Celebration marks
local woman’s 95th birthday
By Tomi Henderson
Special to The Star-Herald
On June 21, Clara (Towle) Hussey’s 95th birthday became a three-part affair. First, at 10 a.m. in Fort Fairfield, was the dedication of the new Kimball Medical Center. Steve Towle, working on that committee, spent much time working to combine it with the Towle family reunion and Clara’s birthday.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
CLARA HUSSEY, of Mars Hill, cuts her 95th birthday cake, during a party in June hosted by friends and family. 
During the dedication service, Dr. Philip and Janet Kimball and Carolyn Kimball McNamara cut the ribbon while Philip’s family sat nearby. Attention was called to the hand-painted picture of Dr. Herrick Kimball at the entrance of the new facility. This was donated by Carolyn Kimball McNamara, of Kennebunkport.
Meanwhile, Judy Smith Young was busy working on the Towle reunion and Clara’s party to be held at 1 p.m. She was in touch with the Towle family from Nevada, Washington, Florida, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. The Towle family as well as many of Clara’s friends from Mars Hill gathered at the Aroostook Valley Country Club to celebrate Clara’s 95th birthday.
A delicious buffet was set out for about 55 people before a beautiful birthday cake was served. Helping to cut and serve the cake were Clara’s nieces Carmen Towle Reller, Lorraine Kinney Adams, Jane Kinney, Sally Kinney Dennis and grand nieces Katie Parquette Smith and Jennie Kimball.
Clara received many beautiful cards and gifts, in spite of the word for “no gifts.” One special gift from her son Bruce was a “brick” in her honor from the Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library Buy-A-Brick program. A plaque will be mounted on a brick at the library noting the donation.
On Saturday morning, on their way home, about 19 relatives had breakfast at Al’s Diner in Mars Hill with Clara, Bruce and house guests Carolyn and John McNamara joining them. An unexpected gift for all was when Steve and Gloria picked up the tab for the entire meal!
Clara said it was the “best birthday ever.”
