Bear Paw Inn opens
The grand opening/ribbon cutting of the newly-remodeled Bear Paw Inn, LLC took place on Sunday, June 10 at 94 Main Street, Mars Hill. Owners Lisa and Steve Burtt, Jr. have spent the winter completely redoing the eight rooms that form the motel. There are five single rooms and three double units. The rooms have cable TV, wireless Internet and are air-conditioned. There is a free continental breakfast. Their phone number is (207) 425-6241.
The Burtts are the third owner of the motel. It was opened in 1956 by Al Milliard, who had opened Al’s Diner in 1935. Al sold the diner to his son Wendell in 1955. Wendell and his family ran the diner for over 45 years with help from his brother-in-law Dick Carney.
Not being one who could be idle, Al and his wife Winnie built the motel in 1955-56 as a “retirement project,” opening in February 1956 with nine rooms. A full-page ad (sponsored by 30 area businesses) in the Bangor Daily welcomed the new business to town. It was touted as being located in the center of Aroostook County and being “the Gateway to Canada.” Five or six of the businesses are still in existence in Mars Hill.
The motel passed to family members Rachel and Steve Burtt, Sr. in the early 1980s. They ran the Mid-Town Motel until selling the business to Lisa and Steve, Jr. Lisa and Steve plan to continue with renovations on other parts of the facility, eventually having three suites available.
Trash ‘n Treasure Sale
The United Methodist Women of Mars Hill will hold their summer Trash ‘n Treasure Sale on Saturday, June 23, in the church vestry. The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All funds raised will be used for UMW ministries.
United Methodist Women
The June meeting of the Mars Hill United Methodist Women met in the church vestry at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 11, with 12 members present.
President Janice Footer opened the meeting with all repeating the Purpose Pledge and Prayer. The
Secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were read and accepted as read. Thank-you notes were received from the family of Bertha Mersereau, the Red Cross and the Presque Isle Homeless Shelter.
It was voted to have Carol Guiggey bring in samples for new kitchen countertops for the church kitchen.
The annual Trash ’n Treasure Sale was discussed. It will be held on Saturday, June 23, in the church vestry. Several beautiful home-knit sweaters were given to the UMW for their annual fall sale. They were the generous gift of Mrs. Marie Pierce, made while spending the winter in Florida.
After the business meeting, Frances Banks and Goldie Folsom, in charge of the program, showed a film “Bad Women of the Bible.” This was a very whimsical and humorous film and so enjoyed by all. Delicious refreshments were served by Goldie and Frances.
Invited guests attending from the Easton UMW were: Lindy Fowler, Marie Hewitt, Eldora Carter, Glenice Craig, Dot Beaton and Marjorie Niblett.
Local guests were: Penny Hickey, Jan Beals and Maureen Milliard.
Members attending were: Janice Footer, Joan Walsh, Carol Guiggey, Joan Boone, Frances Banks, Goldie Folsom, Alma Smith, Donna Brewer, Diane Ketchum, Winnie Anderson, Cindy Anderson and Clara Hussey.
Live music
There is a lot happening in the tiny town of Bridgewater. The local historical association has live music on Thursday nights as well as an occasional Saturday from 6 – 9 p.m. Their music program is a bit different than others in the area. They feature a little less country and a little more old-time rock ‘n roll. The atmosphere is quite relaxed and everyone has a good time. So come on down and join the crew!
All proceeds from the music program will go towards the purchase of much-needed sound equipment for the building.
For more information, please contact Denis Gagne at 429-8290 or Jann Votaw at 425-7901.
Golden Age Club
The Golden Age Club met on June 12 in Bridgewater. Members enjoyed finger foods for lunch. Don Cadrette asked the blessing and gave the invocation. Members started the meeting with a flag salute. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were read and accepted.
The next meeting will be held on June 26 with a potluck planned.
Storybook Stew
The Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial Library will host Storybook Stew on selected Wednesday nights from 7 – 8 p.m. Children ages 4 – 8 are invited to join Miss Chris from the Cooperative Extension on July 11, 18, 25 and August 1. Mark this on your calendar for an evening of reading, games, snacks and fun!
Library donations
The W. T. A. Hansen Memorial Library appreciates donated items. However, please make arrangements with the librarian to have the items left inside the building when dropping them off.
Bridgewater Historical Association
The Bridgewater Historical Association meets the first and third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall on Main Street. For more information, please call Denis or Gloria Gagne at 429-8290, Jann Votaw at 425-7901 or at www.bridgewatermaine.org.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center in Mars Hill. The club heard about the playground equipment that is being researched for the Fort Street Elementary School playground. Several avenues for funding are being explored. For more information on this project, contact Chappy Clark at the Blaine Town Office or Fred Boyd at Fort Street Elementary School.
Rotary Golf Tournament
The Annual Mars Hill Rotary Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1, with a practice round available on Friday, June 29.
Cost is $65 for non-members and $55 for members. Carts are $15 per day, tracking is $10 per day.
There will be a steak dinner on Saturday at 6 p.m. with a cost of $15 per person. The public is invited.
Steak supper
The Mars Hill Rotary Club will hold a ‘Steak Dinner with all the Fixin’s’ on Saturday, June 30 at the Mars Hill Country Club. The dinner is being held as part of the Annual Golf Tournament. The public is invited to attend the dinner. Cost is $15 per person. Tickets can be purchased from any Mars Hill Rotarian.
Ladies Stitch and *itch Group
The Bridgewater Recreation Department has formed a Ladies’ Stitch and & ‘itch Group. The group meets every other Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Bridgewater Civic Building. Ladies of all ages are invited to attend. There is no charge to attend.
This is an opportunity to bring whatever you are working on: cross-stitch, embroidery, scrapbooking, sewing, etc., and share good conversation while working on your favorite project. If you do not have anything to bring, that’s okay too, as others will be willing share and teach.
All are welcome – you don’t have to be a Bridgewater resident to participate, so bring your friends, too! For more information, contact Chris Finemore at 425-6606.
Sesquicentennial meeting
The Bridgewater Sesquicentennial Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 20, at 7 p.m. at the Bridgewater Community Building.
Comprised of members of the general public, the BCA Reunion Committee, the Bridgewater Historical Association, the Bridgewater Fire Department and the Bridgewater Recreation Department, the committee is developing plans for a combined celebration in 2008 of Bridgewater’s Sesquicentennial and the next BCA Reunion. Anyone who is interested is invited to attend the meeting.
For more information, please contact Mike Crawford at 764-0202.
Tomi Henderson is the correspondent for Mars Hill, Blaine and Bridgewater. She can be reached at 429-9126 or e-mail tomihen@yahoo.com.
