Members of the Aroostook Retired Educators Association (AREA) visited the Fort Street Elementary School in Mars Hill recently to deliver new school supplies.
“Each year, our association takes part in the Maine Education Association sponsored ‘Day of Caring’ held in September. It’s our way to honor Sept. 11 by giving back to our children and schools,” said AREA Community Participation Chairman Janet Woods.
“During our summer meetings, AREA members from all over Aroostook County purchase and donate school supplies which were on the teachers’ wish list for our Bulging Backpacks project.”
Woods, AREA President Rena Kearney, and committee members Donna Hurley and Rose Harris were invited by Principal Dawn Matthews to present their gifts at a September faculty meeting. Kearney introduced the committee members and explained the purposes of AREA. Woods then presented the Bulging Backpack project and she, Hurley and Harris distributed gift bags which, thanks to the generosity of all AREA members, included a cash gift for each classroom teacher to help in purchasing additional supplies.
Rose Harris, chairman Janet Woods, Donna Hurley and President Rena Kearney, all of the Aroostook Retired Educators Association, pose with the tables loaded with school supplies they provided at the Fort Street Elementary School.
(Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson)
“This is the seventh year that we have done a Day of Caring project to help teachers and schools prepare for an exciting new school year,” said Woods. “We would like to thank Principal Matthews and the Fort Street Elementary faculty for letting us be a part of your journey.”
Harvest supper
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mars Hill will hold their annual Harvest Supper on Friday, Oct. 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. They will serve a turkey dinner with all the fixings.
The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 12 and under.
Adult ed
SAD 42 Adult Education classes will be offered starting on Monday, Oct. 16, running through Thursday, Dec. 7. Classes begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 or 8:30.
Classes offered will include Quilting on Monday and Thursday, Wallet Making on Monday and Thursday, Basic Sketching on Thursday, Low Impact Exercise on Monday and Woodworking on Thursday.
For more information or to register, contact Kathy Miller at 425-3771. The cost is $15 per class. Residents age 60 and up will be admitted free of charge.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met Tuesday morning, Sept. 19, at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center. The special speaker was Kassandra Dominique, school nurse for SAD 42 since 2013.
Concerned that students are losing their social skills, she spoke about a movie, “Screenagers — Growing Up in the Digital Age,” that she would like to arrange to show to residents, parents and teenagers. It dives deep into how technology impacts kids’ development and the challenges of parenting in the digital world. It offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.
The Mars Hill Rotary Club next met Sept. 26. The special speaker was Jeff Vreeland of Presque Isle.
He spoke of his education at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and George Washington University. He has a master’s in Soviet studies. He talked of his experiences with the CIA in several countries, especially in Pakistan and the Middle East. He spoke of visiting a Rotary Club in Pakistan while he was there.
Christmas Child
The challenge is out to the Central Aroostook area to join in the effort to fill 1,000 boxes to send out this year for Operation Christmas Child.
Folks are invited to help by either filling a box, buying things to go into boxes or by donating funds to help with the shipping costs of $9 per box, which is the first increase in a number of years. To see a list of suggested items, go to www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.
The drop-off location for this year is 24 Military Rd. (Rt 1) in Blaine, the former Faith Baptist Chapel. Dates and times are Nov. 13-18 from 8 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Nov. 19 from 12 to 2 p.m., and November 20 from 6 to 8 a.m.
For more information or to donate items, please contact Ami Pierce at 227-2017 or Erica McCrum at 227-7678.
Library Happenings
The Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library has been “rocking” the scavenger hunt trend with “Our Library Rocks.” Colorfully painted rocks are hidden around town for others to find. Finders are asked to post a picture on the library’s website or on Facebook, and then take the rock to hide somewhere else. Happy hunting.
Toddler Time is on Tuesdays at 10, and the library also is open for a Craft Club on Mondays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bring your favorite cross stitch piece, knitting, crocheting or other craft to work on in the company of others.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of October 4-10 include: Wednesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Exercise Fun at 9:30 a.m. and Residents Council at 2:00 p.m. Thursday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and BYF Potluck Dinner at 11:00 a.m. Friday will feature Dollar Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Dayroom Cinema with popcorn at 1:30 p.m. Saturday will feature Bingo with Paula at 1:30 p.m. Sunday will have televised church available in the day room and Sunday Service with Jonathan at 1:30 p.m. Monday will feature Nails with Shallie and Melissa at 9:30 a.m. and Small Groups at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Adult Coloring 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.
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.
Tomi Henderson is the correspondent for Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater and Westfield. She can be reached at 551-6791 or e-mailing tomihen@yahoo.com.
