The Home Repairs Team from Harpswell Aging at Home stars in a program on Harpswell Community Television. Harpswell Aging at Home airs numerous educational programs with support from the local station.

As Harpswell Aging at Home continues to grow and expand its programs, Harpswell Community Television has become a reliable and valued partner in getting information out to Harpswell residents.

When the coronavirus pandemic required organizations to reevaluate how they fulfill their missions, HAH turned to Harpswell Community TV to broadcast vital information to older members of the community.

“Without the support of Harpswell Community TV, none of it would have been possible,” said Gayle Hays, chair of HAH’s Health and Wellness Committee.

Using the daily 3-4 p.m. time slot the station granted to HAH, messaging about vaccinations soon broadened to educational programming on a variety of health and wellness topics, including fall prevention and mental health.

Marta Frank, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and Martha Israel, a psychiatric nurse, produced a two-part series in which HAH volunteers acted out health care scenarios.

“We played out what it would be like to talk to a therapist, a crisis hotline, and your primary care doctor,” Israel said. “These topics are relevant in general but particularly post-COVID.” The two hope to produce future segments that focus on grief, isolation, depression, and end-of-life issues, among others.

HAH has filmed several presentations coordinated by its Cooking at 43° North program, including three segments in partnership with Monique Coombs and the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, one on bread baking, and, most recently, a talk by Jim Hays about oystering in Harpswell.

HAH also has developed programs on special interests, such as birding, and a show on home safety hosted by HAH’s Home Repairs Team.

A constant for HAH volunteers has been appreciation for Donna Frisoli, station manager for Harpswell Community TV. While it is not within her job description, Frisoli has filmed many events both at the station and in the community.

“Donna’s been so supportive and so wonderful,” Israel said. “TV production is not our bailiwick, but she’s been so helpful in helping us get information out to our residents.”

Frisoli noted, “HAH has been a great partner and we’re glad they wanted the hour time slot for programming.”

Going forward, two new HAH volunteers, Cindy Bessmer and Carlo Rojas, hope to grow HAH’s offerings with their video production and editing skills. Rojas said they want to make it possible for anyone with a project of interest and benefit to older residents to get their work on the air.

Harpswell Community Television can be found on Channel 14 on cable, Channel 14.1 for those with an antenna, on Roku, and online at harpswelltv.org or on Vimeo. Online options allow viewers to watch past programs on demand.

The station broadcasts a variety of programming, including municipal meetings and People Plus exercise programs. It is open to ideas from the public and other nonprofits. “We are always happy to welcome new ideas and volunteers,” Frisoli said.

For more information about Harpswell Aging at Home, visit its website at hah.community. For more information about Harpswell Community TV, call Frisoli at 207-833-2363.