By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer

CARIBOU — Students of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics rolled up their sleeves on Feb. 4 alongside dedicated volunteers of the Halfway Home Pet Rescue to help re-paint each cattery room of the Caribou-based shelter.

Contributed photo
Students of the Maine School of Mathematics were among the volunteers and supporters who helped paint the Halfway Home Pet Rescue’s cattery rooms earlier this month. In front are, from left, Hayley Frank of Kennebunk, Josie Schande from East Orland and Andy Whitman from Clifton, holding HHPR’s mascot, Toby. Back row: MSSM Resident Instructor Cyndi Trapnell, Steph Jackson from Bingham, Victoria Danelli from Holdon and Eric Edgecomb from Ellsworth.

By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer

CARIBOU — Officials with the Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center have announced that renovations to the facility will soon be completed, doubling the number of private rooms with full bathrooms (including a shower) offered at the location from four to eight.

Of 20 public housing authorities in Maine selected to receive Housing and Urban Development funds, three of them are in the Central Aroostook region.

Shaun Donovan, secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), announced on Feb. 10 that Maine has been awarded more than $5 million in funding that will be used to make major large-scale improvements to their public housing units.

Aroostook Republican photo/ Barb Scott Janice Santos

By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer

As alternatives in health and healing have become commonplace in the nation and the world, they have moved into The County as well. Many holistic forms of healing such as massage therapy; reflexology, acupuncture, aromatherapy and herbal medicines have become available and quite popular in recent years. Another holistic form of healing, not as well known but worthy of recognition, is a form of hands-on healing called Reiki.

By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer

“With so much discussion regarding possible budget cuts, we are working very hard to keep family services strong in Aroostook County — keeping kids safe and with their families,” stated Trish Niedorowski, who has served as executive director of Wings for Children and Families for the past 10 years.  With offices located at 14 Carroll Street in Caribou, Wings is an agency which helps to coordinate individuals with other service providers to meet identified needs for the youth and family. “We want to offer hope to families that there are still agencies providing supports for their children across our State.”

Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Wings for Children and Families, the single stand alone case management agency in the State, provides case management services to families, assisting them in connecting with service providers that will help meet the needs of their child. Members of the Wings team are, from left: Jenny Dow, Training and Administrative Coordinator; Trish Niedorowski, Executive Director; and Barbara Murray, Clinical Supervisor. In back is Chris McLaughlin, Clinical Director.