MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
The Mars Hill and Blaine Recreation Department will be holding several after school programs throughout October, November and December. Registration forms are available at Fort Street Elementary School. Completed forms with payment can be dropped off at the school or at the Mars Hill Town Office. All programs are offered to children in Grades 1 and older. Please note that some programs may close one week prior to the event and may reach a maximum number of participants prior to the event.
Participants may take the bus from Fort Street to the Recreation Center. They must have a note for the school to transport them to the Rec. Parents or guardians are responsible for picking them up from the Rec at 4:30 p.m. If the participant is walking home from the program, a note must be provided.
The After-School Art Program will take place at the Recreation Center on Tuesday’s from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Each month the Rec will take an after school trip to enhance the art experience of the participants. Friday, Oct. 26, will be the October Art Special Activity — Decorating Pumpkins. Cost is $5 per child.
The After-School Fitness Program will take place at the Recreation Center on Wednesdays from 3-4:30 p.m. Each week participants will participate in a different activity, such as Zumbatonics, recess rock, seasonal themed games and more. Cost is $25 per session for the first child, $20 for the second child. Each month the Rec will take an after school trip to provide exposure to a different physical activity. Friday, Oct. 19, will be the October Special Activity — swimming at the Presque Isle Indoor Pool. The bus will leave from school, returning by 5:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per child.
Basketball for grades 3 and 4 starts Nov. 12 and runs through the end of January. Practices and games will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with a cost of $20.
Basketball for grades 1 and 2 starts Jan. 5 and runs on Saturdays through March. Grade 1 will meet at 9 a.m. and Grade 2 at 10 a.m. The season will end during Winterfest. Cost is $20 per child.
Basketball for Grades 5 and 6 starts Monday, Jan. 7. Practices and games will take place Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with a cost of $20.
At this time registration will only take place for grades 3 and 4.
Movies will be shown in the lounge on Nov. 9, 16, 30 and Jan. 4. There is no cost for the movies and popcorn. Additional snacks may be purchased at the concession stand.
Toddler Time will be offered on Fridays beginning on Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. Meet at the gym at 9 for a time of organized play, followed by story time and a craft at 10 a.m. Each week will be a bit different. All children birth to pre-school age, along with their parents, are invited to attend.
Truck or Treat
The Mars Hill Recreation Department is hosting Truck or Treat at Big Rock Mountain in Mars Hill on Wednesday, Oct. 31. There will be prizes for the “best dressed cars” in various categories.
Volunteers and community support will be greatly appreciated. If you are not decorating a car but would like to donate candy to the event, a drop box is available at the Recreation Center.
Businesses, groups, churches or non-profits looking to register a vehicle are asked to contact Jamie at 227-7194 or Murph at 227-0485 for a registration form.
This event will replace the party previously held each year at the Rec.
United Methodist Women
The October meeting of the Mars Hill UMW was held in the church vestry on Oct. 1 at noon with nine members attending. After the food blessing, sandwiches, chips, hot and cold drinks were enjoyed, followed by a delicious dessert made and served by Ruth Sylvester.
After a time of socializing, the business meeting began with President Donna Brewer leading all in the UMW Purpose Pledge and Prayer. The secretary’s report was read and accepted as read. Diane Ketchum gave the treasurer’s report, which was accepted as read. She also read thank-you notes from those who have benefited from the local UMW ministries.
It was reported that Alma Smith, a member who is unable to attend meetings, still carries out one of the UMW local ministries — sending out cards to the sick and shut-ins. Joan Boone gave an update on two of our members who are having health problems.
Tentative plans were made to conduct the Morning Worship Service at the Mars Hill church in the near future. Easton will be joining us. Plans were made for light refreshments following that service.
There was much discussion and planning for the upcoming Fall Craft Fair to take place in the church vestry on Saturday, Nov. 3, beginning at 9 a.m. Soup, rolls, pies and drinks will be served. There will be food and craft tables with lots of homemade goodies, dish cloths and craft items. The UMW’s recently published cookbook will also be available.
The meeting was turned over to Program Chairperson Diane Ketchum, who presented a program on World Thank Day. She spoke of a special displaced person in Russia and Germany who, after years of going through labor camps and scrounging for food, survived. She and her family came to America. She said how wonderful and unusual these Americans were — finding them a place to live, bringing them food, finding them jobs and schools — all this from Methodist churches. She had a very successful life and finally became a teacher.
Being World Thank Day, a collection was taken. The money goes to the Northern District UMW treasurer who will send it on to the World Global Ministries. After the benediction, the meeting was adjourned.
Members attending included Donna Brewer, Diane Ketchum, Ruth Sylvester, Joan Boone, Marie Hewitt, Daisy Campbell, Carol Guiggey, Joan Walsh and Clara Hussey.
