Going for a hike or a bike ride this summer can help make Maine a better place to live. MaineShare's annual Hike and Bike event will take place now through Labor Day. This "Smaller Footprint" event allows participants to choose their own hike, bike ride, or walk from anywhere while raising money for MaineShare. The "Virtual Hike and Bike" works like any other event. You collect pledges, go out and hike or bike on the day that is convenient and send in your donations. The virtual format saves time, paper, and precious fuel while offering more flexibility for participants. With no expenses involved every dollar raised goes to MaineShare.

MaineShare raises funds for 38 statewide groups working for clean air, safe food and water, and equal rights for all the people of Maine. To find out more about MaineShare and to register for the Hike and Bike event visit: www.maineshare.org.

Summer yard work and gardening are great ways to spruce up your home, grow your own food, and spend time outdoors. The trouble is, while gardening or working in the yard, we usually work in bent over, unusual positions for prolonged periods of time and can wind up with back, neck, and shoulder pain when we are done. Dr. MacArthur and Dr. McNally of Portland Chiropractic Neurology offer these tips to help keep your body safe before planting and pulling weeds:

• Stretch your muscles.

Maine Red Cross Blood Supply Drops to Critically Low Levels

Red Cross asks eligible blood donors to make and keep appointments

The American Red Cross Northern New England has issued an appeal for blood donors of all types due to a critical blood shortage across our nation.   While demand for blood products remains steady, donations to the Red Cross this summer are the lowest the Red Cross has seen in over a decade.  All types are needed, but especially O negative, which can be used to treat any patient.  There are many contributing factors that make collecting blood difficult in the summer months.  Many donors are busy or traveling and school is out of session.  

“We urge eligible blood donors and first time donors to help reverse this trend and give blood to help us recover from the shortage, stated Donna M. Morrissey, Director of Communications, American Red Cross – Northeast Division.