Entertainers sought for Variety Show
Mars Hill
by Tomi Henderson
As part of this year’s Winterfest activities, a Variety Show will be held on Friday, March 12. Organizers of the event are calling all singers, musicians, dancers and performers to share their talents with the community and provide fun and entertainment for Winterfest 2010. Solo and group acts are welcome.
Participants will perform before a live audience following the Rotary Dinner at approximately 7 p.m. This event is not a competition. All performers must pre-register by Monday, March 1.
If you are interested in taking part in the Variety Show, contact Betsy York at CAHS, 425-2811, for applications or more information. Applications are also available on the CAHS library’s Web site (linked from www.sad42.k12.me.us).
Proceeds from the event will help fund the Panther Paws Yearbook for grades 5 – 8.
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center . A special presentation was made to Tina Field, librarian at the Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library, and to Betsy York, librarian at CAHS. Each was given a copy of the new book “I Remember When In Mars Hill” for use in the local libraries.
The special speaker was Tim Hobbs, director of development and grower relations at the Maine Potato Board. He spoke of the Porter Seed Farm in Masardis, which the Maine Potato Board took over on Jan. 1. The farm was created in the 1940s in Masardis, due to its isolated location.
The state and the board began discussions three years ago looking for ways to run the farm more efficiently.
The Potato Board plans to remodel one of the greenhouses into a hydroponic facility. Using NFT — Nutrient Film Technology — the facility will be able to do many more tubers and plants in less space. They can also “pick” the tubers without destroying the original plant. They plan on doing smaller crops of more varieties and will sell some seed outside the state of Maine.
Another change that is being implemented is to work with other facilities that maintain a tissue culture bank. It is more cost-effective for them to work together so that they are not keeping samples of the same varieties.
Although the state will continue some funding for the next two years, plans are to make the facility self-sustaining as soon as possible. In addition to the farmland at the facility, their is also some timberland. A plan is being developed to utilize it to its full potential.
Copies of “I Remember When in Mars Hill” are now on sale at the Mars Hill Town Office and several other businesses in town. At a cost of $25, these books include 37 stories of Mars Hill through the years. Written by various individuals, there are stories and memories about local and farm families, sports, Main Street , postal service, Eagle Scouts and much more.
Kathleen McLaughlin, daughter of Mrs. Cindy J. Porter-McLaughlin, of Glenburn, and G. Reid McLaughlin, of Holden, recently earned honors at The Taft School. Kathleen is a member of the Class of 2013. Founded in 1890 by Horace Dutton Taft, brother of President William Howard Taft, The Taft School is an independent, co-educational school of 467 boarding and 105 day students in grades nine through 12.
Kathleen is the granddaughter of Emmett “Bud” Porter and his wife, Gwenn McBurnie Porter, of Mars Hill and Wade, and R. H. and Lorraine McLaughlin, of Fort Fairfield.
The Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library in Mars Hill will be having an online auction beginning on Feb. 1, and lasting through the month of February. The Web site is www.biddingforgood.com/.
Many items are available, including autographed sports memorabilia from the Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox, tickets to sporting events throughout the state, gift cards, food items, Disney tickets, Amtrak tickets and much more.
If anyone would like to make a donation to the library, donate a memorial book or magazine, or help out the library in some other way, you may do so directly at the library at 10 Hansen Street in Mars Hill or by mail: P.O. Box 1008, Mars Hill, ME 04758. Questions may be directed to Tammy Delong, trustee, at 425-1007 or the library at 429-9625.
The East Ridge Union Church in Mars Hill will be showing the film “Flywheel” on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 5 p.m. Admission is free. The production is from the creators of “Facing the Giants” and “Fireproof.” Join Jay Austin on the ride of his life.
BOOK PRESENTATION — A copy of “I Remember When In Mars Hill” was presented to both the school and local libraries. Pictured are, from the left: Rotary President Steve Hitchcock, CAHS Librarian Betsy York and W.T.A. Hansen Librarian Tina Field.
Tomi Henderson is the correspondent for Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater and Westfield. She can be reached at 429-9126 or e-mail tomihen@yahoo.com.
