The Mars Hill Rotary Club met on Tuesday, April 17 at 6:30 a.m. at the Aroostook Health Center. The speaker was Steve Richards with the Central Aroostook Association and Opportunity Training Center of Presque Isle.
Richard spoke of the start of the association in 1959 as a way of offering a place for people with intellectual disabilities to go to school and be able to stay at home. The first location for the CAA was “The Little Room” at St. Luke’s in Caribou. Eventually they outgrew that spot and moved to a larger building in Presque Isle in 1967, hiring teachers and staff. There is also a residential center that was built in 1973.
The association currently continues the school, as well as a workshop for those individuals over age 20. The workshop makes pallets and survey stakes that are sold, allowing the workers to be paid. In 2017, there were 80,000 new pallets made with 14,000 refurbished. Workers put in more than 5,000 hours.
Their mission is to allow folks to be able to “live, work and play in Aroostook,” Richard said. They have eight programs and services for children and adults, with six homes as well as the school and workshop.
The association works with a $6.8 million budget and 150 employees.
Library events
Events happening at the Walter T. A. Hansen Memorial Library in Mars Hill include a number of informative presentations.
Upcoming events, all slated from 2-4 p.m., include: a presentation on medical power of attorney with Whitney Pinette on Wednesday, May 2; hospice care with Rick Duncan on Wednesday, May 9; an overview of the Aroostook Agency on Aging and Medicare by Tammy Delong on Wednesday, May 16; how to protect your assets in a long-term care event with Pam Scheppele on Wednesday, May 23; and pre-planning funeral arrangements with Doug Hunter on Wednesday, May 30.
Aroostook Health Center
Upcoming events for the week of April 25 to May 1 include: Wednesday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Card Games at 9:30 a.m. and Karaoke with Larry, Larry & Bill at 1:30 p.m. Thursday will feature Beauty Parlor at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Horse Racing at 1:30 p.m. Friday will feature Switcheroo Bingo at 9:30 a.m. and Afternoon Exercise Time 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. Monday will feature Nails with Shallie and Melissa at 9:30 a.m. and Cribbage Games 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.
Bingo
The William Cousins Post 118 of Mars Hill will host Bingo on Saturday evening beginning at 7 p.m. at the Post. There are cash prizes. Refreshments are available. Come on out and enjoy a fun evening with friends.
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- Girl Scout Troop 794 of Bridgewater visited the Central Aroostook Humane Society shelter in Presque Isle on April 12 to deliver some pet food and cuddles. The girls completed a pet food and shoe drive to benefit the shelter. At the shelter are, from left, front row: Alle Wood, Rhianna Duval, Lila Nichols, Elizabeth Allen, Otto Nichols and Ella Kingsbury. Back row: Danica Taylor, Victoria McCrum, Mariah Hewey, Jess Kingsbury, Abrianna McDonald and Rebecca Nelson. (Courtesy of Christine Finemore)
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.
