Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — What do you get when you combine dogs, kids and clowns? In the case of the Aroostook Shrine Club Feb. 8, it was a whole lot of fun, as the organization hosted its second annual dog sled event at the club’s Houlton Rd. facility.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
THE AROOSTOOK SHRINE CLUB, located on the Houlton Rd. in Presque Isle, hosted a day of fun Feb. 8, providing free dog sled rides, food and fun for area children. Here, Larry Murphy and his son-in-law, Noble Jason Bennett, both of Fort Kent, return to the Shrine building with their passengers after circling the field adjacent to the facility. This is the second year the club has hosted the event.
“This is our second year doing this. We do it for the children,” said Blair Bubar, president of the Aroostook Shrine Club.
Bubar said the idea began as a way to bring some fun to the lives of children the organization has helped over the years.
“We started with the idea of helping those children we’ve helped get to hospitals for various treatments. Children of Shrine members also attended last year,” said Bubar. “It snowballed – got bigger this year.”
Festivities this year included: a free meal of hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and punch, followed by entertainment provided by Shrine Klowns who made balloon animals, plenty of smiles and a joke or two. The biggest thrill of the day were the free dog sled rides being offered outside.
“Larry Murphy and his son-in-law, Noble Jason Bennett, both of Fort Kent, brought their dog teams down and gave sled rides to all who were interested,” said Harold “Bud” Wilson, a Shrine member.
About 50 people attended this year. Children entertained themselves outside while waiting for their turn to ride, some dragging sleds up ‘snow mountains’ and sliding back down, as others played in the snow. Participants were able to pet the dogs as they waited to be hooked to their respective sleds. But when it was time to go to work, the dogs knew it, jumping and howling in anticipation.
A breeze created a bit of a chill for those waiting for a ride, but once aboard, the thrill of the ride quickly replaced thoughts of the cold, as the mushers directed the dogs into action, a light snow falling as they traveled the course laid out circling a field adjacent to the Shrine building.
Bubar said the organization’s goal is to make life better for children.
“We have the circus coming in May. We started this event as another activity to bring cheer to local children,” said Bubar.
With branches across the country, the organization assists families who might not otherwise be able to afford the treatment their children need.
“We treat children (who need medical treatment) for free,” said Papi the Klown.
Bubar said their Christmas party was such a huge success, they actually ran out of food.
“We fed over 80 kids. We ran out of food and had to go buy more,” said Bubar.
Event organizers made sure there was plenty of food for the latest event.
“We had 120 hotdogs and 120 hamburgers this time,” said Bubar.
All in all, organizers said it was another successful day.
“Everyone had fun. That’s what it’s all about — creating fun for the children. It was a good day for all involved,” said Bubar.
Plans are already being discussed for next year.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty 
PAPI THE KLOWN shares a photo op with David Abernathy, of Mars Hill, at the Aroostook Shrine Club in Presque Isle Feb. 8.
