The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center.
The special speaker was Christine McPherson, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteer coordinator in the Presque Isle and southern Aroostook area. McPherson is a registered nurse and has worked at The Aroostook Meedical Center and MSAD 45, and is a CNA instructor through SAD 1 Adult Education.
In 2017, she said, there were 419 Aroostook RSVP volunteers who served 60,206 hours in various areas. Among them are delivering Meals on Wheels, assisting at food pantries and thrift stores, being a Friendly Visitor, driving for medical appointments, making telephone “reassurance” calls, providing knitted goods for the Warm Hands and Feet Initiative and many more.
McPherson said she enjoys working as the volunteer coordinator, where she meets wonderful young seniors and recruits them to volunteer in areas of the community where their skills and life experiences can be used to meet critical local community needs. Christine can be reached at the Aroostook Area on Aging at 764-3396 or by email at christine.mcpherson@aroostookaging.org.
Winterfest 2018
Plans are currently being made for Winterfest 2018. This year’s events will take place on Thursday, March 8, through Saturday, March 10.
Some events this year will include a MZ Winterfest Snowbunny Pageant, Rotary supper, match your mate, silent auction, music, penny carnival, St. Patrick’s breakfast, basketball (grade 1 & 2 and alumni), cribbage, whoopie pie contest (adult and juvenile categories) and more.
At the mountain, in addition to the Torchlight Parade and fireworks, the Cardboard Classic is back. Get your sled ready – cardboard and duct tape only. They also plan on holding a special poutine dinner with several types of toppings available.
We are challenging all our former MZ contestants to get ready to strut your stuff again this year. There is no age or gender limit — so sign up to make this a fun and entertaining event.
BABY JAMISON O’LEARY of St. Francis recently gathered with his family, who celebrated five generations together with a photo. His father, Jon O’Leary, holds him, and with them are, clockwise from front, Jamison’s great-great-grandmother, Patricia (Morrison) Kelly of Allagash; great-grandmother, Daphne (Kelly) O’Leary of Mars Hill; and grandfather, Trevor O’Leary of St. Francis. (Courtesy of Jessica O’Leary)
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 Feb. 21-27 include: Wednesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Exercise Time at 9:30 a.m., Game Time at 1:30 p.m. and East Ridge and United Baptist at 6:30 p.m. Thursday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Puzzle Time at 1:30 p.m. Friday will feature Exercise Time at 9:30 a.m. and Music by Wendell Hudson 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 Church at 6:30 p.m. Monday will feature Nails with Shallie and Melissa at 9:30 a.m. and Story Time with Donna at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Game Time 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.
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.
