The Mars Hill Rotary Club met Tuesday morning, July 10, at the Aroostook Health Center. The club extended a big thank-you to Rotarian Larry Fletcher for placing a sign at the Saturn site. The site is taken care of each year by members from the Mars Hill Club.
The special speakers were Brianna and Chelsea Hartin. Brianna and Chelsea took a year off of college to go on a long-term missions journey. When they return to college in the fall, they will enter their sophomore year.
Brianna and Chelsea Hartin flank their dad Stan after speaking at the Mars Hill Rotary Club on July 10. They spoke about their time in Nicaragua. Their shirts are special as they show the actual handprints of some of the kids that they worked with in the Mission School.
They presented a slide show and spoke about their eight months in Nicaragua working in a mission school. They arrived in Nicaragua by flying into the airport on the eastern coast. It then took them 30 hours to travel the 300 miles to the west coast of the country and the small village that they were to spend their time in.
Their first two and a half months were spent helping in a public school, which was an eye-opening experience. The conditions were very primitive and they shared a bunkhouse with six other girls — some who were helping in the public school and some in the clinic. Chelsea and Brianna spent the rest of their time teaching English and math in the mission school. It was very apparent that the kids had a lot to learn, many of them not even knowing their numbers and letters.
They spent a week teaching a Vacation Bible School to 150-200 kids. They soon made up a game with the kids where they had to “play dead,” just so it would quiet down for a few minutes! They also “pampered” the kids by washing their hair as a way to try to control the head lice issue. They also taught the kids about hand-washing and brushing their teeth.
They worked on painting a mural in the mission school while they were there. It wrapped around the room and showed many biblical themes, including the way to salvation. It ended up being a much larger project than they thought, taking almost the entire time they were there to finish.
Their mom came to visit them twice while they were there and dad came once. They were able to communicate periodically when the girls went to a larger village that had Internet capabilities.
The girls will miss the kids that they worked with and came to love. It was hard to leave them, but they are totally enjoying being home with electricity and unlimited clean water!
FFA Leadership Conference
Bradbury
In addition to Carly Grass, Whitnie Bradbury and Zach Grass also recently attended the National FFA Organization’s 2012 Washington Leadership Conference on June 26-30, representing the FFA Chapter of Mars Hill. The annual conference focuses on leadership development, personal growth and community service. More than 2,200 students — up to 340 a week — from throughout the U.S. who are FFA members will attend one of the conference’s seven week-long sessions in June and July.
Grass
Created in 1969 and held annually in Washington, D.C., the conference helps students develop leadership skills, identify personal strengths, develop awareness of societal differences and human needs, and strategize how they can help others through community service. Throughout the week, each student develops a community-service initiative for their local community, with the intention of students returning home and implementing their plans.
Rotary Golf Tournament
The Mars Hill Rotary Club golf tournament held on June 30 and July 1 had 81 golfers. The club would like to thank all those who supported the tournament — sponsors, helpers and golfers.
Results include: First Division — First Gross, Mike Hersey (146); Second Gross, Jamie Leavitt (147); Third Gross, Phil Pelletier (147); and Fourth Gross, Frank Keenan (157). First Net, Ryan Guerrette (136); Second Net, Jon Daisey (136); Third Net, David Dubois (140); and Fourth Net, Jack Ackert (140).
Second Division — First Gross, Daniel Wishert (158); Second Gross, Joe Tomah (166); Third Gross, Kevin Gregory (166); and Fourth Gross, Glen Mahan (176). First Net, Harry Orser (136); and Second Net, Frank Burnell. (139), Third Net – Ronald Morin (142), Fourth Net – Brian York (143).
Third Division — First Gross, John Clark (178); Second Gross, Brandon McLaughlin (188); Third Gross, Randy Jackson (191); and Fourth Gross, Fred Boyd (191). First Net, Dale Demerchant (138); Second Net, Ryan Lucas (143); Third Net, Graydon McCrum (146); Fourth Net, Francis Cyr (151).
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of July 18-24 include: Wednesday will have the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Moving to Music at 9:30 a.m. and Devotions with Velma at 1:30 p.m.; Thursday has the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m., Horse Racing at 1:30 p.m., and the Full Gospel Assembly of Bridgewater at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, July 20, will feature Moving to Music at 9:30 a.m. and Crossword Puzzle Challenge at 1:30 p.m.; Saturday will feature Karaoke with the Deschesnes at 1:30 p.m.; Sunday will feature the Mennonite Hymnsing at 6:30 p.m.; Monday will feature Moving to Music at 9:30 a.m., Karaoke with Larry at 1:30 p.m. and Gospel Group at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, July 24, will have the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Card Games 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, contact Connie or Vicki at 768-4915.
Bridgewater Historical Association
The Bridgewater Historical Association would like to welcome everyone back to their hall for Thursday night music with Outside In. The music runs from 6-9 p.m. So, if you find yourself bored and want something to do, come on out and have some fun at the BHA Hall. Come to dance or just sit and listen. All are welcome.
Community Cupboard
The food pantry serves the communities of Westfield, Mars Hill, Blaine, Robinson, E-Plantation and Bridgewater.
The cupboard is open the second Tuesday of each month from 1-3 p.m. and the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community. If you have questions, call Cathy Cropley at 429-8043.
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.
