News Notes

Photo: Nenad Stojkovic via Creative Commons

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

Free online tool helps find resources for older adults: The Office of Aging and Disability Services launched a new pilot program, the Maine Access Navigator Tool (MANT), on Sept. 2. This free online tool helps older adults, their family members, and their care partners find services, resources and programs that are tailored to meet the older adult’s unique needs. To find the best resources for each situation, MANT asks questions about a person’s living situation, access to food, transportation, health care, ability to plan and prepare meals and personal safety. The tool gives users the option to have a trained specialist help them with applying for services, or alternatively, access and apply for services on their own, at their own pace. Access MANT here.

Your donation dollar can go further for children facing serious illnesses: Grahamtastic Connection, the nonprofit that provides free technology to children with cancer and other serious illnesses, has announced a timely opportunity for sponsors to boost their philanthropic power. A matching challenge is available from the Ellen Beaudoin Living Trust to double any sponsor’s donation made to the organization’s 2024 5K Run/Walk & BBQ. This year’s event will be held Oct. 20 from 10 am to 1 pm, starting at the Nasson Community Center and ending at 21 Bradeen St., Springvale. Following the race, there will be a free BBQ and special prizes for the fastest female, male, and dog as well as medals for first and second place female and male runners in all age categories. Sponsorship includes each sponsor’s name and logo printed on the race t-shirts. To sponsor, donate, or register for the race, go here. FMI, email info@grahamtastic.org or call 207-432-1228.

Voting is open for Sanford woman’s quest to be named USOA Ms. Maine: Kristen Pelletier, 41, who grew up in Sanford, is competing for the title of United States of America Ms. Maine. Pelletier has been paralyzed from the waist down since suffering a spinal cord injury from a car accident when she was about to enter her senior year of high school. Read her story here. If chosen, Pelletier will be donating her prize to the Bridging Bionics Foundation (BBF). The nonprofit provides access to affordable and ongoing physical therapy and advanced technology for those with neurological mobility challenges. There is no limit to the number of times a person can vote. To vote for Pelletier (Ms. Sanford), go here and select the number of votes you wish to donate. Each vote costs $1.50 and is only payable by PayPal. A portion of the voting proceeds goes to BBF. The winner of the USOA Ms. Maine pageant will be awarded on Oct. 13.

Sanford Resident Hopes to Be Next Ms. Maine

https://www.usoamissmaine.com/product-page/ms-sanford

City addresses Sanford vs. Brunswick fire station questions: To respond to the many online comments about the size and cost of the Brunswick fire station compared to the planned Sanford headquarters station, representatives from the City of Sanford spoke with the architects working on Sanford’s new stations. The Brunswick station was designed by the same architects. Information that explains the cost differences, responses related to station size, effects of inflation and market increases, and differences in each building’s design are available online. Read the responses here.

Financial skills workshops for older adults: Many older adults are struggling to pay their bills, follow a budget, and organize their finances. To help adults aged 60+ increase their financial literacy and boost their financial awareness, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging is offering one-hour financial skills workshops through its Money Minders program. Generally held on the last Thursday of each month via Zoom, workshops will cover an array of topics, including budgeting, holiday financial planning, fraud and scam protection, tax information, consolidating credit card debt, SNAP benefits, online banking, managing financial concerns for those with dementia, and more. The first workshop, Budgeting Basics, will be Sept. 26 from 10 am to 11 am via Zoom. Topics to be covered include money management attitudes and styles, setting goals, and steps for creating a spending plan. FMI, contact Susan Bergeron at sbergeron@smaaa.org or 207-396-6515. To register for the workshop, go here.

ISO: your input on transportation’s future: Today’s decisions about what to prioritize and how to invest in transportation systems will shape our community for decades. Whether you drive, walk, or bike in Southern Maine, you can help guide these decisions by telling the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission what matters to you. Take the survey here.

Gaining solid experience in the field: Marissa Valliere, a Master of Social Work student intern in the University of Maine’s Rural Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care training program, has joined Nasson Health Care until next May. During this time, Valliere will provide patient care and develop educational resources. The program gives students an opportunity to gain valuable experience while completing their course work.

Programs rebounding: After a break for the past couple of years, programs are back at the Sanford-Springvale Historical Society (SSHS). On Sept. 12, author Chris Boucher was at SSHS to talk about Bucky Lew, the first Black professional basketball player, who played the first integrated game in Maine at the Springvale Town Hall (now the SSHS museum) in 1913. Keep your eye on the Sanford Springvale News for details on upcoming programs at the museum.

Sanford native is one step closer to heading Maine DHHS: The Maine State Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted 10-2 on Sept. 16 to recommend confirmation of Acting Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes to serve as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The nomination of Gagné-Holmes is now subject to confirmation by the Maine State Senate. “I appreciate today’s vote of confidence put forward by the Maine Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee in support of my confirmation,” said Gagné-Holmes. “I look forward to earning the support of the full Maine Senate and am committed to working collaboratively with the Maine Legislature, our many partners across the administration, and in the community, as we continue to improve the work of the department and best serve the people of Maine.” Gagné-Holmes, who grew up in Sanford, served as DHHS deputy commissioner for the past five years, and has led the department in an acting capacity since June 1, following the departure of Jeanne Lambrew.

How do you like them apples? The Shaker Hill Apple Festival, scheduled for Sept. 21, 10 am to 4 pm, and Sept. 22, 10 am to 3 pm, celebrates all things apple with many delicious foods and treats, including home-baked apple pies, apple crisps, apple cider, apple-filled donuts and many other food items. The festival also offers local vendors’ hand-crafted items, pony rides, a barnyard petting zoo, children’s activities, a silent auction, a giant barn sale, food trucks, and much more. Visit the festival at the Brothers of Christian Instruction campus on Shaker Hill Rd. in Alfred.

Get tips on enrolling for Medicare: Signing up for Medicare can be confusing, and making the wrong choices can be costly. To help clarify the options and understand how the federal health insurance program works, Renata Lahner, of the Lahner Group, will present “Medicare Made Simple,” through Sanford Community Adult Education, on Oct. 2 from 6 pm to 8 pm via Zoom. The cost is $10. Lahner will discuss how Medicare works, what it does and does not cover, the differences between Supplemental and Advantage plans, penalties, and much more. Lahner is a licensed insurance agent with over 18 years of experience helping individuals find the right Medicare coverage based on one’s medical and financial needs. Register for the class at sanfordlearns.org or call 207-490-5145.

ITAV seeks help to cover its growing expenses: As programs at It Takes a Village 207 (ITAV) have grown, so have the organization’s expenses. As a result, ITAV is seeking sponsors to help support some of its basic operating expenses, such as electricity, equipment, storage container rental, printed materials, printer supplies, gas, event expenses, and more. Sponsors receive signage recognition at events, recognition on social media pages, and a certificate that the sponsor can display. Multiple sponsorship levels are available, from a yearly cost of $75 to $3,000, with several levels in between. FMI, email itav207@yahoo.com.

Info on Sanford resources at your fingertips: The Sanford Community Resource Guide is now available online. The guide is packed with essential information on where to find resources on food, shelter, financial assistance, transportation, health services, community activities, and much more. To access the guide, go here.

Lifelong learning minus the tests, homework, grades, and papers: Course registration for the Fall 2024 session at York County Senior College (YCSC) is open. Choose from a variety of areas including art, wellness, literature, world affairs and more. Courses are presented online via Zoom, in person, or outdoors, depending on the course. To register for classes, YCSC membership (or other Maine Senior College membership) is required. Membership dues are $25 for the year running July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. To access course descriptions and to register, go here.