A previous bird walk with Dr. Steve Kress. (Photo courtesy Inn Along the Way)
As spring has been slow and steady, summer seems to be coming at full force. Our event list is jam packed and rooms at the inn are being booked. Our life on the farm is full and we are so grateful for all those who contribute their time, energy, and interest into developing and expanding our community and vision.
Some people tend to be a bit curious about what we do at Inn Along the Way. I describe it as a multigenerational community support space situated on a beautiful 31-acre farm where we facilitate programs, collaborate with other community establishments, have committees for designated subjects, and host events based on our communities needs and interests.
Aside from a community support space, we are an operating inn with five bedrooms, two of which are Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant. Our inn is open to the general public and those seeking respite care. Much more is planned for our future including a pocket neighborhood for older adults, a quiet garden, respite cottages, artist in residency cottage, animal barn, event space, and farm to table restaurant.
Hopefully that helps explain who we are, what we do and what we have planned. Now for all that is happening this season.
We have our biweekly support groups: Circle of Care, a space for community members who are caring for themselves, family, friends, and neighbors and Grief and Resilience, a space for community members to be supported through grief and loss. Our weekly events include knitting circle on Mondays and Lunches with the Bunches on Wednesdays.
Our first barnyard sale of the season is Saturday, June 15, which will be full of fantastic items both new and old. The following week will be our first ever craft fair on Saturday, June 22, come support our local crafting community.
Other events will include poets circle, singing circle, painting on terracotta pots, open mic with Finntown Road, conversation circles on housing and caregiving, book reading with Chris Chapman, community supper with Community Plate, and Death Wings with Bess Welden.
All our events are by donation. If you want to know more, we publish a monthly newsletter to keep you updated on the inn’s happenings or you can check out our website calendar. We hope to see you on the farm.
Remember, if you’ve lost a loved one and are grieving; are a caregiver, in need of support; if you are at a point of transition and in need of a sounding board or friendly companionship, you are not alone. Call 751-6261 or email info@innalongtheway.org.
(Inn Along the Way is a nonprofit with the goal of transforming the historic Chapman Farm in Damariscotta into an innovative, neighborhood-style setting for older adults and caregivers.)
