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 "Abbott Memorial Library" Photo by Judy Wilbur Craig, taken Feb 2011... Have you visited your local library lately?
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DOVER-FOXCROFT - The Dover-Foxcroft District Court, the Piscataquis County Superior Court, and Clerk's Office, will be closed to the public on Friday, February 3, 2012 in order to move into the newly renovated courthouse. The court staff will be without computers and phones for some, if not most, of the day. The Court will re-open on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 8:00 am. The address will change to: 159 East Main Street, Second Floor, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. Telephone numbers/fax numbers will not change. PENQUIS - Experienced caretakers and eldercare professionals know that during a crisis is the hardest time to learn about the complex world of eldercare, yet most people put off thinking about these difficult issues until they're forced to face them. For that reason, Pine Tree Hospice, along with representatives from area agencies, will be offering a panel discussion around care giving resources available in our service area related to elderly issues. “It is very difficult to start discussions around the issues that arise with aging. It’s especially personal to ask questions to your family member about their finances, deeds, wills, and their wishes should they not be able to speak for themselves. That being said, these conversations are critical to being able to respect the wishes of our families,” says Amy Madigan-Dube, Coordinator of Volunteers and Client Services. “We want to offer this panel discussion as an opportunity to talk about what resources are out there for caregivers, as well as for those older family members who may need more assistance.” This forum will be held at Mayo Regional Hospital Resource Center on February 9, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30. Dessert and coffee will be served. Those in attendance are encouraged to bring their questions and concerns. If you plan to attend, would be interested in being on the panel or have any questions, please call the PTH office at 564-4346 or email wecare@pinetreehospice.org DEXTER - Adoptions Plus will be having a bake sale coupled with a white elephant sale on February 25, 2012 from 9-3 at the Dexter Fire Station on Church Street in Dexter. Adoptions Plus is a small non profit organization created to aid the stray animals in the area find their forever homes, we provide vet care , vaccinations, spay and neuter and would like to start our farm cat project this year to further reduce unwanted kittens and prevent illness and disease. Please lend a paw to save a life. For more information please call 924-7513.
Maine, 1/30/2012 — The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has recently announced a new rule that expands loan opportunities for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, while also establishing a new Land Contract Guarantee Program. The rule provides additional flexibility allowing FSA loan officers to consider all prior farming experience, including on-the-job training and formal education, when determining eligibility for FSA for farm operating and ownership loans. It also expands a previous pilot program, the Land Contract Guarantee Program, from six states to all 50 states. This program is designed to encourage farmers and ranchers to sell their property to beginning and socially disadvantaged (SDA) farmers and ranchers through the use of seller financing. USDA continues to find ways to improve our services for farmers and ranchers by streamlining processes, accelerating delivery, and using innovative solutions to 21st century agricultural challenges. These improvements demonstrate FSA’s commitment to helping the next generation of America’s farmers and ranchers participate in our nation’s agricultural economy. The new flexibility also enlarges the pool of potential farmland buyers, which is important to young, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. The changes in eligibility announced will increase access for farmers and ranchers to FSA loans and credit assistance. The new rule enables landowners to sell their farmland to the next generation on a contract for deed with a 90-percent guarantee against losses to the seller. Alternatively, the agency can provide a guarantee of three years’ amortized loan installments, plus payment of real estate taxes and hazard insurance premiums for the same three-year period. More information on the new Land Contract Guarantee Program and the other changes are available at local FSA offices nationwide. Information about Farm Loan Programs and FSA loan qualifications can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov. NEWPORT – The Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Newport Cultural Center will collaborate to bring the latest in job hunting skills to Sebasticook Valley on Tuesday, Feb. 14. The Maine Career Center’s “GATEway to Employment” program will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Newport Cultural Center, 154 Main St., for unemployed and under-employed workers looking for help negotiating the current job market and the methods of job hunting through technology and networking. Cornell McLellan, Career Center consultant, will offer a three-hour workshop to help local residents looking for assistance in their job search. Among the topics to be covered are managing change, current job seeking techniques, networking, career and self-assessment, Maine’s Job Bank, labor market information, help with applications, resumes, cover letters and interviewing, goal setting and budgeting, training and education opportunities and information about Career Center and community resources. McLellan also works with employers to assess their needs in the job market and has insight into what employers want for information from prospective employees. While the program is geared to job hunters, the session can also be informative for employers looking to tap into the Maine Job Bank and Career Center assistance in filling vacancies. McLellan also is available to consult with employers to fill their employment needs. The program is free and open to the public. More information is available from NCC at 368-5074 or SVCC at 368-4698. The building is handicapped accessible with an elevator and parking is available in the rear. The GATEway to Employment (a Group Access to Employment) workshop is an on-going program of the Career Center at other locations served by the Tri-County Career Center in Bangor, Dover-Foxcroft and Ellsworth. The Career Center is online at www.mainecareercenter.com and by phone at 1-888-457-8883.  By Tess McLaughlin, Special to the BDN: BANGOR — The Dexter Tigers clawed their way to the top and captured the Eastern Maine Class C cheerleading title Saturday, barely escaping the hot pursuit of the Central Red Devils at the Bangor Auditorium.
