IMPROVment® | Improvisational Movement for Brain Body Health

Fun, creative, and lively, this series of evidence-based dance classes encourage participants to build stamina, strength, and confidence all while moving to music in a joyful and non-judgemental atmosphere. No prior experience is necessary, and attendees are invited to take the class at their own pace and slow down or rest at any time. 

Program aims: 

• to build strength and endurance 
• to focus on balance and agility
• to have fun and be creative in a non-judgemental and non-competitive atmosphere

Any adult 65 years of age or older is encouraged to participate in this class series! Those with PD, early dementia, or individuals looking for cardiac rehabilitation are especially encouraged to participate.

Mondays, Sept. 29-Nov. 17, 10-11 a.m.

Registration is Required for EACH session - Participants are welcome to join for one class or all eight! Cost is $8/class or $40 for the series (call to register for all 8 to receive discount). Payment accepted by credit card or check payable to "Community Health & Wellness". Checks may be delivered to the front desk at Parkview prior to the class.

For more information call (207) 373-6585.

About the teaching artist: Jessie Laurita-Spanglet is a dance artist, educator, and arts administrator based in Brunswick, Maine. Jessie’s work at the intersection of movement and health has led to her current role as Intervention Coordinator on a cross-disciplinary dance and neuroscience research team at Wake Forest University. In addition to her work at Wake Forest, Jessie has taught courses on the topic of Dance and Health at Colby College and the University of Southern Maine, where she is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Theater. Jessie holds an MFA in dance from the University of Maryland, and is a 2024 National Arts Strategies Creative Community Fellow.

This six-week program is designed for individuals with chronic disease or illness, with a goalto improve quality of life, support mental and physical endurance, and promote healing.What you can expect:• A better sense of well being• Stimulated immune system• Increased strength and flexibility• Reduced stress• Decreased pain for arthritis and fibromyalgia

Please join our postpartum support group to find the village you deserve! You will get to meet other new moms and find out that many of the struggles you may be experiencing are common and you are not alone. You will also get good ideas for coping. We vent, we celebrate, we cry, we encourage, we drink coffee and eat snacks! You can weigh your baby here and ask any questions at all to another mother or a nurse. 

The group meets every Wednesday morning at 10:30am at MidCoast Hospital. Sometimes we meet in Conference Room 1, right next to the cafeteria. If that room is not available, our back up location is the waiting room outside the Maternity unit. The group is led by our breast/bottle feeding specialists. Mothers with children 0-6 months are welcome. 

This informal support group for breastfeeding families provides interaction as well as individual assistance when needed. Women wanting more information about breastfeeding are also welcome. This group is facilitated by a lactation consultant from the Women and Infants unit.

Please call (207)301-8337 for more information. 

A free, 7-session series focusing on methods to cultivate and preserve nature’s bounty, including planning and preparing your garden, dehydrating food and canning vegetables.

Facilitated by Sheryl McWilliams.

2nd Thursday of the month | 6:30-8 p.m. (no sessions in July or August)

• March 13: Planning for the Future: Garden design, breaking the ground, till vs. no-till, etc.
• April 10: All Things Seeds: Selection, sourcing, starting and preservation
• May 8: Will It Grow? Planting, weeding and nurturing
• June 12: Growing the Soil: How to produce healthy, nutrient-dense plants
• September 11: Gathering the Bounty: Harvesting your produce
• October 9: What to Do with a Bumper Crop: Food storage and preservation
• November 20: Putting the Garden to Bed for the Winter

Registration is required for each individual session.

 Join us for a free, nurse-led group for parents and parents-to-be. We offer a welcoming place for new and pregnant parents to talk, listen and get support from others during the transition to parenthood. Babies welcome! Snacks and beverages will be provided. Registration is encouraged, but drop-ins are welcome. For more information or to register, call 207-505-4332.

This group meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Join us for an in-depth discussion of what to expect when the time comes to give birth to your baby!

Part 1 is in-person at MidCoast Hospital. During this 3.5 hour session, you will learn about the three phases of labor, how to cope, and how to be a supportive partner. We will discuss many coping strategies, as well as practice laboring positions and hands-on support techniques. This session also includes a tour of the maternity unit and birthing rooms. Session 1 is from 9:30am-1:00pm.

Part 2 is held the next day via zoom. During this 3 hour session, you will learn about the various pain medication options that are available, what is involved in inductions and c-sections, what to expect with your newborn and your hospital stay, as well as how to be more prepared for the postpartum period. In the year 2025 Session 2 will be 9:00am-12:00pm. In the year 2026 Session 2 with be 3:00pm-6:00pm.

Partners/support people are encouraged to attend but do not need to register online. We recommend taking this course between 30-35 weeks if possible. Our hope is that you will leave this educational weekend feeling like you have the knowledge you need to make informed decisions, and the confidence to navigate the transition from pregnancy to parenthood. We look forward to working with you!

You will receive an email from the instructor 1 week prior to the scheduled class with the zoom link for part 2. Please check your spam/junk folder for emails from erin@lighthouselactationmaine.com. 

Join us for a free, nurse-led group for parents and parents-to-be. We offer a welcoming place for new and pregnant parents to talk, listen and get support from others during the transition to parenthood. Babies welcome! Snacks and beverages will be provided. Drop-ins are welcome. Please call 301-8343 for more information.

This group meets on the 2nd Monday of each month, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.