The Aroostook River Fish and Game Club in Ashland is pleased to announce they will be offering a “Bow Hunter Safety Essay Contest.” The winner of the contest will receive a week stay at the Bryant Pond 4-H Camp/Learning and Conservation Center where they will develop the skills and confidence to safely enjoy the woods and waters while also earning their Maine State Hunters Safety Certification. Activities at the camp also include wildlife and animal tracking lessons, map and compass, woodcraft skills, basic first aid and outdoor safety, archery, forest ecology, survival techniques and group development games. What a great opportunity for a young sportsman or woman!
This prize is worth $575 and paid for by the Aroostook River Fish and Game Club. Their sponsors are Boralex, Oxbow Lodge and John Drew.
Here’s how to apply:
1) The contest is open to all children ages 10-13.
2) The child must be a resident in the towns of Ashland, Sheridan, Portage Lake, Nashville Plantation, Garfield Plantation, Oxbow Plantation or Masardis.
3) Write or type a 300-word essay about why you would want to attend the Bryant Pond 4-H Camp/Learning and Conservation Center Bow Hunter Safety Program and what you hope to learn while you are there.
4) Provide the child’s full name, age, address, phone number and please include the child’s parents names, as well.
5) Drop off your essay and information at The New Shoppe in Ashland in a sealed envelope.
6) Deadline for all entries is June 27, 2009.
7) Camp week dates are Aug. 2-7 (or) Aug. 9-14. This is Sunday to Friday for either dates. Parents must provide transportation for their child.
The winner will be decided June 29. The winner will be notified that night and will be provided with the registration forms to be completed and returned to Misty Robinson, A.R. F & G Club chair. The child will also have to have a copy of their last physical examination in order to attend this program.
For questions or more information, please contact Misty Robinson at 435-7998. To learn more about the camp, visit their Web site at www.meconservationcamp.org. Good luck to all!
The Ashland Parent Teacher Organization will be sponsoring an “Internet Safety Night” put on by the Maine State Police at the Ashland Central School gym June 16 at 6 p.m. The MSP will do a presentation on how to keep kids safe on the Internet, including what parents can look for and do to help protect their children. This informative presentation is open to the public. For more information, please contact Kim Holmes at 435-6043.
The Masardis Pentecostal Church Kids Club is now on break for the summer. They wish everyone a fun and safe summer vacation and thank you for your participation.
The Aroostook Fish and Game Club will be selling memorial picnic tables for $150 each. The name or names of your loved ones will be burnt into the tabletop. The tables will be on display at the club. Only 20 tables will be made, so orders are based on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Lou Anne Deabay at 435-2931.
Talent Show! The club will be hosting a talent show during the Ashland Summerfest July 2 at the Ashland Central School gym at 7 p.m. Donations will be accepted at admission. If you would like to show off your talent, please sign up by June 25 at one of these locations: (in Ashland) The New Shoppe, the library, Town Office, Ashland Central School or Ashland Community Middle-High School; (in Portage Lake) the Town Office; and (in Masardis) the Masardis Trading Post. For more information, please call Lou Anne Deabay at 435-2931.
Don’t forget the “Battle of the Bands” scheduled for June 20 on the club grounds. It’s not too late to sign up your band! Contact Misty Robinson for registration or more details at 435-7998.
July Fourth kicks off another round of centennial celebrations in Portage Lake. Starting Saturday, July 4 and running through Saturday, July 11, the town will be abuzz with famous (and infamous) faces, residents, snowbirds and spectators. Schedules are already posted around the area, but some of the highlighted events will include:
July 4 – There will be a dance at the Pavilion with DJ By Request at 8 p.m., and fireworks over the lake at 9 p.m.
July 5 – The town will welcome (my personal all-time favorite), Survivor Gabon winner Bob Crowley for a marshmallow roast at 7:30 p.m.! Donations for the American Red Cross will be accepted. The annual Boat Parade around the lake – sponsored by the Portage Lake Association – will take place at 9 p.m. (rain date is Monday, July 6).
July 6 – There will be a Memorial Candle Light Ceremony at the Pavilion. Bags will be sold to decorate in the memory of a loved one, and the candles will be lit in the bags. There will be music provided by Ernie Smith, Acadia Bagpiper.
July 7 – A picnic dinner at the beach! Bring your own food and drinks. Grills are available.
July 8 – The Portage Lake ATV Club will host a chili and hot dog feed at the Pavilion at 6 p.m. benefiting their club. Following at 7 p.m., they will host a public ATV trail ride. Sounds like a lot of fun!
July 9 – The Portage Lake Playground Project will host a spaghetti supper and silent auction beginning at 5 p.m. at the Town Hall. There have been a lot of great items donated to the project for auction such as a kayak from Old Town Canoe, weekend getaways, tubing passes from Big Rock, and Portland Sea Dog tickets. The list of items is huge! So please, come on out and have dinner, participate in the auction and get some good stuff! A full list of items is available through the Playground Project.
July 10 – Thomaston Place Auctions mobile appraisal unit will be at Town Hall. Bring 3-5 items to be appraised for their value and possibly sold at their auctions! The appraisals start at noon and the fee is $5 per item being appraised.
July 11 – At 9 a.m. there will be a Civil War camp open to the public. Demos and narratives of Civil War life will be provided to the public throughout the day.
The town parade will be at noon. At 4 p.m., there will be a Pig Roast at the Town Hall sponsored by the Portage Lake Snowmobile Club. Closing the festivities, Dean’s will be hosting a dance at 9 p.m. with live music by Checker’s. The cover charge is $2.
* Please check the schedule of events for all activities, times and locations. There is a lot going on with something for everyone young and old. Visit www.connectmaine.com/portage or call Corrine Routhier at 435-4361 for more information.
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens group meets every Thursday at noon at the Ashland Recreational Center. Any senior citizens wishing to participate in the potluck lunches and meetings are always welcome to attend.
Portage Lake Historical Society – Individuals from Portage Lake (and surrounding communities) are in the process of establishing a historical society. This group will meet each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Portage Lake Town Hall. Anyone who has an interest in preserving Portage Lake’s history and becoming a charter member is welcomed to join.
The Portage Lake Over 50’s Club lunch is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at the Town Hall. All individuals 50 and over are invited to attend and can bring a potluck dish to share. For more information, contact Wilza Robertson at 435-6211 or Grace Nason at 435-6373.
The Red Hat Loonies of Portage Lake meet the second Thursday of every month at Dean’s Motor Lodge. Membership dues are $2. Come and have a great meal and a great time, too! For more information, contact Rachel Stevens at 435-6358.
There is an exercise group every Monday night at the Portage Lake Municipal Building at 6:30 p.m. There is no cost for participants. Just a group gathering to keep exercise motivating and fun! Please contact Kim Holmes at 435-6043 for more information.
Centennial Commemorative Items Available For Sale – Coins, key chains, slide show DVDs, calendars and cookbooks available at the Town Hall. T-shirts and mugs available only at Dean’s.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and surrounding townships. She can be reached at 435-8232 or by e-mail at feenhop@aol.com.
