PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The PROBUS Club of Central Aroostook met Sept. 21 at Northern Maine Community College’s Reed Commons with 20 members attending.
President Thomas Lunn led the meeting, and program chairperson Dana Crory introduced the special guest, Dottie Hutchins, executive director of the Wintergreen Arts Center in Presque Isle.
The nonprofit center was founded in 2006 with a mission “to provide meaningful experiences that encourage the appreciation of the arts, stimulate creativity and innovation, and offer an artistic community space where all are welcome,” Hutchins said.
She received her master of science in entomology from the University of Maine in Orono, along with her bachelor of science in child development and special education from UMaine. She has earned accreditation in the public relations field.
Hutchins has written and published “Acadian Roots: Images of the St. John Valley,” “The Whole Dam Family” and “Tapping Family Trees.” In addition, she is a grant writer and has served as a public relations corporate manager, general manager and conference coordinator.
She has been employed at Wintergreen for approximately two years. The center offers programs including creative writing, youth theater, music and community art. Summer art offerings include programs at the center, as well as at the Presque Isle Housing Authority, Presque Isle Rehab & Nursing Center, Aroostook Agency on Aging and Leisure Village.
Hutchins described some of the center’s events, which include Willow Tree preschool, a homeschoolers’ class, ladies’ art night and Pizza ‘n Art for Teens and Tweens. Wintergreen raises funds for continuing programs with evenings of painting, the Color Presque Isle 5K run, the Wintergreen on Wheels wagon and private events. The center collaborates with other arts organizations for the First Friday Downtown Art Walks, and has also joined with the Presque Isle Rotary Club for fundraising. Its holiday events include the Artful Egg, Halloween Spooktacular, Family Gingerbread Festival and the Polar Express.
According to Hutchins, the center has about a year left on its lease in the former R.W. Wight building. At the present, two board members are needed. She welcomed all in The County to take advantage of what WAC offers.
In other business, the secretary and treasurer gave reports for the month of August, which members accepted as read.
Janet Snow gave her words of wisdom from the Almanac of Home Remedies by Brigette Mars and Chrystle Fiedler, sharing practices that can improve brain function and memory.
The group’s next meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m. at NMCC’s Reed Commons.
PROBUS is an abbreviation of “professional” and “business,” but membership is open to former executives and others in any field. Its purpose is to provide regular gatherings of retirees who appreciate opportunities to meet with others of similar circumstances and levels of interest.
