CCC Wednesday Communique — February 7, 2023

Get ready to celebrate Chocolate Day on February 9th!  No kidding, it’s a thing, and you can read all about the origins of Chocolate Day (part of Valentine’s week in India) here.   And if you’re looking for a good excuse to enjoy chocolate every other day of the year, read the Cleveland Clinic’s list of benefits from dark chocolate.

Happy Wednesday!

New this week:

The Reflective Practitioner

Save the date of March 31st for a virtual training on reflective practice, presented by Julie Redding, LCPC, and Elin MacKinnon, LCSW, 9 am — 12 Noon.  Details and registration coming soon!


Coping with Stress as a Caregiver

It’s common for caregivers to sacrifice their own well-being while caring for others – and we’re here to help you prioritize yourself. While caregivers are often compassionate and giving individuals, we too need time for cultivating our own wellness. You’ve likely heard the saying before that “you cannot pour from an empty cup.” Taking care of ourselves and properly managing stress can help improve our lives – both in and out of our caregiving roles.  Join Lines for Life for a 4-part workshop series for caregivers – focused on strategies for self-care and connecting with others to find support.  Sessions are held virtually on Wednesdays from 3-4:00 pm on February 15th & 22nd, March 1st & 8th.  Learn more and register here.


Tipping the Pain Scale – Free Screening

Join Healthy Acadia and Downeast Recovery Supports Center on February 26th at the University of Maine at Machias Performing Arts Center for a free screening of TIPPING THE PAIN SCALE, followed by a panel discussion about substance use disorder and recovery in our communities. TIPPING THE PAIN SCALE is a feature documentary film following individuals grappling with the current systemic failures of how we have dealt with addiction in communities and their journey to develop and employ new, innovative, and often controversial solutions to the problem. Community members of all ages are invited to attend this FREE screening event followed by a panel discussion. Doors open at 1 pm. Coffee, popcorn, and snacks will be provided. The snow date for this event is March 26. Seating is limited and RSVP is required by February 21 to reserve your seat.  Register online. For more information call Lauren at 207-271-8806 or email lauren@healthyacadia.orgDownload a flyer to share.


To Warm a Winter’s Night

DCP is excited to announce To Warm a Winter’s Night — an evening of live music in support of The Heating and Warmth (THAW) fund. Join us at The Grand on Saturday, February 25, for performances by Chris Ross, Caroline Cotter, the Fog Town Family Band and Smoke & Mojo!  Doors open at 5:30 pm for bidding on silent auction items from businesses and artisans throughout the state. Performances start at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now on The Grand’s website for $29.00 per ticket.  For every ticket sold, $25.00 of the purchase price goes directly to the THAW fund, which helps residents in Hancock and Washington counties heat their homes. The THAW fund is entirely donor funded, and assistance from this fund is disbursed solely based on need. View auction items.


EAAA Healthy Aging Expo

Save the date of May 18th for Eastern Area Agency on Aging’s annual Healthy Aging Expo from 10 am — 2 pm at Anah Shriners’ Hall in Bangor.  Interested in sponsoring this event and having a table?  Learn more here.


ZERO to THREE LEARN Conference

Save the date of September 19-20 for ZERO to THREE’s LEARN Conference in Minneapolis, back in-person for the first time since 2019.  More info coming soon.


Author Reception for Cathie Pelletier

UMM is hosting a book signing and reading of Cathie Pelletier’s latest book, Northeaster: a Story of Courage and Survival in the Blizzard of 1952, Monday, February 27th, at 5 pm in Merrill Library.  Copies will be available for purchase and light refreshments will be served.  Download a flyer to share.


EAAA Resources One-Sheet

What does Eastern Area Agency on Aging do for older adults, people living with disabilities and their caregivers?  Download this flyer for information on Aging & Disabilities Resources; Food & Nutrition; and Wellness & Enrichment.


The Lifeline and 988

When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. The current Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, even after 988 is launched nationally.  Learn more.


6 Ways to Slow Memory Decline and Lower Dementia Risk
A new study of more than 29,000 older adults has identified six habits — from eating a variety of foods to regularly reading or playing cards — that are linked with a lower risk of dementia and a slower rate of memory decline.  Eating a balanced diet, exercising the mind and body regularly, having regular contact with others, and not drinking or smoking — these six “healthy lifestyle factors” were associated with better cognitive outcomes in older adults, in a large Chinese study conducted over a decade and published in the BMJ on Wednesday. Read more.  (From: Washington Post | Published: January 26, 2023)

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