Fall Craft Fair
The Episcopal Church Fall Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone interested in renting a table can call Cherry Cowan at 429-9892.
Marriage conference
The United Baptist Church of Mars Hill invites you to “The Love and Respect Marriage Conference” on Friday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 10, at 8:15 a.m., on Church Street in Mars Hill.
For more information or to register for this life-changing video conference, visit www.loveandrespect.com/. The registration fee is $15/person. Register ASAP as space is limited. For more information, contact the United Baptist Church of Mars Hill, PO Box 382, Mars Hill, ME 04758 or visit www.ubcmarshill.com/.
Fall Adult Ed
The Mars Hill Adult Education Program will begin classes on Monday, Oct. 15, with the following classes being offered: Woodworking on Mondays, Quilting on Mondays and Thursdays, Kick Aerobics on Mondays and Crafts and More on Tuesdays. Classes will run from 6 p.m. to 8 or 8:30 p.m. A registration fee of $15 will be charged for each class and must be paid prior to attending the first class. To register and/or for more information, please call Kathy at 425-3771.
Lunch fee increases
School lunch prices at SAD 42 increased as of Tuesday, Oct. 10, by 10 cents. Elementary lunches will now be $1.95. Junior/senior high lunches will be $2.20. Adult lunches will be $3.85.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met Tuesday morning, Oct. 2, at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center.
The special speaker was Allan MacLellan, District Governor 2012-13, Rotary District 7810. Allan spoke of his goals for his year as District Governor. He urges clubs to have more fellowship times with members, their families and prospective members. While Rotary is an International Club, achieving many worthwhile things around the world, clubs need to enjoy fellowship times within the club itself.
Another goal that Allan has is to promote and retain membership. He plans on urging clubs to participate in a Rotary Awareness Week in June of 2013 and to plan on some kind of hands-on project on the Saturday of that week.
He and his wife Wanda have enjoyed the Friendship Exchanges they have participated in to South Africa, India and Australia and urge any Rotarian that has a chance to travel on an exchange to do so. It certainly changed the way Allan and Wanda look at the world and what one or two people can to do make a difference.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of Oct. 10-16 include: Wednesday will have the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Harvest Reminiscing at 9:30 a.m., “Tater Picker” Contest at 1:30 p.m. and East Ridge Church at 6:30 p.m. Thursday has the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Lunch at Gram Russo’s at 11 am. Friday, Oct. 12, will feature Moving To Music at 9:30 a.m. and Harvest Social Baked Potato Bar and Potato Picking Video at 1:30 p.m. Saturday will feature the APC Church at 3 p.m. Sunday will be a free day. Monday will feature Nail Beautiful at 9:30 a.m., Communion with Pastor Phelps at 1:30 p.m. and Gospel Group at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16 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, call Connie or Vicki at 768-4915.
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.
Dance for the Dogs a success
The Bridgewater Historical Association would like to thank all who attended their second “Dance For The Dogs”. Folks came from Haynesville, Littleton, Houlton, Oakfield, Smyrna, Westfield and Bridgewater to support our efforts to aid the area’s canine officers.
A special thanks goes out to State Trooper Chad Fuller for stopping by with his partner, Gleni. Gleni is the reason for this year’s dance. He is trained on aggression and needs a place where he can relax while he is not on duty. It will also give peace of mind to Trooper Fuller knowing his partner is in a safe environment.
The dance raised about half of the funds needed to purchase Gleni’s pen. Another thank you to Terry Bradstreet, whose late wife Gloria had given us the idea to assist the area’s canine officers since they can’t do it themselves, for attending the dance. Thank you to the members of “Outside In” for volunteering to provide the music at the dance. Last but not lease, thank you to the great members of the BHA who worked hard putting on the event.
We are also holding a raffle to raise the remainder of the funds. The first prize is a handmade quilt by Shirley Drew. The second prize is a wood carving, “Three Geese On The Wing,” donated by Dee and Phyllis Cote. Our third prize is a food basket – contents donated by various BHA members. A huge thank you to all who donated. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. To purchase tickets come to any BHA event, or contact any BHA member. The drawing will take place sometime in December.
Upcoming BHA events
Upcoming BHA events include an indoor yard sale on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tables are available to rent at $10 each.
Don’t forget our Thursday night music continues through the end of October. “Outside In” provides the music from 6 – 9 p.m. on Thursdays.
Our final event of the season will be our annual Halloween Dance on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8 p.m. to midnight. Tickets for this dance will be $7 if you come in a costume or $9 if you don’t wear one. Once again, “Outside In” will be performing.
For more information, to become a member or to purchase raffle tickets, call Jann Bonkowski 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.
