5th Evergreen Facilitator Training Completed

Evergreen, the Pine Tree Hospice Center for Grieving Children and Adults recently completed the 5^th Facilitator Training and welcomed seven new Volunteers to the program; Elise Templet, Amy Richardson, Jane Stitham, Barb Austin, Alex McDade, Karen Dolley and Jess Kerr. Pictured above in front are Elise, Amy, Jane, Barb and Pat Kelleher; in back are Terri Warren, Deb Drew, Karen, Erin Callaway, Kim Havea, Scott Warren, Alex, Pam Tower, Jess and Cynthia Scott. (Mary Tondreau not pictured.)

Evergreen programs offer a safe space where children, teens, adults and families grieving a death can share their experiences. Bereavement Support Groups currently offered by Pine Tree Hospice are Wednesday evening Nights of Service for children and their families (groups for various ages of children and an adult group for their parents/guardians); application required for this program.  The children’s groups offer a mix of opportunities for children and teens to share their experiences with grief and loss. Whether it’s talking about the death with other participants, using art, play or an activity, children and teens are encouraged to discover what works best for them in the healing process.

 Adult groups are open to the public on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.    All groups are free of charge and are run by trained facilitators. In both adult and children’s groups all participants are able to use the “I Pass” guideline, which means they get to decide when and how much, they wish to share with the group.   FMI on either program, contact the PTH office at 564-4346 or e-mail WeCare@PineTreeHospice.org.

May July 2010
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Evergreen "Summer Fun Day" Planned

Arts and crafts, family activities, “feelings" games and lots more will be part of  THE PINE TREE HOSPICE EVERGREEN "SUMMER FUN DAY" on Saturday, July 17th from 9am to 4pm at the East Sangerville Grange. The event is being offered by Evergreen, the Pine Tree Hospice Center for Grieving Children and Adults, and is a day of activities designed to help kids and their adult caregivers, share and express feelings about death and loss. 

The Summer Fun Day is for children ages 5-18 and their adult family members or caregivers. Trained Bereavement Support Volunteers will facilitate age-appropriate Children's Peer Support Groups and an Adult Peer Support Group.  Activities will be appropriate for those grieving the death of a person, a pet, or anticipating the death of someone with a serious illness. 

Lunch, snacks and beverages will be provided. There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required. For more information or to pre-register, call the Pine Tree Hospice office at 564-4346 or send an e-mail to wecare@pinetreehospice.org by or before Wednesday, July 7th.  This event is sponsored in part by community donations and from our friends at Bangor Savings Bank branches in Dover-Foxcroft, Greenville and Dexter.

June 2009
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Special Day of Caring by Pine Tree Hospice

What do massage therapists and Whoopie pies have in common?  They both will be available at the Whoopie Pie Festival on June 26 in Dover-Foxcroft.  To share in the fun, Pine Tree Hospice will have licensed massage therapists and manicurists providing massages and manicures to those who would like to have a caring experience.  The cost of these services will be by donation, and all proceeds will benefit Pine Tree Hospice, who provides care to clients and families experiencing the challenges of life limiting illnesses and bereavement. 

Please join us at the Whoopie Pie Festival and support the wide array of businesses that enrich our community and at the same time have fun and be supported yourself!   For more info contact Pine Tree Hospice at 207.564.4346 or e-mail wecare@pinetreehospice.org.

May June 2010
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Palmyra Golf Course Hosts Benefit Tournament for Volunteer Hospices

Palmyra Golf Course is hosting a golf tournament on Friday, June 25^th to benefit Pine Tree Hospice and Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County.  As volunteer hospices each of these programs provides services to those with life-limiting illnesses and their families without cost in order to enhance the lives and deaths of clients and families.   

The tournament will start at 9am with a shotgun start and scramble format.   Golfers will be provided 4 mulligans per team, free soda and snack during the round, and a barbecue following. Family members are invited to join the golfers for the barbecue for $3 per person.   

Please bring a team and join us on the 25^th.  Hight Auto Group is providing three “hole in one” opportunities.   Depending on the hole, golfers could win a Ford Fusion or a vacation package to different destinations.  Among other prize opportunities provided by business sponsors are a putting contest ($100 cash prize), men and women’s longest drive, men and women’s closest to the tee, and a 50/50 raffle.  

Join us for a great day of fun in support of the wonderful service these volunteer hospices provide to our communities.   For more info or to register contact Pine Tree Hospice at 207.564.4346 or e-mail
 wecare@pinetreehospice.org.

