MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
The Mars Hill Fire Department is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. There are anniversary coffee mugs currently for sale for $7 each at the Town Office. There will also be hats and T-shirts available soon.
The department will be hosting the spring meeting of the Aroostook County Fire Chiefs Association on Saturday, April 30, at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community Center. During the meeting, from 3 to 5 p.m., the Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting BINGO in the CAHS cafeteria, sponsored by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge. All are welcome to join in for the games.
From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., the 96th annual Fireman’s Ball will be held with music by Wally and the Virginians. Advanced ticket purchases are encouraged. Tickets are $20 per couple and are available by contacting any Mars Hill fireman or by contacting Assistant Chief Bob Collins at 425-4989.
The department will also be hosting the County Firemen’s Muster on Aug. 6, with many events being planned, from parades to a street dance. More detailed information will be provided later, but mark your calendars now!
Anyone with historic photos of the department, especially those of firefighters, that they’d be willing to share for future publication, to mark the department’s 100th anniversary, is asked to send or drop them off at the Star-Herald office, 40 North St., in Presque Isle. Please identify those pictured, if possible, from left to right, and include any pertinent information that will tell readers a bit about the photo and when it was taken.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday morning, April 19, at 6:30 at the Aroostook Health Center. The special speaker was Rotarian Tomi Henderson, who spoke about the PETS and SETS training session held recently in Fredericton, N.B. As incoming president, Tomi attended the training with incoming secretary, Richard Watson.
The training is to help each club reach its full potential and help the district with its goals. An effective club will sustain and increase its membership, implement successful projects, support the Rotary Foundation and develop leaders to serve Rotary beyond the club level.
An upcoming event for local Rotarians is the Rotary Leadership Institute, which will be held at Presque Isle’s NMCC campus on June 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day-long training will help Rotarians develop leadership skills that can be used in all aspects of their lives. Cost will be $100 for the day and will include lunch.
Bottle drive
There will be a bottle drive for the Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library during the month of April. Anyone willing to help can drop off their cans and bottles at the local redemption center, mentioning that they are for the library. You can also drop off bagged bottles during regular library hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday,1:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. or Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.
Bike safety
On Friday, April 15, Fort Street Elementary School celebrated Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Day. Julie French, certified instructor from the Maine Bicycle Coalition, provided instruction for the students.
Julie taught the students about sharing the road. While biking, go with the flow of traffic. While walking, go against the flow of traffic. She taught them about how to find a bicycle helmet that fits correctly and why it is so important to always wear a helmet while on your bike. Checking for A-B-C (air in tires, brakes and chain) is something that should be done before riding your bike.
Wearing bright clothing is also important, as you want to be seen by the traffic you are biking or walking through.
Bicycle and pedestrian safety items were purchased using funds from a grant through Healthy Aroostook to use as door prizes.
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.
