AARP Maine Has Much to Offer You This June in Bangor!

AARP Maine has a variety of interesting and free offerings in Bangor this June, and we hope you’ll join us!

Thursday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Dark Secrets: The Terrible Truth About Elder Abuse in the Family at Gracie Theatre, Husson University, 180 College Circle, Bangor. For more information and to register: https://states.aarp.org/maine/elder-abuse

Brooke Astor, wealthy New York philanthropist, writer, and socialite, was recognized for her generosity towards those less fortunate. Known as the “Aristocrat of the People,” she funded many worthy causes throughout her lifetime. While she spent most of the year working in New York, each summer she refueled at her beloved home in Northeast Harbor in Maine.

Brooke Astor is also known for something else, something far more sinister. In her later years, Mrs. Astor was abused — isolated, deprived, manipulated, and exploited — by her only child who gained control of millions of dollars that she had bequeathed to charities. It was her grandson, Philip Marshall, who, with the help of many concerned persons and law enforcement, saved his grandmother.

Join us to hear Philip Marshall's story and to participate in an on-site Maine Public Maine Calling radio program immediately following which will include panelists Mr. Marshall, Kathy Stokes (Director of AARP Fraud Prevention Programs) and Atty. Benjamin Jenkins (Legal Services for Maine Elders).

Meet our collaborative organizations from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Mr. Marshall will begin his address promptly at 10 a.m. Maine Calling runs from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. A light lunch will be offered at 12:15.

Friday, June 21 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.: AARP Maine Coffee at Dysart’s, 1110 Broadway, Bangor. To register: https://events.aarp.org/dDxExD

Join us for coffee and conversation at our monthly free coffee event. From 8:30 to 9 a.m., we gather to socialize with friends new and old. Then at 9, we invite our guest speaker to share information about a topic relevant to those in greater Bangor.

Our guest speaker this month will be George Jo Bridgham of the Maine Troop Greeters & Museum, a non-profit group of veterans and men and women supporting our armed forces serving overseas by greeting troops who arrive at Bangor International Airport. Day or night, rain or shine, it is their commitment to welcome each troop home from war and give a proper send off to each of the young men and women heading overseas. They accomplish this by being here to offer free cell phones to call a loved one, a snack to keep them going, and handshakes to let them know we care. Since they began greeting flights in May of 2003, the Maine Troop Greeters & Museum have greeted over 7,417 flights with more than 1,499,277 service members and 403 military dogs. And it is their pledge that as long as there are U.S. Armed Forces serving overseas they will be here to greet them.

Friday, June 21 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.: Bar Stories – Our Stories at Gracie Theatre, Husson University, 180 College Circle, Bangor. For more information and to register: https://events.aarp.org/barstories

Join AARP Maine in celebrating Bangor Pride weekend as we explore the history of LGBTQ+ bars in Maine with Bar Stories – Our Stories on Friday, June 21. This event at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre will feature a 5 p.m. reception where you can enjoy appetizers and drinks (including one complimentary beer or wine per adult 21+) and get to know more about AARP’s work on behalf of the 50-plus in Bangor and throughout Maine. At 6 p.m. we’ll screen the documentary Bar Stories from Queer Maine followed by a discussion with the filmmakers and other guests. This event is free to everyone, but registration is required.

Saturday, June 22 from 12 to 4 p.m.: AARP Maine at Bangor Pride, West Market Square and Norumbega Park. No registration required.

AARP Maine is proud to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in greater Bangor by serving as a “Rainbow Partner” sponsor for Bangor Pride. Visit our table at the festival, get to know our staff and volunteers, and play our newly refreshed Plinko game! The new edition of the game enables players to win a prize while learning about AARP’s work to protect Social Security and support family caregivers.

Wednesday, June 26 from 6 to 8 p.m.: Free Screening of 'Thelma', Bangor Mall Cinemas 10. For more information and to register: https://events.aarp.org/lBqlL2

Inspired by a real-life experience, THELMA is a poignant action-comedy that follows Thelma Post, a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson and sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles, accompanied by an aging friend and his motorized scooter, to reclaim what was taken from her. THELMA gives veteran Oscar® nominee June Squibb her first leading role on-screen and features the final performance of trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree.