Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

Cape Ann Community Forum

Location:  Cruiseport Gloucester , 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester,  MA
Date:   April 11, 2013  – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Lahey Health & Addison Gilbert Hospital will host a community forum to discuss recent updates and developments at Lahey Health and Addison Gilbert Hospital.  Presenters will include Denis Conroy, President of Addison Gilbert and Beverly hospitals and Cindy Cafasso Donaldson, Vice President of Addison Gilbert Hospital.  All residents are encouraged to attend this community forum, which will include a question and answer segment.

Cape Ann Garden Club Celebrates Spring at Addison Gilbert Hospital and Year-round!

Tina Ketchopolos submits-

Members of the Cape Ann Garden Club have been volunteering at the Senior Adult Unit (SAU) at Addison Gilbert Hospital for over two years as a community service.  Leaders of the Therapeutic Horticulture/Flower Arranging project include Lida Bernard, Connie Mason and Deb Fichera. Each month, a leader is accompanied by one other alternating Cape Ann Garden Club member as they visit with patients in a group setting.  Through the generosity of its members, the club supplies fresh flowers and vases and assists patients to create their own flower arrangements. The types of flowers and containers vary by the season – ranging from the whimsical to the elegant – but always making the SAU look and smell like a spring garden!  The SAU is pleased to offer this Plant or Horticultural Therapy (unique in an Acute Care setting) as part of its comprehensive group programming for patients – which also includes Music, Art, Pet and Exercise/Movement activities.

The American Horticultural Therapy Association defines therapeutic horticulture as a process that uses plants and plant-related activities through which participants strive to improve their well-being through active or passive involvement. In a therapeutic horticulture program, the benefits of involvement in horticultural activities and exposure to nature can be seen in cognitive, psychological, social, and physical realms and research continues to reveal these connections across many groups of people. 

Each month, the team delights the patients with their gift of time and generous donations. Even patients who never thought they would enjoy flower arranging find the activity relaxing, a creative outlet and simply fun! Patients are then able to take their masterpieces home with them to share with family and friends! 

Pictured are Donna Caselden (L) and Lida Bernard preparing to assist patients with their flower arranging project in March.

Medication Disposal

Got Drugs?  Turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal on Saturday, April 27th

The Gloucester Medication Disposal program sponsored by Healthy Gloucester Collaborative is once again hosting a community medication disposal event in conjunction with the US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration Annual Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.  The Medication Disposal Day will take place on Saturday April 27 from 10 a.m. –

1 p.m. in the parking lot of Rose Baker Senior Center, Six Manuel F. Lewis Street, Gloucester.   In the event of rain, this event will be held inside the Rose Baker Senior Center.

Items Accepted:

Prescription and over-the-counter medications, Medication Samples, Vitamins, Narcotics, Liquid Medications

Items NOT Accepted

Sharps (sharps can be disposed of 24-7 in the main entrance of Addison

        Gilbert Hospital at the Sharps Kiosk).

Thermometers, IV Bags, Bloody or Infectious Waste, Inhalers, Hydrogen Peroxide, Personal Care Products

EARTH MONTH

Presented by Greenbelt

Love your Mother Earth. Join Essex County Greenbelt in April for a month’s worth of activities and volunteer opportunities celebrating our planet including nature walks, community clean-ups, and a workshop on green landscaping practices. Meet your neighbors, learn about how we can green-up Essex County and work together for a sustainable future. Reserve your spot today and join us in raising awareness about environmental issues like sea level rise and encouraging people to adopt sustainable practices in their every day lives. Fun for all ages and abilities, and it’s free.

On Sunday April 7 grab your binoculars and go urban birding in Lawrence with Ben Padilla from Groundwork Lawrence and photographer/naturalist Craig Gibson. Learn about falcons and songbirds living in urban environments. Or grab your boots and explore the mysteries of vernal pools in Gloucester with the Cape Ann Vernal Pool Team. On April 14 learn how to put nature to work in your yard at our Greenscaping workshop at the Cox Reservation. Barbara Warren from the North Shore Greenscapes Coalition will share green landscaping techniques, Curt Dragon of Earth Landscape will offer tips on composting, test your garden soil for pH, and plant a butterfly garden. On April 21 celebrate Earth Day with Dr. Anne Giblin and learn about sea level change in Plum Island Sound. After the talk help us keep our waterways clean by collecting debris at our Batchelder’s Landing property and the surrounding salt marsh. On April 28 walk the Cox Reservation with Forester Mike Simmons and learn how to recognize trees by their bark and buds. Bring your mobile device and practice using the free electronic field guide leafsnap. Finally watch for the date and location of Peeper Night a search for spring frogs as they shake off their winter sleep with the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team. This is a nighttime excursion so bring your flashlight and wear your boots. For more information and to reserve your spot for any of these outings go to www.ecga.org/what_we_do/earth_month or contact Greenbelt at ecga@ecga.org or 978-768-7241.

Since 1961, Greenbelt has been working with local individuals, families, farmers and communities to protect the farmland, wildlife habitat and scenic vistas of Essex County. Greenbelt has protected over 15,000 acres of local land and has had a direct role in 75% of all land conserved in the last decade. For more information about Greenbelt programs visit www.ecga.org or call 978-768-7241.

North Shore Nursery School
“Child’s Play for the 21st Century” with Tere Bowen-Irish

North Shore Nursery School is please to present a free community parent coffee on Friday, March 22, 8:45 a.m., at North Shore Nursery School in Beverly, MA. The event will feature Tere Bowen-Irish, a nationally known educator who speaks on wellness for children and families. This educational and informative discussion will touch on different types of play and how to facilitate play throughout your child’s day (and yours too!).
Learn techniques to help your baby, toddler or young child refine social, academic and creative skills.
The event is open to the public. To RSVP or for more information about the school, contact North Shore Nursery School at sdipasquale@northshorenurseryschool.org or (978) 922-8450. Visit the website at NorthShoreNurserySchool.org
North Shore Nursery School is located at 204 Greenwood Avenue in Beverly MA.
About North Shore Nursery School
For 50 years, North Shore Nursery School has embraced the wonder of childhood.  
The child-centered program provides a nurturing and engaging first school experience that builds the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.  Founded in 1962 as a nonprofit organization, North Shore Nursery School offers programs for children ages 2-5 years old.

COSTA RICA TRIP

AN ART TRIP….for all nature enthusiasts who enjoy drawing in the JUNGLE!!!—DEC.27th–jan.5th…interested  ??call JOY–978-281-4290