Out of the “mouths of babes” often comes the greatest wisdom. Such is the case with Patricia Keogh, who moved to our fair state because her two little grandchildren kept “wishing Gramma lived in Maine.” Her new personal journey, soon to begin. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
The “call of the wild” is loud for Bob Blake, 63, but his sense of community and giving back has an even bigger voice. “My buddy, Malcolm, and I hike every week,” said Blake, the new Maine Medicare Education Partnership program coordinator at Eastern Agency… Read More
I remember getting a powder-blue “Do It Herself” toolkit for Christmas one year. It had everything necessary for my very minor tasks, such as a hammer, pliers, wrench, assorted screwdrivers, a box cutter and matching scissors, all in a sleek carrying case. It was my favorite gift, and… Read More
From spreadsheets to the corner office, Noelle Merrill is movin’ on up. The former chief financial officer at Eastern Agency on Aging is now at home in the executive director’s chair. “I am really looking forward to continuing, but also expanding, the vision for the… Read More
It’s only been a few weeks, but Doug Crawford, a registered nurse, is sure he has found his calling. As the new kid at Bangor Area Visiting Nurses, Crawford is excited about the opportunities BAVN has to offer, especially in the area of patient care. Read More
BANGOR – Health care in northern Maine turned a corner Thursday with the first meeting of the new members of the Eastern Maine Healthcare System since the corporation revised its bylaws and governance structure last November. More than 100 people, including a majority of the… Read More
The initial slate of 138 corporate members of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems voted themselves into service at the corporation’s first annual meeting Thursday. EMHS officials say it has proven harder than expected to find the full 200 qualified members they need to be the “eyes and ears” of… Read More
I first met Roberta Downey, executive director of Eastern Agency on Aging, during my interview for the director of communications position. I was initially struck by her sense of personal style. I immediately started second-guessing my own choice of attire for this important meeting. Gray blazer and black… Read More
Being organized is a beautiful thing, not that I would know this personally. And while organization can make life easier (I hear), it can also be life-saving. Imagine this: A woman is found unresponsive on the living room floor. Emergency crews arrive but her neighbors… Read More
You would probably know fairly quickly if your wallet, purse or car had been stolen. Walking into your house, you probably could tell immediately if it had been burglarized. But how would you know if your identity had been filched and was being used by criminals?… Read More
I am long on information and short on space so let’s get to it. For the fifth straight year, Meals for Me, a program of Eastern Agency on Aging, is taking the Feinstein Challenge. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
CORINTH – Drawn to the world of numbers at a young age, Harold Grant still enjoys sharing his financial knowledge with others. At 81, Grant has been the tax assessor’s agent in Corinth and Hudson for nearly 30 years and has been working in the… Read More
If you have your health, you have everything, so the saying goes. Because “Live Well, Age Well” is the motto of Eastern Agency on Aging, we have some tips to help you do just that, and all in time for National Public Health Week, April 4-10. Read More
Think about your best friend. It’s most likely a very special relationship that you cherish. I am sure you treat each other with the utmost kindness and respect born at the deepest cockles of your heart. Nothing less would befit these closest of ties. I… Read More
Some people always seem to go above and beyond the expected. Take Rosemarie LeGasse and Robin Long of Caring Connections, who will explore every possible avenue to share information. Caring Connections, a cooperative women’s health program of the Bangor Y and Eastern Maine Medical Center,… Read More
CALAIS – She said she’s sassy and loves to flirt, and at 92 years old, Esther Darling is the darling of Wal-Mart. She has worked at the store for the past 10 years. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
She has some crochet thread, a favorite hook and a desire to help. But that’s all Leone Labreck, 75, who has been crocheting since she was a junior in high school, really needs. And it seems she has come full circle. The craft she learned… Read More
Grandparents raising grandchildren feel everything from “I wanted to be Granny and spoil her, but I can’t do that now,” to “I’m relieved that the child is safe and in a healthy place,” said Barbara Kates, director of Family Connections, a program of Families and Children Together. Read More
Valentine’s Day is over. It’s time to toss the empty heart-shaped boxes and hang the roses upside down to dry to preserve their beauty. While the memory of this romantic holiday will live on, if you’re lucky through a sparkling diamond pendant, the shape of your heart should… Read More
ROCKPORT – Stan Catell may consider himself an old dog, but he’s still one hep cat. The 79-year-old jazz clarinetist has been a part of the region’s jazz scene for more than four decades. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
