6217-R4_CIC_February2019_Calendar_Web

Notes from the Council

The Wellness Center with Paula Favreau, RN, Is Open for Blood Draws, Blood Pressure Checks, PT/INR Testing, Medication Setup, Flu Shots, Dressing Changes, Suture Removal, Wellness Checks, and Health Information No appointment needed. No charge for these services. Tuesday

After a delicious “Thanksgiving in January” Community Lunch, Steve Baybutt explained how tele-medicine will help increase access to health care here on Chebeague. MaineHealth will be providing the equipment, and the Council Wellness Center volunteers will be available to help you get started using this new tool.The equipment has been ordered, and Steve will be out here to get us set up as soon as everything arrives. You will be able to monitor important health indicators like blood pressure and blood sugar, talk “face to face” with a nurse, and keep your doctor informed of any changes in or concerns about your health. Watch for more information and details on Bev’s web site and social media. The Church, the Commons, and the Council are working together to start a trial Meals on Wheels Program. This has been done in the past and some of you may recall Bertha Grey delivering those meals! The need and the willingness to participate has fluctuated over the years. Several folks have wondered if it might be time to try it again. There are islanders who either are home bound or find it difficult to get out in the winter and for whom having a warm meal delivered could really make a difference. We are starting out small and space is limited. If you would like more information, please call the Council office (846-4988) and leave a message so we can call you back. The snow is coming, the roads are slippery, and getting the bottles and cans to Chandlers is difficult. Ann Thaxter and the Bagettes could use some help! Please call Ann (846-3274) or Ester (846-4178) to find out what you can do and, in doing so, help support Island nonprofits. Enterprise for Chebeague Housing Options (ECHO) Affordable housing remains a challenge in coastal regions of Maine, as noted on the Island Institute website: On many Maine islands, there is a shortage of affordable, year-round housing. This includes affordably priced homes for sale and rental units, especially those available for a full year rather than only in off-peak seasons. The effect of this lack of housing is to make attracting and retaining families— and especially the young residents of islands as they become adults—much more difficult.The lack of housing also provides a significant barrier to economic activity. It’s extremely difficult to find qualified applicants for year-round positions (e.g. school teachers or town employees) or even for summer positions (restaurant staff, sternmen for lobster boats, etc.) without affordable, comfortable housing units in which those employees can live. In the long run, an inability to offer quality housing to. . . the young families that provide island schools with new students could be an existential threat to the year- round nature of many of these communities. This excerpt makes clear why Enterprise for Chebeague Housing Options (ECHO; echo@chebeague.net ) has been founded on Chebeague.

February 12 & 26 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Missed the Flu Clinic? Not a problem! Paula has both types of flu vaccine at the Wellness Center.

The Foo t Doc t o r

The Foot Doctor, Dr. Rybka, is coming to Chebeague on Wednesday, February 6 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Call 829-6463 for an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

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FEBRUARY 2019 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR