Mr. Milton Adelman and family, along with the staff of Aroostook Health Center in Mars Hill, invite the public to a special ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. to celebrate the dedication of the new Adelman Seasonal Patio. This new addition to The Aroostook Medical Center’s long-term care facility commemorates Gloria Adelman, a long-time employee and friend of Aroostook Health Center. A ceremony with remarks from friends and family will be followed by a dessert reception.
Christmas mass
There will be a Christmas Vigil Mass on Friday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Mars Hill. All are welcome.
Candlelight service
There will be a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at the United Baptist Church in Mars Hill at 6 p.m. All are invited to attend to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday morning at 6:30 at the Aroostook Health Center. The special speaker was Rotarian Ray Mersereau, who showed pictures of the trip he and his wife, Judy, took this summer and fall around the United States. They traveled through 36 states, made 36 stops and drove over 13,000 miles. He “made it” almost to the West Coast with his presentation, and will come another time to share some more of their adventures.
United Methodist Women
The December meeting of the Mars Hill UMW was held in the church vestry at noon on Dec. 13. There were 10 members and five guests present. The buffet table and vestry were decorated beautifully in the Christmas theme. There was a tray of assorted sandwiches, fruit, chips, olives, coffee and punch. A delicious dessert was served, made by hostesses Donna Brewer and Elaine Bailey.
The food blessing was given by Elaine. After an hour of socializing, the president called the business meeting to order and led in the UMW Purpose Pledge and Prayer. A favorite portion of each meeting is hearing of the “Acts of Kindness” by each member over the last month.
Diane Ketchum, the treasurer, is home recovering from a recent hip operation but sent in her report, which was read by President Elaine. Elaine also showed the many lovely and practical gifts she had purchased for the UMW to give to the local nursing home residents. She then read a very appropriate and timely Christmas story.
President Elaine passed out the printed program with the list of meetings for 2011 and the names of hostesses and co-hostesses.
The time had come to pass the gavel to the new incoming President Donna Brewer. All clapped and showed appreciation for all the work that President Elaine Bailey had done in her two years in office.
Donna Ireland entertained the group with tunes played on her accordion, with everyone joining by singing along. The group always enjoys the annual visit by Donna while she shares her talents.
After the benediction, all enjoyed a Yankee Swap. Much laughter and many remarks were heard during the exchange of gifts. The group made up plates of food to take to shut-ins.
Special guests present included: Donna Ireland, Shirley Fletcher, Joanne Bell, Betty Mahan and Toni Campbell. Members present included: Elaine Bailey, Donna Brewer, Joan Boone, Joan Walsh, Frances Banks, Judy Sawin Stahnke, Ruth Sylvester, Gladys Long, Cindy Anderson and Clara Hussey.
Rotary calendars
The Mars Hill Rotary Club Birthday Calendars have arrived and are being distributed. Rotarians are delivering pre-ordered calendars. Calendars can also be obtained at the Mars Hill Town Office, the Blaine Town Office or at the Mars Hill Katahdin Trust Company. The cost is $6 per calendar. For any corrections or additions, please contact Tomi Henderson at 429-9126 or e-mail tomihen@yahoo.com.
Library Auction
The Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library Benefit Auction is now open for bidding. Money is being raised to buy new books and other items for the patrons to enjoy. Items can be viewed and bid on at WTAHANSENLIBRARY@biddingforgood.org.
Some of the items are 100 gallons of heating oil; two tickets to see the UMO hockey team vs. Boston on Jan. 16, 2011; a $100 Walmart gift card; gift certificates for auto care and groceries; and other gift cards. Check out the site to see what you can bid on to help out the library.
Adult recreation
Adult programs at the Recreation Center have begun with the following schedule: Walking, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; men’s open gym basketball, Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.; indoor soccer, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.; women’s open gym basketball, Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.; Co-ed volleyball (beginning Jan. 9), Sunday from 2 – 4 p.m.; Yoga, Thursday at 9:30 a.m.; and Graves’ karate, Mondays at 6 p.m.
For more information, call the Recreation Department at 429-8429.
Anatomy fundraisers
The CAHS anatomy class is planning a trip to Philadelphia in April to visit the Mutter Museum. There are eight students that plan to pursue a career in the medical field, and the museum features past medical marvels that shaped the treatments and medications offered today. In addition, the students hope to also see the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Liberty Bell Center, the National Constitution Center, Eastern State Penitentiary and Liberty 360 — a 3-D panoramic theater showcasing America’s historical journey.
The class will be holding several fundraisers to raise the money necessary for them to take the trip. They have a private donor who has pledged $1 for every $2 that the students raise.
Current fundraisers include tickets on a quarter side of beef, which will be available in mid-January. Tickets are six for $5. The beef is being donated by Donovan Family Farms and will be cut to the winners specifications by Garey’s Slaughter House.
Another is a “calendar” sale for the month of January. Tickets are $10 each. There are 22 chances to win cash as they will draw a ticket on 22 of the 31 days in January. There will be two $200 drawings, four $100 drawings and 16 $20 drawings.
For more information, contact Leigh Belair, anatomy teacher, at 425-2811.
Rec calendar
The Mars Hill Recreation Department has several activities planned for the Christmas break. On Thursday, Dec. 23, from 1–3 p.m. will be the first local qualifying round for the Hot Shot competition for students age 9 to 18.
On Monday, Dec. 27, there will be a movie field trip to Caribou. The bus will be leaving the Community Center at 1 p.m. with an expected return around 4:30 p.m. There is a $5 fee, which includes the movie ticket, a soda and bag of popcorn. Candy and other treats are extra. There will be two movies to choose from: “Yogi Bear” or “Gulliver’s Travels.”
On Tuesday, Dec. 28, there will be an open gym from 1-5 p.m. Kids can play basketball, dodge ball or volleyball. There will also be a waffle ball homerun contest.
On Wednesday, Dec. 29, the second local Hot Shot competition will take place from 1-3 p.m. Students can participate more than once in the Hot Shot competition if they want to try to better their score. There will also be an open gym from 3-4:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Dec. 30, the Mars Hill Recreation Department will be hosting a round robin basketball tourney for grades 3 and 4 Rec teams, with Limestone and Easton coming to play. The concession stand will be open all day serving hotdogs, grilled cheese, chips, etc.
Hot Shot competition
So you think you’re a good shooter and you’re ready to test yourself against players your own age? Then this is the event for you!
The Maine Recreation and Parks Association (M.R.P.A.) / Red Claws Hot Shot competition is a basketball skills competition for youth 9 to 18 years of age. It involves shooting from five “hot spots” marked on one end of the basketball court. This competition will test each contestant’s speed, shooting, dribbling and rebounding ability.
Each participant must first compete in a local Hot Shot event sponsored by your community recreation department (Mars Hill Rec Dept.). Division winners will advance to the Regional Competition. After the completion of all regional events, the winners and runner-ups of each age division then advance to the M.R.P.A. Red Claws State Hot Shot Competition. Participants at the State Competition compete for first place and runner-up awards.
The Mars Hill competition will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community Center on three different dates: Thursday, Dec. 23, Wednesday, Dec. 29 and Thursday, Jan. 13. For more information, contact Dave Collins at: marshillrec@hotmail.com.
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.
The All Star preschool dance group performed to “I Like To Move It, Move It” during the Panther Idol 2010 competition on Dec. 12 in Mars Hill.
