An Encore in Phillips

Pam and Dick Matthews help organize the farmers' market in Phillips. The Matthews' work has been supported by ENCorps, a program that trains "experienced" Mainers in environmental stewardship, grassroots leadership, and community development. Photo by Adam Küykendall

In the fall of 2008, Dick and Pam Matthews sold their bed and breakfast in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Semi-retired, the couple could live wherever they chose, so they followed their inclination to return to New England (they had lived in Massachusetts for a number of years) and moved to the small Western Maine town of Phillips.

Once settled, the Matthews recognized that Phillips had a lot to offer, but could use some help tapping its resources. They got to work developing ways to improve the quality of life in their community.

They are most proud of their work with the Phillips Downtown Revitalization Committee (DRC), a town-appointed group with a mandate to help create an economic revival. Pam is chair of the group’s steering committee and Dick chairs the branding committee. Under the Matthews’ leadership, the DRC has launched a highly successful farmers’ market, sponsored a model train rail fair, hosted a popular gathering of Civil War reenactors, and is currently working on establishing a local business association. More and more people have joined the group, reports Dick, “under the banner of optimism such events have stimulated.”

The Matthews have approached their volunteer work with thoughtfulness -- and with the understanding that change and new ideas sometimes meet with resistance or suspicion. “It comes down to knowing people, respecting others, and earning trust,” says Dick. “And don’t ask more of people than you’re willing to give yourself.”

The Matthews’ work in Phillips has been supported by the Encore Leadership Corps, also known as ENCorps, a program of the Maine Community Foundation and the University of Maine Center on Aging. ENCorps trains “experienced” Mainers in environmental stewardship, grassroots leadership, and community development. The program draws on principles of smart growth, an approach that emphasizes making decisions that protect and improve the quality of life for all community residents.

ENCorps gave the Matthews access to innovative ideas about strengthening communities while providing important resources such as grantwriting workshops (Pam, especially, has made use of these). The program has also connected the couple with like-minded older adults across the state who are doing similar work in their communities. Says Dick, “It’s good to feel part of a larger volunteer community.”