The Mars Hill Rotary Club met Tuesday morning, Nov. 14, at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center. The special speakers were Rotarian Pam Townsend and Denise Kingsbury.
President of Maine Agri Women, Townsend has met the Worcester family of Harrington, Maine. Home of Worcester Wreaths, the company found themselves with extra wreaths in 1992 and decided to use them at Arlington National Cemetery in the older section. As each wreath is laid in front of a stone, the name of the veteran is spoken as a way of remembrance.
By 2005, the idea had grown across America and in 2007, Morrill and Karen Worcester founded Wreaths Across America, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Their mission is to “Remember, Honor and Teach” and currently have over 1,300 participating locations in all 50 states and 24 foreign veteran cemeteries.
Each wreath is decorated with a red bow representing great sacrifice, is circular in shape representing eternity, is made of evergreens representing longevity and endurance and have a forest scent representing purity and simplicity.
Kingsbury lost her husband, Larry, last year. A veteran of Vietnam, he never spoke of his time in the service. She wanted to honor him and the other veterans in the Corner Cemetery with a wreath, so began thinking of ideas to raise the funds needed to purchase 30 wreaths. She made an afghan, a table runner and a quilt to raffle off. She also worked with Townsend to fill out the necessary paperwork to receive wreaths from Wreaths Across America.
The wreaths will be placed Saturday, Dec. 16 at noon.
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- On Sunday night, Nov. 19, praying hands were placed on the cartons holding the 1,304 shoeboxes that were packed for Operation Christmas Child. Gathered at the Child Evangelism Fellowship facility in Blaine, the boxes were later loaded onto a truck for the start of their journey to various countries around the world. (Courtesy/Tomi Henderson)
Operation Christmas Child
Thanks to the Mars Hill area community, we have met and surpassed our goal of 1,000 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Volunteers loaded 1,304 boxes on the truck Sunday night, Nov. 19, to begin the trip for processing. That is 1,304 kids around the world who will enjoy theitems in their box, but more importantly, will hear the gospel.
Blood Drive
A blood drive is planned Wednesday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community Center.
Christmas Party
The Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial Library will hold a special Grinch Family Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be games, a story, Santa and treats for the entire family. Wear a festive outfit and your Whoville hair.
Wreaths Across America
Save The Date of December 16, 2017, when wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves at over 1,300 locations. This year, there will be wreaths placed at the Corner Cemetery in Bridgewater at noon. Stop by to help Remember, Honor and Teach about the veterans that have served in one of the branches and now rest in the cemetery.
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- During the November 14 Mars Hill Rotary meeting Pam Townsend, left, and Denise Kingsbury show off the quilt and table runner that were raffled off, along with an afghan, to raise funds for veterans’ wreaths at the Corner Cemetery in Bridgewater. Wade Taylor won the table runner, made by Denise; Stephanie McLaughlin won the afghan; and Karen Hammond won the quilt. (Courtesy/Tomi Henderson)
Bottle Drive
The Central Aroostook High School Spanish Club is raising funds for a trip to Ecuador in April 2018. They are collecting cans and bottles to raise funds. To donate, take your items to the Mars Hill Redemption Center and designate the funds for the Spanish Club or call the school at 425-2811.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of Nov. 22-28 include: Wednesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Exercise Fun at 9:30 a.m. and Karaoke with Larry and Larry at 1:30 p.m. Thursday is Thanksgiving and will be a free day with games, puzzles and movies available in the dayroom. Friday will feature Game Time at 9:30 a.m. and Dayroom Cinema with Popcorn at 1:30 p.m. Saturday will feature Bingo with Paula at 1:30 p.m. Sunday will have televised church available in the day room and the Mennonite Hymnsing at 6:30 p.m. Monday will feature Nails with Shallie and Melissa at 9:30 a.m. and Small Groups at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Cribbage Games at 1:30 p.m.
The younger crowd was not only instrumental in packing the Operation Christmas Child boxes over the past few weeks, they were anxious to help get them to the tractor trailer for the start of their trip to children around the world. (Courtesy/Tomi Henderson)
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.
Bingo
The William Cousins Post 118 of Mars Hill will host Bingo on Saturday evening beginning at 7 p.m. at the Post.
Tomi Henderson is the correspondent for Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater and Westfield. She can be reached at 551-6791 or e-mailing tomihen@yahoo.com.
