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 "Beauty of Nature" Photo by Photographer Sandy Snide. check out more of her great pics at Sandy Snide Photography
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PENQUIS - Pine Tree Hospice is honored to be nominated as a recipient of the 2012 Bangor Savings Bank Foundation's “Community Matters More” grant program. Grants are awarded based on voting from community members. As a nominated nonprofit, we will automatically receive $1000 and can receive up to $5000 if we are able to secure enough votes! The voting period starts January 23rd and goes through March 5th. We are going to need your help to win. Please take just a moment and vote for Pine Tree Hospice either on a paper ballot or online at Bangor Savings Bank's website bangor.com/cmm . You may also access the ballot through a link on our website at http://pinetreehospice.org. It's easy and you only need to vote once. The only requirement is that you are a Maine resident. Please pass this information on to others and encourage them to vote. Pine Tree Hospice is proud to be one of less than 80 volunteer hospice programs in the United States. Volunteer hospices can truly “fill in the gaps” that exist when someone faces the end of life. Because our mission is to serve people with life limiting illness, we may have clients for years, versus months. This allows a unique opportunity to build lasting friendships between clients and their volunteers and provide stability and support which adds so much to each family that we serve as they experience the challenges that accompany end of life and bereavement. Pine Tree Hospice extends this support at no charge to clients and their loved ones throughout our large rural and geographic service area consisting of 39 towns throughout Piscataquis, Penobscot, and Somerset counties. “We are proud to receive this honor, because being nominated means that there is recognition of the support our volunteers provide to the residents of our vast service area,” says Jane Stitham. “As we receive no State, Federal or insurance funding, this award would go a long way in supporting our programs and services. Please take a quick moment to vote and join Pine Tree Hospice in helping our friends and neighbors during a very poignant time in their lives.” Notice is hereby given that the Dexter Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. in the Town Council Chambers to consider the following: 1. Ordinance C2012-2 Transfer of Funds BE IT ORDAINED, that the Dexter Town Council authorizes the transfer of $2,000 in revenue account #10401-40430 (sale of municipal assets) to expense account #10401-50710 (new equipment) for the purchase and installation of mobile electronic equipment. 2. Ordinance C2012-3 National Accreditation 3. CDBG Application for Fire Department Equipment All persons may appear to comment on the above matter dated at Dexter, Maine this 27th day of January 2012.
Compiled By Donna Kraft-Smith, LMT thru discussions with Barbara Joseph, RPP: Polarity is the principle of energy in motion - that energy emerges from and returns to a central unified source. This same law operates in the atom, in the solar system, in the earth, and in the human body. Energy currents flow in, through and around in pulsating waves that form definite patterns. As soon as a circuit is interrupted, changes begin to appear. In the human body that interruption is interpreted as pain or disease. Polarity Therapy is an integrative approach to health and wellness, a dynamic, holistic healthcare system. It is based on the concept of "energy as the vital force in the body and the foundation of all life." The undisturbed flow and balance of the electromagnetic energy in and around the body is the basis for health and wellbeing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. Blocked currents and disharmony in the energy field result in manifestations of tension, pain, and can lead to illness. With Polarity Therapy the client's energy field is restored to a more natural state of balance. It utilizes a fourfold approach to re-establish balance in the energetic patterns through energy-based therapeutic bodywork, nutritional awareness, stretching postures ( Polarity yoga) and the influence and importance of one's attitude. Energy is the underlying theme to resolve imbalances that have accumulated from stress, tension, attitudes, trauma and injury. Optimal health is the intended outcome. A typical Polarity therapy appointment usually starts with questions focusing on lifestyle, exercise, and dietary habits. Factors such as environment, attitudes, relationships, life experience, and trauma affect the functioning of the human energy field. An overall assessment of mental and emotional health is part of Polarity therapy Polarity nutrition is a key point and works together with Polarity exercises to balance the energy system. Specific exercises and foods may be suggested. You are encouraged to discuss these ideas with your primary health care provider before making any exercise or dietary changes. The suggestions made during your appointment encourage a return to vitality and balance through natural means, exercise and health building foods Polarity's hands-on bodywork applies static and moving touch that can be light or deep; and sometimes a rocking motion is also used. Due to the subtle character of this work it may take time to get used to what you are sensing. Clients may experience sensations that can include tingling, expansion, wavelike or push/pull movements, heat or cold sensations This type of bodywork has proven useful with conditions such as allergies, arthritis, asthma, burn out, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, circulatory problems, depression, digestive disorders, mental and emotional disturbances, fibromyalgia, headache, health maintenance, hormonal imbalances, infertility, inflammation, injury, insomnia, major life changes, menopausal symptoms, menstrual disorders, neuralgia, PMS, pre and post surgery, pregnancy and post partum, sciatica, skin disorders, spiritual growth, stress management, and stress related symptoms. The results of a Polarity session can bring vitality, balance, relief from specific symptoms, clarity, and new insigh. The effects of Polarity are cumulative, and it may be necessary to arrange for a series of sessions. The Polarity protocols followed during bodywork vary greatly. They depend upon overall assessment, the responsiveness of the individual's system, and inherent dynamics of the healing process Donna Kraft- Smith is a Maine licensed massage therapist for over 25 years, practicing in both Bangor & Dexter, ME. She owns and instructs at the " Therapeutic Bodywork Learning Center ", a professional massage therapy training program in Bangor. For more info : www.MaineMassageSchool.com or call 947-7087. 
