MARS HILL NEWS
By Tomi Henderson
Make plans now to enjoy this year’s Homecoming. Thursday will see activities at the Aroostook Health Center from 6-8 p.m. There will also be a free barbecue from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Mars Hill Health Center on Main Street.
Friday will also see the Rotary Car Hop, Keystone Kops and other activities in the Bandstand area.
Saturday will feature a breakfast at the American Legion, a parade at 10 a.m., followed by many activities at Central Aroostook High School.
Sunday will feature a Gospel concert from 2-4 p.m. at the high school.
There are pamphlets around town with all the activities listed. You can also check the Mars Hill Recreation Facebook page for a list of activities.
Important info about the start of school
The first student day for MSAD 42 schools will be on Wednesday, Aug. 19, according to Superintendent of Schools Elaine Boulier.
New teacher orientation will be held on Friday, Aug. 14 from 8-10 a.m. with your building principal, and 10 a.m. with the superintendent at the Superintendent’s Office. Workshops for teachers will be held on Monday, Aug. 17 and Tuesday, Aug. 18, beginning at 8 a.m. in the Music Room at Central Aroostook Junior Senior High School. Lunch will be on your own. The regular bus driver meeting will be held on Monday at 1 p.m. at the Superintendent’s Office.
New students to the area may register for grades 7-12 classes at the Central Aroostook Junior Senior High School on 26 Pleasant Street Aug. 10-14 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m in the guidance office. Parents wishing to register Pre-K through grade 6 students may do so at Fort Street Elementary School on 38 Fort Street Aug. 10-14 from 8 a.m to 3 p.m.
The bus schedule will remain the same as last year. Hot lunches will be available beginning the first day of school at a price of $2 at the elementary school and $2.25 at the Junior Senior High School. Reduced priced meals are 40 cents for all qualifying students at both schools.
A breakfast program is also offered at both the elementary and junior senior high schools. Breakfast prices are $1.15 for both schools or free for qualifying students. (Applications must be approved prior to receiving free or reduced meals. Only one meal application per family is required. Those in Pre-K and K will need to fill out the milk application also. There will be no charging of school lunches or breakfast. Please plan accordingly.
Anyone having questions regarding the 2015-16 school year may contact the Superintendent’s Office at 425-3771, the Junior Senior High School at 425-2811 or the Fort Street Elementary School at 429-9514 during regular business hours.
Story Time
The Walter TA Hansen Memorial Library is pleased to announce that it will be offering Story Time.
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, it will be open for children entering pre-K, kindergarten and first grade. It will be at 10 a.m. and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
On Thursday, Aug. 13, it will be open for children entering second, third and fourth grade. It will also be at 10 a.m. and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Once school resumes, the library will be having story time for preschoolers.
Library officials are very excited about this new venture and the chance to expand the awareness of reading to young readers.
Bandstand concert
There will be a concert at the Mars Hill / Blaine, Sargent / Tweedie Bandstand during Homecoming activities on Friday, Aug. 7. From 5-8 p.m., Heath Bartley will be featured.
150th celebration planned at Bridgewater church
The Bridgewater Free Baptist Church will hold a celebration Aug. 28, 29 and 30.
On Friday, Aug. 28, there will be a picnic at 5 p.m., followed by a singspiration at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the Bridgewater church, there will be specials by Lake Road Baptist, the Old Fashioned Revival Center and the Bridgewater Full Gospel Assembly. The evening will conclude with an outdoor movie (weather permitting) at dark.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, there will be children’s activities and adult fellowship from 3-5 p.m. A baked bean supper will be served at 5 p.m. with an evening service at 6:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Aug. 30, there will be a morning service at 10 a.m., ending with a communion service. A time of fellowship will follow.
Bigrock Mountain Challenge
Make plans now to participate, help out or come cheer as many brave souls take on the Bigrock Mountain Challenge obstacle course on Saturday, Aug. 15 in Mars Hill. For more information, go to www.bigrockmaine.com. The adult course covers 5K and is open to participants from age 13 up. There will also be a Kids Fun Run 1K for kids age 5-9 and 10-12.
Library news
The Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial Library will hold its tag sale fundraiser at Grew’s on Main Street during this year’s Homecoming festivities. Hours will be Friday, Aug. 7 from 2-6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 8 from 8 a.m.-noon.
Anyone with items they would like to donate for the sale is asked to contact one of the trustees — Ryan Shaw, Jill Lunney, Julie Bradstreet or Tomi Henderson — or by calling the library at 429-9625.
A big thank you goes to all who help with this annual fundraiser, which helps purchase items for the library’s collection.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on July 28 at the Aroostook Health Center. The guest speaker was Isabelle Wright, president of the Central Aroostook High School FFA Chapter.
She spoke about her week at the Washington Leadership Conference, held July 7 – 13 in Washington D.C. She attended along with fellow CAHS students Holly O’Leary and Clark Bradbury.
On July 8, they visited Arlington National Cemetery, saw the changing of the guard and took a night tour of the various monuments. July 9 was spent discussing diversity, and working on their “Living to Serve” plan. They were able to spend a short time with Sen. Susan Collins. On July 10, they visited the Newseum and learned how to advocate. They worked on their plans before attending the “Poverty Dinner.” Sixteen percent of the kids sat at tables with tablecloths and ate a proper dinner; 13 percent sat at plain tables with simpler fare; and 56 percent sat on the floor and ate nothing but rice. The final 15 percent were left on the outside with nothing to eat.
On July 11, the group helped pack over 60,000 meals with Meals of Hope for distribution in the area. That afternoon, they had some free time before enjoying a dance.
Wright spoke of her plan, called “Hungry to Stop Hunger.” She wants to raise money to build a well and farm in a third-world country. She also wants to help locally by holding Hunger Runs and other awareness events.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of Aug. 5-11 include: Wednesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Wii Bowling at 9 a.m., Young at Heart Senior Fitness at 9:30 a.m., and Crossword Puzzles at 1:30 p.m. Thursday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m., BYFF Potluck Dinner at 11 a.m., and a Sundae Social with a Concert by the Countrymen at 6 p.m.
Friday will feature Pokeno at 9:30 a.m. and a Patio Social at 1:30 p.m. Saturday is Homecoming. Sunday will feature Sunday Service with Jonathan at 1:30 p.m. Monday will feature Coffee Chat at 9:30 a.m., Nail Beautiful at 10 a.m., and Gospel Group at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday will feature 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 Bingo
This week, the William Cousins Post 118 of Mars Hill is hosting Bingo on Friday evening from 7 p.m. until done at the Mars Hill Fire Department as part of Homecoming. There are cash prizes. Refreshments are available. Come on out and enjoy a fun evening with friends!
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.