The price of getting an education can be high. Indeed, too high for some. But there is a program for low-income seniors that will pay them to learn a new skill or brush up on an old one and then will help them enter or re-enter the workforce. Read More
Alice Rush, 69, had big plans. She informed her daughter, Mary, for whom she worked, that she would be taking the summer off with the intention of spending more time with her granddaughters. That was in May 2003. Alice had cold symptoms that she simply… Read More
There is nothing quite like watching a snowstorm from the comfort of a soft couch, one hand holding a large mug of hot chocolate while the other hand rests on a purring cat. It is almost magical. Now if only the accumulation would magically disappear. Dream on. But… Read More
BANGOR – Derald Cochran remembers the first car he sold as if it were yesterday. “It was a Dodge Dart. It cost $3,200,” said Cochran, a salesman at Bangor Chrysler Dodge, one of the first auto dealerships to set up shop on Hogan Road in… Read More
It’s been said that there are only two things in life of which you can be sure: death and taxes. Now death is an “either-or” situation, black and white, if you will. Well, it’s a whole different story with taxes. They are not simply black… Read More
There’s a new kid on the block here at Eastern Agency on Aging – and we are delighted to have her. Val Sauda joined EAA about a month ago and has jumped right in with both feet. As the new director of outreach, she is… Read More
I bought new boots. Now ordinarily this would not be a newsworthy event. But after what happened the first time I wore them in the snow, I feel compelled to alert and warn you about boot treads and what to look for. I purchased hiking… Read More
Cold-and-flu season is here, and seemingly everywhere you turn, someone is coughing, sneezing or otherwise infirm. It’s a virus’ paradise out there, so protect yourself. Since knowledge is power, you may be able to beat the viruses at their own game. The Penobscot Valley Senior… Read More
There is a certain comfort that comes from being at home. Most of us feel it after a long day of work or an extended vacation. Imagine the comfort that one feels from living in the same home for decades. Every turn is a memory,… Read More
On occasion I hear people say, “I think Dad may need to be in a nursing home.” A few pertinent questions reveal that nothing could be further from the truth. All Dad really needs is a little help with some day-to-day things, such as preparing a meal, remembering… Read More
‘Tis the season for spreading cheer and good will toward men. And even through the stress and hustling bustle, there is a sense of joy in the air. But nothing can dampen your holiday spirit like losing your credit card or having the numbers stolen by unsavory types… Read More
“Ho, ho, ho and mistletoe and presents for pretty girls.” Sound familiar? It’s my favorite line from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” a show that can’t help but jump-start your holiday spirit. And speaking of presents, everyone likes surprises in brightly colored wrapping or buried under… Read More
BANGOR – To call Frank Cande meticulous may be an understatement. At 83 years old, he’s not above getting on his hands and knees and with toothbrush or scrub brush in hand, to clean those hard-to-reach places at Bangor International Airport. Long past the time… Read More
I’ve seen the look on others’ faces, as if to say, “How can you not remember the conversation we just had two days ago?” I have found personal items in strange places in my home, but surely one of my cats was the culprit. I… Read More
The holiday hubbub is soon to begin. It’s often a blur, albeit a festive one. But this year, as you rush to shop and decorate and plan menus for special meals with loved ones, take a moment on Dec. 1 to reflect on, and maybe say a little… Read More
ADDISON – Lewis B. Lovejoy is a perfect picture of job satisfaction. After all, he gets to sweep and mop the Lewis B. Lovejoy Gymnasium five days a week, and more when the Daniel W. Merritt School has extra events on weekends. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
The holidays are approaching, which can turn our thoughts to the joys of helping others. Eastern Agency on Aging has two such opportunities. First up, Meals for Me is delighted to be participating again this year in the Maine Ending Hunger Campaign organized by Partners… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – About 30-40 percent of the youngsters Dr. David McDermott sees in his local practice are overweight or likely could be classified as at risk of being overweight. The percentage is so troubling to McDermott that he and other care givers in Dover-Foxcroft Family… Read More
Pete Loiselle is a big fat loser. He’s blessed with a competitive spirit and probably won’t like the way that sounds, but there’s just no denying facts. Between October 2001 and July 2004, the 40-year-old Ellsworth middle school math teacher shed close to 500 pounds in body fat,… Read More
There are many things in this world surrounded by misconceptions. Take the food stamp program, for instance. Often thought of as a welfare program, in reality it is not at all. It’s a nutrition assistance program that was designed to help those with low incomes afford healthy foods. Read More
Eastern Agency on Aging needs you. We have a variety of programs that are a bit short of volunteers. Whatever your talents, I’ll bet we have a spot with your name on it. If time is a problem, we can work around that, too. For instance, volunteers can… Read More
