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Journalism student Doug Dickinson experiences Adopt-A-Block’s mission first-hand.

By Doug Dickinson

HOULTON - It’s Saturday morning, February 19, 2011. I am a Canadian Journalism student from Woodstock, New Brunswick and I’m on my way to Houlton to take part in the monthly Adopt-A-Block event. I heard about Adopt-a-Block during church announcements, and I’m always looking for ideas for school assignments. It sounded like it would be a fun event to write about, so I decided to take part.

I didn’t really know much about Adopt-a-Block going in. I had heard of the organization before, but really had no idea what they are about. All I knew was that they have a breakfast, following which volunteers go door-to-door visiting people on a block. It sounded like something that could be fun, while also providing a great opportunity to help people.

Adopt-A-Block Aroostook currently serves 112 Houlton residents. Their objective is to assist families that need food, clothing and education. Every third Saturday the organization holds a breakfast for participants.My intention by joining the event was to see how Adopt-A-Block works while making new friends. What I witnessed that morning was a heartwarming experience with my American neighbors.

9:25 a.m. I arrive at the Wesleyan church in Houlton. The breakfast that kicks off the event is already in full swing. Lots of conversation fills the room as people from the community enjoy food and fellowship.

9:30 a.m. I sit down with organizer Tammy Goetsch for a quick interview. She tells me the point of Adopt-A-Block is to bring healing to the neighbourhood one block at a time. To bring it back to the basics of loving your neighbor as yourself. Tammy explains how Adopt-A-Block has helped the town. “Our town manager has talked to us about adopting another block, which we did because there was a lot of crime going on in that block,” Tammy says. “In the three months we've been going there crime has dropped 25%. So it's making a difference.” Hearing this gets me really excited to see Adopt-A-Block in action.

9:50 a.m. The room is filled with delicious smells, but I had chosen to eat before leaving home. So I sit down at a random table and talk to a few people; discussion is on my plate instead. The hospitality I am receiving from Houlton residents is heartwarming.

10:00 a.m. Breakfast is beginning to wind down. Volunteers are asked to register if they are new to adopt-a-block. I realize that I am part of that group, so I get in line.

10:18 a.m. After registering I attempt to take pictures with my camera. I am shocked when I discover there is no SD card inside! It looks as though a trip to Wal-mart is needed. Being the poor college student that I am, it’s not the most satisfying purchase to make. I jump in my car and attempt to get back as fast as I can (while staying under the speed limit of course).

10:25 a.m. As soon as I walk back into the church I see that volunteers have moved to the next step. Everyone is sorting thousands of cookies into bags. I quickly snap a few photos before grabbing some gloves to help out. I missed the directions that everyone else had received, but I quickly gather that six cookies go in each bag. There are dozens of different kinds of homemade cookies to choose from. As I pack bags with delicious looking sweets, I imagine the joy the families will experience after we deliver them.

10:55 a.m. Group leaders explain what’s going to take place. Then everyone is placed into six different groups. Next, time is taken for personal reflection and people pray for what we are about to do. The pastors and group leaders close the prayer time. "Let's go in the power and the might of the Lord,” exclaims Tammy Goetsch.

11:05 a.m. The groups head out, leaving the church in cars and on foot in all directions. My group is made up of five adults and three children. I have never met anyone in my group before. It quickly becomes obvious that doing this type of work is a joy whether you are working with friends or strangers.

11:08-11:55 a.m. We stop at approximately 18 homes, some residents were home, and others were not. If people were home, group members handed them cookies, gave them info on upcoming events, and offered prayer and a drive to a sliding event taking place later that day. As my group members talk to the residents at each home, I stand back and observe. I watch as people at each stop show joy, and in some cases, sadness as they share personal struggles. I can see that many people on the block are expecting the visit from Adopt-A-Block and appreciate having someone care.


11:56 a.m. We get back to the church, along with other groups. The leaders meet to discuss prayer requests and updates from each resident on the block. There are various needs from block residents, from a woman with a tumour to a man who is struggling with an injury. The sense of concern and love that the Adopt-A-Block leaders show for the people on the block is plain as day.

12:10 p.m. Before leaving I talk to Wayne Robertson, lead pastor of the Houlton Wesleyan Church. He has been involved with Adopt-A-Block directly for the past seven months. “It’s an opportunity to impact lives with whatever ways we can to help make the love of Jesus real,” says Robertson.

12:15 p.m. As I drive away from the Houlton Wesleyan Church, I reflect on what I have just experienced: Town-people displaying love to their neighbors in an effort to help the entire town. It is something I look forward to taking part in again someday.
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River Watch 2011 begins as spring temperatures hit New Brunswick.

By Doug Dickinson

WOODSTOCK - River Watch and the Department of Public Safety's Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) released a bulletin Thursday warning New Brunswickers of the possibility of spring floods.

Due to above-freezing temperatures and rain expected over the next 24-hours, there is a high probability that ice on rivers will begin to break up. Madawaska County, Victoria County and Southern New Brunswick are areas that could be affected.

The bulletin warns New Brunswick residents in locations near streams and rivers to keep an eye on ice movement and jams. Additionally, it advises to avoid using recreational vehicles on frozen rivers.

Earlier this week, EMO alerted the public that River Watch 2011 was underway. Public Safety Minister Robert Trevors made a statement in the alert.

