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Welcome to HCCA's Newsletter
November 2009
Volume 2, Issue 27
Newsletter goal: provide local community members with resources to connect with others and improve lives.
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Board of Directors
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Mary Frances Bartlett
Rebecca West Dick, Chair
Cindy T. Flye
Rob Gordon
Chuck Hays, Treasurer
Bill McKenna
William McPeck, Vice Chair
Kathi Wall
Jim Wood, Secretary
Mark Yerrick
Joanne Joy, Director
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HCCA Towns
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Augusta
Chelsea
Farmingdale
Fayette
Gardiner
Hallowell
Litchfield
Manchester
Monmouth
Mount Vernon
Pittston
Randolph
Readfield
Richmond
Vienna
Wayne
West Gardiner
Windsor
Winthrop
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Go Red Launches Better U Health Support Program
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Gardiner Commons Winter Solstice Starlight Party
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The
longest day of the year is fast approaching; celebrate beneath
the stars! Join Gardiner Main Street on December 21st for their annual
Winter Solstice Starlight Party, on the Gardiner Common. Join
professional astronomers from Northern Stars Planetarium with their
high powered telescope to gaze at the stars! Learn about
constellations only visible at this time of year and the folklore that
surrounds them.
The Starlight Party starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 9
p.m. and is weather permitting. Grab your family, warm clothes and a
thermos full of hot chocolate to fully enjoy this lovely, free event.
For more information, contact the Gardiner Main Street office at
582-3100
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Drug Free Communities Grant Awarded to Local Group
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 The
Southern Kennebec Substance Abuse Work Group (SAWG) has begun work under a
$125,000 Drug Free Communities
Support Program FY 2009 grant awarded by the White House Office of National
Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA). The primary
goal of the Coalition is to reduce substance abuse among youth, and over time,
among adults in several local communities by addressing the issues in our
community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors
that minimize the risk of substance abuse.
At its
first meeting under the new grant on Tuesday November 17th, the
group focused on the problem of prescription drug misuse. Although prescription drug misuse is not as
common a problem among teens as alcohol, tobacco or marijuana use, the risks of
use are very high. The coalition will be
working with schools, parents, youth and community groups to increase awareness
of the risks and support safe disposal of unwanted and expired medications.
For more information, visit the SAWG web page at www.healthycommunitiesme.org and/or contact Neill Miner at nminer@mcd.org. |
HCCA Hosts Legislator Reception
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 Several HCCA town's were well represented by their legislators at an informal gathering hosted by HCCA Board and staff this November. Lively conversation was shared as well as healthy locally grown foods. Thanks to board member Mark Yerrick, KVYMCA Director, for providing the convenient place to meet. Pictured here are Joanne Joy, HCCA Executive Director, Representative Lisa Miller from Somerville, HCCA Board member Cindy Flye and Representative Les Fossel of Alna. |
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Local Farmers Markets Remain Open This Winter!!
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Gardiner and Augusta Farmer's Markets announce winter hours and locations:
Gardiner Farmer's Market is the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at the Episcopal Church on the Common from 2-6 p.m. However, on Wednesday the 16th of December there will be a change in location to Art Dogs, 277 Water St in Gardiner.
Augusta Farmer's Market takes place every Tuesday from 3-4:30 p.m., weather permitting at their regular Mill Park location.
Support our local food producers and eat healthy at the same time, shop at a Farmers Market whenever possible. Both markets offer local winter vegetables, breads and pastries, meats and fish (Gardiner only), coffee and more!!
Remember, the Gardiner Farmer's Market accepts SNAP/Food Stamp Cards through the market's token system.
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HCCA Welcomes New Collaborations to Our Website
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The Augusta Area Home Heating Challenge Group and the Maine Dental Access Coalition have joined Capital Area Network of Disability and Elder Support Services (CAN) Healthy Start and the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition as HCCA "Local Collaborations".
There are links on each of the Collaboration's web page to information and resources. Please activate the link attached to each name, and/or go to the HCCA Website www.healthycommunitiesme.org
to learn more about these groups and the work they are doing to create
healthier communities in southern Kennebec County and beyond.
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Citizens Energy Fuel Assistance Program
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Citizens Energy's Fuel Assistance Program is available again this year. The program will begin taking applications January 12 through February 26, 2010. Customers can apply during that time period only by calling 1-877-563-4645 or through this link to their website. Those qualifying for fuel assistance in Maine will
meet program guidelines, but interested customers still need to apply. Dealers have until
April 30, 2010 to complete all deliveries.
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Expanded Public Transportation Bus Routes Announced
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Jim Wood, KVCAP Transportation Manager and HCCA Board Member unveiled the new bus routes now connecting Communities from Gardiner to Waterville and various downtown destinations in between. For more information see the new Augusta bus schedule here. For other schedules go to KVCAP Transportation Website at www.kvcap.org
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Spotlight: New Augusta Area Resource
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 In September 2009, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 9
Summer St., Augusta, opened an essentials pantry to provide free basic items to
people in the Greater Augusta area in need. For many years, St. Mark's
has also been privileged to provide space for the Augusta Food Bank, Addie's
Attic Clothing Bank, and many 12-step programs and community groups. Through
these relationships and public suppers, St. Mark's has become increasingly aware
that many basic needs are not met by other services or
the food stamps program.
Everyday Basics is open on the second and fourth Sundays of each month at St.
Mark's Parish Hall, 9 Summer St., Augusta, from 11am to 12noon. There are
no residency or eligibility requirements for receiving essentials and all are
welcome.
To support this effort, St. Mark's is asking for contributions of any toiletries in any size but are
especially focusing on the most frequently needed essential items:
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Bars
of soap
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Toothpaste
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Toothbrushes
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Toilet
paper
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Diapers
(larger sizes)
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Diaper
wipes
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Powdered
laundry detergent
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Shampoo
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Feminine
hygiene products
Contributions of items or money donations can be delivered to St. Mark's parish
office, 9 Summer St., Augusta, Monday through Thursday mornings 9-12 or call
the office at 622-2424 for another time or pick-up.
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| Thank you for your time and attention. Please contact us if we can be of assistance in supporting your southern Kennebec communities' quality of life!
We hope you found the information presented here useful and informative. Please send comments and suggestions for improvement to the contact information below.
Sincerely,
Joanne E.A. Joy, Director Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
Karen Tucker, Project Coordinator
All our newsletters are permission only. You are receiving this because we have an established relationship with you. If you do not want to receive future newsletters, please activate the "safeunsubscribe"link at the end of the newsletter. |
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Healthy Communities of the Capital Area towns are:
Augusta, Chelsea, Farmingdale, Fayette, Gardiner, Hallowell, Litchfield, Manchester, Monmouth, Mount Vernon, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Richmond, Vienna, Wayne, West Gardiner, Windsor, Winthrop
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