Driving in the rain or even a light drizzle can be tough, especially if your windshield wipers are falling down on the job. Images just aren’t as sharp. Okay, so new wipers are an easy and quick fix, but some causes of visual impairment are beyond your control. Read More
It has often been said that “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.” Such is true for physical movement. We may take mobility for granted, but an injury, surgery or even a touch of arthritis-induced stiffness in the morning may take the wind out of the… Read More
Picture this: You’re off to visit someone for the very first time. But the initial excitement quickly turns to frustration as you drive around in vain searching for the right house. Now picture this: There is an emergency and seconds count. Firefighters, police or EMTs… Read More
Penobscot Community Health Center sits quietly and unassumingly on Union Street in Bangor near the fast food chains. But don’t be fooled by its peaceful exterior. Inside the building there is quality health care happening, and a lot of it. “We work with the whole… Read More
Well, summer was short-lived and now it’s fall. While we can revel in the brightly colored leaves and crisp apples, (OK, candy apples) autumn does have a downside – no, not winter lurking right around the corner – the beginning of flu season. Now I… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Elwood Hussey methodically pushed the lever of a grinder up and then down through the well-worn teeth of a circular saw, sharpening their bite. The 82-year-old man worried little about the fireworks of white stars that shot out around his worn hands each… Read More
Can you guess what a Girl Scout, a homeless person and a senior who reads to children have in common? They are all participants in programs partially funded by United Way of Eastern Maine. “For 68 years, we have been supporting agencies that are making… Read More
SANGERVILLE – It was daybreak, and Shirley Campbell stepped from her warm kitchen out into the crisp, morning air and headed for her barn. The gray-haired woman trod gingerly over the dirt and gravel driveway with her steady companion, Faye, a mixed breed dog, beside… Read More
No one wants to think about Mom and Dad getting older. The strong, seemingly invincible parents of our childhoods may now be in need of a little help from us. And this need can come at a time when we are already trying to balance family and work. Read More
There is nothing like a good breakfast to start the day right. I actually hit the ground running when I wake up and head for the kitchen, two cats at my heels. Think about it. While you sleep, your body is basically fasting. Upon waking,… Read More
Teaching may be its own reward, but sometimes there are special perks when teaching a classroom full of seniors. “I am looking forward to saying, ‘When Rehnquist was appointed, and you all remember that,'” said Sol Goldman, 55, an attorney who is teaching “Constitutional Law:… Read More
BANGOR – Waving a tiny American flag, Dawn Cowan promised Bangor-area members of Weight Watchers “more freedom” through a new diet program the company is rolling out this week all across the country. Speaking at the well-attended noontime Thursday meeting at the Airport Mall site,… Read More
As Cyndi Lauper croons in her mid-1960s hit song, “girls just wanna have fun.” But it is not just the younger generation that sees the benefit of having a good time for no other reason than, well, having a good time. Meet the Red Hat… Read More
Some folks think miracles are a rare thing nowadays. But Everett Cross knows otherwise. Hospitalized 10 years ago after his second stroke – the first was in 1983 – Cross, 79, lay barely conscious in his bed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Carol Mower never met a volunteer opportunity she didn’t like. And she has met plenty of them. “I always volunteered even when I was working. But the reason I wanted to retire is because I wanted to become a professional volunteer,” said Mower, 72. “I… Read More
The town of Bucksport, a picturesque village nestled on the banks of the Penobscot River, is a very nice place to visit. For some seniors, however, it is the only place to live. “In order for our older citizens to remain in this community, there… Read More
Every weekday between 7:30 and 10 a.m., they sit side by side in the Wing Park building in Bangor and telephone all the people on their call lists. No, they’re not telemarketers, but dedicated volunteers with Telecare, a program of Rosscare. For 25 years, this… Read More
“From minks to sinks,” reads the large, red sign outside Aunt Nellie’s Attic in Holden. It’s true, and although I didn’t notice any sinks, Aunt Nellie was draped in mink. Lest you think Aunt Nellie is a bit unhinged for wearing fur on a hot… Read More
The word disaster usually conjures up visions of the ice storm or terrorism. But there are other instances when a commonplace occurrence has the potential to leave us in a lurch or at least inconvenienced. Although maybe not disasters in the broad sense, they’re still things for which… Read More
I recently switched from my winter bag to a lighter, summer bag. While lamenting the lack of space in my new small, albeit stylish, purse, I thought of things I learned from Penobscot County Sheriff Glenn Ross. Carrying a lot of unnecessary stuff is just all the more… Read More
