United Methodist Women
The April meeting of the Mars Hill UMW was held in the church vestry at noon with eight members and one guest present. The guest was Heidi Shaw. Each member brought a sandwich, while chips, drinks and dessert were provided by co-hostesses Joan Walsh and Ruth Sylvester. Ruth read a special poem as the blessing.
After an hour of socializing, the meeting was called to order by Vice President Donna Brewer, who presided in the absence of President Elaine Bailey. Donna led in the UMW Purpose Pledge and Prayer. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were read and accepted as read.
Two thank-you notes were received for recent monies given. This is part of our designated local missions, of which we serve about 14 in all.
Next, Vice President Donna asked each one to share her “special act of kindness” during the past month. Donna reported on getting the new round tables for the vestry. All expressed the excitement of using them for the first time – they were much needed and much appreciated.
Donna reported we are involved in two new mission projects – knit caps for the servicemen in Iraq and coupons for military families. The knit caps are used under the helmets and also keep bald heads warm on cold nights.
After the benediction, the meeting was turned over to Program Chairman Joan Walsh who introduced Heidi Shaw, head of the local Meals on Wheels service covering Mars Hill and Blaine. She is in charge of lining up drivers and volunteers and sees that the 20 meals a day are delivered at the right place and the right time. These are very nutritious meals, served to shut-ins and elderly people who eagerly await their daily visit, hoping for a “short social call.” These meals are prepared in the kitchen at the Aroostook Health Center in Mars Hill. Heidi was presented a gift from the UMW.
Joan Walsh and Frances Banks talked about the new community service of which Dr. Nicholas is one of the sponsors. Our area is the Central Aroostook Branch of Friends Helping Friends. Widows, shut-ins and others who need help in special situations may call for the volunteer service.
Donna reminded those interested in going to the UMW Northern District meeting on Wednesday the 15th in Limestone to let her know. Everyone is to take a bag lunch and a gift for the auction. The members have already purchased a bag of groceries for the Limestone Food Cupboard.
Those in attendance included: Donna Brewer, Joan Boone, Janice Footer, Ruth Sylvester, Diane Ketchum, Frances Banks, Joan Walsh, Clara Hussey and guest Heidi Shaw.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met at the Aroostook Health Center on Tuesday, April 14, at 6:30 a.m.
The special speaker was Rotarian Stan Hartin, who gave his classification. He was raised in Island Falls with three brothers. They were all very sports-minded. He spent some time in Florida, but moved back to Maine when the summer heat arrived.
He started out working as a ground worker for Maine Public Service in 1981, before becoming the district foreman. He moved to the Presque Isle office in 2003 to become the director of field operations. He is responsible for 56 employees, 3,600 square miles of area and 37,000 customers. MPS is the smallest investor-owned independent distribution company in the United States.
Stan and his wife, Paula, an RN at Houlton Regional Hospital, live in Mars Hill and have three daughters, Courtney, Brianna and Chelsea.
Students of the Month
In a continuing effort to recognize outstanding student citizenship, the faculty of Central Aroostook Junior-Senior High School has announced that Megan King, Stephanie Dame and Shawn McIntyre have been selected as the March Students of the Month. They were selected in recognition of their commitment to the pillar of character.
Megan is a member of the 7th-grade class and lists reading, English, social studies and math as her favorite subjects. She is a member of the junior high chorus, as well as the soccer, cheering and softball teams. She is also an active 4-H member. Megan enjoys sports, singing and playing the flute. She would someday like to attend the University of Maine at Orono to major in music. Megan is the daughter of Sally and LeeRoy King.
Stephanie is a member of the 7th-grade class and lists English as her favorite subject. She is an honor roll student, a member of the junior high chorus, Yearbook Committee and plays the following sports: soccer, basketball and softball. Stephanie’s hobbies include singing, dancing, talking, cooking, texting, swimming and riding bikes. Her future plans include going to an out-of-state college to major in culinary arts and then someday open her own restaurant and be the head chef. She is the daughter of Stephen and Debra Dame.
Shawn is a member of the senior class and lists pre-calculus as his favorite subject. He is a member of the National Honor Society, FFA and the basketball, baseball and soccer teams. In his spare time, Shawn enjoys skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, camping, waterskiing, kneeboarding, wake-boarding and tubing. In the future, he plans to take over his father’s business as a forklift mechanic. He says, “I love fixing things, so this is the perfect job for me!” He is the son of James and Beth McIntyre.
Library happenings
National Library Week is April 12-18, and donation jars will be set at various locations. Please be generous in your support for your library.
Starting on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. – noon, the library will be having cribbage games, so bring your friends and your boards. The more the merrier. This game time will continue each Saturday.
If there is a topic that someone is interested in and would like to have a program on, please contact the library at 429-9625 or Tammy DeLong, trustee, at 425-1007.
The library is interested in offering computer skills programs for community members. Please call the library for information or to sign up for a class.
If your group is looking for a meeting space, the library is also pleased to offer free meeting spaces. Please call the library to reserve a space today.
Knit or crochet on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 – 7:30 at the library. Enjoy each other’s company while you work on your chosen project.
The kids’ knitting class held recently was a great success. Watch the paper for when the next class will begin.
The library is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. – noon. For information, call 429-9625 or go to their Web site: www.wtahansenlibrary.com.
Bridgewater Community Club
The Bridgewater Community Club continues to meet on the last Thursday of each month with some exceptions. All are welcome. For more information, contact Pat Lenentine at 429-9444.
Bridgewater Creative Crafting
On the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Community Center in Bridgewater, crafters are encouraged to join together to work on various projects.
Bring your own supplies and projects as you share your knowledge of various crafts. Work together or individually with quilting, knitting, sewing, embroidery, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc. Everyone is welcome! For more information, please contact Chris Finemore at 425-6606 or Melody Goff at 420-4002. Come relax and enjoy yourself as you socialize with other crafters.
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.
