Chasses set off on summer adventure
MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
Ever since Dana Chasse returned from his “four corner” motorcycle trip last year, his wish to have been able to take his time and see more sites was periodically mentioned. Finally Donna said “That sounds like fun,” and they began to plan their own trip west.
Dana retired from the MDOT in August of 2008 after 36 years, but Donna is still the librarian at Fort Street Elementary School in Mars Hill. School got out for the summer on Wednesday, June 15, and Dana and Donna left town on Thursday morning around 8:30. They will return by Aug. 8, when Donna needs to be back at work!
They have some places that they know they want to visit but will also take the time to see places that they come across during the trip. There are some friends and pen pals that they plan to visit, but few things are set in stone for this trip. They plan to go where the mood strikes them!
The one thing that is a concern is Donna’s habit of falling asleep as a passenger on car road trips. There were many suggestions to keep her from falling off the bike — from bungee cords to Velcro, but Dana nixed the idea of attaching a strip of Velcro to the front of her jacket and another to Dana’s back!
They took it easy on the first day, traveling to Windham where they spent the night with friends. They traveled 462 “wet” miles on Friday, arriving in Archibald, Penn., around 5 p.m. They will spend the weekend there with family and friends before heading out on Monday morning for Illinois.
Stay tuned to this column and “visit” the stops they make along the way. I’ll do periodic updates as I hear from them. Hope they have a wonderful time!
Fort Street Elementary School Spring Concert
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
PERFORMING ON THE RECORDER during the Fort Street Elementary School Spring Concert on June 2 are the beginning class, pictured from the left: Jack Schafer, Breanne Bradbury, Claire Gebhart, Emily Garrison, Allyssa Tilley Katelyn Levesque and Mitchell Grass. They played “Auralee” and “Lightly Row.”
Bridgewater meetings
On Monday, June 13, there was an informational meeting held at the Community Center at 6:30 p.m., with a special town meeting following. Diane Clough did a presentation on what was happening regarding the proposed new fire station/community center. Details were provided on plans to pursue funding to help in the construction of a new fire station/community center.
Girl Scouts help Shriners
The Girl Scouts and their families of Troop 1134 of Mars Hill have spent the last eight months collecting pull tabs from drink cans, soup cans and pet food cans to benefit the Shriners Children’s Hospital.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
GIRL SCOUT DONATION — Mars Hill Girl Scout Troop 1134 collected pull tabs to benefit the Shriners Children’s Hospital.
Pictured are, from the left: Jordan Delong, Jessica Cropley, Mersaydez Johnston, Sara Stitham and Shriner representative Blinn Boone.
The Shriners use the pull tabs to purchase medical equipment and supplies for their hospitals.
The Girl Scouts will resume collecting the pull tabs in August after summer vacation. If you’d like to donate pull tabs, contact Cathy Cropley at 429-8043.
Library news
The Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library will be conducting their third auction on the website www.biddingforgood.com in November and December. They are currently seeking sponsors and auction items, as well as volunteers to help gather sponsorship and items. Contact Trustee Ryan Shaw at 429-9500 for details.
The library is always looking for volunteers and fresh ideas on how to improve things for the patrons. It might be an activity at the library, fund-raising ideas, etc. If you have an idea or would like to help out at the library, call 429-9625.
The library also has a “Buy-A-Brick” program, in which you can “purchase” a brick at the library in honor of or in memory of a person or organization. A plaque will be engraved to be permanently displayed on a brick at the library. The cost for a brick is $100. Contact the library at 429-9625 for more information.
New library hours
As of June 1, the Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library’s operating hours will be as follows:Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30-5:30 p.m.; Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 8:30; Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. These new hours will add an additional five hours of open business for the public.
Tour across the U.S.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
Donna Chasse waves as she and her husband Dana Chasse take off for their motorcycle tour across the U.S. They left on Thursday morning, June 16, and don’t plan on returning until they have to! — by Aug. 8, when Donna has to be back to work at the school library.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday morning, June 14, at 6:30 at the Aroostook Health Center. Rotary President Ed Wright updated the members on Horizon Wind’s project at Number 9 Lake. The project is getting toward the top of the list for study results. They expect to have the results this summer and fall.
Town Manager Dan McClung reported that the town has requested proposals for a new comprehensive plan for the town.
Bridgewater Historical Association
First, we would like to extend congratulations to the BFD Tractor Pull winners. A reminder that “Outside In” performs on Thursday nights at the BHA Hall from 6 to 9 p.m. They play a wide variety of music, so come on out and have a good time. There is no cover charge, but donations are gladly accepted. Our next project for funds collected on music night is to get a sign for the front of the building.
On June 25 and 26, the BHA will hold its first yard sale of the year. It will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you would like to rent a table or make a donation, use contacts listed. Please, no clothing or electronics. Thank you. For information on the yard sale, or to rent a table, contact Gloria McCleary at 425-6941 or Stephanie Willette, historian, at 429-9309.
Thank you once again to the dedicated crew for all of the time and effort put into keeping the hall in shape. You folks are great!!!!
All are welcome to attend Association events. For more information on the BHA, write: Bridgewater Historical Association, P.O. Box 341, Bridgewater, ME 04735, or by contact Jann Votaw, president, at 425-7901.
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.
