Bethel Citizen June 17, 2021
How wonderful it is to be getting back into the swing of things!  Are you remembering all the resources this community has to offer?  Our recent weather has suggested many wonderful outdoor summer activities, including swimming, walking, and biking.  And there’s:
 
Bethel Farmers’ Market, Saturdays, 9-1, next to Norway Savings Bank on Parkway.
 
Greenwood Farmers’ Market, every Friday, 4-6. Produce, other food – and fiddle music by Monica Mann.
 
Saturday Market on Main Street (Methodist Church, Bethel).  9-1 on Saturday June 19, July 17, August 14, September 4.  Local artisans/crafters, Re-Pant bags for sale and a drop off site for items for the Bethel Food Pantry (toiletries, household items, feminine products and baby supplies). 
 
The Gem Theater, fully open (Thursdays – Sundays) and continuing to follow good COVID protocol.  Look for their exciting films at: thegemtheater.com
 
Two Gem events of special interest: BAAM (the Bethel Area Arts and Music program) has been working hard for months on a mural project, engaging local students in partnership with a Portland mural artist, Ryan Adams.  Saturday, June 19th is Volunteer Day.  Beginning at 10:00, volunteers are invited to come and“paint their socks off!”  FMI: coordinator@bethelareaartsandmusic.com.
 
Saturday, June 26 is Artist Night at the Gem: several community activities.  FMI and to reserve a seat - for the artist’s talk: https://thegemtheater.com/special_events/the-gems-artist-night/?.  For the film: https://thegemtheater.com/showtimes/faces-places-62621-700-pm/? 
 
Museums of the Bethel Historical Society: a full slate of programs and events in July and August (10-3 Wednesday-Friday and 10-1 Saturday).  Saturday, July 3 - opening of an exhibit from the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame, Sunday July 4 - community picnic and concert with the Portland Brass Quintet, 11:30.
 
Community Supper at the Bethel Alliance Church, Wednesday, June 30, 4:30-6:00 (free).  Indoor seating, outdoor seating (weather permitting) and take-out available.
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For a ride to any of the above – or any other personal medical or social event – call AFCI.  You may also request a Bethel Library book to be delivered.
 
Do you know someone who’s living with chronic pain?  A SeniorsPlus class will help sufferers learn how to better manage pain and improve their quality of life.  FREE on Zoom, Thursdays, 1:00-2:30, June 17th-July 22nd.  FMI: 207-440-2390 or kmills@healthylivingforme.org. 
 
All AFCI services are free (donations welcome) and 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. 
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                                                  Bethel Citizen June 10, 2021
 
“Am I too young?”  (said nobody ever) Too young to start working to make our community better for people in their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s?  Never!  Many of us, of course, are already there, but if you’re not … first, with luck, you may still be in the community at those ages and be thankful that there are many tangibles that demonstrate how our community values its elders.  Second, what’s good for older adults is probably good for all ages.  Think “livable community,” which doesn’t designate an age range.  Third, you may have older friends or loved ones who already live here or may in the future. 
 
So are you “too young” to work with the Age-Friendly Community Initiative?  Decidedly not!  We welcome community members of all ages to help us.  In its 6-year history, AFCI has worked hard “to explore ways to make the community more supportive of healthy aging and to enable people to stay in their own homes and communities as they age.” We keep in tune with research, and share ideas with other communities in our state and around the nation that have similar goals.  Contact us (information below) if you’d like to help.
 
The Livable Community assures that people are not denied a productive and happy life due to lack of transportation.  AFCI’s N2N (Neighbor to Neighbor) Rides Program is flexible and very popular.  Contact us (information below) if you need a ride to an important appointment or for social or other commitments.
 
All our services are free, but some people want to help defray program costs – so we welcome donations.
 
The Bethel Region, as you probably know, has had a head start on taking care of its citizens.  There are already many services and opportunities in the area, and AFCI’s priority always is to support are area partners.  Our Resource Directory, suggested by a citizen survey in 2015, includes a rich list of services – from as mundane as what time the Bethel Foodliner opens, to as specialized as where to find health specialists in the state.  You may access the directory on our website (http://www.agefriendlybethel.org/directory-of-local-services.html), and we’re happy to email you a pdf copy.
 
