MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
The Board of Directors of SAD 42 is pleased to invite all senior citizens (60 years of age or older) who reside in Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater or E Plantation to join the students for Thanksgiving dinner in the cafeteria/music room at Central Aroostook High School on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at noon.
To facilitate planning, anyone wanting to attend must contact Wendy Grass by Friday, Nov. 12, at 425-2811 to make a reservation. We look forward to seeing you on Nov. 16.
While camped at Dixie Caverns in Salem, Va., Judy Mersereau chose to visit an antique store rather than go into any caves. Ray went along and saw lots of ‘stuff,” while Judy found a beautiful vase and antique perfume bottle that she couldn’t leave behind. After leaving Virginia, they traveled to Harrisburg, Penn., and stayed for three days. With the beautiful weather, they played golf and visited the Hershey Chocolate Museum. They left with around $100 worth of chocolate products! (I know where I’m going for trick or treating!)
They then traveled to Brimfield, Mass., and enjoyed three wonderful days with their family — daughter Holly and Tom Trafford and Brandon, and son Marc and Janie and Nick, Sam, Jordan and Eli. Ray, Tom and Brandon played golf on Saturday — the score left a lot to be desired, but the company and camaraderie was wonderful. They took 11 people for a feast at the Golden Corral and left with very full bellies, although Jordan wanted a popsicle when they got home.
Sunday, Oct. 24, they traveled the final 440 miles of their trip and got home around 6:30 p.m. They are now working to empty the camper and get it ready for their next adventure.
After 13,293 miles through 36 states, Ray and Judy are home. The trip exceeded all of their expectations and they are looking forward to their next adventure!
The Mars Hill Community Cupboard will distribute food twice a month during November and December by continuing the second Tuesday of each month from 1-3 p.m., but will change the second date to the third Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. instead of the fourth Tuesday. This is due to the November and December holidays. Distribution dates will be Nov. 9 and 16; Dec. 14 and 21.
Food is distributed at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community Center on ACI Street in Mars Hill. This local food pantry serves residents in need from the areas of: Westfield, Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater, Robinson and E Plantation.
Mars Hill Community Cupboard is also a station for RSVP members who would like to volunteer and a distribution center for the Aroostook Agency on Aging, a supplemental program for anyone in need who is aged 60 or older.
For more information on the Food Pantry, contract Cathy Cropley at 429-8043.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday morning, Oct. 26, at 6:30 at the Aroostook Health Center. The special speakers were Ashley Brewer and Shirley Rush of UMPI. Ashley is a junior in the social work program and plans to go to Tanzania, Africa, for two weeks in the spring as part of a CCS (Cross Cultural Solutions) Experience. Shirley is her instructor and will be going on the trip also.
Ashley and several other students from UMPI and Husson will be working side-by-side with local people in teaching English, elderly health care and women’s economic development. They will find out exactly what area they will be focusing on a couple of months before they go over. Ashley wants to learn about other cultures, exchange ideas with them and be able to make an impact on their lives, as they will make an impact on hers.
Tanzania is known for Arusha — the safari gateway, Mt. Kiliminjaro — the tallest peak in Africa, and Bagamoyo — an historic coastal village near Zanzibar. With CCS, they will discover there are many other reasons to visit this incredible country. They will experience rural life among traditional African tribes, enjoy local arts and culture, and spend time with local organizations.
The students have been holding fundraisers to gather the funds needed for this trip. Each student needs to raise $4,000. They have been holding quilt and firewood raffles, making and selling jewelry with beads from Africa, making muffins and apple pies.
The ladies of St. Joseph’s in Mars Hill will be having a Church Bazaar downstairs in the parish hall on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be lots for sale including baked beans, potato salad, rolls and other goodies.
There will be a craft fair at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 6, beginning at 9 a.m. sponsored by St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. For more information, contact Cherry at 429-9892.
The Mars Hill United Methodist Women will be holding their annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 6, beginning at 9 a.m. Crafts, Christmas items, delicious baked goods, canned goods, and candies (including Diane’s divinity fudge) will be sold. There will also be a luncheon of chicken or beef soup with roll and a slice of pie.
The Mars Hill American Legion will be holding their annual Hunters’ Breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 5-9 a.m. The meal will consist of ham, eggs, hash browns, biscuits with all the fixin’s, coffee and juice. There will also be drawings for several items, including a rifle.
The second Family Photo Day to benefit Bobbi’s Build An Ear will be held on Sunday, Nov.14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Central Aroostook High School. There are six photographers this year who will take pictures in 15-minute increments. For a $25 donation, each family will receive a CD of the photos taken.
Photographers scheduled for this year include: Samantha Marie Photography, Elegant Occasions by Katelyn Field, Jessica Ouellette Photography, Viewpoint by Ragina, Emily Pytlak and Natasha Brewer. To schedule an appointment, contact Laura Buckley at 227-7693.
All funds raised will assist Maine children with medical needs. Over 15 families have already been assisted with funds from Bobbi’s Build An Ear.
Sarah Cook and her husband Asa are being very careful of the windfall that came their way when she won the $100,000 top prize during the 35th anniversary of the Maine State Lottery on Sept. 29. Accompanied by her father, Sarah attended the special event in Augusta and was quite surprised when she was named the top winner. Following taxes, she got a check for around $70,000. Sarah still only buys a lottery ticket on occasion.
Sarah has paid off a few things but put the remainder in the bank. After initially thinking about taking a small vacation next year, the couple is now making other plans as they have discovered they are expecting a new arrival in June. Congratulations and enjoy both your windfalls!
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.