"The flooding and tidal surges from last December's storms remind all of us to prepare our homes and businesses for extreme weather and emergencies," said Trevors. "I encourage all residents living and working along New Brunswick streams and rivers to take necessary precautions and pay attention to weather forecasts and River Watch 2011 updates."

Murray Pratt is a landlord who has experience with floods. His apartment building on Route 585 in Grafton was flooded last December when heavy rains caused debris to block a culvert and flood various buildings in the area.

"The most important thing is to get out of the property because the rate with which the water came out was really remarkable and that surprised me," said Pratt.

Pratt isn’t concerned about his property because it isn’t threatened by the rising rivers, but advises people who live near waterways to be prepared.

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Canadian singers avoid border hassle.

By Doug Dickinson

WOODSTOCK/HOULTON - The seventh annual Northern Star Competition took place in Houlton, Maine on Saturday, February 5. There was one difference compared to last year’s competition: A lack of Canadian competitors.

The event is a singing competition and fundraiser for the United Way of Aroostook. It takes place in three areas of Maine: Fort Kent, Presque Isle and Houlton and is open to contestants from Northern Maine and Western New Brunswick.

Claudia Stevens is the Executive Director of United Way and also the organizer of the event. She says its purpose is to find talent that exists within the county to entertain locals.

Last year there were two or three Canadian competitors in Houlton, with the overall winner of the event also being Canadian. However, this year there are only a few Canadians competing in the northern parts of the competition, and none in Houlton, said Stevens.

Stevens thinks that the lack of Canadian competitors could be due to advertising.

“It may be that it’s a little harder for us to get our advertising out in this area,” said Stevens, “because the cable system that we use in the central and northern part of the state is a different system than what they have in the Houlton area.

Trevor Lawson is a Carleton County entertainer. He has competed in numerous competitions on both sides of the border including CMT Karaoke Star and Country Star. He wanted to compete in this year’s Northern Star Competition, but wasn’t able to.

“It’s a great competition and I was really interested in doing it this year, but the way the border is, you have to have your passport and whatnot so it made it difficult for me to think about competing.”

Lawson believes border crossing is the reason why there were no Canadian contestants in Houlton this year.

“I think the big reason there wasn’t an overwhelming Canadian presence in that competition this year was because of the border issue, and a lot of local bands aren’t as easily able to maneuver the border like they used to two years ago.”

Stevens would love to see an increase in Canadian participation.

“We know that there is a lot of talent here in Aroostook County we also know that there is talent across the border.

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MACC Volunteer program offers friendship for new residents

By Doug Dickinson

FLORENCEVILLE - The Multicultural Association of Carleton County (MACC) is offering a volunteer program for people new to the area. The goal is to help newcomers become active in the community while introducing them to Canadian culture.

“It’s been awesome because you get a friend. A friend for life,” said Teresa Rogers. Rogers was partnered with Roopali Madan, who hails from India, through ‘Host.” The two women have become great friends thanks to being introduced through the program.

“I had a lot of hesitation to talk with Canadian people because of the slang difference,” said Madan. “I think it’s really helped me a lot.”

Rogers has enjoyed the friendship that the program has provided.

“You get a lot of friends and meet a lot of people,” Rogers exclaimed, “Get out there and enjoy friendship.”

MACC volunteers are matched with people new to the country and are expected to spend a few hours every week getting to know them. Volunteers can do everything from attending sports events to socializing over coffee.

The Association also has monthly potlucks that allow the entire group of volunteers to gather together to celebrate a variety of cultures.

Celeste Roberts is the Volunteer Coordinator for MACC. Roberts says that they just want people to feel welcomed in our communities.

“It’s once you get to know the people in your community that you feel that you belong. That’s what we ultimately want is for these people to feel at home and want to call this place home.”

Roberts explained some added benefits that come from volunteering.

“I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t benefit from getting to know other people in the community, and forming new friendships, broadening their horizons, and getting exposed to new cultures.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about MACC events and the Volunteer Program can call 392-6011 or email celeste@maccnb.ca.
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Local Wesleyan Church prepares to move into new building.

By Doug Dickinson

WOODSTOCK - The Wesleyan Church in Woodstock will soon have a new building to call home. The congregation has been on a complicated journey ever since purchasing the former Jacksonville Co-op store in 2009.

The church first decided to move because of problems with limited parking space and wheelchair accessibility.

While a construction crew has worked on the new building throughout the last two years, the congregation has worshiped in a former sporting goods store beside the Trans Canada highway, in Jacksonville.

The church faced many challenges while waiting for construction to reach completion. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the sale of the 120-year-old building. Feelings of nostalgia for many church members made it tough to leave what felt like home.

Fortunately, 97% of the congregation was in favour of relocating when a vote was made.

Reverend Dale MacDonald thinks people will be relieved to move into the new building next month.

“I think they’re gonna be thrilled to have a new place called home, where they can really get focused and continue to reach out and minister to the community,” he said. “I think there will be a huge sigh of relief, like “hey we’re here” but it will also cause people to pause because they’ll know the real work has just begun.”

Rocky Sears is a member of the church. He has been working as part of the construction crew since November 2009. Sears feels that the new building offers a lot of room for growth.

“We’re hoping that having a new facility like this will open up a lot of doors. Our old church could only seat 300 people at the most and that was very crowded. This new sanctuary here can seat 400 easily,” said Sears.

Construction will wrap up in the coming weeks, bringing the journey to an end. The opening service will take place on Feb. 6 at 10:30 A.M. A dedication service with district officials will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Feb. 20.
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