Paul Phelan moved to Westbrook in 2000. Since then, the 87-year-old has donated his time as the weekly keyboard-sing-along player at both Westbrook’s Springbrook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough. Last week, that work earned Phelan the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Maine Association of Retirees, whose membership includes retired municipal, state and county employees and teachers. The Calais native, who retired after 29 years of teaching, is also self-publishing his third book, due out at the end of August. Phelan talked to the American Journal this week about volunteering, his war experiences and his take on satire.

Q: What drew you to volunteering?

A: My musical background, I guess. I came from a family with musically talented people. I remained a musician all my life, and my dad was a great one to volunteer his time in different pursuits.

Q: What do you like about volunteering?

A: Contact with people. It’s an opportunity to give back a little bit because all of us have been given favors in life. It’s good to do your little part and as a retiree, it’s good therapy for me as well as those who may enjoy my playing for them.

Q: When you received this award, what did that mean to you?

A: Basically it was recognition, I think, of service, and as I said, everyone appreciates a favor and in turn should return the favor if you can. In this particular instance, while I have been for the past seven-and-a-half years here as the Maine Association of Retirees representative, I don’t think it is just little things that I have done for Maine retirees association, but I think it was also recognition for almost a quarter-century of service.

Q: For those who want to volunteer, what advice do you have for them if they want to get involved?

A: I would say regardless of what your background is and whatever talent you might have to offer somebody, don’t downgrade it. Don’t think it’s not worthy enough to be of help to somebody who is less favored in life than yourself. That’s a key point for all people who have given their time and effort in public service.

Q: How has your experience in World War II carried you in your life?

A: I’ve always felt and did feel as a serviceman that I was performing my patriotic duty. I did feel and do feel honestly and humbly that I was trying as a soldier to make the world a better place and I think that has stayed with me through my life. I think we all feel that we have a duty to make the world a better place if you possibly can.

Q: What’s the name of your new book?

A: I call it “His Smut in Your Eye.” It’s a play on mud, of course. The sub-title is, “2008, Reflections of America’s Flawless Presidential Race.”

Q: What do you hope readers come away with after reading your new book?

A: I hope that they consider the author here would like to be thought of as a person somewhat naive, but at the same time is newly concerned with the possibility of hurting somebody. Satire is a two-way sword and it’s something that writers down through the years, I’m sure, big names as well as small guys like myself, have always had to think about.

Paul Phelan of Westbrook recently was named the Maine Association of Retiree’s 2008 Volunteer of the Year. Here he poses with his first published book “Scents of Humor” and his award plaque.