On Jan. 27, ten local seniors initiated a group devoted to planning and organizing monthly outings for Boothbay area residents who are in the early stages of memory loss. Under the able guidance of Mark Pechenik, manager of Community Engagement and Outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, the group of volunteers began planning events for this spring. The goal is to enable a small group (4 to 8) of local seniors and their family caregivers to join together for interesting and educational outings at least once a month. We had a lot of fun brainstorming interesting local outings -- from the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, to the Boothbay Railway Museum, Maine Maritime Museum, Miniature Golf, Boothbay Region Land Trust walk, and more.

“We are very grateful to this group of dedicated volunteers for their energy and enthusiasm,” said Pechenik. “Their great work in developing a vibrant social engagement program in the Boothbay region will do much to enhance the lives of those facing the harsh realities of Alzheimer’s disease and memory challenges.”

The Boothbay Region Social Engagement Committee will meet once a month, on the fourth Friday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Community Center. Those interested in joining as volunteers or as participants are welcome to come. If you have ideas for local activities that would be a lot of fun for active seniors with mild memory issues, please contact the coordinator, Patty Seybold, at 633-4368 or pseybold@customers.com.

This committee is co-sponsored by the People Helping People program of the Boothbay Region Health & Wellness Foundation and the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter.

Our next planning meeting will be held on Friday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. at the Community Center in the Meadow Mall in Boothbay Harbor. We expect our first outing to take place in early April.