Healthy Peninsula welcomes Kenney Miller who joined our staff this week as a community health coordinator.   Kenney will be based at our new Ellsworth office at Child and Family Opportunities, 18 Avery Lane.    His work with Healthy Peninsula will include reducing tobacco use among youth and adults, supporting management and prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and lung disease, and assisting local businesses and organizations in adopting worksite wellness practices.

Prior to joining Healthy Peninsula Kenney worked with several Healthy Community coalitions including Union River Healthy Communities  and the Waldo County Healthy Community Coalition. He earned his MSc in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and his BA in Community Studies from the University of Maine at Machias. Kenney currently resides in Belfast with his wife Stephanie and his son Elias.

Kenney may be reached at 479-2663 or kmiller@healthypeninsula.org.

Job Description for Community Health Coordinator

As we expand our Healthy Maine Partnership services to the Ellsworth area, Healthy Peninsula seeks a community health coordinator based in Ellsworth for up to 40 hours per week. We are looking for a collaborative team member with excellent communication skills and experience managing multiple projects. The successful candidate will coordinate prevention, education, and advocacy efforts with all ages to improve health in the communities of central Hancock County. Primary areas of responsibility will include Healthy Maine Partnership objectives in tobacco, nutrition, chronic disease, and worksite wellness. A Bachelor’s degree in public health, community health education, or related field is preferred. Three to five years experience in related community work is required. Competitive pay and generous benefit package.
To apply, send resume, three references and letter of interest indicating the position for which you are applying to Human Resource Department, Child and Family Opportunities, Inc.,
P.O. Box 648, Ellsworth, ME 04605 or you may e-mail
patriciap@childandfamilyopp.com

Download the Letterboxing Trail Guide here:

Blue Hill Fitness Program Expands

Blue Hill Memorial Hospital will hold its third annual 5K Fun Run and one-mile walk on Saturday, August 7.  Once again, Blue Hill fitness enthusiast, Anne Piazza, will lead an exercise program prior to the August event.  “The fitness program is inclusive and highly personalized,” says Piazza.  “All are welcome to join us, regardless of whether they’ve ever exercised before.  I want to help all of our participants to train for the event, as well as meet the minimum requirements of the American College of Sports Medicine regarding cardiovascular stimulus, resistance training and stretching that have recently received attention in the media.”

Piazza adds, “Heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are very real threats to our families, friends, and neighbors.  The fitness program is designed to help prevent, or at least combat such chronic diseases that can compromise the quality of life that is so important to all of us. If you are not exercising at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes and are a male over 45 or female over 55, you already have two risk factors. This puts you at moderate risk for cardiac disease. It is time to take control, get off the couch and get moving.”

This year’s program is expanded to include a boot camp component that will be conducted at two different levels. A boot camp for all levels will be held at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds, and a bit more advanced boot camp will be held at Blue Hill Mountain. Boot camps will be held both morning and early evening to accommodate various schedules.  The boot camps will begin on June 14 and last for eight weeks.

Piazza’s basic training program will begin on Saturday, June 5 at 8:00 a.m. at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds. “The race training program focuses on cardiovascular fitness, preparing to walk or run in the three mile road race.” explains Piazza.  “The boot camps will include other components, such as strength and agility training as well as flexibility exercises.”  As she has done for the past three years, Piazza, a physical therapist, cross country coach and group fitness instructor, will help each participant meet personal goals and overcome barriers to fitness.   Participants in any of Piazza’s training programs are welcome to attend an evening lecture series that complements the physical training program.

Those who register for the 5K Fun Run can participate in all training programs at no cost.  The boot camp classes are also available at a modest cost to those who do not wish to participate in the road race.

For more to register for the training program or for more information, contact Anne Piazza at 266-4338 or through email at agpiazza@live.com.  Additional information, including race registration forms, for the race will be available soon at www.bhmh.org.

Join us for free food, music, dancing, and activities for all ages.

Saturday, March 13

2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Blue Hill Consolidated School

Celebrate the “Spring Forward” to Daylight Savings Time with a community meal, music, dancing, and fun activities for all ages. The Healthy Aging Task Force is sponsoring a Celebration of the Seasons of Life on Saturday, March 13. The Simmering Pot will provide delicious food in the cafeteria. Local musicians will be playing in the gym. Activities include origami, yoga, learning to make healthy snacks, letterboxing stamp design, and more. Seasonal art work from area schools will be on display. Everything is FREE!

The Healthy Aging Task Force includes Healthy Peninsula, Friendship Cottage, Hopsice of Hancock County, Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, Hancock County Home Care and Hospice, Faith in Action, and Parker Ridge.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Saturday, February 13

Peninsula Metamorphic – 139 Mines Road, Blue Hill

Join us for a free, hands-on cooking workshop and learn to prepare low-cost, healthy, family-friendly recipes.   This workshop, led by Hadley Friedman, will feature whole-grain alternatives, including a vegetable and bulgur salad.

Great door prizes and every participant will receive a free vegetable peeler.

Space is limited to 10.   Reservations required. Please contact Healthy Peninsula by Feb. 12 to register.

We had a wonderful community breakfast on Tuesday, January 26 with over 40 participants. The Simmering Pot catered the meal which featured local ingredients and included a corn pudding, roasted rosemary potatoes, and Lucy’s granola. Check back soon for minutes and recipes.

Don’t miss our Community Breakfast Tuesday, January 26 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Blue Hill. Great, local food catered by The Simmering Pot and a good opportunity to network with community members and leaders of local organizations.