MARS HILL NEWS
A special weekend of activities is being planned for the 100th Anniversary of the Mars Hill Fire Department.
The celebration will take place on Aug. 6 and will include a parade at 10 a.m., a barbecue from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the Aroostook County Firemen’s Muster beginning at 1 p.m. The barbecue and muster will take place at Central Aroostook High School. The $10 dinner will include ribeye steak, bean-hole beans, potato salad, rolls, soda and coffee. The Ladies Auxiliary will be offering strawberry shortcake for $3 each.
Mark your calendar now, you don’t want to miss this special event! If you would like to have an entry in the parade, contact Dean Burtchell.
Aroostook County’s Toughest Mile
Hey runners, are you up for a challenge? As part of the Mars Hill Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 6, Big Rock will be hosting Aroostook County’s Toughest Mile — straight up the ski slope of Mars Hill Mountain. There is a $10 entry fee, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. The racers will take off at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start.
There will be free T-shirts for the first 25 entrants. All runners will also be eligible to win a Big Rock season pass. Other prizes will include Big Rock lift tickets and more. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Youth Ski Programs at Big Rock.
Even if you don’t plan to try this challenge, come on out to cheer on those who make the run!
Library news
The Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library will be selling hotdogs, chips and a soda for $3 during the afternoon of the Firemen’s Muster from 1:30 until activities end. They will be set up at the high school.
The library is selling raffle tickets on four $50 gas cards. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. They can be obtained from any trustee or at the library during regular hours. The drawings will be held on Aug. 6 during the Firemen’s Muster events. Proceeds will be used to benefit the library.
Westfield Jubilee
Westfield Jubilee Days are just around the corner and there are many exciting events lined up for the whole family.
Friday, Aug. 26, will be filled with kids’ games, including antique tractor games for the whole family, an outdoor movie and an alcohol-free family street dance under the canopy. Come bring the family and enjoy an evening of fun and good food.
Saturday, Aug. 27, will begin with a Pancake Breakfast that is sure to start your day off right. Can you boil water? Beginning at 9:30 a.m., there will be a Water Boiling Contest where contestants will need to bring their own ax or hatchet. Each contestant will be given matches, kindling and wood. The object of this contest will be to see who can start a fire and boil their water first. Plan to come and join in to see who is the top water boiler in the area!
The day will be filled with lots of fun, including kids’ games (including the ever-popular water balloons), antique tractor pulls, live music, gymnastic show, fry pan toss, wagon rides and good food. Saturday afternoon brings two events that should prove to be great fun. First the Westfield Gold Rush is back this year. Can you find the gold and, if you find it, can you keep it — live cops and robbers will be here to help make this event loads of fun for all involved.
New this year is the Westfield Red Neck Fashion Show. You will not want to miss this event. This will be like no other fashion show you have ever seen, and the prizes are out of this world!
Saturday will end with our ever famous pig roast/bean-hole-bean supper and the ever popular Fireman Fred Show.
If you are looking for a weekend of fun, plan to come and join Westfield for its 17th annual Westfield Jubilee Days Aug. 26-27.
There will be something for everyone in your entire family.
School year to begin
The first student day for SAD 42 schools will be on Wednesday, Aug. 17, according to Assistant Superintendent of Schools Roger Shaw. Workshops for teachers will be held on Monday, Aug. 15 and Tuesday, Aug. 16, at 8 a.m. in the Music Room at Central Aroostook Jr/Sr High School. Lunch will be served both days.
New students to the area may register for Jr/Sr High School (7-12) classes at the Central Aroostook Jr/Sr High School, 26 Pleasant Street, on Aug. 8-12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Guidance Office. Parents wishing to register PreK-6 students may do so at Fort Street Elementary School, 38 Fort Street, on Aug. 8-12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The bus schedule will remain the same as last year. Hot lunches will be available beginning the first day of school at a price of $1.85 at the elementary school and $2.10 at the Jr/Sr high school. Reduced-priced meals are $.40 for all qualifying students at both schools. A breakfast program is also offered at both the elementary and Jr/Sr high schools. Breakfast prices are $1.15 for both schools or free for qualifying students. Applications must be approved prior to receiving free or reduced meals. Only one application per family is required.
Anyone having questions regarding the 2011-12 school year may contact the Superintendent’s Office at 425-3771, the Jr/Sr high school at 425-2811 or the Fort Street Elementary School at 429-9514 during regular business hours.
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday morning, July 26, at the Aroostook Health Center.
The special speaker was Henry Nickerson of the Northern Lighthouse. He gave an update on the services provided through their treatment facility, their HCT in-home therapy services and their Section 28 children’s service. They have 67 full- and part-time employees serving 85 families throughout Aroostook County. The group home serves children from age 8 to 21, and currently has five living in the facility.
They now have a grant writer who has helped them secure funding from different sources.
Chasin’ the Chasses
Donna Chasse has seen the doctor and hopes to be able to heal without any surgery. The doctor said that she suffered a compression fracture but that nothing was twisted. She should be able to heal on her own as long as she doesn’t put any weight on her right leg for a few weeks. She has some massive bruises, but they will fade in time.
Dana made it home on Thursday, July 28. The bike traveled 11,967 miles in all, traveling through 26 states over a six-week period. They averaged almost 40 mpg and saw gas prices anywhere from $3.41 to $4.69.
And yes, they would like to take another trip — sometime! There are still a lot of things to see around this beautiful country of ours!
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
