Mild temperatures
make Winterfest a delightful experience
J.J. Bourgoin shows off the coins he found during the Coin Search at the Mars Hill and Blaine Winterfest 2010. Thanks go to the Mars Hill Savings Bank of Maine for sponsoring this event.
Special to the Star-Herald
Winterfest 2010 began on Friday night, March 12, with a delicious baked ham supper which included mashed potatoes, vegetable, salad, roll, brownie and ice cream. Put on by the Rotary Club, over 250 meals were served.
The event was followed by a Variety Show featuring some fantastic talent. Among the performers were: Chloe Wheeler doing a song and dance to “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” by Brooks and Dunn; The Sparkettes from All-Star Gymnastics with a cheer and stunt routine; Todd Corey singing “Big Green Tractor;” The Starlettes from All-Star Gymnastics with a cheer and stunt performance; The All-Star Gymnastics Team performing a tumbling routine to “Music Box Dancer;” Noelle Bailey singing “I Wonder” by Kellie Pickler; Jack Schafer performing a karate and tumbling routine titled “The Final Countdown;” Phyllis Boyd singing “Where Angels Fear to Tread” by Marty L. Sands; Hallee Rusby performing a balance beam routine to “Circus;” and Adam Metzler performing the 2nd movement of a sonata for trumpet and piano by Eric Ewazen. It was a wonderful night of entertainment! Proceeds from the Variety Show will be used for the 2010 Panther Paws Yearbook.
Saturday morning began bright and early with the Mars Hill and Blaine Community Club’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast. There were over 400 meals served to a very hungry crowd. The Easter Basket Raffle was won by Janelle Tweedie.
Following this was a pee wee basketball game in the gym with over 20 first and second graders from the local recreation program. What fun to watch these future stars take to the court! The cheerleaders from All-Star Gymnastics performed during the game.
A cribbage tournament took place with 42 players vying for the top spot. First place went to Clarence Rossignol with a perfect score of 726!! Second place went to Jerry Taylor with 724 and third to Leroy King with 721.
The morning also saw a bake sale by the United Methodist Women as well as child ID kits done by the Masons. A coin search, face painting and balloon fun with the Shriners’ Klowns were available for the kids while the Penny Carnival was set up in the gym. There were a lot of stations for the kids to enjoy — with the jail one of the popular spots again this year.
The Community Cupboard sold raffle tickets for 2 $50 Mars Hill IGA gift certificates during the morning. Winners were Nonie Crouse and Donna Dzierzynski, both of Blaine. This event raised more than $1,321 for the local food cupboard. Special thanks to the Mars Hill IGA for their donation, as well as to everyone that supported this raffle. Thanks also to Donna, who chose to give her certificate to the cupboard for their use in purchasing needed items.
A very popular event this year was Cow Chip BINGO, with Dale, a 9-month-old baby beef steer belonging to Rachel Donovan, “picking” the winning square. Sponsored by the Class of 2013, 10 percent of the net profit was to be donated to Catholic Charities and the winner was to receive $500. When Dale chose a blank square, Catholic Charities was thrilled to be called the winner of the $500 also. They are especially thrilled this month as a matching grant will double any amount they receive, so the $500 plus will become $1,000 plus!!
The Mars Hill FFA held a Baked Potato Bar, with “Big E” style taters available, as well as hotdogs, French fries and soda.
At noon, the BINGO tables were the popular spot to be, with games running until 2:30 p.m. Over 75 players were on hand hoping to be the one to yell BINGO!
At 3 p.m., the Gold Ball Champs met on the court for some great basketball action. Members from the CAHS teams from ’94 and ’96 took on the ’05-’06 team. While the ’94-’96 team led a good part of the game, the ’05-’06 team was able to pull ahead at the end to win by a score of 75 to 71. Didn’t really matter — it was great watching these great players in action again in the CAHS gym, as well as seeing them drop those three-point shots! Following the boys’ game, the girls’ alumni game took place, with the blue team coming up victorious over the white team 42 to 34.
At 4:30 p.m., the popular Kardboard Klassic took place with lots of entries. Winning the Youth Division were: First — Case In Box with Lane Grass, Libby Grass, Bryant Grass and Eli Payne; Second — Alex Boulier and Hunter Crouse; and Third — Cameron Clark. In the Middle/High School Division: First — Sarah Grass and Brea York; Second — Logan Holmes and Emily Fitzpatrick; and Third — A&A Racing. In the Adult Division: First — Sean Donovan; Second — Brent and Neal Grass; and Third — B.J. Dufour.
The Best in Show winners were: First — Tyler Brewer in JDR Transport; Second — Adam and Alex Casillas in A&A Racing; and Third — Andrew Ellis, Chris Drew, Daniel Dooley and Sara Dormaier in the ZEPmobile. They were a sight to see — especially before the runs down the mountain!
There was a drawing done for downhill skis and the winners were: Caleb Harris, Brighton Kingsbury, Shane Stackpole and Abby Allen.
Big Rock had a Chicken Stew Dinner available and it was again a sellout. The crowd enjoyed a Big Air contest at 6:30 p.m. with many entrants.
Saturday night also saw the ever-popular Torchlight Parade with flashlights and flares winding their way down the mountain in a beautiful winding formation. This was followed by a fantastic fireworks display that could be seen for miles.
All in all, it was another great weekend of entertainment for this year’s Winterfest! Hope you all enjoyed it! (Watch for more photos with a future Mars Hill column.)
Photos courtesy of Tomi Henderson
THE LOCAL GIRLS SCOUTS were out in force during Winterfest 2010 to sell their ever-popular cookies to a hungry crowd. Pictured are, from the left: Keara McCrum, Isabelle Wright and Caitlyn Harris. Brandon Wright helps his sister by being the "Shortbread Cookie."
THE ‘05 AND ‘06 GOLD BALL players, coached by Courtney Lundeen, enjoyed a fast-paced game during Winterfest 2010. Pictured with Lundeen are, from the left: Manny Martinez, Jake Delano, Brock Burtt, Jason Woodworth, Sam Clockedile, Blake McCarthy, Taylor McLaughlin, Logan McCarthy and Erick Martinez. This group finally pulled ahead and won by a score of 75 to 71.
The Kardboard Klassic Best in Show winners for 2010 were, from the left: First, Tyler Brewer on JDR Transport; Second, A&A Racing with Adam and Alex Casillas; and Third, ZEPmobile with Andrew Ellis, Chris Drew, Daniel Dooley and Sara Dormaier.
ELAINE BAILEY, left, Clara Hussey, center and Pierrette Moore, at right, enjoyed the baked ham dinner during Winterfest activities on Friday night, March 12.
