UMaine, Old Town/Orono YMCA Host Women’s Fitness & Health Day Sept. 27

Contact: Carey Nason, 581- 581-2515; George Manlove, 581-3756

ORONO — Several university department and community program leaders have organized to present National Women’s Health & Fitness Day, on Wednesday, Sept. 27, a day to highlight holistic methods of pursuing better health and well-being.

Workshops, discussions and talks will take place throughout the campus, with related events and free introductory classes offered at the Old Town/Orono YMCA in Old Town.

Keynote speaker for the day is “Timber Tina” Scheer of The Great Lumberjack Show in Trenton and former “Survivor” reality show contestant. She’ll speak Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union.

All events are free and open to the public. For each event attended, participants can enter a raffle for prizes such as massages and personal training sessions, according to Carey Nason of the Safe Campus Project.

“It’s a great event to prioritize holistic well-being,” Nason says. “It’s a holistic approach. Women’s health and fitness isn’t just about going to the gym. It’s about what can we do to be healthy and have fun.”

Everyone — men, women, students, staff and members of the surrounding communities — are encouraged to “come to some of the workshops, learn about some new agencies and try a few things and learn about some new ways you can take good care of yourself and promote your overall well-being,” says Nason.

In the spirit of the day, the Marketplace food court will offer special health-oriented food choices along with the regular fare.

With the main events happening Wednesday, a related talk is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 12:15-1:30 p.m. in the Coe Room of the Memorial Union: “The Challenge of Independence in Women’s Healthcare: A Matter of Choice,” with Ruth Lockhart, executive director of the Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center. The lecture is part of the Women in the Curriculum and Women’s Studies Program lunch series.

On Wednesday, events begin at 10 a.m. in the Memorial Union. The Women’s Health & Fitness Organizational Fair is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union, and Francine Stark of Spruce Run will lead a workshop titled “Is This Relationship Work for Me? Who Can I Call?” in the FFA Room in the Memorial Union from 10-10:45 a.m.

Other workshops include:

“Women’s Self-Defense,” with Public Safety Sgt. Deb Mitchell from 11-11:45 a.m. in the Bumps Room at the Union;

“Cross-cultural Perspectives on Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Care,” with Sandy Caron, professor of family relationships, from 12-12:45 p.m. in the FFA Room;

“Women’s Emotional Health,” with Kathy Maietta, LCSW, from Acadia Hospital, from 1-1:45 p.m. in the Bumps Room;

And “Cravings: Your Need to Feed,” with Laura Honeycutt, UMaine dietician and interim assistant director of resident dining at UMaine.

Activities include: free use of the climbing wall at the MaineBound Adventure Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3-10 p.m.; a UMaine Woodsmen demonstration on the mall, 5:30 p.m.; and Lap swimming at Wallace Pool from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We’re very excited to be able to offer this day of events and activities along with the Old Town/Orono YMCA. There is something for everyone,” Nason says. “We’re hoping to continue to promote programs and activities aimed at overall health and well-being.”

For more information, visit www.umaine.edu/wellness. Nason can be reached at (207) 581-2515. The Safe Campus Project provides information and support related to safety in relationships and healthy relationships for anyone affiliated with the University of Maine.