MARS HILL NEWS
by Tomi Henderson
The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday, June 17, at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center. The special speakers were Virginia Manuel, state director of USDA Rural Development, and Tom Stevens, area director of USDA Rural Development.
Virginia spoke of the mission and endeavors of Rural Development and her wish to discuss ways to work together to benefit and strengthen rural Maine communities.
With four area offices plus the state office in Bangor, there are 59 dedicated employees working to deliver the programs offered by the agency. Investments are made in housing programs, community programs and business programs, with housing using the biggest portion of funds.
In 2013, over $376.9 million was invested in housing — through home ownership, home repair and weatherization or quality rentals.
Community facilities in 35 towns were helped with $43.9 million invested in schools, libraries, hospitals, water and wastewater facilities. Of these, 13 were rural water and waste systems that were assisted with essential upgrades benefiting a total of 19,399 users.
Business programs assisted 459 businesses, creating or saving a projected 571 jobs through an investment of $15.7 million in guaranteed loans and grants. In addition, 12 rural Energy for America Program grants or loans were awarded to Maine agricultural producers, rural small businesses and renewable energy development assistance recipients.
So far in 2014, a total investment of $245,457,133 has been made in the three areas. Since 2005, USDA Rural Development has invested $216,275,887 in Aroostook County communities. Mars Hill has benefited with a Community Facility Grant of $43,150 awarded to the Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library to make major repairs and renovations as well as a $3.5 million Water and Waste Direct Loan and Grant to the Mars Hill Utility District for essential upgrades to the town’s water and wastewater system.
Another key area of emphasis is to assist rural communities in creating prosperity so they are self-sustaining and economically thriving through investments that create ladders of opportunity, build regional resilience and support the growth of emerging markets. They want to support bio-economy and renewable energy by investing in emerging economic opportunities, local and regional food systems and community economic development.
For more information on USDA Rural Development, contact Tom Stevens, area director for the Presque Isle office, at 764-4157 or email thomas.stevens@me.usda.gov.
Bandstand happenings
The new Mars Hill and Blaine Sargent/Tweedie Bandstand in Mars Hill will be host to the Wednesday Night Fiddlers on Saturday, June 28, at 4 p.m. All performances are free of charge. To see about scheduling events at the bandstand, call coordinator Dana Crory at 425-7991.
After The Bell
Activities planned for this week include: Wednesday, June 25, 3-4:30 p.m., a new session of Tri Club will kick off. All children, regardless of age, residency or ability are welcome to train with the tri-athletes and Coach Amanda Cushman. Children are preparing for the Sept. 7 Triathlon in Presque Isle. Cost if $10 per child for the session.
Friday, June 27, will be Carb Night at 6 p.m. Join children as they prepare for the big day. All are welcome for dinner and a poster-making party.
Saturday, June 28, will be Tri Aroostook Kids in Presque Isle, which they have been preparing for all winter.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of June 25 to July 1 include: Wednesday will feature the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Wii Bowling at 9 a.m., Crossword Puzzles at 1:30 p.m. and United Baptist at 6:30 p.m. Thursday will feature the Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Horse Racing at 1:30 p.m. Friday will feature Lunch at Gram Russo’s at 11 a.m. and Karaoke with Larry and Larry at 1:30 p.m. Saturday will feature Bingo at 9:30 a.m. Sunday is a free day, with puzzles and cards available in the Gathering Room closet. Monday will feature Nail Beautiful a 9:30 a.m., Cribbage Games at 1:30 p.m. and Gospel Group at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday will feature 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.
Homecoming 2014
Plans for Homecoming 2014 are underway. This year’s events will be held Aug. 8-10. Following the 10 a.m. parade, plans include various activities at the high school on Saturday afternoon; the committee is looking for crafters and more to set up booths with crafts, foods, etc. New events this year already include a photo booth; the FFA booth with baked potatoes, hotdogs and fries; as well as a cribbage tournament at 1 p.m. The Mars Hill Fire Department will hold a mini muster this year as well as doing the chicken barbecue dinner on Saturday.
NOTE: There will be an Outdoor Variety Show on Saturday night at CAHS from 7-8:15 p.m. Anyone wishing to participate is asked to call Dave Collins at the Mars Hill Rec at 429-8429 to sign up.
Library news
Thanks go to those who helped with and attended the Tag Sale weekends. A decision was made to run the sale again on the weekend of Homecoming. If anyone would like to donate more items, please call the library at 429-9625.
The book by author Emma Gingerich, “Runaway Amish Girl — The Great Escape” is available at the library for $10. each. For more information, check out Emma’s website: www.runawayamishgirl.com. They are also available on Kindle on Amazon.
Tomi Henderson is the correspondent for Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater and Westfield. She can be reached by email at tomihen@yahoo.com.
