Meet the Maine residents who walk through cemeteries to feel more alive
Berwick’s Evergreen Cemetery Becomes a Hub for Community Walkers
BERWICK, Maine – On a bright Monday morning, a group of residents—primarily older women—took to the flat, tree‑lined path of Evergreen Cemetery for a half‑hour stroll. The walkers, who call themselves the Berwick Walkers, are part of the town’s “Berwick for a Lifetime” program, a partnership between the University of Maine Center on Aging and AARP that aims to keep older adults active and socially connected.
The group meets every Monday and Thursday at 9 a.m. and has been meeting there since 2023. “We started it to address loneliness and to keep people physically fit,” said Stina Brazelton, a coordinator for Berwick for a Lifetime. “Loneliness is like smoking fifteen cigarettes a day.” The group’s founding members were all in their mid‑60s to late 80s, and the core of the walk remains that demographic today. However, the group recently welcomed 25‑year‑old Gunnar Tache, who has joined at least once a week and is the only younger male participant.
The walk itself is a simple, accessible route. Berwick, a rural town, has few sidewalks and a reputation for fast‑moving traffic downtown. “It’s not safe to walk in the streets,” McEachern, the weekly organizer, explained. “The cemetery’s path is flat and smooth, so everyone can keep up.” The cemetery’s scenic setting also provides a quiet, contemplative backdrop for the walkers.
During the Monday walk, McEachern shared a lighthearted observation with her group. “What I hear, which is questionable science, is we’re going to have a heavier snow winter based on the amount of acorns,” she joked, pointing to the brown nuts scattered along the path. “I’m going to keep track of the leaves turning and see how far my fitness app says I’ve walked.”
Each meeting includes a group photo. McEachern brings a selfie stick to help capture a snapshot for the group’s ongoing photo album. The walkers also take turns checking their fitness tracking devices, with McEachern noting she burned 115 calories and logged 1.35 miles on the day’s walk. Brazelton, who walked just under a mile and a half, was asked to estimate her distance, while deRochemont and Byrne (who had knee pain that limited her mileage) shared humor and camaraderie instead of numbers.
“It’s always more fun to walk with somebody than it is by yourself,” said walker Rebekah Needham. “I just thought I needed to get out of the house!” added deRochemont, whose 83‑year‑old self was a key member of the group.
The Berwick Walkers are not only a social activity. They also participate in community projects such as food drives and book sales, according to Tache, who appreciates the opportunity to contribute. Tache, who has lived in the town his whole life and took his high‑school senior photos in the same cemetery, said the group gave him a chance to step into a “slightly uncomfortable” situation but ultimately taught him valuable life lessons. “I can come in, learn from them so much about life,” he said. He and his girlfriend are looking to buy a house in the area.
Berwick for a Lifetime has launched several programs for older residents, including a tech resource center, winter preparedness kits, monthly supplemental food boxes, and a “Social Seniors” coffee meet‑up every Wednesday at the Berwick Public Library. The town, which became an age‑friendly state in 2019, has worked with the University of Maine Center on Aging and AARP to provide these services.
As the group wrapped up the Monday walk, members reflected on the day’s distance and shared laughter about the differences in mileage reported by their tracking devices. “We put on a good show,” deRochemont declared, as the walkers headed home.
The group’s continued meetings will keep their camaraderie alive as seasons change, and as the acorns fall and the snow rolls in, the walkers remain a testament to the power of community, movement, and shared purpose in a quiet Maine cemetery.
