Inn Along the Way’s in-person sounds and songs of summer gathering, musical celebration and fundraiser returns on Saturday, July 24 at the Chapman Farm, 741 Main St. in Damariscotta. This Summer Music Celebration in the red barn featuring the Rusty Hinges, Damariscotta Region Open Mic (DROM), Inn tours and hay field walks is a by donation fundraiser for the Inn Along the Way (IAW). The IAW model is a unique and innovative community design in which older community members live interdependently in a neighborhood-style setting of small, environmentally friendly homes. The IAW will always welcome members of the greater community as well as serve those who seek respite and volunteer opportunities.

In traditional summer on the Maine coast style, community members attending the Inn’s musical lawn and barn party and who want to bring their own creative picnic will be surrounded with an eclectic mix of music, song, verse, community fun and laughter. Musicians and performance artists from all genres this is your opportunity to step onto the DROM summer stage. Performer registration begins at 1 p.m., festivities run from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Rusty Hinges, whose performance will begin at 3:15 p.m., are a local Midcoast Maine band, playing an eclectic mix of acoustic music from folk music, from sea shanties to fiddle tunes, oldies to bluegrass and original tunes. Members of the band are: Nancy Bidges, violin, guitar, vocals, penny whistle; John Couch, guitar, vocals, harmonica; John Monterisi, guitar, vocals; Dan Townsend, guitar, vocals; and Peter Saladino, electric bass, vocals.

FMI about open mic participation or the IAW’s summer music celebration fundraiser schedule please contact Sylvia Tavares at (207) 766-8469 sylviatavares502@gmail.com. For more information about the Inn Along the Way’s grief support groups, educational programs including the “Loss Other Than Death Challenging Conversation Circle” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, the IAW’s garden and farm stand and volunteer opportunities go to www.innalongtheway.org or contact Inn founder Sherry Flint at (207) 751-6261 or info@innalongtheway.com

Please help us spread the word letting community members know that at the IAW the mic opens on July 24 in support of increased housing options for our older community members through the development of a "pocket neighborhood" of small, accessible homes. Whether you come for the whole afternoon or just for a musical break on a busy Saturday afternoon DROM and IAW appreciate your free will donation when you join us for a fun filled intergenerational afternoon that you, your family, friends and neighbors won’t want to miss! Looking ahead, mark your calendar and plan on joining us again on October for the IAW’s fall DROM event.

The Inn Along the Way is a nonprofit organization in the process of creating a collaborative community offering older adults, and those seeking temporary relief from the responsibilities of caregiving, an environment of support, purpose, and sustainability in a multigenerational and mutually interdependent setting. The organization is currently raising funds to complete its first phase, which is transform the original farmhouse into a small inn with a café and community rooms, offering overnight accommodations to the general public, as well as those seeking respite.