There is a sign under the coffee machine at the Community Center which says: “We came as strangers and left as friends.” That sign was created by the granddaughter of a Boothbay Region Health and Wellness Foundation member who was helping to wash teapots in preparation for the grand opening.

She stopped in her work to announce: “This is so awesome what you are doing, Grammy!” We think this kind of role modeling is exactly what our senior (whoops! community center) is all about.

Where are you going to be on Aug. 29 at 1 p.m.? We hope you will be at the Meadow Mall in Boothbay Harbor for the ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening of the Community Center. Rep. Stephanie Hawke and Sen. Chris Johnson will be joining us; there will be refreshments; there will be balloons; there will be music; and, of course, you can tour the facility.

We already have four volunteer instructors who are anxious to get to work. They will be demonstrating their work in watercolor painting, landscape felting, crocheting and knitting. There will be sign-up opportunities for those who may be interested in taking classes for which space is limited.

In the near future we plan offer instruction in guitar playing, cribbage, canasta, bridge, and basic computer skills. In addition, there will be lectures on Civil War history, genealogy and travel. Be sure to look for the Wish List board on which you can make suggestions about what you would like to have happen at the center and the opportunity to volunteer to help make those things happen.

We know you will be pleasantly surprised. There is not one stick of new furniture in the entire place. It feels just like home; there is a little wear and tear, but it is a start.

We thank the Rotarians for their “make an offer” furniture shopping opportunity; the Southport Library, which supplied us with stackable chairs, captains chairs, mini refrigerator and microwave oven; the Miles Thrift Shop, which provided the opportunity to acquire the furniture for our classroom; our angels Steve Ham, Steve Lewis, Ronnie Morey, Gary Arsenault, Tom Dewey, Bruce Barter, Susan Brackett, Ron Giles, Barry Sherman, Mary Connelly and Alice Grant, Ted Schmidt, the cleaning crews, and all of the enthusiastic supporters who have come through the door bearing gifts of furniture and books and lamps, trash cans and plants, games and puzzles, paper towels, coffee, tea, vacuum cleaners, teapots and mugs. Everything you see has been a gift from the heart of community members.

Come join us as the community comes together to open the Community Center. Some of you may come as strangers, but we are sure you will leave as friends.