June 2010
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New Children’s Resource Available At Pine Tree Hospice

Evergreen, The Pine Tree Hospice Center for Grieving Children & Adults has been provided free DVD packets entitled “When Families Grieve” for our community.  These packets, developed by Sesame Street Workshops, are a wonderful resource for families whose children are, or have been, experiencing a loss.  The packets include: a children’s book, a parent’s guide, and a DVD with a Sesame Street episode on loss aimed at young children as well as the recent PBS primetime show called “When Families Grieve” hosted by Katie Couric.         

The Center for Grieving Children in Portland, Maine has generously provided Evergreen with these DVD kits. The Portland Center is one of only seven partners in a national study assessing the impact of grief on families.   Those who use the kits are invited to participate in the survey but are under no obligation to do so.   

Pine Tree Hospice has these free kits available at its office at 883 West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft.  Additionally, Pine Tree Hospice will be distributing the kits to any agencies, schools and libraries interested in providing this excellent resource for supporting grieving children and their parents.     To request your free DVD and kit or to learn more about Evergreen programs and services please call 207.564.4346 or e-mail
 wecare@pinetreehospice.org.

June 2010
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Golf Tournament to Benefit Pine Tree Hospice a Huge Success

Perfect golfing weather on Sunday, May 23^rd   was the added prize for 60 golfers that met to play in a golf scramble at Dexter Municipal Golf Course to benefit Pine Tree Hospice.  Having a successful day were gross winners Sean Farnsworth, Rick Sherburne, Shane Hutchings, and Ray Mountain.  Net winners were Ross Morancie, Gary Sawyer, Don Berry, and Joe Keaveney.  Closest to the pin winners were:  #4 Duffy Dyer, #8 Danny Cummings, #13 Rick Sherburne, and #17 Shane Baxter.  Longest Drive winners were Sherree Mitchell and Ed Walker.  All winners were awarded prizes in their categories, and all golfers were served lunch. 

Tournament sponsors were:  Perkco, Gerrard Rudmin, OD, Spring Street Greenhouse and Floral, JK Electric, Tillson True Value, Dexter Discount Tire, Prudential Northeast Properties, Varney Agency Insurance, Baker, Newman Noyes, LLC, and lunch was sponsored in part by Bud’s Shop ‘n Save.    PTH would like to thank all the sponsors, golfers, and Jim Costedio of Dexter Municipal Golf Course for their support of its programs.  

As a volunteer hospice, Pine Tree Hospice cannot and does not charge for the services that are provided to members of the community.  All funds needed to operate the organization are raised through grant making, contributions, and fund raisers such as this.  Last year, Pine Tree Hospice donated more than 2867 hours of services to clients and families experiencing end of life challenges.

May 2010
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Pine Tree Hospice Volunteer Receives 2010 Governor's Service Award

L-R: Jane Stitham, Erin Callaway and Cynthia Scott

Dover-Foxcroft -- Pine Tree Hospice Volunteer, Erin Callaway, was one of eight recipients of the Exemplary Service Awards presented Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the State House Hall of Flags in Augusta. The Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards are presented annually during National Volunteer Week, the annual celebration of citizen volunteer action and the impact it has on critical needs in Maine communities. The Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards were created in 1988 and recognize individuals and community organizations whose donation of time and leadership have made a significant difference in the quality of life for Maine residents.  The main purpose of the awards presentation is to share the stories of extraordinary volunteers so they may inspire others to serve.  Erin was joined by Jane Stitham (PTH Executive Director) and Cynthia Scott (PTH Volunteer).  

Erin began volunteering at Pine Tree Hospice in 2002.  Her ongoing commitment to Pine Tree Hospice resulted in the creation of a new program in 2008; Evergreen, the Pine Tree Hospice Center for Grieving Children and Adults.  Erin was recently awarded Certification in Thanatology (death, dying and bereavement) by the Association for Death Education and Counseling.  Erin is a featured presenter at the PTH Community Hospice Education Series and co-facilitates the Evergreen Bereavement Facilitator Training. She is also available to meet with community groups to discuss topics related to death, dying and grief.  She has volunteered at several summer children’s grief camps and is organizing another Kid’s Grief Camp for this coming July.  Erin’s compassion is evident when she meets with hospice families where there are grieving children or children living with someone who is terminally ill providing anticipatory grief support. Erin was one of the volunteers that represented PTH at Dexter High School’s Every 15 Minutes (mock car crash/notification/funeral) program last spring.  She also helped to design a workshop for those who are grieving the death of a pet and co-facilitated a very successful Pet Loss Workshop last June.  Erin also volunteers with the Blood and Marrow Transplant Information Network, Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft, East Sangerville Grange, Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area’s Camp Ray of Hope, Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s First Connection (Peer-to-Peer) Program, and the Unitarian Universalist Church in Sangerville. It should be noted that Erin’s passion and commitment is not at all based on desire for public recognition, but is based solely on her desire to give back to her community, her genuine love for people and to provide a safe place for people to share personal experiences. 