The Tigers earned 134.6 points, springing above their competitors with strong, solid jumps. The Red Devils of Corinth came close to the Tigers with a score of 133. The six top teams will go on to compete in the state championships on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Augusta Civic Center. Dexter performed its winning routine after holding the majority of its practices in the high school cafeteria. Having to use wrestling mats instead of regulation competition mats in a small space didn’t stop the Tigers from selling their routine. “We were able to get into our gym a couple times this week and work on spacing, and I think that really helped,” said coach Kacie Ladd, who glowed with pride for her team’s success. “They worked very hard. Jumps are [one of] our strengths, especially after today where our scores tended to go up… I was just hoping to make the top six for states,” Ladd added. Senior captains Danielle Mower, Hillary Mower, Whitney Mower, and Emily Sevey agreed that jumps as well as facials were the team’s strongest part of their winning performance. For states, they hope to improve their tumbling scores, stick their stunts, and build up more energy for the routine as a whole. “[This years team] always seems to have the same goals in mind, which I think is important.” Ladd said. Other state qualifiers include third-place Sumner of East Sullivan (129), followed by Orono (125.7), defending state champion Houlton (123.2), and Calais (110.9). Central received a one-point penalty deduction, and Orono and Houlton each received five-point deductions. Teams that did not qualify for the state championships were Penquis of Milo (104.9), Bucksport (101.9), Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln (98.9), Narraguagus of Harrington (97.5), Lee Academy (94.1), and George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill (85.3). Dexter finished fifth in last year’s EM Class C regional. Team members are: Chelsea Ronco, Jessica Chabot, Shayna Fogg, Taylor Goulette, Ansalewit Laughton, David McKusick, Danielle Mower, Hillary Mower, Whitney Mower, Mackenzie Peatfield, Harley Ponte, Madison Provost, Emily Sevey, Matthew Stanhope, Sarah Ann Vigue, Danielle Whitten, Aaliyah Williams, and Alex Wulf. The runnerup Red Devils are coached by Cristy Strout. Team members are: Kassidy Chase, Randi Clark, Taylor Clark, Tabitha Goldsmith, Kayla Grindle, K.C. Helper, Jennifer Howard, Billie-Joe Hurd, Kayla Kelley, Kristina Leeds, Cassidy McNerney, Janelle Portmann, Autumn Preble, Melyssa Prescott, Erin Smith, Heather Tanguay, Hillary Williams, Logan Wilson, and Megan Young. For information on the state cheering championships, visit www.mpa.cc. GREENVILLE, Maine — The seventh annual Wilderness Sled Dog Race scheduled for Saturday in the Moosehead Lake Region has been canceled, according to race organizers. According to a press release from the Wilderness Sled Dog Racing Association, the decision was made after organizers assessed the conditions on lake and woods trails. The inspection team found that despite recent snowfall, conditions were inadequate to safely run dog teams on both the 100-mile and 30-mile courses. The race is organized by the Wilderness Sled Dog Racing Association, a Greenville nonprofit organization. For information, visit the race website at 100milewildernessrace.org , email wildernessrace@yahoo.com, or call Bethany at the Greenville town office at 695-2421.
DEXTER - At 6 PM is an Open Meeting for anyone to come and talk about the nuts and bolts of what a Transition initiative actually is and how action can be taken now in the area. The DDATT steering committee will be there to hopefully answer your questions, and have supporting literature and other info for those questions we can't. At 7 PM we will air the 45-minute-long film "Transition 1.0", a glimpse of what other communities around the planet have been doing in the past few years with these same Transition Initiative ideas. Following will be our usual spirited discussion and idea sharing, focusing on what DDATT can now bend its energies to. We hope to see you there, and bring a friend! 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. 
 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. PENQUIS - Beginning Tuesday, March 6, 2012, Womancare will offer 40 hours of classroom training designed to prepare one to provide support services to those struggling with issues of abuse. The training will meet each Tuesday evening from 5pm to 8 pm for 13 weeks. This training is provided at no cost to the participants and upon successful completion of the training participants will be eligible for 4 CEU's from the University of Maine. Training topics include dynamics of domestic abuse, effects on children, relevant legal & social issues, safety planning, and crisis intervention. People volunteer for a variety of reasons. Some volunteer to be part of a community, and to give something back. Others may volunteer to test the field for a future career, to add to a resume, and to build skills important to a future employer. Who should attend the training? We would welcome anyone wanting to learn more about the dynamics of domestic violence in order to become a trained volunteer advocate or to increase your knowledge in your professional capacity. Please consider learning more about this issue and joining us in this very important work. I'm Ginger Hutchins, Volunteer Program Coordinator at Womancare, and I would love to talk with you about how you can make a difference. In this age of continuing budget cuts, volunteers rock! Volunteers will make it possible for us to continue to offer the services that are currently being offered. Please call me at 564-8165 for more information or to register. 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!
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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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