Amid the pandemic, Kentuckians have shown more interest in local attractions as they stay closer to home, and museums and cultural centers say they are keeping up with demand.
Local sites strive to increase educational experiences and accessibility.
Chris Joslin, executive director of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Museum in Owensboro, said people have taken part in music lessons, concerts and jam sessions, all without having to leave home.
“People have been looking for opportunities to engage in rewarding adventures, but still a little closer to home, which may not require a flight or a long trip,” Joslin observed.
Last year, the museum received a $15,000 grant from AARP to enhance its visitor experience with a user-friendly audio guide. AARP Kentucky said this year, local nonprofit groups and government agencies can apply for its Community Challenge Grants, through March 22. Grants are awarded for quick-action projects aimed at making communities more livable.
Joslin explained that the museum used the funding to develop a portable audio guide to its main exhibit areas. He noted that the device also has a sign language option for hearing-impaired visitors.
“As you walk through the museum, it’s great for anyone with a visual impairment or low literacy, or let’s say someone who’s not ambulatory,” Joslin pointed out. “A lot of the labels, a lot of the storytelling, are at eye level. So that allows those people to really have an enhanced guided tour.”
Joslin added that many residents listen to traditional music thanks to the work of the museum.
“And we find that many of these people then discover ways to engage on an ongoing basis with the larger work of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Museum,” Joslin noted. “We see them coming back, and we love it.”
AARP Community Challenge grant projects must be completed by November of this year.
Disclosure: AARP Kentucky contributes to our fund for reporting on policy and budget priorities, health issues, seniors’ issues, and city planning/transportation. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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As small towns struggle to recover from the pandemic, a grant program called Put Your Town on the Map aims to support revitalization ideas.
Even before COVID-19, many rural and small towns were already facing economic hardship, for example, young people moving to cities. Some cities had not returned to pre-2008 recession unemployment levels, and others have limited access to essential infrastructure such as broadband.
Josh Paciorek, media spokesperson for the Consumers Energy Foundation, which funds the grant program, said small town residents and businesses have great ideas for helping their communities thrive. They just might need a little help getting started.
“It’s been difficult the last couple of years with the global pandemic,” Paciorek acknowledged. “It’s certainly had an impact on some of the small communities in our state. But as we look to 2022 and the years ahead, we know people are hopeful.”
Michigan cities with fewer than 10,000 residents are eligible to submit nominations. The top three applicants will receive grants worth $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.
Paciorek pointed out that last year’s winner was Comins Township in Oscoda County, which is now using the money to build a new town square and events area, aimed at attracting visitors and to increase tourism.
“What we’re really looking to do with these grants is to reward innovative ideas that seek to attract visitors or keep people coming back to these cities,” Paciorek explained. “We are looking for ideas that focus on housing, education or employment, ideas that help build community pride.”
The other two towns that received grants were Pinckney in Livingston County, to build an accessible community garden, and Alma in Gratiot County, for a downtown arts corridor.
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Many nonprofits and advocacy groups in Maine and across the country have seen fewer volunteers during the pandemic, but research shows that volunteering your time to help others can improve physical and mental health.
According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, volunteering can also give meaning to purpose, teach new skills, and help build and maintain relationships.
Carl Bucciantini, volunteer state chairman for AARP Maine, said everyone has valuable skills, expertise or opinions to offer. He explained that he started with AARP after he and his wife retired about five years ago.
“We were just looking for something we wanted to do,” Bucciantini said. “We knew all the things we didn’t want to do: we didn’t want to be hostesses in a store, we didn’t want to be a substitute teacher or a bus driver or anything like that. And we thought volunteering was something something we would like.”
Bucciantini pointed out that in retirement, he discovered a passion for legislative advocacy. He hopes that when the wave of Omicron variants ends, AARP volunteers can return to weekly “Tuesdays at the State House,” where they meet lawmakers and attend committee meetings to advocate on important issues. for Mainers over 50.
Bucciantini noted that in addition to helping the community, it’s great for older volunteers to be able to share their rich life experience and knowledge.
“What are your burning interests?” What is important in your life? How can we work together to use the experiences you have had over the years to make your voice known? Bucciantini describes. “Everyone has a story, and everyone’s story matters. And that’s how change happens.”
He added that legislative advocacy is just one of the volunteer opportunities. Other opportunities AARP provides include helping people file income taxes, packing lunch boxes, helping people apply for social services, and tutoring underserved children. And people can always check with local agencies and organizations when looking for ways to serve their community.
Disclosure: AARP Maine contributes to our fund for reporting on consumer issues, health issues, seniors’ issues, and social justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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South Dakota is experiencing another round of below freezing temperatures. As people band together, Salvation Army chapters hope they will consider donating winter clothing, with colder weather ahead.
Before each winter season, the organization launches campaigns for coats, hats and gloves. Salvation Army Captain Bill Middendorp in Mitchell said they usually get 150-200 donated coats. They saw higher demand than last year, suggesting COVID vaccinations are getting people out more. Even though they have a residence, Middendorp said they might still run out of other essentials, such as warm clothes.
“In this area,” he said, “it’s pretty vital for survival to even walk from home here for a meal.”
He said there are people released from jail or jail during the winter who are in immediate need of winter gear. And with the end of the federal eviction moratorium, more people may be forced to live on the streets in dire conditions. Rising retail prices could also limit household purchases of winter clothing.
Joe Alvarez of The Salvation Army in Aberdeen said their recent holiday toy drive had seen enough donations, but they still needed to buy extra winter clothes to have a supply ready. He said requests for these items begin in the fall, but that doesn’t mean the need is over once winter begins.
“We all know that situations change with your job or your health,” he said. “Things change where you find yourself in need.”
Alvarez said even if you used coats or clothes lightly, the donation will still make a big difference. Monetary donations are also encouraged to enable these groups to make necessary purchases. Depending on the local chapters, you can specify whether you want your donation to go to a service center or a Salvation Army thrift store.
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