The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center. The special speaker was Linwood Winslow with the Northern Maine Fair.
He spoke of some of the little-known information about the fair. 2017 was the 163rd fair held in Presque Isle. A nine-day fair, it is run by a 39-person board of directors with six officers. There are 619 in the fair organization, membership in which is obtained by paying $200 for a lifetime pass.
There were around 27,000 attendees of this past year’s fair. The annual budget for the fair is around $700,000. Around 200 advertisers and sponsorships support the fair each year. Horse racing saw 57 races with 322 horses taking the track.
“Li’l Farmers at the Fair” saw around 6,500 kids experience the educational exhibit that helps them realize that food doesn’t only come from the supermarket.
This year’s fair will take place from July 27 through Aug. 4.
The Club met on Tuesday, Feb. 6, with Rotarian Leroy Frost giving his classification. Born in Appleton, he grew up working in the woods with his dad and a team of oxen named Spike and Jerry. He married in 1993 and worked in earthwork and carpentry before going to Bible School in North Carolina. His son Leroy Keith works in North Carolina.
In 2011, he and Jennifer took in a six-week-old baby as foster parents and adopted Harrison in 2013. In 2016, they moved back to Maine and then came to Blaine in February 2017, where Leroy is pastor at East Ridge Union Church. The Mars Hill Rotary Club is pleased to welcome Leroy as our newest member.
Winterfest 2018
Plans are currently being made for Winterfest 2018. This year’s events will take place on Thursday, March 8, through Saturday, March 10.
Some events this year will include a MZ Winterfest Snowbunny Pageant, Rotary supper, Match Your Mate, silent auction, music, Penny Carnival, St. Patrick’s Breakfast, basketball (grades 1 and 2 and alumni), cribbage, a whoopie pie contest (adult and juvenile categories), bingo and more.
At the mountain, in addition to the Torchlight Parade and fireworks, the Cardboard Classic is back. Get your sled ready — cardboard and duct tape only. They also plan on holding a special poutine dinner with several types of toppings available.
We are challenging all our former MZ winners to get ready to strut your stuff again this year. There is no age or gender limit, so sign up to make this a fun and entertaining event.
Bottle drive
The Central Aroostook High School Spanish Club is raising funds for a trip to Ecuador in April 2018. They are collecting cans and bottles to raise funds.
To donate, take your items to the Mars Hill Redemption Center and designate the funds for the Spanish Club or call the school at 425-2811.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of February 14 – 20 include: Wednesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Couples Sweetheart Luncheon at 11:00 a.m. and Karaoke with Larry and Larry at 1:30 p.m. Thursday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Cribbage Games at 1:30 p.m. Friday will feature Exercise Time at 9:30 a.m. and Dayroom Cinema with Popcorn at 1:30 p.m. Saturday will feature Karaoke with The Deschesnes at 1:30 p.m. Sunday will have televised church available in the day room. Monday is Presidents Day and is a free day with games, movies and puzzles available in the day room. Tuesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Communion 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. 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-mailing tomihen@yahoo.com.
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- Participants in a past Mars Hill Winterfest Cardboard Classic barrel down the mountain in their homemade sleds — some upright, some not. The event will return this year and entrants are urged to get out their cardboard and duct tape (the only materials allowed) to create the perfect ride. (Courtesy of Tomi Henderson)
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- On February 6, Central Aroostook Junior/Senior High School students and staff helped to raise awareness of women’s heart health by wearing red, and by purchasing heart health awareness bracelets, in which the proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association. (Courtesy of Tomi Henderson)
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- Firemen and “friends” take the trails for a slalom race during a previous Mars Hill Winterfest. Events for this year are shaping up to include activities both on and off the mountain. (Courtesy of Tomi Henderson)
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- Ladies alumni from Central Aroostook High School played during Winterfest 2003. Though organizers aren’t sure who will take the court for this year’s Winterfest, they are confident it will be an exciting and entertaining game. (Courtesy of Tomi Henderson)
