MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met Nov. 6 at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center.
The special speaker was Stephen Agius, biologist, assistant refuge manager at Aroostook and Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuges. He worked at various spots around the world before returning to Maine with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
He spoke about the 155 million acres that are in National Wildlife Refuges in 550 parcels around the United States. Maine has two wildlife refuges whose main focus is on protecting populations of wildlife.
Moosehorn National Refuge was established in 1937 and contains 29,340 acres. The focus of Moosehorn is on monitoring wildlife, habitat management, and surveying streams and ponds. They also maintain a Fire Management Team that can travel to areas that are in need of assistance containing a forest fire.
Aroostook National Refuge was established in 1998 at the former Loring Air Force Base. It contains 5,450 acres. There were 91 buildings and 13 structures transferred to the USFWS. Of these, 54 have been demolished and another 50 are on the National Historic Register.
One undertaking of the Aroostook Refuge is using some of the old bunkers to create winter spots for bats. With the great loss in the bat population in
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of Nov. 14-20 include: Wednesday will have the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., shopping at Walmart at 9 a.m. and Zumba Fitness at 1:30 p.m.; Thursday has the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m., Horse Racing at 1:30 p.m., and Bridgewater Full Gospel at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 16 will feature a Bake Sale at 9:30 a.m. and Dayroom Comedy Hour featuring Gomer Pyle at 1:30 p.m.; Saturday will feature Karaoke with the Deschesnes at 1:30 p.m.; Sunday will feature Full Gospel Assembly Service at 1:30 p.m.; Monday will include Moving To Music at 9:30 a.m., Communion with Pastor Phelps at 1:30 p.m. and Gospel Group at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 20 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, contact Connie or Vicki at 768-4915.
Community tree lighting
There will be a community tree lighting Friday, Nov. 30 in the park by the fire station. Santa will arrive by horse and wagon at 5 p.m. The tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. with community caroling to follow, led by Fireman Fred. Please bring your camera as Santa will be available for pictures with your child. This will be followed at 7 p.m. by Family Movie Night at the Rec. The movie “Polar Express” will be played and cookies and cocoa will be served. Advance tickets are required; cost is $5 per family.
Mars Hill Community Cupboard special hours
Please note that there will be a change during the months of November and December. The dates for November will be Nov. 13 from 1-3 p.m. and Nov. 20 from 6-8 p.m. December dates will be Dec. 11 from 1-3 p.m. and Dec. 18 from 6-8 p.m.
In January, the cupboard will resume its regular dates of being 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 Building. The food pantry serves the communities of Westfield, Mars Hill, Blaine, Robinson, E-Plantation and Bridgewater. If you have questions, please contact Rena Kearney at 429-9041.
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.
