What is the AFCI “Our Towns” project? Funded by a Community Challenge Grant from AARP, picnic tables and benches have been constructed by the Congo Craftsmen and painted by Bethel Area Arts and Music artists. They will be gifted to all six of our member towns on June 14, Election Day, and we hope you’ll plan to join us in the celebrations.

The AFCI/NorthStar Handy Neighbor Program is in full swing. Have you seen their photo on AFCI’s Facebook page? That was an outdoors chore project for Pat in Gilead. Requests are made through AFCI (824-4444), but the program is currently full and putting folks on a waiting list for this spring. What a great job those kids are doing!

Many thanks to NorthStar coordinators Lyndsey Smith and Justin Bondeson and AFCI coordinators Charlie Raymond and Charlie Reiss.

Community events

Movies and events to look forward to at The Gem Theater (thegemtheater.com): opening on Thursday, May 20: “Downton Abbey: A New Era.”  On May 21 only, sponsored by BAAM: “Ruth Stone’s Vast Library of the Female Mind,” about the poetry and life of Ruth Stone in the Green Mountains of Vermont.  Q&A with Filmmaker Nora Jacobson at 7 p.m., film at 8 p.m.  And coming in June: “Elvis.”  No, not in person, but the film about him.

The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum will offer free admission for all Maine residents on Sunday, May 15, from 11 .m. to 4 p.m.  Bring a form of ID that shows proof of residency. The museum opens at 11 a.m, and the last admission to the exhibits is at 4 p.m. Plan on at least an hour and a half to go through the exhibits.

The Bethel Food Pantry: first and third Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community Suppers: last Wednesday of each month, 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Bethel Alliance Church. Eat in or take out.

Bethel Alliance Church: conversation, coffee and a bagel or doughnut, every Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come for one hour or all four.

SAD 44 Adult and Continuing Ed tech help: Tuesday evenings are free sessions, but call to reserve a time: 824-2136, x 1340.

All AFCI services are free.  To request an N2N ride or a Handy Neighbor Household Chore, call 207-824-4444.

For information, inquiries and suggestions, email: agefriendlybethel@gmail.com, visit our Facebook page or website agefriendlybethel.org.  We love to hear from you, and you’re welcome to visit our monthly board meetings.