Some people can’t curtail their eating habits. Katherine Musgrave can’t curtail her fascination with the way the body responds to eating. “Sooner or later, I tell everyone how to eat,” the dietitian said last month in her office at a Bangor medical practice where she guides patients toward… Read More
In “Supersize Me,” documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock ate nothing but McDonald’s for 30 days. When asked if he’d like to supersize his meal, he had to say yes. By day 20, his doctors warned him that he was taking his life in his hands. By day 30, he… Read More
Food fight Health advocate sounds earnest alarm about America’s increasingly dire ‘obesity epidemic’
FOOD FIGHT: The Inside Story of the Food Industry, America’s Obesity Crisis, and What We Can Do About It, by Kelly D. Brownell and Katherine Battle Horgen, McGraw Hill Cos., New York, 2004, $24.95. Be warned: This earnest, humor-challenged manifesto on the “obesity epidemic” and… Read More
Phyllis Rose realized her dream and blossomed into a published novelist. “I always wanted to write and have written essays and poetry,” said Rose, 71. She was gazing out a window at Eastern Maine Medical Center while her mother was undergoing surgery in 1997, and… Read More
Julie Fish wants to help seniors “bone up” on exercise. The energetic 82-year-old is looking forward to teaching her first Bone Builders class at the Hammond Street Senior Center in July. “I had been in Louise’s [Bonawitz, Fitness Center manager at HSSC] exercise class for… Read More
Editor’s Note: Some 64 percent of Americans are obese or overweight. Poor diet and physical inactivity soon may overtake tobacco as the leading cause of death in the United States. In New England, Maine has the highest percentage of obesity among the adult population, and the problem is… Read More
Pamela Stokes considers herself “full-figured” and feels at ease with her appearance. “I have grown into my body,” she said in a recent interview. “I wear it well. I dress well and take care of myself. It’s part of my personality.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Among the youngest of the patients to undergo gastric bypass through Eastern Maine Medical Center’s program is 23-year-old Casey Lavoie of Old Town. The Topsham native’s operation was a relative breeze, her recovery straightforward and her weight loss an inspiration partly because she had her… Read More
The bone china teacups set on each table don’t match. Yet they epitomize and complement the uniqueness of the Kalico Kitchen restaurant in Milford. “There’s a story behind the dishes,” said Gloria Thornton, 77, owner of the restaurant. “We were mostly senior-oriented, and when they… Read More
Grace Smart’s bright pink jacket doesn’t hold a candle to the brightness of her eyes. And just try to catch her without a smile on her face. Grace has been a staple at the Newport Meals for Me site, volunteering for 19 years. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
Georgia Clark-Albert works in an office surrounded by food. Fruit, vegetables, meats, boxes of cereal and containers of ice cream. She’s not tempted to eat any of it, however, because none of it is real. Clark-Albert is a dietitian. She holds two college degrees in food science and… Read More
Editor’s Note: Some 64 percent of Americans are obese or overweight. Poor diet and physical inactivity soon may overtake tobacco as the leading cause of death in the United States. In New England, Maine has the highest percentage of obesity among the adult population, and the problem is… Read More
BREWER – “Not all cops like doughnuts.” That’s what Lt. Perry Antone says. The 44-year-old Brewer police officer has worked in law enforcement for nearly 23 years. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
There are some fundamental steps people can take to start to lose weight, according to Dr. Joseph Benoit, a Bangor physician who treats patients with weight problems. The first is to get a handle on the exact amount of calories consumed each day and then… Read More
BANGOR – Shelley Sides is helping to bridge the gap between rural Maine and high-quality home health care. Sides, a registered nurse with Community Health and Counseling Services, is the agency’s new “telehealth” nurse. In that capacity, she works with clients throughout Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock… Read More
Last time we talked about some of the important information concerning the Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card. We will continue this week. There is confusion about these cards, but Eastern Agency is here to help sort it all out for you. If you are unsure what… Read More
If you are on Medicare, there is a good chance that you have received information in the mail regarding the new Medicare-approved Drug Discount Cards. You have probably seen television and newspaper advertisements encouraging you to sign up right away for a card. Do not… Read More
Think back. I’ll bet you can recall a favorite teacher who was especially inspiring, maybe even one who shaped your life. Jessie Boivin had just such a teacher. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
“And they lived happily ever after.” It’s the dreamy-eyed stuff of which fairy tales are made. But every once in awhile fairy tales really do come true. So goes the story of Lee and Audrey Higgins. They met in 1961 when Audrey worked for Travelers… Read More
