Winter Sports for Veterans
A Veterans Adaptive Cross-Country Skiing program will be held every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon, Jan. 8, 2014 through March 2014. It is free to all veterans with physical disabilities, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. No experience is necessary. Ski instructions and equipment are provided free of charge. Snowshoes are available for those who would rather snowshoe than ski. Veterans who are interested in volunteering are welcome to lend their assistance.
The program is headquartered at the Outdoor Center at Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester, located below the Welcome Center. Learn a new activity or practice your skills with Army veteran, two-time Olympic biathlete, and occupational therapist, Kristina Sabasteanski. Interested veterans are asked to RSVP by Sunday of each week by contacting Sabasteanski at ksabaste@maine.rr.com or 310-8694. For more information, visit pinelandfarms.org/VAST.
Christmas Wrap and Tree Disposal
Sad to say, but by now Christmas presents have been opened, and soon the ornaments will have been removed from our decorated trees. So, what should New Gloucester residents do with their crumbled gift paper and browning trees?
Recycle used Christmas wrap by placing it in the mixed paper bin at the town’s transfer station. A small amount of tape is acceptable, but it should be kept to minimum. Bows and ribbons cannot be recycled, so they should be included in the regular household trash. After removing garlands and tinsel, add your bare tree to a pile behind the building. For answers to questions on disposal issues, call 926-3145.
Maine’s Upbeat Blues Band
Bluezberry Jam is an eclectic mix of blues, jazz, rhythm and jam cooked up by Myra Robinson on vocals and percussion, Dave Collins on guitars and vocals, Rob Landry on bass and vocals, and Rick Cormier handling percussion. The band will be performing at the Village Coffee House, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 4.
The concert will take place at the Vestry Community Room of the First Congregational Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Road, New Gloucester. Tickets will be available at the door, $10 per person. For more information about the concert, call 926-3260 or 653-6151. For more information pertaining to the band, see bluezberryjam.com.
LIVESTRONG at the Pineland YMCA
The YMCA and the LIVESTRONG Foundation have joined together to create LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a research-based physical activity and well-being program designed to help adult cancer survivors reclaim their total health. Participants work with Y staff, trained in supportive cancer care, to safely achieve their goals, such as building muscle mass and strength, increasing flexibility and endurance, and improving confidence and self-esteem.
This small group program meets twice a week, and the duration of each class is for 75 minutes. This program is free and open to the community. It includes a complimentary family membership for the 12 weeks the program is in session. The next session will run Tuesday, Jan. 7, through Thursday, March 27, and will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-11:15 a.m. There is an intake process that includes medical clearance, so advanced registration is required. For more information, contact the YMCA of Southern Maine Pineland Branch, located on the Pineland campus, New Gloucester, at 688-2255.
Afterschool Programs at the Pineland Y
The YMCA of Southern Maine Pineland Branch is offering both structured activities and supervised homework/free time afterschool Mondays-Fridays during the winter and spring. Children can participate in a healthy activity, such as Ice Skating 101, Boot Camp, Yoga, Sports-Mix, or Guided Gym and Bowling, or both the activity and an hour of homework/free time. Parents may choose one day a week or more to best match their child’s interests and schedules. Transportation will be provided from Dunn School, Morse Road, New Gloucester to the Pineland YMCA on the Pineland campus.
As with all Y programs and services, financial assistance is always available. Sliding-scale rates are available based on household income. For more information, call the Pineland YMCA at 688-2255, or visit online at www.ymcaofsouthernmaine.org.
Wind Over Wings
Meet birds of prey and animal rehabilitator Hope Douglas. She will bring a golden eagle, American kestrel, an owl, and a red-tailed hawk to see up-close and learn about. This program will occur from 1-2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 30. It is open to ages 3 and up and will be held in the Mt. Washington Room of the Pineland Commons. First, buy tickets at The Market and Welcome Center, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester for $5 per person.
Togus VA Medical Center van driver Liz Marrone helps military veteran Jamil Nassar into his snowshoes by a warming hut at Pineland Farms in January 2013. The 2014 VAST winter program, to be held on Wednesday mornings, is free to all veterans with physical disabilities, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.Send questions/comments to the editors.
