Recent CDC guidance has changed, and we’ve tweaked our mask policy accordingly. We continue to focus on the overall well-being of our entire community and thank you for your cooperation in doing so. Our updated policy reflects the county-based transmission guidance published by the Federal CDC and endorsed by the State of Maine. You can read all about it in this blog post, or feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

The summer season continues to roll on, and it’s the perfect opportunity to get active. The Neighborhood House offers several morning in-person classes which are the perfect chance to get your day off to an invigorating start. Meanwhile, the dog days of summer are no match for the air conditioned community gym— it’s the perfect way to beat the heat!

Come one, come all! The 21st Annual Bike Parade & Ice Cream Social is set to hit the road on Thursday, July 29! Started on a lark two decades ago as a fun excuse to gather and enjoy ice cream sundaes, the event quickly grew and has become a summertime staple. You won’t want to miss this community celebration which is truly one of the highlights of the season!

On July 7 the community turned out for our first “Bash in a Bag” community dinner. Unable to plan for our typical “Bash at the Boatyard” over the winter months thanks to the pandemic, we wanted to find an excuse to gather as soon as it was possible. With a great deal of help along with some terrific sponsors, the “Bash in a Bag” came to fruition. Modeled after our popular off-season Community Cafe luncheons, the evening proved to be a hit. Although we’re excited to return to the Boatyard for our regular summer celebration next year, the “Bash in a Bag” provided a great chance for our community to connect.

Did you know Tai Chi classes are offered every Monday morning at 8:00am? Anyone, regardless of their level of experience (or lack thereof) is invited to come take part and give it a try. Class is held on a donation basis, so you can contribute any amount you are comfortable with.

For those of you considering giving Tai Chi a try, instructor Andrea Lepcio has come up with a “Top 10 List” highlighting just some of the benefits…

On Thursday, July 1, Artemis Gallery will be holding an opening reception featuring artists Rob Finn, Tamara Gonda, Josh Hurst, Bill Mayher, and Diana Roper McDowell. What makes this opening so special is that Artemis Gallery will be generously donating a portion of sales to The Neighborhood House in honor of Cody van Heerden.

The pandemic didn’t allow us the ability to plan our typical festive summer fundraiser, the “Bash at the Boatyard,” but now that we’re getting back into the swing of things we didn’t want to miss the opportunity for our community to gather. It’s been a while since we could meet in person and not via Zoom or from behind a mask, and we want to celebrate that!

We are so excited to not only have our gym space running at full speed once again! In addition we are thrilled to offer an the community an expanded roster of fitness classes including Tai Chi, Yoga for Skillful Living, Mat Pilates, and Asanafit.

It’s going to be a tremendous summer as we get back into the swing of things! The calendar is filling up with events and activities for all ages, but for kids in particular there are a lot of fun days in store! If you have any questions or would like more details about the programs listed below or anything else, please reach out to us at 276-5039, via email, or feel free to stop by our main office— we’re happy to help!

Instructor Richard Parker will be offering “Yoga for Skillful Living” every Wednesday and Sunday from 8:00 to 9:00 am beginning on Sunday, May 2.

Are you Tai Chi curious? Come learn about this slow moving enjoyable practice. We’ll move through some simple forms as an introduction. Andrea will share the history of Tai Chi and her experiences learning the forms. She’ll discuss research supporting the health benefits of Tai Chi including building strength and improving balance. If this workshop sparks your interest, we’ll be offering a Tai Chi class this summer.