As Scarborough’s Health & Wellness Committee chairwoman, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Joan Conroy, Shannon Theofrastou, Shirley Bowman, Judy Roy and the Scarborough WOW Program Coordinator, Terri Hatt, for volunteering their time and effort to participate in identifying and implementing projects that to enrich the health and wellness of Scarborough’s senior population.

For those readers who are not familiar with some of the projects this committee has undertaken so far in 2008, I’d like to provide a brief outline:

1. We prepared dietitian-approved luncheon menus for the food vendor, Larry Smith of Al’s Variety for the Hillcrest Senior Series. Several special occasion dinner menus were also planned to celebrate holiday meals. Special attention was given to keeping them affordable for all. Our volunteer dietitian was Elizabeth Bertolone.

2. We planned a demonstration by belly dancer Jean Handy.

3. We offered blood pressure screenings by a nurse volunteer, Judy Roy, at the Hillcrest Senior Series twice a month. About 20 seniors take advantage of this each time.

4. We planned for seniors to partner with Orthopedic Physical Therapy Associates in Scarborough for senior-friendly gym time after a small initial evaluation fee.

5. We provided reserved mini-bus transportation to South Portland for seniors wishing to take advantage of the walking track/step and stretch program/swimming pool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

6. We are presently pursuing plans to offer a foot clinic in the fall at an easily accessible location. Seniors could have their feet examined for health concerns.

7. We partnered with Soma of South Portland and Maryann Malloy, a personal trainer/nutritionist, explained low exercise even in moderation can make us healthier. She brought with her Julie Wright, a massage therapist, who spoke on the advantages of stress management through massage. Nicholas Hill spoke on vitamins and minerals and their need in the body.

8. We also had an art therapist that put us through the paces of a class that she might teach, so that we could see the value of art in therapy.

9. Committee members have been active in the town’s 350th anniversary celebration events and had a booth.

I would like to thank our loyal bus driver, Lloyd, for without him some of us couldn’t attend these programs. And last but not least, heartfelt thanks go out to the Desfosses family for the use of the recreation facility at Hillcrest Estates.

Carole Wakem

Scarborough