Surprise party planned for local woman
MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
There will be a “surprise” 90th birthday open house for Hope Field in the Central Aroostook High School Music Room from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 21. Please join us to celebrate the life of a special woman. No gifts please, but cards and memories are welcome.
Invitation
The Board of Directors of SAD 42 invites all senior citizens (60 years of age or older) who reside in Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater or E Plantation to join the students for Thanksgiving dinner in the cafeteria / music room at Central Aroostook High School on Thursday, Oct. 25, at noon.
To facilitate planning, anyone wanting to attend must call Wendy Grass by Monday, Oct. 22, at 425-2811 to make a reservation. We look forward to seeing you at the dinner.
Harvest Supper
The Ladies of St. Joseph in Mars Hill will be holding their annual Harvest Supper with turkey and all the fixin’s on Friday, Oct. 26, from 5-7 p.m. Cost is $8 for adults and $3.50 for children under 12 years.
Trunk or Treat
The Mars Hill Recreation Department is hosting Trunk or Treat at Big Rock Mountain in Mars Hill on Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be prizes for the “best dressed cars” in various categories.
Volunteers and community support will be greatly appreciated. If you are not decorating a car but would like to donate candy to the event, a drop box is available at the Recreation Center.
Businesses, groups, churches or non-profits looking to register a vehicle are asked to contact Jamie at 227-7194 or Murph at 227-0485 for a registration form.
This event will replace the party previously held each year at the rec.
After-school programs
The Mars Hill and Blaine Recreation Department will be holding several after-school programs throughout October, November and December. Registration forms are available at Fort Street Elementary School. Completed forms with payment can be dropped off at the school or at the Mars Hill Town Office. All programs are offered to children in grades 1 and older. Please note that some programs may close one week prior to the event and may reach a maximum number of participants prior to the event.
Participants may take the bus from Fort Street to the Recreation Center. They must have a note for the school to transport them to the Rec. Parents or guardians are responsible for picking them up from the Rec at 4:30 p.m. If the participant is walking home from the program, a note must be provided.
Included in the program are Art on Tuesdays from 3-4:30 p.m.; Fitness on Wednesdays from 3-4:30 p.m.; Basketball for grades 3 and 4 starting Nov. 12 and running through the end of January. Toddler Time will be offered on Fridays beginning on Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. Meet at the gym at 9 a.m. for a time of organized play, followed by story time and a craft at 10 a.m. Each week will be a bit different. All children birth to preschool age along with their parents are invited to attend.
Fall Craft Fair
The Episcopal Church Fall Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone interested in renting a table can call Cherry Cowan at 429-9892.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met Tuesday morning, Oct. 9, at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center.
The special speaker was Tim Hobbs of the Maine Potato Board. Tim expects this year’s crop to bring in an average yield from the 60,000 acres planted. This acreage is up from last year.
He spoke about the future of the industry in Maine, which has advantages such as usually needing little or no irrigation as well as being close to the East Coast markets.
He also spoke about the Porter Seed Farm in Masardis. The farm has increased its acreage from 54 to 103 in its third year under the Maine Potato Board leadership. All of this year’s crop has been sold. They have put over $750,000 into the facility in building and equipment improvements.
Tim mentioned the current legislation regarding combining the Agriculture and Forestry Conservation Departments that is in the works and also spoke about groundwater rights’ actions being considered that could affect both the farm industry and the general population.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of Oct. 17-23 include: Wednesday will have the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Wii Bowling at 9 a.m., Moving to Music at 9:30 a.m. and Crossword Puzzles at 1:30 p.m. Thursday has the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m., Horse Racing at 1:30 p.m. and Bridgewater Free Baptist at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, will feature Shopping at Walmart at 9 a.m. and Card Games at 2 p.m. Saturday will feature Karaoke with the Deschesnes at 1:30 p.m. Sunday will feature the Full Gospel Assembly at 3 p.m. Monday will feature Nail Beautiful at 9:30 a.m., Karaoke with Larry at 1:30 p.m. and Gospel Group at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, will have the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Card Games at 1:30 p.m. All of these activities are subject to change. If you would like to volunteer to help with any of these activities, call Connie or Vicki at 768-4915.
Food pantry dates change
The food pantry serves the communities of Westfield, Mars Hill, Blaine, Robinson, E-Plantation and Bridgewater. Please note that there will be a change during the months of November and December. The dates for November will be Nov. 13 from 1-3 p.m. and Nov. 20 from 6-8 p.m. December dates will Dec. 11 from 1-3 p.m. and Dec. 18 from 6-8 p.m.
In January, the cupboard will resume its regular dates of being open the second Tuesday of each month from 1-3 p.m. and the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community. If you have questions, call Rena Kearney at 429-9041.
BHA fundraiser
DANCE BENEFITS POLICE DOG — 
The Bridgewater Historical Association held their second Dance for the Dogs event on Saturday, Sept. 29. The event is held to raise funds for equipment for area K-9 officers. This year’s funds will be used to purchase a pen for Gleni, who needs a safe place to rest when his partner is away. Pictured are, from the left: Jann Votaw, BHA president; K-9 Officer Gleni, Trooper Chad Fuller and Terry Bradstreet, whose late wife Gloria gave BHA the idea for helping area canine officers. Last year’s funds were used to purchase a vest for Deputy Mitch Wheeler’s K-9 partner.
The BHA is continuing their raffle until December with three chances to win. Items include a quilt with a K-9 theme, a wood carving of three ducks in flight and a food basket. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. They may be obtained from any BHA member or by calling President Jann Votaw at 425-7901. All funds received will go toward the purchase of a pen for Gleni, Trooper Chad Fuller’s K-9.
Tomi Henderson is the correspondent for Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater and Westfield. She can be reached at 429-9126 or e-mail tomihen@yahoo.com.
