School grant
Central Aroostook Jr.-Sr. High School has received a $500 grant from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program to support the school. Pam Rideout, manager of the Mars Hill Mobil, worked with school officials to secure the grant which is one of 4,000 available to schools across the country served by Exxon or Mobil stations. The grants were made possible by funding from the ExxonMobil Corporation.
“Central Aroostook Jr.-Sr. High School works hard to make learning interesting and fun,” said Rideout. “As a Mobil retailer, I am proud to help young people of our community.”
The ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program is designed to provide Exxon and Mobil retailers with an opportunity to invest in the future of their communities through educational grants to neighborhood schools. ExxonMobil believes that, as members of the community, local retailers are best qualified to work with local educators to help identify schools and programs most in need of support.
Rideout met stringent eligibility criteria before applying for and being awarded this grant, including having a commitment to provide a superior buying experience for customers.
Community Club
The Mars Hill and Blaine Community Club met on Nov. 5 with nine members present for a delicious turkey dinner. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were read and accepted. Thank-you notes were received for several donations that were made earlier in the year.
It was voted to donate to the local Community Cupboard for their holiday baskets.
The next meeting will be on Dec. 3. Members are to bring a Yankee Swap gift and a pair of mittens for distribution to the local Head Start, schools and daycare centers. Yearly dues will also be collected.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday morning at the Aroostook Health Center. Barbara Turner from The Aroostook Medical Center’s Resource Department spoke to the group about the search for staff members for the Aroostook Health Center. There is a nationwide shortage in health care. TAMC promotes careers in the healthcare industry by offering to assist with education for interested individuals in return for a set commitment to work in the local facility.
Mike McPherson, Ray Hewes and Jim Bubar of the Presque Isle Rotary Club spoke to the group about the upcoming 50th PI Rotary Club Auction to be held Nov. 27 – 29. The club is hoping to receive pledges for 103 Gold Bricks to complete a $1,000,000 goal.
The special speaker was Ryan Shaw, of Shaw Financial Services. Ryan graduated from CAHS in 1997, then from UMO with a bachelor’s degree in public finance. With offices in Brewer and Mars Hill, Ryan provides investing, retirement planning and insurance services.
Working with Securian Financial of St. Paul, MN, Ryan has access to various research teams, who keep him abreast of new happenings in the industry. Ryan coached the Hampden Academy Soccer Team for a number of years. He and his wife, Sadie, now reside in Mars Hill. Sadie is the guidance counselor at CAHS.
Winterfest
The Winterfest Committee met on Wednesday, Nov. 7, to discuss the activities for March 14-16, 2008. A lot of old favorites will return, as well as some new events. Anyone that is willing to help by joining the Committee or by volunteering to help with specific events is asked to contact Peggy Robinson at 429-9409. Many hands make light work!
The Committee is planning on selling cookies at the holiday concerts to be held at the high school on Thursday, Dec. 6, for the Jr.-Sr. High School and on Thursday, Dec. 13, for the elementary students. Anyone willing to make cookies for the group is asked to contact Peggy.
The Light Up The Town Contest is planned, and information will be distributed to area businesses. The event will be judged on Monday, Dec. 3, with the winners receiving the Traveling Trophy to display for a year. The winning business will also receive a morning brunch spread to enjoy.
Reading Hour
There will be a Reading Hour for children ages third grade and up beginning Thursday, Nov. 8, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The first book will be “Goosed” by Bill Wallace. This program will run every Thursday at the library.
Library news
The Medicare D signup will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library. The Aroostook Agency on Aging will be available to help answer questions and assist with any plan changes needed. Please call 877-535-3771 to make an appointment.
The library hours are: Mon., Tues. and Thurs.: 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.; Wed. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 9 a.m. – 12 noon. The phone number is 429-9625.
Book Sale
The Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial Library is having a Book Sale. Cost for the books is .50 for hardcovers and .25 for paperbacks. There are also bags available to fill for $5.
Old and new copyrights for adult and children are available. Fiction, nonfiction, westerns, science fiction, romance are among those currently on hand. There are also children’s books for sale, so plan to stop and check things out. Stock up now for your winter reading! Monetary donations will also be accepted.
Book Club
The Tuesday Evening Book Club will hold an organizational meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial Library. It is expected that the group will meet monthly at the library. All are welcome and encouraged to bring their ideas and enthusiasm to the first meeting. Those who choose to participate will be expected to read a chosen book each month and attend the monthly meeting prepared to discuss the book. Each person will have an opportunity to select or help select a book for the group to read and lead the discussion of the chosen book.
For more information, please contact Rita Kingsbury at 429-9359.
Community Cupboard change
Due to Thanksgiving and Christmas falling after the regularly scheduled second distribution date in each month, the dates will be changed to Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 respectively. The cupboard is open from 6-8 p.m. on these dates.
The cupboard’s usual distribution dates and times are the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. The second Tuesday is open from 1-3 p.m.; the fourth Tuesday is open from 6-8 p.m. The cupboard services the towns of Easton, Westfield, Mars Hill, Blaine and Bridgewater. For more information, please contact Cathy Cropley at 429-8043.
Bridgewater Historical Society
The members of the BHA are still actively working on projects and making plans for next year. Anyone who would like to make donations to the general fund or to the special fund to raise money for a new sound system for the hall can contact Denis Gagne at 429-8290, Jann Votaw at 425-7901. Donations can also be sent to: Bridgewater Historical Association, P. O. Box 341, Bridgewater, ME 04735. Information on the BHA can also be found at www.bridgewatermaine.org.
Ladies’ Stitch & *itch Group
The Bridgewater Recreation Department has formed a Ladies’ Stitch & *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. The group will meet on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 and 18.
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 OK 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 at425-6606.
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.