Library holds online auction
MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
The Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library is holding their annual online auction. To check out the items available, go to www.biddingforgood.com.
Some of the items currently on the site include: sports items, game tickets, Disney passes and much more. The auction will run from Jan. 15 to Feb. 2. New donated items will be added during the auction, so check the site periodically to see what’s new.
After The Bell
This week’s schedule for After The Bell includes: Wednesday, Jan. 22 — Running Club after school until 3:15 p.m. at Fort Street Elementary. Plan to run outside, but will be running inside if the weather dictates. Running with Coach Amanda Cushman; kids are preparing for the Lucky Leprechaun 5K on Saturday, March 8, in Mars Hill. Running continues weekly and new runners are welcome! No cost.
The Outdoor Adventure Club meets on Fridays after school. This week, participants will be sliding at BigRock. Bring your own sleds. Student may ride the bus to BigRock. Parents, please pick your child up at BigRock at 4 p.m. No cost; the lodge will be open for drinks and snacks, so please send cash if your child wants a treat. Adults and children welcome! To sign up or for any questions, call Jamie Guerrette at 694-1430.
Photos courtesy of Jamie Guerrette
THANK YOU — After The Bell appreciates all of its volunteers. Seen here during a recent snowshoeing activity is: volunteer Bob Jackson and participants Jazmyn Brown and Bobbi Guerrette. We’re also thankful for our bakers. Cookies and cocoa were a highlight of the afternoon.
THE Outdoor adventure club recently went snowshoeing. Participating in the After The Bell-sponsored program are, from left to right: Devon Dionne and Ethan Cushman as they compete in a snow scavenger hunt. Activities take place weekly to get kids moving and trying things.
After the bell’s outdoor adventure group enjoys activities on Fridays after school. Seen here are some of the youth snowshoeing. In the front from left to right are: Kimber Theriault, Alissa Adams, Hunter Clark, Dakota Pelletier, Elana Barnes, Liberty Fulton, Connor Cushman, Max Couture, Carly Guerrette, Steven Price and Ellen billings. On top of the snow bank from left to right are: Bobbi Guerrette, Wendell Boyd, Ethan Cushman, CJ Crawford, Kaylee McCrum, Emma McCrum, Calleigh Crawford, Audree Adams, Mckenzie Green, Sam McCrum, Jazmyn Brown, Milli Couture, Sarah Stitham, Aaron Gagne, Seth Fallon, Bailey Fallon, Zaylan Johnson and Brandon Wright.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of Jan. 22-28 include: Wednesday will feature the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Wii Bowling Challenge at 9 a.m., Table Tennis at 9:30 a.m. and Crossword Puzzles at 1:30 p.m. Thursday will feature the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m., Horse Racing at 1:30 p.m. and Bridgewater Free Baptist at 6:30 p.m. Friday will feature a Walmart Outing at 9 a.m. and Dayroom Cinema with Popcorn at 1:30 p.m. Saturday will feature Bingo at 9:30 a.m. Sunday will feature the Mennonite Hymnsing at 6:30 p.m. Monday will include Nail Beautiful at 10 a.m., Karaoke with Larry and Larry at 1:30 p.m. and Gospel Group at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday will feature 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, call Connie or Vicki at 768-4915.
Birthday calendars
The 2014 Rotary Birthday Calendars have arrived and are available at the Mars Hill Town Office, the Blaine Town Office, Katahdin Trust in Mars Hill, the Mars Hill IGA or from any Rotarian. Cost is $6 per calendar.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Jan. 14 at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center. The guest speaker was Sylvia Getman, president and CEO of The Aroostook Medical Center. She spoke about TAMC’s Roadmap to Becoming the Best Rural Healthcare Organization in America. TAMC is the number 6 facility in Maine, which is the number 1 state for excellent health care. Her goal is to be number 1! There are several of areas they are working on.
The first pillar is the “people,” with a goal of developing a patient-focused team that shares common values and realizes its full potential. They are working to continuously attract and retain the right talent, bring new providers on board in the next year and provide a bigger network by being part of EMHS. EMHS has over a dozen member hospitals from all over the state.
The second pillar is “service,” with a goal of achieving exceptional, compassionate care that inspires patients, families and staff to tell their friends and neighbors. They are working to streamline work and integrate technology as well as having teams across the organization actively engaged in improving patient experiences.
The next pillar is “quality,” with a goal of ensuring excellence in patient care. They want to be recognized nationally for their efforts in patient safety and care. Pioneering work in care coordination and other areas is changing the way that care is delivered.
The fourth pillar is “finance,” with a goal of maintaining sufficient resources to support affordable patient care. They are consistently working toward achieving maximum efficiency in operations. They have completed a study and implemented the first phase of a new price structure and are compliant with a new price transparency requirement.
The pillar of “growth” has a goal of strengthening coordinated access to care. They have a regional growth plan based on community needs. The areas of key focus include: cancer care, cardiac, orthopedics, rehab, surgical services and eye care.
The final pillar of “community” has a goal of leading empowered groups that improve overall community wellness. They will realign resources to improve health education and form partnerships with other organizations to improve the health of local communities.
Getman spoke of the renovations currently under way at the Mars Hill facility.
BINGO
The William Cousins Post 118 of the American Legion in Mars Hill hosts a Bingo Night every Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Legion building on Silver Street. There will be cash prizes and concessions.
Variety Show
The William Cousins Post 118 of the American Legion in Mars Hill is hosting a Variety Show on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Legion building located at 1 Silver Street in Mars Hill. The admission is $5 per person and concessions will be available.
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.