 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.  
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                                                 Bethel Citizen June 3, 2021
 
FROM AFCI
AFCI mailing. The Age Friendly Community Initiative recently embarked on an ambitious program to reach out to older adults in our 6-town region.  Thanks to the financial support of the Bethel Rotary Club, we sent out packets with a wide variety of items of interest, including wonderful contributions from students at the Eddy School, Telstar Freshman Academy and Gould Academy.  We have received a grant from the Maine Community Foundation to continue this outreach through the coming year.  If you haven’t received a packet, there are copies available in several area locations (the Bethel Family Health Center, the Bethel Foodliner, the Bethel Library and several other area sites).
 
Our N2N (Neighbor to Neighbor) Rides Program has started up again.  If you need a ride to appointments or social events, give us a call at least 3 days before your commitment.
 
FROM THE COMMUNITY
Day of Service. Saturday, June 5 is the Telstar/Interact/AFCI Handy Neighbors Day of Service, when Telstar students fulfill their community service requirement by providing labor for spring-time outdoor chores.  To request this service, call AFCI or email Tara Pocock (pocockt@sad44.org).
 
Mahoosuc Way Pledge.  AFCI encourages people of all ages to get outdoors for health, wellness, and happiness. We endorse the work of the Mahoosuc Way, which recognizes the balance between the positive economic contribution of tourism and the resulting impacts of high visitation, such as congestion and localized overuse. The Pledge to Embrace Our Place aims to share the collective values of the region with residents and visitors. We encourage you to take the pledge (https://mahoosucway.com/take-the-pledge/), which demonstrates your agreement to “honor this land … explore wisely … show respect … cultivate community … be climate conscious.”
 
Saturday Market on Main Street.  Saturdays (6/19, 7/17, 8/14, 9/4) 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on the Methodist Church lawn, 79 Main St., Bethel.  There will be Local artisans/crafters, Re-Pant bags for sale, benefitting the Food Pantry and Smile Fund, and a drop off site for items for the Bethel Food Pantry (toiletries, household items, feminine products and baby supplies).  
 
 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.  

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                                                 Bethel Citizen May 20, 2021
 
CORONAVIRUS
Spring is truly here! The national CDC is now recommending that all fully vaccinated individuals can go maskless – indoors or out (with a few exceptions like public transportation).  Everyone is eager to have restrictions lifted, and the CDC is responding daily with their latest research.  Keep up with the very latest in Maine at https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/
 
And get vaccinated!  All Maine residents over 12 years old are now eligible, and It’s very easy to get a COVID 19 shot these days - some without a prior appointment.  FMI: www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines/vaccination-sites#mobileunits.
 
Be sure to save your vaccination card.  Don’t laminate it, as it may need to be updated in the future.  DO save it in a safe place – with other valuables – in case you need to show it as proof of vaccination.
 
CAN WE HELP YOU?
Do you or anyone you know need one or more of the following?  All AFCI services are free, but we welcome donations.  Visit our website donations page (http://www.agefriendlybethel.org/donate.html) or inquire.
 
A ride - to the doctor, a friend’s house, shopping – or whatever?  Call at least 3 days in advance to request a ride.  Our volunteers are eager to get back into their N2N (Neighbor to Neighbor) driving!  They and all riders will be following COVID safety guidelines.  Have your vaccination card ready when you have your first ride (thereafter we’ll have your information).  And please wear a mask.
 
Outdoor spring chores?  Telstar students need to fulfill their community service hours, and you need help – a partnership made in heaven!  June 5 is their scheduled date – call asap to request a visit.
 
Remaining safe in your own home?  AFCI’s Home Assessment Program provides two essential services from an Occupational Therapist. To help you feel safer in your home she will assess your own personal risk for falling, as well as potential danger spots in your home.
 
Our Resource Directory lists a wide range of local and statewide services.  You can find it at http://www.agefriendlybethel.org/directory-of-local-services.html, or we can email you a pdf copy.
 
 
COMMUNITY
Community Supper, Bethel Alliance Church, Wednesday, May 26, 4:30-6:00.
 
May programs from SeniorsPlus: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/SeniorsPlus--Online-Education-Center-Offerings-for-May-2021.html. 
 
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.