Day designed for information, demonstrations, screenings for overall wellness

The Houlton Recreation Department and Healthy Aroostook partnered together and sponsored a Senior Wellness Day March 30 at the Gentle Memorial Building. More than 100 participants took part in the event, which featured 20 wellness-type booths, demonstrations, giveaways and healthy snacks.      The program was designed to present seniors with information, demonstrations and screenings that focused on their overall wellness.
“The Senior Citizens in Houlton area are such an important part of our community and we wanted to focus on a day just for them,” said Marie Carmichael, Houlton Recreation program director.
Tracy Tweedie of Healthy Aroostook said, “Our goals are to prevent chronic disease and improve nutrition and physical activity and reduce tobacco use.”
Those who took part in the event were: Carriages of Acadia, Houlton Garden Club, Red Hat Society, Houlton Community Golf Club, Lending a Hand, Aroostook Agency on Aging, Aroostook Regional Transportation, Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, Massage Therapist Serenna Fitzpatrick, Houlton Police Department, Cary Library, Cyr Bus Tours, Cooperative Extension, Richard Goodwin OD; Community Living Associaton (CLA); Michele Bye, Laney Lloyd and Jo Holmes, Higher Education Center-Adult Education; Senior Town and Country Club, 2-1-1 and Keep ME Well.
Demonstrations included Yoga, Tai Chi of the 5 Elements Healing Art Center and Zumba by Alissa Black. Giveaways were sponsored by Chadwick Florist, Daniels Florist, and massage gift pack and massage gift certificate from Serenna Fitzpatrick.
Snacks during the Senior Wellness Day were provided by Andy’s IGA, Paradis’ Shop N Save and Tim Hortons.
“We were very pleased with the wonderful response from the businesses and organizations that participated in this year’s Senior Wellness Day,” said Carmichael. “Hopefully, it will be even bigger next year.”