Gbugu address Rotary on Nigerian culture
MARS HILL NEWS
By Tomi Henderson
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met Dec. 13 at the Aroostook Health Center and the special speaker was Ada Gbugu, Physician’s Assistant to Dr. O’Neill.
Originally from Nigeria, she was educated in New York and Alabama and came to the Aroostook Health Center in May 2016. Her name means “First Daughter,” although in her case, she is the only daughter.
She has four brothers, three who are mechanical or electrical engineers and one who is a pharmacist. Her father is a (retired) mechanical engineer and her mother is a teacher with two schools and also has a farm in Nigeria.
Ada will be returning to Nigeria for Christmas, when the family goes to their home village. Christmas for them is much more about family and food than about presents.
Nigeria is a country that has frequent power interruptions, so the people learn to keep their phones charged, and water and food on hand. Many have generators to use when the power is out — sometimes for a few days at a time. Other issues experienced in Nigeria are malaria, health care availability and unpaved roads.
Nigeria is multi-cultural with three main languages spoken, with English being one of them. Many times, people from different areas cannot understand each other.
Ada is learning to live in Maine, even with the snow and temperature differences!
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of Dec. 21-27 include: Wednesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Fun with Noodles at 9:30 a.m. and Christmas Service at 2 p.m. Thursday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m., Horse Racing at 1:30 p.m. and United Methodist at 6:30 p.m.
Friday will feature Dice Game at 9:30 a.m. and Resident’s Christmas Party at 1:30 p.m. Saturday will be a free day with games, puzzles and movies available in the day room. Sunday is Christmas and will be a free day with televised church available in the day room.
Monday will be a free day. 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 any of these activities, call Connie or Vicki at 768-4915.
Winterfest 2017
Winterfest this year will be moved up to take place on February 10-12, 2017. This years’ theme is “Happy 150th Birthday Bash” in honor of the town’s Sesquicentennial birthday. Along with most of the usual events, this year will bring back a snow sculpture contest for homes and businesses, the Whoopie Pie contest and a special “couples contest” on Friday night. This will test how well couples know each other and promises to be a fun and entertaining time!
Library auction
The Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial Library is beginning to gather items for the annual Bidding For Good on-line auction to be held early next year. This is typically the library’s largest fundraiser and allows the library to add to its collection.
Some items that have already been donated for this year’s auction, to be held from Jan. 17-Feb. 2, 2017, include Disney tickets, sport items, crafts, wood d√©cor and bowls and more.
If you have items to donate for the auction, please contact the library at 429-9625. Thank you to all who help with this fundraiser.
Bingo
The William Cousins Post 118 of Mars Hill is hosting Bingo on Saturday evening beginning at 7 p.m. at the Post. 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 551-6791 or e-mail tomihen@yahoo.com.
