Washburn -
a Little Town with a big heart
cara miller

 Maybe you’ve never heard of this little town of 1,687 located in the northern part of Aroostook county.  But this little town has a big heart when it comes to promoting livability for its growing population of older residents. From new housing options to book clubs and exercise classes, AF Washburn is a hotbed of age-friendly initiatives.

Town Manager, Donna Turner, is overseeing the final stages of establishing a local housing development. The goal is to use this housing to offer not only affordable homes to older citizens, but provide Washburn residents with opportunities to age well, through local programs and resources.  

Cara Miller, Washburn Memorial Library Director, describes some of these programs: 

“A few of the main ways we serve our older population is through the Recreational Department and our local Library, Washburn Memorial Library.   The Recreational Program, directed by Marcie Barbarula, offers age-friendly luncheons, field trips, and crafting classes.”  

Over at the library, Cara, a Certified Yoga Instructor, offers Chair Yoga and Beginner's Yoga.  Plus, she says, “monthly Book Club programming, such as Books and Brews Social Hour (for 55+), which is a one-hour chat of what books we are reading, while enjoying tea, coffee, and snacks served.  We maintain a strong partnership with the Aroostook Agency on Aging and collaborate with them often.  Currently we are offering a yoga class series, using the leverage of Access Points (courtesy of the Agency on Aging) so that the class can be viewed at participating locations throughout Aroostook County.”

And, they are not letting small town funding get in their way.  

Washburn was awarded a 2024 AARP HomeFit Grant, which enabled them to create HomeFit Kits for community members (ages 55+).  These kits included assistive items focusing on safety and accessibility in their homes, such as bathroom safety grab bars, non-slip shower treads, motion lights, jar openers, LED flashlights + batteries, plus home safety educational flyers and resources. Washburn also had an on-call occupational therapist available during the grant cycle to answer questions and provide helpful insight to anyone wanting to learn more about how to live safely and independently. 

Washburn’s recent membership into the AARP Age-Friendly Network is a milestone they are thrilled to reach, but that is just beginning!  As Miller related, “This opportunity has and will continue to inspire and enrich our town. We are proud of the sense of community and connection we've nurtured within Washburn and surrounding areas. With every vision, every goal, every investment in our people, we are all the more excited for the future and offering an age-friendly place for all”!