As a Volunteer Hospice that receives no federal or state funding, Pine Tree Hospice depends entirely upon grants and donations.  To learn more about Pine Tree Hospice and the Evergreen program visit www.PineTreeHospice.org, www.Facebook.com/PineTreeHospice, www.Facebook.com/EvergreenPTH, call 564-4346 or e-mail wecare@pinetreehospice.org.

May 2010
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Pine Tree Hospice Receives Grant

Pine Tree Hospice (PTH) is pleased to announce it recently received a $5150 grant from the Piscataquis County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation (MCF). Jane Stitham, Executive Director of PTH, states that “We are thrilled to have received this award as it enables PTH to reach out and help others by identifying caregivers in the greater Penquis area and to increase availability, awareness, and utilization of supports available to them”.

In 2009 Maine Community Foundation Charity Fund awarded Pine Tree Hospice funds to conduct a Bereavement Needs Assessment. The number one need identified through that assessment was for caregiver support. Stitham states that through the continued support of MCF, Pine Tree Hospice will be able to respond to this need by developing a series of workshops dedicated to supporting the needs of caregivers past and present.

Workshops will include discussion about available resources, as well as education on the importance of self care. We will also utilize the services of speakers to further educate caregivers and incorporate self-care practitioners who will describe their techniques and offer the opportunity to participate in them. Additionally, time will be provided for the caregivers (past and present) to talk with each other as many of them feel isolated by the role they have assumed as caregiver. Suggestions from participants will also shape the direction of future workshops, as these opportunities are designed to meet the needs of caregivers.

Having just completed a highly successful day long caregiver event sponsored by Eastern Area Agency on Aging and the Department of Elder Services/DHHS, Pine Tree Hospice is excited to start plans for the workshops the Maine Community Foundation is funding. They will be hosting the first event of the MCF series this summer. If you would like to be informed of the next workshop, like to participate, or have suggestions of speakers or topics to be addressed, please contact Pine Tree Hospice at 564-4346, email wecare@pinetreehospice.org, or visit us at 883 West Main St., Dover-Foxcroft.

May 2010
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Pine Tree Hospice Variety Show a Huge Success
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The Center Theatre was alive with vibrant and talented performers for the 16th Annual Variety Show on April 30th. This year’s show, directed by Patrick Myers and supported by the Center Theatre crew, boasted outstanding performers – all to benefit Pine Tree Hospice – in this their largest fund raising event of the year.

Throughout the show the audience was treated to a wide array of area talent. From numbers by vibrant young students, a poignant rendition of our national anthem performed in sign language, the evening went on with singing, dancing, drumming, and many other outstanding performances. The audience was kept royally entertained by a mix of young and old, as well as new and returning performers.

The 16th Annual PTH Variety Show closed with the Doughty Hill Band, a fixture in our local scene for more than 30 years. Bass guitar, mandolin, flutes, penny whistles, soprano sax, guitars and beautiful voices filled the Center Theatre to the ceiling and brought this positively wonderful evening to a close.

The evening wouldn’t be complete without the “annual quilt raffle” featuring an absolutely beautiful handmade quilt by Rita Mountain and Helen Higgins and backed by Vickie Brackett at Quilting Mania. The lucky raffle winner was Sandra Robinson from Sangerville.

The evening was emceed by Sue Mackey Andrews and Dr. David Frasz, who provided comic relief with his “doctor” jokes for a laughing audience.

Mark your calendar for next year’s performance – PTH Variety Show on April 30, 2011 at Center Theatre. Thanks as always to our supporters and performers for making this year’s Variety Show a success in so many ways.

Because Pine Tree Hospice cannot and does not charge for the services that are provided to the community, events such as these enable PTH to continue providing services to clients and families during and after the death of a loved one. For any questions about Pine Tree Hospice or its services, please call 564-4346.

May 2010
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Pine Tree Hospice Variety Show Promises Family Fun

Pine Tree Hospice will host its 16^th annual Variety Show on April 30 from 7-9PM at Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft.  “Our goal is to sell out the Theatre as we did last year.” says Jane Stitham, Executive Director.  “The community has been very supportive of this event for 16 years. People enjoy the great entertainment as well as knowing that they are helping to support families in their community who are living with a progressive life-limiting illness.” 

The show will feature new acts performed by Doughty Hill, The Rhoads, Diane Merrill, and The Little Big Band, as well as many other talented acts including returning performers Beth Weatherbee and Vanessa Cousins, the Children’s Learning Center, and the Heartwise dancers.  “What’s nice is that this is a family show,” reports Amy Madigan-Dube, Volunteer Coordinator.  “You can come and know that the content will be appropriate for people of all ages.  There will be singing, dancing, drumming, and even some sign language.”

“This is our biggest fund raiser of the year,” reports Stitham.  “As a volunteer hospice we cannot charge for our services.  Our success is not reflected in dollars and cents but is measured in the hours of service of our volunteers.    We hope that the community will come out and help us support the work of these volunteers who are a much needed resource to families who find themselves to be in the most vulnerable period of their lives.”

Through the years tickets have been sold for $10-$12 but as was done last year, tickets may be purchased by donation.  Tickets to the Variety Show are available at Pine Tree Hospice (883 West Main St.), Center Theatre, or at the door if available.  For more information, please contact Pine Tree Hospice at 564-4346.

April 2010
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“Caring for the Caregiver” Day a Success

Pine Tree Hospice had its first day long event designed especially for caregivers on April 8.  15 caregivers attended the day, which featured Karen Flynn from the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice.  Karen’s poignant presentation highlighted the need for caregivers to care for themselves while caring for others.

Throughout the day, time was provided for participants to talk with others who are, or have shard, the experience of care giving.  Participants were treated to lunch, and then had the opportunity to meet several self-care practitioners during the afternoon.  They learned about techniques such as Reiki, acupuncture, massage and energy healing. Opportunities were made available to experience these techniques as well as manicures, nutritional balance, natural care products and available community resources. 

This day was made possible through a grant from the Eastern Area Agency on Aging and the Department of Elder Services/DHHS.  Pine Tree Hospice is pleased to announce that through a recent grant from the Maine Community Foundation, we will be able to conduct a series of workshops for the benefit of caregivers past and present.

If you would like to be informed of our next workshop, like to participate, or have suggestions of speakers or topics to be addressed, please contact Pine Tree Hospice at 564-4346 or email wecare@pinetreehopice.org.

April 2010
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Pine Tree Hospice Hosts Day for Caregivers

On April 8, Pine Tree Hospice will be hosting a day for caregivers (past and present) to thank them for their dedication to those they care for.  It will take place in the Mayo Regional Hospital Resource Center from 10am to 3pm.  The day will include a speaker, catered lunch, and self-care experts demonstrating their skills.  All caregivers will leave with a “goody bag” of self care items to take home.

Through a bereavement survey conducted in the fall of 2009, Pine Tree Hospice learned that caregiver support was the #1 request of those who responded.  A day for caregivers is hoped to be the beginning of additional support to those caring for a loved one.  The funding for this day was provided by the Eastern Area Agency on Aging through monies from the Office of Elder Services.  Additional grant funding is being sought to continue services such as this.

Transportation and in-home day care will be provided upon request.  Pre-registration is necessary.

For further information, or to pre-register, please call Pine Tree Hospice at 564-4346.

March 2010
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Pine Tree Hospice Needs Assessment Results

Dover-Foxcroft  -  Pine Tree Hospice (PTH) would like to recruit twelve more people who would be interested in serving as a volunteer facilitator for bereavement support groups.  Groups are being formed as the result of a recent community survey which indicated that the top four adult grief support groups requested were General Grief (52%), Survivors of Suicide (37%), Widow/Widowers (35%) and Grieving Parent (33%).  Sixty-seven percent of respondents stated that Compassionate Listening was the number one thing they would be seeking in a peer support group setting.  Additional volunteers are also needed to co-facilitate groups as well.

Volunteers are our most valuable resource – they are generous people from the community who support families at a difficult and lonely time.  The Spring 2010 training, 28 hours - held over four evenings and two Saturdays, covers a wide range of topics including reflective listening, grief, participating in a peer support group, being a true helper, boundaries, confidentiality, stress management, ways to physically express emotions, special issues of suicide survivors, spirituality, rituals and goodbyes.  There is no charge to take the training and no charge to attend the peer support groups. 

PTH currently provides a monthly General Grief Support meeting for adults at the PTH office, 883 West Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft.  This group meets the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and is led by two trained facilitators.  No pre-registration is necessary for this group, though we do appreciate speaking with you prior to your coming.  Evergreen, the PTH Center for Grieving Children and Their Families meets weekly; call the PTH office to request an “Evergreen packet” for more information on this program.   If you are interested in participating in the spring training series, an application and pre-training interview are required. For additional information, contact PTH at 564-4346 or e-mail wecare@pinetreehospice.org

PTH received a grant from the Maine Charity Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to perform an Adult Bereavement Needs Assessment throughout the PTH service area.  Last fall, over two hundred people (80% women, 20% men) from Piscataquis County and portions of Penobscot and Somerset Counties completed the survey online or on paper.  Fifty three percent of survey respondents identified the need for caregiver support; PTH will seek grant funding to assist in meeting those needs.

January 2010
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