Library focus of Rotary meeting

    Sonja Plummer-Morgan, librarian of the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library was the guest speaker at the July 16 Presque Isle Rotary Club. The library, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, has dealt with a number of different issues since 1908 from tuberculosis and scarlet fever to expansions of infrastructure and the world-wide Web.     Plummer-Morgan said the library provides assistance in computer literacy skills, market demographic information, small business research, cultural enrichment and information for job seekers. Last year alone, the library had 61,456 items checked out, 25,929 Internet users, 8,179 reference questions and 1,425 children attended story time. The library has participated in area job fairs, health fairs, and an annex at the mall.
    Last August, Presque Isle’s library was selected as Library of the Month for the state of Maine, according to Plummer-Morgan. Currently, the library is looking at several expansion projects to include improved handicap accessibility, a larger reading room and a teen room.
    In other business, President Joe Clukey reported that the city of Presque Isle has asked the Club if members would be interested in participating in the “Adopt-a-Highway” program. The city has designated specific sections of roadways leading into the community that seem to be high litter areas. We would select an area and be responsible for litter control duties at least twice a year for a two-year period. The Club would get a sign on our stretch of highway noting our participation.
    He reminded Rotarians to look for the new Governor’s Potato Plot sign when they travel pasty Stewart Farms on the Houlton Road.
    Nancy Fletcher has made up new membership “business” cards to give out to potential members as the club would like to increase its ranks to over 100 members.
    The guest speaker on July 9 was Lynwood Winslow, president of the Northern Maine Fair Association, who spoke about the new and exciting things planned for this year’s 153rd Northern Maine Fair that starts Friday, July 27 and continues through August 4.
    “Smokey’s Greater Shows will be bringing a full midway with all of your old favorites plus many new rides. There will be four bracelet days this year, a St. John Valley Day, Armed Services Day, Family Fun Night, Seniors Day and Teen Night. The regular gate admission is $6 with a week’s pass at $30,” he said.
    Also this year, the music festival will run all 9 nights of the fair and will include country music, blues rock, St. John Valley style, traditional & folk dance, gospel, fiddle music, bluegrass, rock & roll and blues. For more information visit the Fair Web site at northernmainefair.com.