1. Piper Shores
City: Scarborough, ME
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (207) 883-8700 or (888) 333-87
Address: 15 Piper Rd.
Description: With 350-some residents, Piper Shores is Maine’s largest retirement facility. And, as they say, 350 people can’t be wrong—you have to assume the place is doing something right to attract and keep so many retirees. A nonprofit organization, Piper Shores has a continuum of care, with 200 independent apartments and cottages, 20 assisted-living units, and 40 long-term-care beds. And it offers ’most every amenity known to a retirement community— all meals, an exercise program, a pool, library, activities room, walking trail, beauty salon, movie room, even a wood shop. The shore is a short walk across the road, and Portland, with its symphony, museums, restaurants, and medical-care providers, is just minutes down the road.
2. Senior Games
City: Scarborough, ME
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (207) 396-6500 or (800) 427-74
Address: 136 Route 1
Description: Maine has had its own Olympics for residents age 50 and older since the mid-1980s. Part of the national network of Senior Games, these contests take place every September and include both team and individual events. Participants can take part in basketball and softball as well as aquatics, canoe and kayak racing, bowling, cycling, field events, football throw, golf, horseshoes, racquetball, softball throw, table tennis, tennis, and track. And there is much opportunity for socializing as well. Gold-winning Mainers have gone on to compete in the nationals.