Turns out the children of our area enjoy a good party and a good scare! Despite the questionable weather on Saturday, Oct. 24, kids and their parents turned out in numbers to pack the Portage Lake Municipal Building for their first-ever Pumpkin Party. The doors opened at noon with each child being greeted by a “good witch,” Christie Dicker, who was handing out goody bags.
The kids were then allowed free range of the meeting hall. There were gaming stations set up, along with a craft table and a pumpkin decorating table. It seemed the children would go-round and round and never tire of the games, or their prizes. A dance room – complete with strobe lights and thumping music – assisted the kids with burning off some energy and showing off their best dance moves.
The scariest and most popular attraction of the day was the “Spooky Room.” Set up like a haunted house, the room was pitch dark, and sectioned off with the participants nervously entering and walking through. Immediately upon entering you were greeted by a Mummy, who by the way, was very, very scary! He didn’t say a word to anyone, he just followed you! Then, to make matters worse, there was a scarecrow that came to life and grabbed you if you got too close! You always knew when this happened because the screams could be heard throughout the town! I, for one, got too close and paid the price!
Once by the scarecrow, you couldn’t turn back. Hidden in the dark, was a very scary gorilla and “Scream” lady who would pop out of the dark and scare unsuspecting victims! A poor skeleton soul was locked in a holding cell, moaning and trying desperately to get out. The last room to be entered was guarded by a very mean looking witch. She tried to coerce the children into touching some pretty gross stuff like brains, hog tongues, guts and gore, and the eyes of newts and cats! Whew! I was glad to get out of there and back to the party.
The kitchen was open for lunch throughout the afternoon allowing for the children and families to eat at their leisure. Lunch was served by a very friendly group of ladies who made sure everyone had their fill of food and snacks.
All the children in costumes participated in a costume parade for the parents and for the honorary Red Hat Loonie Judges including Rachel Stevens, Jean Clark and Liette Caron. While all the children looked sweet and scary, like any contest, only one could win in each category. The winners were Hailey Poulin, 2, of Ashland, dressed as a bunny, who was “Most Adorable Toddler,” Shayla McNally, 2, of Ashland, as a very cute witch took the “Cutest Costume,” Alex White, 6, of Ashland, won for “Most Original” dressed as a full combat Army man, Ty Cyr, 7, of Portage Lake, wore a colorful jester hat that helped him win for “Goofiest Costume,” and Alden Routhier, 6, of Portage Lake, won “Scariest Costume” for his Darth Vader attire.
To wind down from all the excitement, the children relaxed to a Halloween-themed movie complete with freshly popped popcorn.
Special thanks go out to all the volunteers who generously donated their time and efforts into making this event such a success. Participating were “Party Planner Extraordinaire” and Portage Lake Recreation Director Taunja Jandreau. Taunja has worked tirelessly to make this party and the community child friendly. Games and Activities: Jenn Curran, who played “Broom Stick Hockey” with the kids, student Brooke Robinson assured the kids’ safety while they hunted treasures in the “Treasure Pool,” Lou Sandy Boutot helped the children with “Ghost Bowling,” Sarah Brooks with the “Bean Bag Toss,” Rita Sinclair helped the kids dunk a ball into the “Pumpkin Buckets,” Lucinda Jacobs offered a hand with the “Bean Bag Toss,” students Brittany Harris and Ashley Robinson helped the kids with the craft and pumpkin decorating tables.
“Spooky Room” volunteers were: John Gagnon as the startling Scarecrow, Marshall White was able to keep his identity “under wraps” as the Mummy, student and Boy Scout Alex Lewin did a fantastic job scaring people as a gorilla, Rena Belanger was the Scream Queen, Kathy Gagnon was the jailed Skeleton, and Tammy Curran was the witch offering the children delicious human and animal delicacies.
The kitchen staff included: Anita Theriault and her granddaughter Allyx Beaulier, Halle Baker, Janice Labbe, Sandra Bartlett and Christie Dicker. Other volunteers included: Frances Condon, who helped with food preparation, Jarrett Beaulier, who assisted with games, Maggie Pierce, Julie Graham-Berry, who assisted with decorating, and Corrine Routhier and Denise Campbell, who assisted in organizing volunteers.
Thanks to Family and Friends
Alice Lyons would like to thank all of her family and friends who attended her 80th birthday party. She wants you all to know she is thankful and appreciative for all the cards and gifts she has received, as well. A special thank you to the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary 9699 for their help with the cooking and serving of the food. Last but not least, a very special thank you to Bonnie, Bob, Rick and Pat for all the work they did to make the day a very special one. She loves you all.
Old Fashioned Christmas Fair and Luncheon
The Union Congregational Church in Ashland will hold its “Old Fashioned Christmas Fair and Luncheon” Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The luncheon will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The cost will be $5 for adults and children under 12 will be $2.50. The menu includes a choice of clam chowder, chicken stew, broccoli soup, beef stew and chili. Pickles, rolls, and dessert, as well as coffee, tea and/or milk will also be provided.
There will be homemade Christmas ornaments, T-shirts and sweatshirts, a large array of Christmas cards and “Rada”(name brand) knives available. Also, many hand-knitted items. Who doesn’t love a homemade scarf or sweater? A favorite again this year will be the “white elephant” table, which is a table of donated new condition items. There is always a plethora of items available on this table. Come by and take a look. You might be surprised at what you find. Of course, there will be many homemade baked goods for sale throughout the day.
A turkey raffle will be drawn that day, as well. Tickets are $1 each or $5 for 6. The winning ticket will receive a 25-pound turkey with all the fixins’. Tickets will be available for purchase that day, but if you would like to buy them in advance, please contact Lisa Basley at 435-3601.
Ongoing Events
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.
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 435-635.
Monday Night Exercise will be held at the Portage Lake Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. every Monday. Participants can workout at their own pace/instruction. Tapes and equipment are available for your use.
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 feenhop@aol.com.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
HAILEY POULIN, 2, of Ashland, took the honor of “Most Adorable Costume” in the costume contest.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
AARON HARMON, 11, of Ashland, did his best “Cat in the Hat” impression at the Portage Lake Pumpkin Party.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
“MUMMIES THE WORD” as Marshall White was able to keep his identity under wraps.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
CATHERINE HARMON, 7, of Ashland, portrayed Little Red Riding Hood at the first-ever Portage Lake Pumpkin Party.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
CODY DURAND, 11, of Ashland, shows off his creativity with a very scary looking pumpkin.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
COURTNEY JIMMO, 9, of Ashland, dressed to impress with a very bewitching costume.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
“THE BANK LADY” Tammy Curran tempted the patrons of the scary room with such concoctions as brains, hog tongues and the eyes of newts and cats!
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
JOHN GAGNON startled many in the “Spooky Room” at Portage Lake’s recent Pumpkin Party by taking the place of the scarecrow that had originally been seated there.
