The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday, March 6, at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center. The special speaker was Donnie Beals. Since his retirement from the post office, Donnie has spent a great deal of time researching the history of Blaine and Mars Hill as well as his family history. There have been Beals in Blaine since 1856.
Blaine was once a thriving community until fire took out much of the buildings in 1912. Most businesses rebuilt in Mars Hill as the railroad had been built through that community.
There were once close to a thousand farmers in the Mars Hill and Blaine area who produced a huge yield of potatoes per acre. There was also a large cheese factory that flourished until the farmers changed from cows to potatoes.
Catherine McCrum enjoyed putting tickets into the bags of her favorite auction items during Winterfest 2018 in Mars Hill on Friday, March 9. (Courtesy of Tomi Henderson)
Donnie has spent hours going through the Star-Herald archives as well as the Mars Hill newspapers online.
Lunch and Learn
The Central Aroostook Jr.-Sr. High School guidance director, Sadie Shaw, has implemented a Lunch and Learn Series that allows students to informally meet and dine with people who represent different careers, schools and/or topics of interest.
“Student interest is the primary factor when planning the lunches,” Shaw said. “We are incredibly appreciative of the time given to our students to help them explore career opportunities.”
During the first half of the year, students met with Chief Deputy Sheriff Shawn Gillen; two students from MSSM, as well as Alan Whittemore, dean of enrollment management and summer camp director, and Ryan McDonald, PR/marketing coordinator; and Joe Griffin, director of athletics from Indiana University East.
On Feb. 7, guests were Game Wardens Alan Dudley and Megan Miller. Plans for the future include lots of additional visits, including a visit from Jennifer Tweedie, RN; Kelly O’Mara, WAGM news director; Carly Grass, x-ray technologist; and Brian Morrison, physical therapist.
This program is supported by the school’s grant through the MELMAC Foundation.
If you are interested in sharing career and/or educational opportunities with students, please contact Sadie Shaw by phone or email: 207-425-2811 or sshaw@sad42.us.
Library happenings
A St. Patrick’s Day Party will be held on Saturday, March 17, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial Library. Get out your green and come have a fun time.
The next date for a Paint ‘N Sip has been set for Saturday, April 7.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of March 14 – 20 include: Wednesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Table Tennis at 9:30 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 Horse Racing at 1:30 p.m. Friday will feature St. Patty’s Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and a St. Patrick’s Day Social with Shamrock Shakes at 1:30 p.m. Saturday is St. Patrick’s Day and will feature Karaoke with The Deschesnes at 1:30 p.m. Sunday will have televised church available in the day room. Monday will feature Nails with Shallie and Melissa at 9:30 a.m. and Communion at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Game Time 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.
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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- Town Manager Dave Cyr and his wife Louise competed in the Match Your Mate contest with questions such as “What was the color of the door at your first home?” (Courtesy of Tomi Henderson)
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- This year’s winners of the Mars Hill Winterfest’s Match Your Mate contest were Kelly and Trent Lundeen. They won a prize package that included a movie, popcorn and snacks to enjoy. (Courtesy of Tomi Henderson)
