Homecoming 2013 meeting
MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
There will be a meeting on Monday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. in the high school music room for all of the class representatives for ACI and CAHS for planning purposes for the ACI, CAHS Homecoming next summer. Anyone else who is interested please plan to attend.
Congressman Mike Michaud’s staff will be available to meet with constituents this week in Mars Hill on issues they are facing with federal agencies and to discuss services available through his office.
On Thursday, Aug. 30, constituent service representative Rachel Smith will be available from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Mars Hill Town Office. If Mainers have any questions or would like to set up an appointment (not required), they are encouraged to call Smith at 764-1036.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
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A SURPRISE 35TH Anniversary party was planned for Bryan and Marie Bell of Mars Hill on Saturday, Aug. 25. Friends and family have been planning it for a few weeks and were able to completely surprise the couple. Fun, fellowship and food were enjoyed by all, along with a wonderful slide show of their life. Bryan and Marie are pictured with an enlarged cutout of their wedding photo. |
Rotary Club
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met Tuesday morning, Aug. 21, at the Aroostook Health Center. The special speaker was Rotarian Kelly Lundeen, AHC administrator. AHC was opened in 1962 with a 14-room capacity. It has changed over the years, now being a division of TAMC. It currently provides ICF level care to 55 residents and SNF levels to an additional 15, for a total of 70 occupied beds. They employ 110 full- and part-time employees.
Kelly spoke of the day-to-day happenings at AHC, which provides long-term care, skilled care and rehabilitation services. Their mission is to restore, maintain and improve the health of their friends and neighbors in a compassionate and professional environment.
She spoke of what criteria are considered when qualifying people for nursing or skilled care. Payment and medical necessity are at the top for both the long-term care and skilled units.
Their goal in the nursing home is to provide a home-like setting and treat each and every resident with dignity and respect. They provide care for every aspect of living on a daily basis for as long as the resident qualifies to stay in a nursing home. To qualify, a person must meet at least two of five criteria: bed mobility, eating, toileting, transfers and locomotion or have cognitive decline that alters the ability to meet the needs of everyday living.
The Skilled therapies involve several modalities: Physical Therapy, Occupational Health, Speech Therapy, IV Therapy, Wound Care, IV Antibiotic Therapy, Pain Management, Comfort Care, Hospice, Respite and Medical Management. Patients in the Skilled Unit are reviewed weekly to assure that AHC continues to meet their needs and they continue to require the services to reach a level of previous or better physical and/or mental health.
The facility has a wonderful team in the Activities Department in Vicki Jackson and Connie Durost. They work very hard to have many things happening each week for the residents to take part in or just watch. The staff and volunteers are a wonderful group that join in with many activities and theme weeks or days. Special thanks go to those who volunteer by playing musical instruments, singing, playing games or just visiting with residents. They are a valued part of the Activities Department.
If you are looking for something to do, you won’t be sorry if you visit the facility and volunteer your time and talents.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of Aug. 29-Sept. 4 include: Wednesday will have the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Devotions with Velma at 9:30 a.m. and Moving to Music at 1:30 p.m. Thursday has the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m., Horse Racing at 1:30 p.m. and Blaine Free Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, will feature Moving To Music at 9:30 a.m. and a Patio Social at 1:30 p.m. Saturday will be a free day. Sunday will have Sunday Services with Jonathan at 1:30 p.m. Monday is Labor Day and will be a free day. Tuesday, Sept. 4, will have the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Card Games at 1:30 p.m. All of these activities are subject to change. If you would like to volunteer to help with any of these activities, call Connie or Vicki at 768-4915.
Bridgewater music
The Bridgewater Historical Association features live music by Outside In on Thursday nights 6-9 p.m. They perform a wide variety of music styles. Bring your dancing shoes and show us your moves on our wood dance floor. There is no cover charge, however, donations are greatly appreciated. The musicians are all volunteers who donate their time and talents for you to enjoy, making it possible for all proceeds to go directly to the BHA. They too are greatly appreciated. Refreshments are available on music nights.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
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The Kinney Trio, Kurt, Joanne and Harold, sang during the Gospel Concert at the Westfield United Baptist Church on Friday night, Aug. 24, along with several others. There was a wonderful time of worship and fellowship. |
Community Cupboard
The food pantry serves the communities of Westfield, Mars Hill, Blaine, Robinson, E-Plantation and Bridgewater. The cupboard is open the second Tuesday of each month from 1-3 p.m. and the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community. If you have questions, call Cathy Cropley at 429-8043.
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.