Women share details of trip
MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday morning, Aug. 23, at the Aroostook Health Center.
The special speakers were Ashley Brewer and Shirley Rush. They spoke of their service-learning trip to Tanzania, Africa, through Cross Country Solutions while sharing a PowerPoint presentation of photos that Ashley took. They and four others from UMPI went for a two-week trip and worked in a suburban area. Three of them worked in a juvenile detention center, Ashley and another girl worked in a nursery and Shirley worked in a step-up nursery.
They taught English to the students, who typically wear uniforms to school. The younger classes are taught in their native language as well as English, although the higher classes are taught entirely in English. The classrooms, especially for the younger grades, are very basic, with only a table and bench for the students to sit at.
The literacy rate in Tanzania is 67 percent for the women and 80 percent for the men. The average life expectancy is 52 years. Although the urban areas are quite modern, the landscape and homes in the suburban areas show the poverty experienced by the majority of the people.
In addition to their work experiences, they enjoyed a weekend safari and visiting some local markets. They also saw Mount Kilimanjaro — the highest peak in Africa. They were provided a driver and interpreters to take them from their housing to the schools. They also had the opportunity to visit a mosque, which was a very interesting and educational experience.
Their travel time to Africa took 36 hours — and they were still friends when they got there! When asked, both Ashley and Shirley said that they would love to go again. Although there are culture shocks along the way, the learning experience, the feeling of helping others and making a difference in a young person’s life was very fulfilling.
FRESH PORK DONATED TO CUPBOARD
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
Recently Patricia Donovan donated this fresh pork to the Mars Hill Community Cupboard. The Cupboard would like to thank Patricia for thinking of the food pantry.
It was a very generous gift.
Also, if any other local farmers would like to make farm-fresh donations, contact Cathy Cropley at 429-8043.
REDNECK FASHION SHOW
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
Junior Junior shows off his best duds during the Westfield Jubilee’s Fashion Show on Saturday, Aug. 27.
He likes his pockets, which give him room to carry his roll of duct tape, his duct tape wallet as well as his favorite momento — the first shotgun shell he ever fired (at his girlfriend’s boyfriend).
There will be more pictures in a future edition.
Library news
The Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library is planning on another online auction at www.biddingforgood.com this November and December. Anyone with questions or who is willing to donate items for the auction is asked to contact Ryan Shaw at 429-9500 or at rshaw24@yahoo.com.
July 23
RIDING ON A FLOAT in the Robinson Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, are some of the kids in Miss Michelle’s Daycare.
THE MARS HILL AMERICAN LEGION Post held a special flag burning ceremony during the Robinson Days celebration on Saturday, July 23. The flags have flown in several places but have become torn and tattered and are no longer considered serviceable. Pictured at attention, from the left, are: Steffen Gallupe, Christian Rotter and Bob Canney.
“CRAZY” AUNT KAREN ENDY of Bridgewater was ready to watch the Robinson Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, with her nieces — Katelyn Buck, 4, at left, of Presque Isle, and Olivia Hallett, 5, at right, of Houlton, and nephew, Braydn Hallett, 2 of Houlton. She is the self-proclaimed “Queen for the Day of Robinson”!
SKIP AND CAROL LYON, picutred at left, fill their plates during the Robinson Days celebration on Saturday, July 23. There was plenty of delicious food on hand for festival-goers to enjoy —showing the creative kitchen talents of many an area cook.
JORDAN CANNEY paints “BBF” (Best Friends Forever) on Amelyia Drake during the Robinson Days celebration on Saturday, July 23.
CHECKING OUT THE BADMINTON rackets during the Robinson Days celebration on Saturday, July 23, are Jonah Tweedie, left, and Isaac Gillen — both age 4.
CHRIS FULLER, left, Amanda Crouse and Tom Tardiff do a quick dance on stage during the Robinson Days celebration on Saturday, July 23. Wally and the Virginian played during the evening for an appreciative audience.
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
