Just as the Rotary Auction was winding down on the Boothbay Common on Saturday, Aug. 1, a committed group of senior volunteers descended on the newly leased space in the Meadow Mall to begin to clean and set up the new Community Senior Center right next to the Family Dollar store. Armed with two truckloads of newly purchased furniture from the Rotary Auction, along with cleaning supplies and plenty of elbow grease, the volunteers — median age of 70  —dove in to begin making the former Bank of Maine space into a welcoming “home away from home” for our community members — 55 percent of whom are over 50.

The Boothbay Region Health & Wellness Foundation has committed to lease and operate this Community Senior Center for a year, free for all. In addition to the space and furniture, we hope to have Wi-Fi, computers, and iPads, with local kids guiding the older set through the mysteries of how to use these devices to their fullest.

But there’s still a funding gap to meet our commitment to the community. We received a generous matching grant of $6,000 from 97-year old Trudie Seybold, but we’re still $4,000 shy of making the match, and we need an additional $30,000 to really guarantee the viability of the Senior Center for at least two years. So, join us for our first Annual Benefit on Sunday, Aug. 9 at the Carousel Music Theater. Support our local seniors! Tickets are $45 each for adults and each ticket includes a generous donation to the Wellness Foundation to benefit our senior programs. This is the usual $39.95 price for an adult dinner theater ticket with tax and tips included. The Carousel Theater is donating a generous amount from the sale of each ticket and the hard-working singers-dancers-waiters-waitresses will be guaranteed their tips.

The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m., with 1960s era show tunes sung Cabaret style, while the performers alternate between taking and delivering your orders for soup, sandwich or salad, dessert and beverages, and serenading you. As you listen and enjoy the beverages from the cash bar, you’ll be able to bid on a collection of wonderful local treasures in our silent auction. These include local crafts, artwork, paintings, healing therapies, and gift certificates to local attractions and restaurants. Just before the stage show, Rob Barnard will don his auctioneer’s persona, and auction off a handful of valuable local prizes. All auction proceeds will benefit the programs for seniors. Then, sit back and enjoy the stage show, "Where have all the Hippies gone?" You’ll love the professional performances, the evocative and hopeful songs from the '60s and early '70s, and the wonderful dance routines. We promise you an evening to remember! And, you’ll be showing your support for our community’s newest additions: our new Senior Community Center and our People Helping People program, with errands, transportation, companionship, and many other services to keep our frailest seniors healthy and happy, both seasonally and year round.

So buy your ticket today. Tickets are on sale at the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, at Chuck Cunningham’s Farm Stand on Route 27, and from the Wellness Foundation Board members. Or, call the Carousel Theater directly and place your order with them (particularly if you’d like to bring kids or grandkids along; kids’ tickets are less expensive and still include a generous donation). To reserve directly with the Carousel Theater, call 207-633-5297 and ask for the Aug. 9 Wellness Senior Benefit. No costumes are required, but if you want to kick up your heels and dig out your tie died shirts and bell bottoms, we have a prize for the person who comes dressed in the most authentic hippie garb!