I’m always on the prowl for inspiring and interesting seniors, and while there’s been no shortage the last couple of years, sometimes, as they say, what you’re looking for is right under your nose. So is the case with my mother, Margie Higgins. At 76,… Read More
The flip of a coin changed Chuck McKay’s life. As his sons grew up and lost interest in team sports, in which McKay was very involved, he and his wife decided it was time to pursue an activity they could do together. Sue McKay had… Read More
Talk, even briefly, with Bobbie Fowler and you’ll find yourself instinctively peeking over her shoulders in search of angel wings. While they’re not quite visible to the human eye, Prince knows they’re there. The stray dog, dumped by college students and forced to live six months on the… Read More
We’re taught at a very young age that it’s better to give than to receive. The Senior Sense program takes the sentiment to a new level. The program, which is funded by a three-year AmeriCorps VISTA grant from the Corporation from National and Community Service… Read More
The term “sharp as a tack” doesn’t quite cut it when describing Ida Schiro. Said tack has nothing on this 97-year-old matriarch. The native of Nashua, N.H., attended the New England Conservatory of Music, where she became an accomplished violinist, pianist and singer. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
“Got milk?” asks the National Dairy Council. And with good reason. Drinking milk can help prevent osteoporosis, the disease that leaves bones thin, weak and more prone to fracture. Consuming other calcium-rich foods also helps. Try adding low-fat cheese to sandwiches or grating some over… Read More
Lynn Gitlow has a dream. When closing her eyes, she envisions a place where everyone is able to do whatever their heart desires. And she is working to make that dream a reality. Hearing the term “assistive technology,” I always pictured a voice-activated computer that… Read More
“Let me show you the door,” is generally proper etiquette at the end of a visit. But if these words are spoken by Bert Johnson, it’s a whole different story. The co-owner of Johnson Florist and Gifts, in Bangor, is presenting “Doors That Say, ‘Welcome,'” at the Bangor… Read More
Being advised to “stop and smell the roses” started me thinking. Healthy, robust and fragrant rosebushes don’t just happen. There is usually a gardener who lovingly tends to the plant the way one would children – or in my case, cats. The Garden Club Federation… Read More
BANGOR – There are some jobs that require just the right touch, something Andy Taber has learned during his 58 years in the watch repair business. “You’ve got to know your work,” Taber said. “If you don’t know your work, you might as well leave… Read More
Judi Perkins has a garden-variety personality. But nothing could please her more. The skilled green thumb she cherishes is part of her heritage. Pumpkins, peas, corn, strawberries and tulips are but a few of the things sold at market by Perkins’ grandparents. This once-working farm,… Read More
There’s something very uplifting about getting your hair done. Aside from the rare bad cut or color mishap, what woman doesn’t walk away from the salon feeling like a million bucks? Being well-coifed is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Read More
BELFAST – Belfast lawyer Roger Blake has been practicing law in the courtrooms of Waldo County for nearly a half-century and has no intention of taking a breather. “I enjoy it, and as long as my health holds out I intend to continue practicing,” the… Read More
HOULTON – Dr. Donald Woods wakes up every morning, gets dressed and walks across the road to the dental office that he shares with his son, Dr. Karl Woods, on McSheffery Road. He spends 41/2 days a week in his light-blue smock, bent over his… Read More
The diagnoses of a terminal illness can send shock waves through not only the patient but the family as well. No one is spared. Bewilderment, fear and a sense of loss may wash over all involved. “Many of my patients face tremendous fear that their… Read More
Winter got you down? Forget driving – are you having “white-out conditions” of the brain? OK, maybe it’s just me. Nonetheless, according to my impeccable sources, spring is surely on its way. Traditionally a time for renewal and growth, it is also the perfect time to clean out… Read More
Blood is thicker than water, so they say. But you’d be hard pressed to find any four genuine sisters closer than this quartet. Craft classes, working, volunteering and painting are but a few of the activities these women do, either individually or collectively. But the… Read More
Many area residents may know William “Bill” Hunt from his live advertising for Hunt’s IGA on the “Al and Aileen” show on Channel 2 during the 1950s and ’60s. Others may know him from his days as a sideline official at Bangor High School football… Read More
With Valentine’s Day drawing near and pretty red boxes of chocolates lying in wait to be bestowed on the objects of our affection, we turn our thoughts to matters of the heart. And that’s just fine with the American Heart Association, which has deemed February American Heart Month. Read More
BREWER – There is one person working in Brewer who considers himself a “couch potato” even though he’s 73 years old and still holds down a full-time job. Frank Sonia Jr., who was born and raised in Bangor and now lives in Hampden, said he… Read More