Are you someone who…
→ is good at helping people?
→ likes to take photos?
→ likes to write?
→ likes to drive?
→ uses YouTube to learn things?
→ can manipulate digital documents?
→ can create digital graphics?
→ likes to share good ideas?
Maybe you’d like to help AFCI.
As we are happily (albeit tentatively) moving from the lockdowns of the past 16 months, AFCI is reviving our monthly electronic newsletter. If you wish to be removed from this list – or better yet, know of someone who should be added to the list – please contact us.
We are so thrilled that all of our services are back after the long COVID lull. Information is in our new Fall/Winter AFCI flyers in many locations in our six member towns. Up-to-date information is also on our website. And tell your friends that sometimes the newsletter gets caught in a computer’s spam or junk mailbox.
Great News from AFCI
We’re pleased to announce the award of two grants, enabling us to pursue two very different projects in our six 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 of 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. Please contact us if you have questions or suggestions, or if you did not receive a letter in April and would like to be added to our mailing list.
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 within the six towns. 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.
Over 60 and need a ride? To a medical appointment? To run errands? To attend a social event? To attend an exercise class? To attend church? Or do you know someone who does? AFCI’s N2N (Neighbor-to-Neighbor) Transportation Program can help. Our drivers are eager to be out on the roads again and connecting with you. Simply call AFCI at 207-824-4444 to request a ride (at least three days ahead), leave a message, and we’ll return your call to make arrangements. And if you’re a Bethel library member, we can deliver your books as well.
Our community
We all know how very special our Bethel Region community is. Here’s how a recent USA Today article described us: “A classic New England village, Bethel is a storybook setting, with a walkable downtown and cozy lodging and dining options nestled in Maine’s Lakes & Mountains region.”
Remember: The Bethel Food Pantry is open on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m.-2 p.m, at the Nazarene Church in Bethel.
Community Suppers are the last Wednesday of each month, 4:30-6 p.m. at the Bethel Alliance Church. The next one is Wednesday, August 25.
‘Tis the season. Are your garden zucchinis outpacing you? There are two locations in Bethel where you may deposit your surplus produce for others to take (ideally on a Wednesday) – or you may take free veggies for your own use. (1) 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. People may also pick up free produce from the stand for their home use. (2) And the veggie stand outside the Bethel Library is for the same deposit of surplus or take veggies for your home use. Such a deal.
Upcoming events
Have you been to the Mahoosuc Land Trust’s Valentine Farm lately? A special event occurs at 1 p.m. on August 15: fun and food for the family, the pollinator garden, the Birding Trail – and you can try to find monarch butterflies, maybe even help tag one.
To find out about summer activities with the Bethel Historical Society
Interesting tidbits
It’s still possible to cook healthy meals during a power outage.
Are you one of the millions of fervent Ted Lasso fans? (I am). Season 2 of this popular series just started. A recent AARP article lists “Ten Facts You Need to Know” about the show, and there’s also a link to descriptions of new TV shows for people who love musicals.
AARP warns of a robocall that is flooding landlines and mobile phones: “Becky” promises free genetic cancer screening. The problem: It’s not really Medicare on the other end of the line.
To request a ride, a Home Safety Assessment, or help from the AFCI Handy Neighbor chores program, call 207-824-4444. For general information or inquiries and suggestions, email, visit our FaceBook page or Website.
Monarch Festival
The Mahoosuc Art & Agriculture Tour will be held on Sunday, September 12 from 1-4 p.m. Join us for a driving tour of our rich agricultural and artistic offerings. Tickets are $20 per vehicle. Learn more and purchase tickets at: www.TinyURL.com/maat2021.
N2N rides may be requested for all of the above activities. Other free AFCI services include Home Safety Assessments and the Handy Neighbor chores program. To request a service: 207-824-4444. For general information or inquiries and suggestions: email infoagefriendlybethel@googlegroups.com, visit our FaceBook page or website www.agefriendlybethel.org.
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