce Fensley will discuss how to prepare a summer garden for a maximum growing season in a new course, "Growing Summer Vegetables." This will be held on Wednesday, April 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. As part of the Moore County Master Gardeners Lecture Series, it is free. Preregistration is requested by March 31.

Breathing is automatic; however, conscious breathing can relieve stress, heal and energize your entire being. A new course, "Breathing as a Bridge to Good Health" will be offered Thursday, April 8, from 4 to 6 p.m.

This course, which is part of the Healthy Living Lecture Series, presents simple, effective techniques of breathing to enhance daily life. Led by Professor Bill Croft, department chair of the college's Respiratory Therapy program, this course is especially beneficial to individuals with stress-related issues as well as respiratory conditions. The registration fee is $25 (waived for those 65 or older). Preregistration is requested by April 1.

New data released by Nielsen reveals that the number of seniors using the Internet has increased by 6 million (55 percent) in the last five years to 17.5 million. In addition, nearly half of online seniors have visited Facebook, making it their third most visited online destination. Seniors spend an average of 58 hours per month in front of the browser.

"Facebook for Seniors" will be offered on Friday, April 9, and Friday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to noon. This course will show participants how Facebook keeps people connected to family and community organizations with messages, pictures, videos and updates. All that is needed is an existing e-mail account and basic computer knowledge and experience. The registration fee is $45 (waived for those 65 or older). Preregistration is requested by April 2.

Walk-in registration and payment can be made at the Continuing Education office located on the first floor of Van Dusen Hall during the college's scheduled hours of operation. For phone registration, call (910) 695-3980.

View the entire Center for Creative Retirement and Continuing Education spring semester class schedules at www.sandhills.edu. The site also contains a calendar that contains every Continuing Education class on the start date and full information about all classes.