Welcome to Spring! A message from AARP Maine State Director, Lori Parham

From Lori Parham, AARP Maine State Director

Welcome to the Spring 2018 Edition of the AARP Maine E-Newsletter!

I’m excited to share with you the latest happenings across Maine. Each quarter we bring you news from around the Pine Tree state, hoping to highlight the issues of most interest to you and your family. Do you love politics and the political process? You may be one of the dozens of activists and volunteers who joined us during the legislative session for our weekly Tuesdays at the State House. The AARP Maine team of staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure the voices of Mainers 50+ were well represented on a range of issues including support for caregivers and affordable utility rates. Although the current session is winding down, we will be back for more “Tuesdays” next year!

Soon we will turn our attention to the 2018 elections.  While AARP is strictly non-partisan, we do ask the candidates - no matter what party - to address the issues that matter to Mainers 50+.  Is there an issue you feel should be a part of the conversation?  Drop us a line at me@aarp.org and let us know what matters most to you and your family.  After the June 12 ^th primary, we will be organizing our fall election community conversations and we invite you to participate.  Follow us on Facebook at @aarpmaine or check out our website for more details later in the summer.

Right now, we are working on an important issue and could use your help. For the third time in five years, Emera Maine, our state's second largest electric utility company, is demanding a rate increase. This will have impacts across our communities, especially for older Mainers who are living on fixed incomes.  Please click here for more information and to sign our petition.

AARP Maine knows that our members also love to have fun! That is why we offer opportunities for social and engaging events at a discounted price or with no cost at all. Click here to find out about the many summer activities already on the calendar which include cultural events, a baseball game, hikes, canoeing, a garden tour and much more!  In addition, our fun coffees and On-Tap events around the state will continue in the coming months.  We hope you will join us!

Please help us celebrate Maine continuing to lead the nation in the number of age-friendly communities who have joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities.  You’ll see our feature about Maine in this newsletter.  You will also see a feature about our new collaboration with Maine Media Collective, Inc. and their new publication called Ageless Maine.

Last, but not least, I want to acknowledge that the week of April 15th is National Volunteer Week and at AARP Maine, we are grateful and honored to work with extraordinary volunteers every year.  The work of these dedicated individuals propels AARP’s mission “to serve, not to be served.”  This phrase was coined by our founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, 60 years ago and it is certainly still true today.  Please read my special thank you message here.

As always, we welcome your feedback or story ideas, and hope you will drop us a note anytime at me@aarp.org or give us a call at 1-866-554-5380. My team and I are here for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful spring,

Lori

 

Photo: AARP Maine Staff