New dreams, new hopes, new experiences and new joys, with the dawning of the New Year as musicians, storytellers, poets, music, song, homemade soups and breads, sweet treats and a bit of fundraising converge at noon on New Year’s Day 2019 (Jan. 1) at Mobius, 319 Main Street in Damariscotta. A new era for Peaceful Beginnings brings together Damariscotta Region Open Mic and a Community Sing-A-Long for a by donation fundraiser for the Inn Along the Way.

The IAW model is a unique and innovative community design in which elders live interdependently in a neighborhood-style setting of small, environmentally friendly homes. The Inn Along the Way will always welcome members of the greater community as well as serve those who seek respite.

Open mic registration begins at 11:45 a.m., festivities begin at twelve – noon with open mic performances. At 2 p.m. community members will have the opportunity to Rise-Up-Singing during a Community-Sing-Along lead by local musician and songwriter Sylvia Taveras. Whether you come for the whole afternoon or just for a musical break bring family members, neighbors and friends, your instruments, voices, stories, your “Rise-Up-Singing Song Book”, talents and dancing shoes or just your enthusiasm and listening ear. Leftover holiday treats, sweet and savory? For a bit of extra fun and conversation bring them along in a Holiday basket or tin to share and exchange with others who are welcomig the first day of the New Year in community.

This uplifting and heartwarming New Year’s Day 2019 celebration is being organized by musicians Sylvia Tavares and John Couch. In historic peaceful beginnings style, that you could say began with CONA as a peaceful, creative way to begin the New Year, community members attending the Inn’s musical celebration and community- sing-a-long will be surrounded with an eclectic mix of music, song, stories, dance, great food, community fun, fellowship, games and laughter.

The Inn Along the Way, in partnership with Damariscotta Open Mic, is continuing a mid-coast tradition of musicians and community members gathering together to welcome the First Day of the New Year in a safe and welcoming environment for a free, multigenerational, open to all community event, which has taken place for the last five years at Savory Maine graciously hosted by Savory’s owner Grace Goldberg.

The Inn Along the Way is a nonprofit organization in the process of creating a collaborative community offering older adults, and those seeking temporary relief from the responsibilities of caregiving, an environment of support, purpose, and sustainability in a multigenerational and mutually interdependent setting. Through collaborative community events IAW is raising funds, one donation at a time, to complete its first phase, which will transform the original farmhouse into a small inn with a café and community rooms, offering overnight accommodations to the general public, as well as those seeking respite.

Questions about open mic participation or the New Peaceful Beginning’s New Year’s Day celebration and IAW fundraiser schedule please contact Sylvia Tavares at (207) 766-8469 or sylviatarvares502@gmail.com. For more information about the Inn Along the Way including volunteer opportunities go to www.innalongtheway.org or contact Inn founder Sherry Flint at (207) 751-6261 or info@innalongtheway.org.