By WILLIAM J. KEMBLE
Correspondent

STONE RIDGE, N.Y. — A community group will begin offering a free, monthly holistic health clinic March 20 at the Marbletown Community Center on U.S. Route 9W.

The Rondout Valley Holistic Health Center will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month.

Fay Loomis, the center’s administrator, said holistic health services are intended to work with the body, mind, and spirit, using treatments that include acupuncture, chiropractic, Reiki, herbal or nutritional consultation, massage, Brennan Healing Science, Feldenkreis, osteopathy, psychotherapy, and consultation with a medical doctor.

The clinic will not prescribe drugs, give injections, or administer lab tests.

“We’re part of the network of Healthcare is a Human Right, and they already have clinics established in Phoenicia and Woodstock,” Loomis said.

Loomis said the program was suggested by members of the community group Transition Marbletown Conversation.

“We have weekly conversations in terms of the transition town movement, which is a way for people to transition from current economic instability dealing with climate change, the decline of cheap fuel and so on, to  more sustainable communities that can be resilient in terms of all these challenges,” she said. “At our very first conversation, I believe, in October, it turned out that people were sharing that what they were interested in terms of what they would like to give to the community or what they would like to see happen is a clinic.”

Loomis said visits were made to clinics in Maine and Ithaca to determine the type of services that could be offered in Marbletown.

“We looked at various models and then came together with what we felt would work best for us,” she said.

Loomis said it is difficult to know how many people will attend the clinic. Continued...

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“This is our first opening and we don’t know how many. Maybe 20 to 30 — it’s hard to say,” she said.

While no money or insurance is required, clinic organizers hope donations will be made and that clients, family, and friends will volunteer in exchange for healthcare services. Volunteer administrative workers and practitioners are required to complete an application, submit  two letters of reference. Practitioners must also submit a copy of their licenses.

Appointments may be made 10 days prior to each clinic by calling Coral Rich at MaMA’s Café at (845) 687-8890 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

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