Wilderness Walk for Warriors participants were special guests at the Mars Hill American Legion recently.
The walk started in 2014 with seven hikers traveling 120 miles in 10 days over the Appalachian Trail in Maine. They start in Munson, travel through the “100 Mile Wilderness” up Hunt Trail to the peak of Mt. Katahdin and back to Katahdin Stream. Hikers raise funds to help veterans and their families. To date, they have helped over 400 with expenses, food boxes, etc. They give 100 percent of any donations to help others.
Wilderness Walk for Warriors participants recently visited the Mars Hill American Legion to describe their work to help veterans. From left are Tim Robinson and Chris Robinson, who completed walks in 2014, 2015 and 2016; Danielle Lombard, who hiked in 2016; and Gary White, a 2014 hiker.
(Tomi Henderson)
Their first year, each hiker carried a rock in honor of a Maine soldier or first responder that was killed in action. Those rocks were placed in a museum. The second year, nine hikers carried items in honor of fallen soldiers, police, firefighters or POWs. Last year seven hikers carried flags, while this year they plan on carrying flags with pictures of soldiers killed in action.
This year’s walk will start on July 8 in Munson. The hikers will carry packs weighing 50-60 pounds and hike 11-12 hours each day.
For more information, check out their Facebook page under “Wilderness Walk for Warrior” or call 207-227-8457.
Mother’s Day Raffle
The Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial Library is holding a Mother’s Day basket raffle, which includes a ThirtyOne bag with beach towel and beauty products, a gift certificate for Shallie’s Place and a half-hour foot massage/reflexology session with Diana Mains and more. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5, available at the library or from any Trustee: Julie Bradstreet, Jill Lunney, Ryan Shaw or Tomi Henderson.
Funds raised will enable the library to add to their collection.
Homecoming 2017
Homecoming 2017 will take place this year from Aug. 10-13. Those intending to be part of the parade should sign up ahead of time to help with planning. Those who sign up after Aug. 6 will be charged $25. Sign-up sheets are available at the Mars Hill Town Office or via the website, www.homecomingdays.org.
Organizers seek food and craft vendors for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Contact Kathy at 425-3771 for more information or to sign up for a space.
Classes planning reunions should also contact Kathy so your information can be added to the brochure and website.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met May 2 at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center. The guest speaker was MSAD 42 Superintendent Elaine Boulier. She spoke about the budget challenges schools face, the key funding formula components and projected gains and losses for next year. Preliminary findings show Mars Hill with a $243,785 loss.
About 90 percent of the school budget is fixed with salaries, benefits, fuel, utilities, insurance, snow removal, etc. The state’s funding, once 55 percent, has been closer to 45 percent in recent years. Since SAD 42 is a high receiver of state aid (approximately 65 percent, that reduced funding is especially detrimental.
Library Evening Hours
The Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial Library will continue extended night hours indefinitely due to requests for more evening hours. The library will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of May 3 – 9 include: Wednesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Fun with Jess and Devin 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 Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Music by The Countrymen at 1:30 p.m. Saturday will feature a Mother’s Day Social at 1:30 p.m.. Sunday is Mother’s Day and will have televised church available in the day room. Monday will feature Waffles by Tee from 7 – 9 a.m., Game Time at 9:30 a.m. and Fair Time Fun with Fried Dough at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday will feature the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Popcorn for All at 1:30 p.m. All of these activities are subject to change. 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 hosts Bingo Saturday evening at 7 p.m. at the post. Cash prizes and 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.
