To the editor:

There is a group of Dartmouth and Westport residents who have been sharing their time and energy with their fellow neighbors. These Coastal Neighbors members originally began this program in Dartmouth and after a successful four-year period expanded their program to Westport. Together these residents of both Dartmouth and Westport offer an alternative to assisted living and nursing home situations.

Often Coastal Neighbors volunteers might be assisting with grocery shopping, garden work, trips to the doctor’s office, light carpentry work, house repairs, supporting local food pantries, and arranging interesting social activities for anyone interested. One recent activity involved garden visits at Westport Point, which helped to raise enough funding to help subsidize the annual membership fee to any member unable to afford the annual fee covering basic costs of the program.

Social and cultural activities in the past year have included activities such as an educational experience offered by the Audubon Society at Allen’s Pond, an ART Presentation at the Dee Dee Shaddock ART Gallery, a local bonfire at Silverbrook Farm, a garden tour, croquet on a member’s lawn, a visit to the Russells Mills historic cemetery, the Museum at Heritage Park at Battleship Cove, a visit and lunch at Portugalia, learning how Fall River got its name and visiting a hidden fall that clearly demonstrated the power that once energized the mills of the Spindle City.

Upcoming events include a tour of Westport’s historic Handy House, a historic talk offered by the Westport Historical Society focusing on the Black Yankee, Paul Cuffee, a Gooseberry Neck bird exploration, and an extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic tasting that will be held at Silverbrook Farm.

The Community Neighbor Network invites citizens of all ages to enroll as a member or a volunteer. If you are interested in sharing some of your time and energy in working with some of your neighbors, please contact Andy Pollock at 508-264-9064. All first time visitors are welcome to join in any these activities.

Andy Pollock
Dartmouth
Pollock is the executive director of Coastal Neighbors Network.