 DOVER-FOXCROFT, ME – January 13, 2012 – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Juan Hernandez has announced that the cut-off date for the current Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) ranking period has been extended to January 27, 2012. Producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship are eligible for CSP payments. “We want to make sure that people who want to be considered for CSP during this first ranking period have the time they need to complete their applications,” Hernandez said. “CSP is a very popular program and I encourage interested producers to apply at their local NRCS office as soon as they can.” Administered by NRCS, CSP provides many conservation benefits including improved water and soil quality, enhanced wildlife habitat and conservation activities that address the effects of climate change. Producers are encouraged to apply for CSP throughout the year to be considered for current and future application ranking periods. Those who apply by January 27, 2012, may be eligible for current available funding. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and nonindustrial forestland. A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if CSP is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contracts obligations and potential payments. It is available from the Dover-Foxcroft NRCS office and at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp. Landowners can sign up for this program at the Dover-Foxcroft USDA Service Center/Natural Resources Conservation Service office, at 42 Engdahl Drive, Pine Crest Business Park, Dover-Foxcroft, Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. For more information about CSP and other NRCS conservation programs, visit the Piscataquis County USDA Service Center at 42 Endgahl Drive, Pine Crest Business Park, Dover-Foxcroft, call 564-2321, or go to www.me.nrcs.usda.gov. Local collaboration will provide classroom activities  DOVER FOXCROFT -- While it might be difficult to think about gardening and farming in mid-January, a group of volunteers are doing just that. The result is a GrowME program being offered to K-3 teachers and schools in Piscataquis County. The program is the result of collaboration between Valley Grange, PCSWCD (Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District) and UMaine Piscataquis County Extension.
The program aims to utilize local volunteers who will work with teachers to schedule an agricultural activity in their classrooms during Maine Agriculture Week (March 12-16). Shelia Richards, Executive Director of PCSWCD is particularly excited over the "hands on" aspect of the activities. "Thanks to our rural nature in Piscataquis County, we don't have the 'nature deficit' that some more urban areas experience," she said. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be offering our kids an opportunity to involve all their senses and get some hands on learning."
Boomsma notes that within a few days of announcing the program they had 27 classes signed up, but there should be no shortage of volunteers and resources thanks to the collaboration. "We've got master gardeners and farmers available through Extension Programs and PCSWCD includes partners and resources that are committed to good stewardship. Our goal is to keep this informal, local, and a true partnership between our schools, teachers, and volunteers. It's not so much that we have a program to offer—it's more about working together to make good use of our resources. Our volunteers will have the sort of agricultural experience and background to be especially relevant to students while providing insight into the importance of agriculture in our area." This year, the group is planning to focus on kindergarten through third grade but is hoping to make this an annual program and expand into additional grades. This year's offer is for a GrowME volunteer to visit for about 20 minutes and work with students on a simple, grade appropriate activity. Teachers and administrators who are interested need only furnish contact information: teacher's name-email address and grade. Interested teachers may email grange@boomsmaonline.com or call Shelia at PCSWCD, 564-2321. Additional information is also available at http://valleygrange.com. Submitted by Walter Boomsma: Valley Grange in Guilford has some “blistered fingers knitters”… one produced over 100 pairs of mittens last year for Piscataquis Santa to bring to kids… and she’s already produced nearly half that this year! Another provides us with beautiful afgahns we can raffle or donate to other organizations as fundraisers… To support this generosity, we recently started a “yarn drive” to collect unused yarn for these ladies. We’ve placed collection bins around the area, and asked folks to bring yarn to meetings, etc. In the course of bringing all this together, we’ve learned of a great site for free patterns for everything from afghans to mittens and hats. If you or your grange is looking for patterns and ideas, check out allfreeknitting.com. And if you are doing a lot of knitting for good causes, consider a yarn drive… it’s good for the environment because unused yarn gets used instead of thrown out… and I’ll bet the sheep appreciate it too!
