Maybelle's Community Voice - August 2025 Member & Volunteer Newsletter

Our most recent collaborative art project, this time with Starlight Apts, was unveiled to much delight! Our artists and admirers had fun sharing what the sculpture made them think of, like dino eggs, shells, and exploding planets!

Movie Time!

Date & Film TBD

Living Room Theater (341 SW 10th Ave)

We’ll have 10 tickets available for an afternoon film outing this month! Find the sign-up sheet in the Community Room to learn more and reserve your seat (or contact Jennifer: 503-241-7374 x3006).

Welcome Back, Jenna!

Jenna was on a sabbatical this Spring, but she's back. Say hello if you see her in the Community Room!

Walk & Roll: Lan Su Chinese Garden

Tue, Aug 19th, 1PM

Meet outside the Community Room

Let’s check out the Lan Su Chinese Garden together! We will have five tickets available and for those with EBT cards, the cost is $5.

Art Classes: Open Studio Time

Tue, Aug 12th & Tue, Aug 26th, 2:30-4 PM

Community Room

This year we've had the opportunity to create self-portraits, collage landscapes, paint rocks, and practice watercolor together! Now, we will gather again on Tuesdays after the Community Room closes to co-work on our creative projects together. There will be some guided activities, but you can think of this space as an opportunity to work on your own projects.

No sign-up required – just show up and let’s make art together!

Volunteer Spotlight:

Meet Judy & Paul Sherbo

Written by Mary, Maybelle Center Program Manager

Some people find their calling in unexpected places—like the pages of a book.

For Paul & Judy, it was reading Radical Compassion by Father Gary Smith that sparked a deep desire to do more for their community. That marked the beginning of a meaningful volunteer journey that has now spanned several years with Maybelle Center.

Along the way, Paul & Judy have formed deep connections with many individuals—each with their own story. “One man we visited was funny and compassionate, another was incredibly loving and inspirational,” they recall. They’ve also walked with others through difficult transitions: Some of the people they’ve visited for years have eventually decided to move on and close this chapter in their lives.

Through the years they’ve reflected that "it's worth it to remain dedicated—even when it's hard. The rewards outweigh the challenges."

Maybelle Arts Festival

Thurs, Aug 7th, 3 PM

Star Theater (13 NW 6th Ave)

Join us for our first annual Maybelle Center Arts Festival! Meet us at the Star Theater for opening remarks and to pick up your Arts Festival Passport. The passport will lead you through all of the activities, including:

  • Maybelle Community Singers Performance
  • Fairly Odd Theatre Troupe Performance
  • Art Gallery & Snacks
  • Open Mic Performances

Join us for each activity and you'll receive a print of an original artwork to take home with you!

Original art will also be for sale directly from the artists!

Construction Updates

Our big project installing a crucial new elevator in our assisted living facility is still on schedule for January completion!

Space for our programming remains tight. We appreciate your patience as we continue navigating tight spaces together!

Did you see our giant crane on Broadway?

Staying Cool This Summer?

Advice from a fellow Member:

If you are over 65 years old and need help staying cool this summer, dial 3-1-1 on your phone and let them know that you're a senior in need of an air conditioner. They’ll ask a few health-related questions and provide you with next steps, including scheduling installation!

Patty's Coupon Corner

Monthly savings tips!

Written by Patty, Maybelle Center Member with a passion for saving, learned from the resourcefulness of her family.

You can save money on groceries by using digital coupon apps at Safeway, Fred Meyer, and Walgreens. Here's how:

  • Download the store’s app and set up your digital coupons.
  • Every week, check for new coupons to add to your account.
  • At Safeway, use the weekly doubler coupon—it can give you up to $1.50 on top of other saved coupons!

Calling All Members and Volunteers!

Do you have artwork to share?

We'd love to feature your work in this newsletter!

Connect with Shane to be published (sskinner@maybellecenter.org, 503-241-7374 x3003).

Staff Role Feature

What is Member Support Services?

Siggy, our Member Support Coordinator, empowers Members towards self-advocacy and self-sufficiency, especially around using community resources like Social Security, Oregon Trail, and OHP.

She'd love to help you navigate questions that come up or set up an online account with these agencies! Schedule some time with her and avoid long lines and boring forms!

Siggy (she/her), Member Support Coordinator: 503-241-7374 x3004, storfason@maybellecenter.org

New Phone Numbers & System

Maybelle Center new main line: 503-241-7374

When you call, you'll first hear an automated voice message letting you know you've reached Maybelle Center. This recording will then run through the list of different departments you can get in touch with.

If you know the extension of the person you are trying to reach, you do not need to listen to the whole recording. As soon as you hear the automated message begin, you can enter the four digit extension number of the person you are calling and the system will connect you.

If you do not enter anyone's specific extension or select one during the automated message options, you'll be connected with the front desk within Macdonald Residence.

Neighborhood Program Phone Numbers:

Anastasio (they/he), Member Outreach Coordinator: 503-241-7374 ext3005

Jen (she/her), Arts, Culture & Outreach Manager: 503-241-7374 ext3006

Jenna (she/her), Program Generalist: 503-241-7374 ext3008

Mary (she/her), Program Manager: 503-241-7374 ext3001

Shane (they/them), Lead Member Inclusion Coordinator: 503-241-7374 ext3003

Siggy (she/her), Member Support Coordinator: 503-241-7374 ext3004

I Used to Love You

A poem by Kathijune, Maybelle Center Member & poet

I Used To Love You

I struggle with the validation of the

conviction of the words used to

and you stand there with your mouth

agape questioning my lack of

consideration for your part in this

currently building state.

I say the words louder now not as if

you have misunderstood the tone and

clarity of them. I say them louder than

when I first spoke them into being so

that they would accumulate the power

to stand on their own accord in case

my resolve begins to falter.

you don’t like where this conversation

is going because you were so sure that

you knew me so well that I would

grovel at your feet for a morsel of

affection and appreciation from you.

I admit that in my younger years I would have

buckled under the

heat of your stare.

I am stronger now than I was then and

every day I grow even stronger so

again I say with conviction this time and

absolutely no doubt in

my mind that I used to love you.

I no longer carry the fear in my heart to be

alone and I welcome the opportunity to

stand on my own if it means that I am

finally free of all the doubt and

uncertainty that you have maybe

unwittingly filled my heart and mind with

You appear dumbfounded, a little lost and

confused like you can not believe that you

don't have any power over me the look of

disdain on your face proof enough that you

won't even claim any of the blame for all the

heartache and pain I experienced when we

were together which is why I grin as

I raise my head up high and I turn around

and walk away from the garbage my life

became

because I used to love you.

Ongoing Opportunities

Changes to ongoing opportunities:

  • Community Room Hours Change: Due to limited staffing, for now we are reducing our Friday hours and will close after Bingo (at 12:30 PM)
  • Choir: After the Monday 8/4 meeting, Choir will be on a break with a return date coming in September.
  • Theatre: Theatre will be back in 2026!
  • The Community Room will be closed all day Thursday, August 7th, to prepare for the Arts Festival
  • Maybelle Center will be closed all day on Monday, September 1st
  • Wildwood Paused for 2025: Due to budget and staffing needs, this year Maybelle Center will not be offering our annual trip to Wildwood. This was announced at our most recent Member forum. We know this event is much anticipated and well-loved and we hope to offer this outing again in 2026. We will continue to provide opportunities for connection and belonging. If you have any questions, feel free to chat with any staff.

Ongoing opportunities details:

  • Community Room [Updated 2025 hours]: Monday, 1–3 PM; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM, and Fridays 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
  • CareOregon Advantage Q&A: 2nd Tuesday of the Month, 10:30 AM - Noon in the Community Room. Reps from Care Oregon will answer your questions on aging, disability, and Medicare. (Aug date: 8/12)
  • Karaoke: On the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the Month, from 1:30 - 2:30 PM in the Community Room. (Aug dates: 8/12 & 8/26)
  • Movie and Popcorn: Every Thursday 12:30 - 2:30 PM in the Community Room. Grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy a classic film or new blockbuster together.
  • Street Books Mobile Library: Every Thursday, 1:30 PM in the Community Room. Check out a book or two without worrying about fees, fines, or an address.
  • Birthday Party: Last Thursday of the Month, 1:30 - 2:30 PM. A monthly celebration of member birthdays with cupcakes (gluten-free and sugar-free available). (Aug date: 8/28)
  • Bingo: Every Friday, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM in the Community Room. Join us for some friendly competition and get ready to shout "Bingo!"
  • Choir: Monday, Aug 4th, 11 AM - 12:30 PM in the Community Room and online: maybellecenter.org/choirzoom
  • Heart Circles: Every Thursday, 11:15 AM in the Classroom. A safer space for folks to speak from their hearts, to be heard, and to listen. This will be a combined group in place of Men’s, Women’s, and Rainbow Group, facilitated by a staff member.
  • Member Forum: Quarterly, 12:45 AM - 2:30 PM in the Community Room. Join us each quarter to brainstorm new ideas, discuss any concerns, and eat pizza. (Next meeting on Friday, July 18th)
  • Theatre Class: Theatre will back in 2026!
  • Monthly Member Music Jam Session: Last Thursday in the Community Room at 3 PM. Come make music with fellow Members, volunteers, and staff.
  • Online Chair Yoga: Monday mornings 9-10 AM. Join us via zoom every Monday morning to practice from your own chair. Enter the website into your browser (https://bit.ly/4jGzZmr) and then open the zoom meeting. If you are asked for more info, the meeting ID: 819 4753 4249 and the passcode is: 691908