On Friday, Dec. 9, children are invited to come Christmas caroling with The Neighborhood House prior to a free public performance of “The Grinch” by the Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers. This free all ages show is co-sponsored by our friends at the Northeast Harbor Library.

On Saturday, December 2nd, over 40 runners and walkers (and a few canine companions as well) took to the streets of Northeast Harbor for the annual Frosty 5K. The event served as the kickoff to the Northeast Harbor Christmas Festival which welcomed hundreds of folks to town for a day packed with activities, shopping, a visit from Santa, and an abundance of community spirit.

We’re cooking up something new this fall— Cooking Classes for Kids! Young chefs in grades 5-8 are invited to join some familiar faces from around our community for this four-part series. Participants can register for individual classes, or all four. Each session has a suggested fee of $15, and will run from after school until approximately 4:30.

The Neighborhood House “Halloween Treat Truck” will hit the road once again on Tuesday, Oct. 31. The idea started over a decade ago when the building was under such heavy use there literally wasn’t enough time in the schedule to set up and decorate for a traditional Halloween party. That’s when the decision to take the trick-or-treating on the road was made, and we’ve never looked back!

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three adults over the age of 65 fall each year. In the largest study to date of the Arthritis Foundation's Tai Chi program, participants showed improvement in pain, fatigue, stiffness, and sense of well-being.

On Wednesday evening, August 16, members of The Neighborhood House’s volunteer Board of Directors along with several spouses and significant others gathered for their “annual meeting.” The group was generously hosted by Board member Gregg Scott and wife Terri for a quick business meeting followed by dinner and a chance to socialize.

The first day of school is nearly upon us, and that means it’s also time for another season of after school activities at The Neighborhood House.

For more than two decades, The Neighborhood House has offered children and families a flexible and fun option for kids to “hang out” four afternoons a week. The After School Youth Club is in session every Monday through Thursday, after school until 5pm. Kids can attend every day or just every once in a while— whatever works best for their families schedule.Our 15 passenger bus meets participants each afternoon right outside Mt. Desert Elementary and whisk them down to The Neighborhood House (on nice days, staff members meet the kids and they’ll walk as a group).

The Youth Soccer season "kicks off" right after Labor Day on Tuesday, Sept. 5 with our first organizational practice of the season. Practice will be held right after school at the MDES field and last about an hour. Soccer cleats aren't required, but your child should wear athletic-appropriate clothing and bring a water bottle. You can download a registration here.

On Thursday, August 3rd, a crowd of folks and their bikes from around town and across MDI gathered at The Neighborhood House for the 23rd Annual Bike Parade & Ice Cream Social. What started out more than two decades ago as a fun excuse to gather and enjoy some ice cream has turned into an iconic summer event enjoyed by “kids” of all ages. The festivities began at 5:30 with numerous bins of decorations— everything from streamers to sparkles and stickers— strewn about the lawn. Children, parents, and even grandparents got to work adorning their bikes, trikes, scooters and wagons with all sorts fun decorations in preparation for the parade.

The Northeast Harbor Ambulance Association and American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at The Neighborhood House on Thursday, August 8 from 1:00-6:00pm. As of the time of writing this post, open spots still remain for those who would like to donate. Did you know that one blood donation can actually save up to three lives?

The Neighborhood House and Northeast Harbor Library will celebrate their year ‘round collaborative efforts with a special all ages concert by The Crow Family Band on Wednesday, August 9.— AND YOU’RE INVITED! The all-ages show is free to the public and get underway at 5:30pm at the green near the harbor.