Still going strong into its ninth year, the Community Center got more than 4,500 visits in the past 12 months, providing free regular classes, games, special events, trips and information for residents from the peninsula's four towns and beyond as a welcoming location for area residents. But it's not just "entertainment" for those visiting the Center. As Board of Directors President Gerald Homer pointed out, "Strange as it seemed, we discovered that having a 'social gathering place'  in our community, with our higher-than-average concentration of 'older' residents, could have a favorable impact on the community’s health status and reduce reliance on the Emergency Room — especially for those medically unnecessary visits."

Homer pointed to a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General's report that explains, "Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk for premature death by 26% and 29% respectively. More broadly, lacking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day (and) is associated with increased risk for anxiety, depression, and dementia."

Just as important as programs and activities is the ability to drop into the Center and chat with friends old and new over coffee, tea and treats. Officer Larry Brown of Boothbay Harbor Police Department recently told The Register, "The Community Center offers a great venue to members of our community to meet and socialize, which we know contributes favorably to one’s mental health. I feel the Community Center is a tremendous organization with all it offers our residents."

Area towns have recognized the importance of supporting the Center since it was first proposed almost a decade ago. Every year, residents make sure it stays open by voting for town warrant articles that provide funds. Supported by this generosity and individual donations, the Center opens its doors throughout the week on activities that include mahjong, qigong, cribbage, dancing, Mexican train dominoes, Scrabble, rummikub, bridge, knitting and flower arranging.  

Equally as important as financial donations are the many hours volunteers spend at the Center teaching classes and serving as hosts and board members.

Fresh vegetables are seasonally available on Fridays, donated by Town Village Food Bank and Veggies to Table. Programs this past year included seminars and workshops on fraud prevention, expert assistance with computers, cell phones, or iPads, free help with tax preparation, Medicare and a genealogy group, among others.

In the past year, enrichment trips in the Center's van have taken area residents on an architectural tour of Richmond and Owls Head Transportation Museum and will head to Portland on Tuesday, Dec. 4 for a Christmas at Victoria Mansion Tour.

Then there are the Valentine's Day cookie walks, lobster raffles and meeting spaces. Speaking on behalf of the Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) group which meets there each month, Kitty Hartford said, "They go above and beyond helping us. They're absolutely vital to our group."

The Center's activities extend outward into the community. Several years ago, the Center started a Free Medical Equipment program for those in the community needing wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, hospital beds and more.

If driving is a challenge, volunteer drivers for People Helping People provide rides within the Boothbay region and occasional trips to Damariscotta or Brunswick. Services may include transportation to appointments, shopping and other outings for a monthly fee of $20.

Also extending beyond the Center's doors, the 911 emergency sign program makes reflective signs showing a home's address. A grant from Mildred McEvoy Foundation was given to Boothbay Harbor Police Department for 1,000 signs. One sign per family is free.

Brown lauded the Center and its volunteer sign maker, saying "Almost all of these signs were made by volunteer Dwight Lewis, who many times came in after the center closed. These signs, available to residents of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport, have been warmly received by everyone who has participated in the program." 

The Community Center welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to  2 p.m. and can be reached by phoning 633-9876.