Recognizing the valuable contributions of senior citizens, the Town of Portland offers a professionally staffed Senior Center, providing a comfortable environment for health services, recreational activities, information seminars, and support groups. Hot meals are provided five days a week, and are delivered to shut-ins through the meals-on-wheels program. Staff members are friendly, helpful and welcome new people. Activities include light impact aerobics, Tai Chi, crafts, shopping trips, bocce ball courts, health screenings, and any excuse for a party. Director serves as municipal agent. Dial-a-Ride is provided by Red Cross (347.3313).
Over the past few years, Portland’s Parks & Recreation Department has more than doubled the number of programs that it offers. Its aim is to provide a diverse menu of activities to choose from, including seasonal or on-going activities, and special events. Programs include various team sports, art classes, ice-skating, crafts, Tai Chi, aerobics, trips, cartooning, parent and child activities, seasonal house dressing contests, skate-boarding, trips, Family Day, summer concerts, and a whole lot more.
The Town of Portland commits itself to the special needs of young people through its Youth Services Department. Ongoing programs include: Times for Tots, Playground Plus After School programs, Skateboarding trips, a Teenage Youth Commission (sponsoring dances for 6th to 8th graders), Activities Day, Bingo & Social Night, a Girl’s Teen Group, an After School Job Bank, and special seasonal activities. Crisis Intervention and Prevention programs include: counseling, a Juvenile Diversion Board, home visits, clothing distribution, and an out-of-school suspension program.
The Portland Library is constantly updating its services to remain cutting-edge. While maintaining the personalized and friendly atmosphere expected from a small town resource, the services available are far from limited. The extensive book collection is augmented by computer access to the Internet, word processing stations, reference services, computerized databases, CD Roms, and thousands of VCR movies. It also serves the public as a showcase for local artists, and by providing meeting space for groups. Special programs for adults and children help make the Portland Library a vital community center, whose success is measured by the ever-increasing number of people who utilize it.
