MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
Central Aroostook High School TRUST Team members Whitney Peavey and Kennedy Day helped to educate the students on the dangers of sun and tanning damage.
CA Junior and Senior High School students were asked to take the “No-Tanning Pledge” in which they pledged not to intentionally tan by laying out in the sun or using a tanning bed prior to prom or special events this spring. By signing this pledge, they realize they are decreasing their risk of developing melanoma and they read the facts regarding melanoma and tanning.
This pledge was developed by the Melanoma Foundation of New England for colleges and high schools throughout New England. This is the fourth year this pledge has been promoted, and it has really taken off. The Foundation also provided the school with a sun-damage skin scanner for the students to view their skin and see what sun damage has occurred.
According to Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD, and director of the Pigmented Lesion Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, there is a lot of misinformation about tanning and melanoma. “First of all, there is no such thing as a ‘safe tan.’ Melanoma, which is a deadly skin cancer, is increasing among young women, and indoor tanning is certainly one of the important causes. There is no evidence that ’base tanning’ will reduce the risk of skin cancer.”
Facts about melanoma include: rates are increasing faster than nearly all other cancers; it is a relatively easy disease to prevent; and it is easy to stop if caught soon enough, all it takes is a yearly skin exam. Melanoma kills one person every hour. It is the most common cancer among women age 25-32. As many as 10,000 people a year die from melanoma and the New England states have a higher than average rate of melanoma.
People who use tanning beds once a month before the age of 35 increase their melanoma risk by 75 percent. It isn’t safe to tan in the sun or a tanning booth. The more you tan and the younger you start, the more likely it is that you will get melanoma. Using a tanning bed for 20 minutes is equivalent to spending one to three hours a day at the beach with no sun protection at all. Tanning beds put out three to six times the amount of radiation given off by the sun.
For most people, five to 10 minutes of unprotected sun two to three times a week is enough to help your skin make Vitamin D, which is essential for your health. Getting more sun won’t increase your Vitamin D level, but it will increase you risk for skin cancer. Vitamin D also comes from orange juice, milk, fish and supplements.
Library tag sale
The Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library will be having a tag sale on June 17 and 18 at the old Grew’s store site at 4 Main Street in Mars Hill. Donations will be accepted for this sale on June 15 at the sale site. No clothing please! Questions, contact Ione Dixon, 551-1172, Ryan Shaw, 429-9500 or library, 429-9625.
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 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Friday, 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.
Students of the Month
In a continuing effort to recognize outstanding student citizenship, the faculty of CAHS announces Corey Richardson and Emily Pickance have been selected as the April Students of the Month. They were selected in recognition of their commitment to the pillar of character.
Corey Richardson is a member of the freshman class and lists advanced algebra and Spanish as his favorite subjects. The son of Maria and Roland Richardson, he is a member of the baseball team and the International Club. Outside of school, Corey enjoys video games, sports, board games, card games, swimming and listening to music. His future plans include going to college, getting a good job and having a family.
Emily Pickance is a member of the eighth grade and lists algebra I, English and reading as her favorite subjects. She participated in band and chorus and plays on the soccer team. Outside of school, she enjoys being outside, reading, talking, watching movies, traveling and spending time with friends. The daughter of Boni Hunter and Thomas Pickance, Sr, Emily plans to attend college to become a writer or work in the medical field. She would also like to someday adopt children.
United Methodist Women
A lovely Spring Tea was held in the UMW church vestry on April 30 at noon, put on by the Mars Hill United Methodist Women. Invited guests were from the East Ridge Union Church, the Mars Hill United Baptist Church, Easton United Methodist Church and the Mars Hill Catholic Church. About 50 were in attendance.
The vestry was attractively decorated in spring flowers. Tea and coffee were served in the China tea cups from the Dawn B. York Memorial Dish Cupboard. Donna Brewer, UMW president, welcomed the guests, then Pastor Sue Brown asked the blessing.
Assorted sandwiches, salads, a fruit tray and punch were served from the buffet table. A special delicious dessert was made by Donna Brewer. Bible bookmarks and a mini Bible were table favors at each place setting.
After an hour of eating and socializing, the guests entered the church sanctuary where a special program was enjoyed by all. Pastor Sue gave a short talk on special women in the Bible. She and her daughter, Sarah Diette, presented two musical numbers. Sarah played the flute while her mom accompanied her on the guitar. They were presented with appreciation gifts.
On May 16, the Mars Hill UMW met in the church vestry for their monthly meeting. The meeting was held at 10 a.m. instead of the usual time of noon so the members could spend two hours working on their special cookbook project.
After a short luncheon, President Donna Brewer conducted the business meeting. All repeated the UMW Purpose Pledge and Prayer. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were read and accepted as read.
Many extra thank-you notes were received, including some from those who received a prayer shawl or a monetary donation. A thank-you was also received from the family of a former church member for the UMW doing a reception following the funeral service.
Members voted to give $100 to a United Methodist Relief Fund. As the June meeting is the “Out-to-lunch” day, plans were made for two suggested eating places. President Donna will notify members, after she makes the necessary inquiries, as to where the luncheon will be held.
As the June meeting will be the final one until October, President Donna announced that the Mars Hill UMW will be hosting the Northern UMW District Meeting in October, so necessary plans were made for that event.
Following the benediction, the meeting was adjourned.
Bridgewater Historical Association
The Bridgewater Historical Association is happy to welcome back the volunteer musicians who make up the band Outside In. Bob Heller, Pam Green, Simon Clair, Carole Trafford, Hughie Gray and Eldon Lawrence join BHA Pres. Jann Votaw on stage to perform on Thursday nights from 6 to 9 p.m., beginning May 26. So dust off your dancing shoes and come on down. The atmosphere is very relaxed and we are all there to have a great time. We are trying something a bit different with the Thursday night music, it will not be an open jam. If possible, we may have an open mic night on another night of the week.
Friends and members helped get the hall in shape for this season. The side stairs have been replaced, more painting has been done, some plumbing work has been done and of course lots of cleaning was done. A huge thank you to everyone who helped out. What a great crew! We hope to get more painting done during the year.
We were also able to purchase three showcases. They are not filled yet, but we hope to get them ready soon. If anyone would like to make a donation, we would love to accept them.
Donations are also being accepted for our yard sales. Please, no clothes or electronics.
Once again thank you for all of the help. We look forward to seeing everyone at our events. Bridgewater Historical Association, P.O. Box 341, Bridgewater, Me 04735.
For more information, contact Jann Votaw, president, at 425-7901.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday morning, May 17, at 6:30 at the Aroostook Health Center. Club members worked on information sheets and ways to improve the club in the upcoming year.
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.
