Ramada clinic to mark Parkinson’s awareness event

World Parkinson’s Awareness Day is Saturday, April 7. The day coincides with the birthday of the late Dr. James Parkinson who in 1817 first described the neurological disorder that bears his name in “Essay on the Shaking Palsy.”

To recognize Parkinson’s Awareness Day in Maine, a clinic titled “Integrated Therapies and the Management of Parkinson’s Disease” is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Ramada Inn in Bangor.

The clinic is sponsored jointly by the Maine Parkinson’s Society and the Maine chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association. The fee is $10 per person.

Moderating the meeting will be Karen Brado of Alna, president of the Maine Parkinson’s Society, and Carl Barker, president of the Maine chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association.

Brado, who has Parkinson’s, said speakers will include massage therapist Sheila Enwright, L.M.T.-C.M.P., and Trager therapist Lindsley Field, C.P.P.

Brado said Trager therapy “is a mind-body connection featuring gentle movements that help with the stiffness associated with Parkinson’s, and to bring movement back into joints.” Field is also an aromatherapist and a Reiki therapist.

Also speaking will be WABI-TV news director Don Colson, whose mother had Parkinson’s disease.

“At the end, they will have an informal question-and-answer period, and those who attend can ask these people anything they want,” Brado said. Brado said information on the Maine Parkinson’s Society tulip bulb sales held in June would be available at the clinic. “Last year, we sold more than 26,000 bulbs,” she said. “The first year, we sold just a little more than 8,000. I call it flower power.”

Brado said anyone wanting more information about the Parkinson’s Awareness Day meeting or to order tulip bulbs can call her at 586-6753 or (800) 832-4116.

The sixth annual Hampden Academy Boosters Auction, which begins with a preview of items at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7, in the Hampden Academy old gym, is the biggest ever.

Chairwoman Carol Albright said the boosters hope to raise $10,000 to supplement the school’s athletic budget. “It is our major fund-raiser,” she said. “And we have more items than ever before.”

Funds raised go toward a variety of athletic department needs.

“[Last] August, we used what we earned from some previous auctions to put in a new gym floor, and we just purchased 100 warm-up suits for our fall sports athletes,” Albright said.

The money also enables coaches to purchase awards for their athletes, provide flowers for senior parents and to attend coaches’ training sessions, she said.

Gary Arsenault will serve as auctioneer, assisted by Tom Cavanaugh. Admission is free. A snack concession will be available, and you can purchase gourmet cakes and pies by the slice.

A silent auction will feature more than 60 items. Among the special items up for bid will be a L.L. Bean fly rod; a bronze sculpture by Hampden Academy alumnus Forest Hart, an Old Town kayak, an Old Town canoe, a bicycle from the Ski Rack, a Tom Hennessey print, and a book signed by former Hampden Academy teacher Stephen King.

Albright particularly wants to extend her gratitude to those who have supported this fund-raiser.

“I want to thank all the businesses for their generosity,” she said. “They get hit so hard, and they are still willing to donate. I think it is wonderful what this community does.”

As an example, Albright said, when seeking a donation for the auction from one local business, she learned she was the seventh person that day to ask for a contribution. “And they still gave,” she said. “That’s amazing.”

Telephones will be ringing in the homes of Old Town-Orono area residents between 9 a.m. and noon Saturday, April 7, as volunteers participate in a phoneathon to raise funds for the Animal Orphanage in Old Town.

While having completed a successful campaign to renovate the shelter and build an addition to house lost and abandoned animals, services provided by the shelter continue to grow.

The Animal Orphanage board of directors has designed, as a priority, routine sterilization and educational programs promoting animal health and responsible pet ownership.

According to board member Kay Hyatt, funds raised through this phoneathon will help with the establishment of a designated spay-neuter fund to ensure all animals have this procedure before being placed in new homes.

The phoneathon is being conducted through the assistance of MBNA in Orono. If you are not called and you wish to make a donation at this time, call 866-0753 during phoneathon hours or mail a donation to the Animal Orphanage, P.O. Box 163, Old Town 04468.

Next on the Animal Orphanage’s fund-raising schedule is a bean supper from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Milford Congregational Church and a road race with registration at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 29, at the Old Town-Orono YMCA on Stillwater Avenue in Old Town.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News,P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.