Kali Lightfoot

 Penobscot Valley Explores the "History of Recorded Music"

To Your Health: Fat Facts About Your Blood Chemistry and What You Can Do About It

How much do you really know about cholesterol and the many ways it affects your body?  How can you effectively lower your levels to achieve a healthier lifestyle?  Dr. Daniel vanBuren answered these and many other questions at the latest To Your Health offering.  

Dr. van Buren, Director of Medicine at  the New England Heart Institute

Dr. vanBuren, Director of Cardiovascular Medicine at the New England Heart Institute, presented a highly informative program, explaining how our bodies produce cholesterol and its detrimental effect on our health.  He explained the differences between HDL and LDL - good versus bad.  High LDL levels raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other related heart problems.

There are many ways we can lower our risk factors for heart disease due to high cholesterol.  Medication is often prescribed by doctors, as well as dietary changes.  Avoiding foods high in saturated fat such as butter, fried foods, and cheese and replacing them with healthier choices goes a long way towards improving our levels.  Exercise, smoking cessation, stress reduction, and weight control are also highly recommended.

Dr. vanBuren discussed the many different types of statin drugs that are prescribed by physicians to reduce your risk factors.  He also touched on the various supplements that are often touted as helpful in reducing cholesterol and whether they are indeed effective.

All in all, the attendees left with a wealth of knowledge and maybe a little better understanding of how their bodies work.

Karen Mabus of Cherryfield worried about the weather: on January 13 her long driveway was about to become a downhill ice slope. So, her bags packed for over a month, she climbed into her trusty Mitsubishi four-wheeler and made her way to Machias to stay the night with her friend, Barbara Anthony. The next morning a friend drove them to the Bangor airport-slowly and carefully-where they caught a plane to Philadelphia, and from there, circuitously to Lima, Peru.

Gail and Wayne Peters of Roque Bluffs were in New Hampshire, tending to their daughter, who'd had major knee surgery and major young children needing supervising. They nurtured, cooked and froze meals for the family and then headed to Gail's sister in Miami, Florida, to hook up with friends all headed for Lima.

Dixie Dahmen of Sorrento, discovered Etta Abrahams of Jonesport, Maine and Okemos, Michigan, and Jenifer Banks of Okemos, Michigan in the Miami airport. The three had to wait about five hours before their plane took off for Lima along with Gail and Wayne. Rendle and Pat Jones of Camden, with Betty Rinehart of Caribou made it earlier; so did Kay Larson of Bethel. Michigander Madeline Masterson arrived in Lima in the middle of the night; Californians Sara Chandler and spouse, George Titensor, arrived, as did Sara's sister, Kathy Guins, who flew in from Maryland.

So there we were, a strange group of senior folks, some old friends, some relatives, some frequent travelers, some strangers: 15 of us from four states, all brought together in Lima, Peru, thanks to the good will of Sunrise Senior College, as well the Maine Senior College Network, and networking friends.

Here's how it began:Click here to read more about their excellent adventure!

submitted by -  Etta Abrahams, Sunrise Senior College

Did you sing in your high school or college choir but haven't really sung much in a group since? Do you love to sing in the shower and wish you had a group to share your talents? Do you love to sing and would be interested in performing for others in the community? Do you love to have fun?A new chorus being formed in Yarmouth may be just for you! 

Are you looking for a yoga class that caters to people 50 and older?  Jade Intergated Health has started a class just for you.  Click here for all the details!