Are you committed to lifelong health? Most of us would answer in the affirmative. Here at the Boothbay YMCA, twelve key members of our Y family are the embodiment of this goal. These individuals have dedicated their 90+ years to staying fit, active, and engaged in community. For our senior members over ninety, annual dues are waved thanks to the Dorothy Abbott Senior Star program. Begun in 2007, after the passing of Dorothy Abbott at 100 years old, the recognition program was implemented as a benefit for all young-at-heart members who had reached the milestone age of ninety.   

In her lifetime and in her legacy, Dorothy Abbott was a star, steadfastly guiding others with her light. In fact, our Y would not exist without her. In the early fifties, Dorothy—along with a handful of local residents—approached the Y’s national organization to request permission to open a YMCA in Boothbay. She was told Boothbay was too small a community to sustain a YMCA. Nevertheless, she persisted. In November of 1955, the Boothbay Region YMCA was born. “Dorothy was a charter member of our Y,” said Andy Hamblett, CEO, “she loved to tell the story of our Y’s origin, and she’d tell it with a twinkle in her eye.”  

A much-loved and revered member of the Boothbay community, Dorothy’s legacy lives on. The Y parking lot is full most days. High school students are granted full membership and free access to all programs. Camp K bursts with summer adventures. A Montessori school guides early learning, and the Childcare Center extends quality care to infants as young as six weeks old—all while the Y runs evidence-based classes and helps residents age in place. Dorothy was able to see the Y grow during her lifetime, becoming the heart of the community it is today.   

Antoine Attallah, an active member Dorothy Abbott Senior Star program, enjoys his free membership. If you ask Antoine about his age, he’s likely to tell you he’s 80, not 90. "Well, chronologically, I guess I am 90, but I stopped counting when I was 69," Antoine shared, his wit and charm forever young. 

People like Antoine and Dorothy remind us that the Y is for everyone. “All of our active Dorothy Abbott Senior Stars are an inspiration for our entire community,” Hamblett added, illustrating that belonging to the Y isn’t an act of attendance, but a commitment to wellness for life. For the self, and others.