DOVER-FOXCROFT, MAINE – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Maine has announced that they have received Fiscal Year 2012 Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program funds for irrigation assistance to private landowners in Maine. Approximately $294,000 will be made available to both large- and small-scale irrigators. The deadline for applications is February 10, 2012. AMA, administered by NRCS, is available in 16 states where participation in the Federal Crop Insurance Program is historically low. AMA assists agricultural producers to manage risk and voluntarily address issues such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporating conservation practices into their farming operations. “This program gives landowners an additional opportunity to construct or improve their water management structures and to mitigate risk through production diversification or resource conservation practices,” said Juan Hernandez, State Conservationist for NRCS in Maine. “This will benefit not only the landowner, but their neighbors and community as well.” Under AMA, contracts will have a one to ten-year contract period, and the practices must be maintained for the life of the practice. There is a $50,000 per year payment limitation per participant. The sign-up for AMA is available on a continuous basis. Landowners can sign up for this program at the Piscataquis County USDA Service Center/Natural Resources Conservation Service office, located at 42 Engdahl Drive, Pine Crest Business Park, Dover-Foxcroft. Applications received by February 10, 2012 will be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2012. For additional information about the AMA program or for other NRCS conservation programs visit the Maine NRCS website at www.me.nrcs.usda.gov., or call the Dover-Foxcroft office at 564-2321, Monday - Friday, 8am-4:30pm. DEXTER AREA - On January 28, 2012 Adoption's Plus will be doing a bottle drive to benefit the stray and unwanted animals in the community. Adoption's Plus is a non profit organization that helps stray and unwanted animals find their forever families, they pay for vet care, blood work, vaccinations, spay and neuter and they also work with Maine rescues to further assure the animals get a safe place to be. So please help us to help them donate your depositable bottles and cans to help save an animals life, you won't regret it. The Dexter Redemption Center on Church Street has a set up for us all year long so those who wish can leave their bottles there and tell them they are for Adoption's Plus and they will hold the money for us. For more information please call 924-7513.
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The following participants have completed the Master Gardener Volunteers Training Program: Carol Clark of Atkinson, Amanda Costello of Milo, Candice Cyr of Parkman, Dotty Hadler of Dover-Foxcroft, Patricia Jones of Dover-Foxcroft, Troy Kilby of Bradford, Marie Kirven of St. Albans, Joy Moody of Hampden, Al Riley of Harmony, and Janet Yelch-Weatherbee of Dover-Foxcroft.
These trained Master Gardeners will now volunteer their time and expertise in many diverse ways for the community through programs and activities. As part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension effort, Master Gardeners are recognized as well-trained practitioners who serve and beautify their communities. If you would like a "garden expert" for an educational program or event please contact, Donna Coffin, Extension Educator, at the Piscataquis County Extension Office at 564-3301 or e-mail donna.coffin@maine.edu. She will connect you with a Master Gardener Volunteer. Master Gardener Volunteers are available for public programs, but not private residences.
To meet interests of Piscataquis County folks, they are trying to assess the number of people interested in participating in the vegetable, small fruit, and tree fruit portion of this program.
Please let them know if you would be interested in the "edible" version of the Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program. Call the UMaine Cooperative Extension Office at 564-3301 or toll free in Maine at 1-800-287-1491.
If there is enough interest, the program will run in 2012. If there is not enough interest, the ornamental (flowers, trees, and shrubs) class will run again in the fall of 2013.
For more information on the Master Gardener Volunteers Training Program please visit: http://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/programs/master-gardeners.
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Walter Boomsma, program director for Valley Grange agrees. For the past few years he's visited second graders at PCES to make butter. "We have fun and the kids almost don't realize they are learning--some have even asked for instructions and then made butter at home as a family activity." Grange members have also done seed planting activities and created animal graphs. "We also spend some time just talking with the kids—many have chickens and gardens and it's fun to share experiences." Richards has also seen positive impact of these hands on experiences—she's visited a local preschool with a kid – the goat kind – for several years. After last year's activities, she and Boomsma agreed to explore working together to expand and formalize the program.
