SAD 6 superintendent
gets national certification

STANDISH — SAD 6 Superintendent Paul Penna on Feb. 14 was awarded National Superintendent Certification by AASA, the School Superintendents Association, in Los Angeles, California.

Launched in 2013, the certification process is spread across 18 months and is tailored for superintendents who have been in the job seven years or less. The forums, seminars and coaching provide opportunities to define and examine issues that surface in real-life situations, including district budgeting, 21st century technology and superintendent-school board relations.

Penna, one of only 85 superintendents throughout the nation who have earned the certification, participated in more than 80 hours of in-person workshops focusing on improving student outcomes. He also engaged in one-on-one mentoring for two years along with completing a Capstone Project which he presented and was peer reviewed at the National AASA conference.

Rotary luncheon focused
on area’s expected growth

WINDHAM — Greater Portland Council of Governments Director Kristina Egan will speak at a Sebago Lake Rotary Club lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 21 at the Windham Veterans Center.

Egan will be speak on smart growth, transportation, economic development, energy and public health and their potential impact on the greater Sebago Lake business community.

“The beauty of the Lakes Region is attracting new residents and a growing number of tourists. While this growth has its upside, it also brings more traffic, pressure on natural areas and stress on our water. We’ll explore the region’s demographic, economic, and infrastructure trends, talk about new initiatives on the drawing board, and how the business community can help support prosperity and a great quality of life in the area,” Egan says.

Rotary Club President Tony Plante, also GPCOG municipal collaboration director says, “Having Ms. Egan share the work and thinking of the GPCOG will help local business people plan for and adapt to the likely future growth and development within our region.”

The cost is $10. A light lunch will be provided.  Contact Marge Barker at margebarker173@gmail.com to reserve one or more seats. Tables of six also are available to reserve. Space is limited and reservations and early registration are encouraged. The Veterans Center is located at 35 Veterans Memorial Drive, behind  Hannaford plaza.

College offers fitness
program for seniors

STANDISH —The Alfond Center at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is expanding its adult fitness classes to include the nationally recognized SilverSneakers program. SilverSneakers–the nation’s leading community fitness program designed exclusively for older adults– offers a way to motivate older adults to increase their levels of physical activity and remain socially active.

The college will celebrate a SilverSneakers Launch Week on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, March 12, 14 and 15. On those three days, classes, from 11-11:45 a.m., will be free and door prizes will be awarded.

SilverSneakers helps older adults take greater control of their health through a variety of fitness offerings that engages participants in more frequent strength training, aerobic, and flexibility exercise and by providing access to a variety of venues and programming designed specifically for older adults. There are more than 14.5 million people eligible for the SilverSneakers benefit through the nation’s leading Medicare Advantage health plans, Medicare Supplement carriers and group retiree plans.  For those members, the benefit is offered at no additional cost.

 The Alfond Center is located on the Saint Joseph’s College of Maine campus at 278 Whites Bridge Road, Standish. To learn more about its SilverSneakers offerings, call instructor Jenna Chase at 893-6627, email jchase@sjcme.edu or visit www.sjcme.edu/silver-sneakers.

Take a morning hike
with naturalist guide

BRIDGTON — Loon Echo Land Trust and Bring Change 2 Mind are holding  a   morning hike up Bald Pate Mountain Preserve in Bridgton on Saturday, March 9,  at 9 a.m.

Bring Change 2 Mind, a Lake Region community campaign focused on encouraging conversation and ending the stigma surrounding mental illnesses and substance use disorders, first partnered with LELT in 2018 on a hike aimed at encouraging participants to experience the connection between a walk in nature and positive mental health and well-being.

For this second collaboration, Maine Master Naturalist Leigh Hayes of Bridgton will bring her expertise on animal tracking and winter tree identification to point out subtle signs of spring that can be missed in the gray days of March.

This hike is free and open to the public. However, registration is required. To register, contact Loon Echo Stewardship Manager Jon Evans, at stewardship@lelt.org or 207-647-4352, or Jana Richards at Jana.Richards@opportunityalliance.org. Snowshoes or traction devices may be required and layered clothing, water and snacks are always encouraged. Find more information about the hike on Loon Echo’s website, www.lelt.org and the LELT and Bring Change 2 Mind Facebook pages. 

Penna

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