February 2017

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will offer the Early Owl Program, which is for those 60 years of age and older, for a 10 week program from February 6 – April 21. The cost is $20 for members and $60 for non-members. Participants will have access to Gentile Hall Monday thru Friday from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. and you may also join in scheduled activities or take advantage of the track, fitness center, pool and the multi-purpose gym. The fitness center and track will be available Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 10 a.m., the pool is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. On Mondays and Wednesdays at 8 a.m. there is a water aerobics class and at 9:15 a.m. there is a Stability Ball Class. FMI, contact 768-9772.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle was pleased to participate in National Wear Red Day on Feb. 3, wearing lots of red to help raise awareness for Women’s Heart Health. This day has traditionally been celebrated by local businesses and organizations by having employees wear red to show their support. UMPI faculty, staff and students did just that and gathered for a photo to show their support. For more information on symptoms, risk factors, and preventative measures visit www.goredforwomen.org.

Anderson Giles’ story on his discovery of what may possibly turn out to be Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s gold tooth at a remote WWII crash site on Bougainville in the Solomon Islands has been featured in two recent publications. WW2 Magazine, a national publication, covered the story as did the current issue of Echoes Magazine, which included two pages of color photos along with the story. Researchers in Japan are currently working to discover dental records and possible family sources for DNA validation. There is also a short YouTube video of the expedition here

Phil Parks and Mary Lawrence, with over 60 years of work between them, have recently retired from UMPI. Phil Parks, a Master Electrician, retired in November after 27 years, and Mary Lawrence, Coordinator of Conferences and Special Programs, retired in December after 39 years. Lawrence is still on campus off and on as she does some temporary work. Congratulations to both of you!

There was a benefit supper for Wendy Ross on Feb. 3 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. in the Campus Center. Proceeds are helping to cover the cost of transportation and uncovered medical expenses for Ross’s cancer treatment. Funds raised that exceeded those needs were donated to local survivor support organization C.A.N.C.E.R. There is also a Go Fund Me link for those who would like to make a donation at https://www.gofundme.com/wendy-cancer-care.

Two BSW majors, Alyssa Summerson and Emily Nadeau, are planning on doing their junior field work in Tanzania this May. They will volunteer for six weeks at the Ushirika wa Neema orphanage in a small village at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. They have planned several fundraisers to assist with their expenses.

They are selling 200 $10 dollar FAST CASH tickets. Every ticket drawn wins a prize and goes back into the basket. Drawings will be as follows: March 6, 5 tickets drawn for $10 each; March 7, 2 tickets drawn for $25 each; March 8, 2 tickets drawn for $50 each; March 9, 3 tickets drawn for $100 each, and March 10, 2 tickets drawn for $250 each.

They will also be selling cupcakes in Folsom/Pullen Hall on March 15.

FMI, contact Shirley Rush at shirley.rush@maine.edu.

Seven Biology majors from UMPI attended a short course sponsored by MAINE-INBRE at MDI Biological Laboratory in Salisbury Cove from Jan. 8 – 13. They were joined by UMFK students in a course taught by Aric Rogers on Genetics Aging and Physiological Response to Stress and accompanied by instructors Judith Roe (UMPI) and Jacob Theriault (UMFK). Students used the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans to explore the cellular mechanisms involved in the increase in longevity in response to dietary restriction using molecular and genetic techniques.

UMPI’s Relay for Life Team will host their 6^th Annual Think Pink Basketball Games on Sunday, Feb. 12. The games this year are against UMFK, with the Women’s game starting at Noon and the Men’s game at 2 p.m. There will be a raffle, 50/50 draw, various giveaways, a halftime ball toss, bake sale, loose change collection and concessions from the Men’s basketball team, plus more. All proceeds will go towards the American Cancer Society. Remember to wear pink!

Gentile Hall will be offering a variety of “Lunchtime Leisure” activities throughout the semester.  Each activity is just an hour long and is free to UMPI faculty, staff, and students. Unless otherwise noted, all events are Noon – 1 p.m. FMI, email Kirsta Willhide at kirstawillhide@gmail.com.

Thursday, Feb. 16 – Cross-Country Ski how-to
Tuesday, Feb. 28 – Cross-Country Ski how-to
Thursday, March 9 – Stretching techniques and Yoga
Tuesday, March 14 – Basics of Climbing – Rock Wall
Thursday, March 23 – Learning to Belay – Rock Wall
Tuesday, April 4 – Badminton
Thursday, April 13 – Paddling lesson – Pool (1 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
Tuesday, April 18 – Paddling lesson – Pool (1 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
Thursday, April 27 – Mountain Biking (bring your own bike)