The Age-Friendly Community Initiative is pleased to announce the award of two grants, enabling us to pursue two very different projects in our 6 member towns (Bethel, Gilead, Greenwood, Hanover, Newry and Woodstock).
Funding from the Maine Community Foundation supports a new outreach to the older adult population of AFCI towns. We hope to give a better understanding of our programs and services – but even more important, to hear from community members about how we might better meet their needs. In April, 2021, in a pilot project funded by the Bethel Rotary Club, we compiled an 8-page mailing, entitled “The Beat Goes On,” which was sent to almost 1000 community members 70 years and older. It contained a number of tidbits and fun items, including paragraphs from students at the Eddy School, the Telstar Freshman Academy, and Gould Academy. The new MCF grant will support similar quarterly mailings throughout the coming year.
AARP sponsors a Community Challenge grant opportunity each year; this year AFCI received its second of these grants (the first, four years ago for our Adaptive Toolkit). With this AARP funding, the Bethel Congo Craftsmen and the Bethel Area Arts and Music Program, In collaboration with AFCI, will construct and decorate wooden benches and picnic tables to be installed in well-trafficked outdoor areas. Watch for unfolding news as the construction and painting proceed, and especially for the celebrations in the fall to present the six towns with their gifts.
Remember: The Bethel Food Pantry is open on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you’re over 60 years of age you may request transportation: AFCI N2N: 207-824-4444.
Interesting upcoming events at The Gem Theater: https://mailchi.mp/thegemtheater.com/newsletter-january23-399516?e=da00f31cf0
The garden on High Street, Bethel (formerly Nabos) is maintained by Telstar North Star students under the leadership of Lyndsey Smith. Adjacent to the garden is a stand where local home gardeners may leave surplus produce; if it’s there by Wednesday, it will make it into NorthStar’s deliveries to local community members. People may also pick up produce from the stand for their home use. Such a deal!
All AFCI services can be requested by phone, 207-824-4444. For general information or inquiries and suggestions: email infoagefriendlybethel@googlegroups.com, visit our FaceBook page, or website www.agefriendlybethel.org.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
