Portage Lake residents bid adieu to town manager
ASHLAND NEWS
Friends, neighbors and colleagues from Portage Lake and surrounding towns turned out to wish outgoing Portage Lake Town Manager Rita Sinclair a happy retirement. The hall was filled with laughter and good cheer, though melancholy hung in the air with the knowing this was one of the last days Sinclair would spend with the folks who have filled her life for the last 10 years. When asked what she would miss most, Sinclair responded with a sheen in her signature blue eyes “the people.” Sinclair, who has been the acting town manager since September 1999, is serving out her last days in the town training the in-coming manager and getting her house in order to make the move downstate. Worth noting … Sinclair is the second longest term manager Portage Lake has had since government was established there in 1932.
A great spread of food and drink was provided by the guests with the special help from Christy Dicker and Betty Benson, who kept the buffet-style potluck dinner organized. Planning the party were Ray Cyr, Grace Nason and Wilza Robertson, who also rallied the local social organizations to assist in the efforts. The snowmobile club decorated the hall, the Tourism Committee made the cake and the ATV Club handled the advertising. There were many people behind the scenes helping out to plan this special party, as well.
In appreciation for all she has done, Raymond Cyr wrote a special speech highlighting Rita’s career. Sinclair was also bestowed with sentimental parting gifts such as a matted and framed plaque of the town’s logo, signed by the guests who attended the party, and a mantle clock engraved with a special thank you and her dates of service.
Rita would like to give a “heartfelt thank you to everyone. All who were involved in the planning and organizing and those who came. I really appreciate all they did.” Best of health and life to you Rita! Thank you. We will miss you.
RITA SINCLAIR
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
Portage Lake town manager, will be retiring this month after serving 10 years as the manager for the town.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS recently gathered to bid farewell to outgoing Portage Lake Town Manager Rita Sinclair, who will be moving downstate to be closer to family.
SAD 32 is participating in the “Summer Feeding Program” again this year. Meals will be provided at the Ashland Central School starting June 21 and will run through July 30. They will be available Monday through Friday from 11-11:30 a.m. These meals are free of charge to children age 18 and younger. No names will be taken, no forms need to be filled out. Adults are invited to participate also at a cost of $2.75 each meal.
Federal regulations require meals be eaten on the school grounds. All meals purchased are for immediate consumption. Cycle menus will be used; items are subject to availability. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
Any questions or concerns may be addressed to: Nan Belskis, food service supervisor, Ashland School Nutrition Program, P.O. Box 289, Ashland, Maine 04732 or call 435-8423.
A contemporary church service will start Sunday, June 6 at the Portage Lake Congregational Church. Service will be every Sunday at 10 a.m. from June through September. All are welcome to attend!
Reminder
The Memorial Candle Light Ceremony at the Portage Lake Centennial Pavilion (on the West Road) will be held this Sunday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. Decorate bags in honor of a loved one or friend to be remembered. Bags cost $2 and will be available at the Portage Lake Town Office and will also be available the night of the ceremony. All proceeds will go toward preserving historic town record books. For more information or to volunteer to help, contact Corrine Routhier at 435-6854 or e-mail arouthier@roadrunner.com or call Sarah Brooks at 551-6471.
• Wednesday, May 26 – Ashland High School will be hosting the Academic Awards Night at 6 p.m. in the high school.
• Thursday, May 27 – The Ashland Grade School Art Show at 6 p.m. at the grade school.
• Saturday, May 29 – Open House at the “old” high school and grade school. Come out to take one last stroll through the hallways. Reminisce and see other Ashland alumni. An exhibit of old photos and memorabilia will be on display in each school. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to view the Art Show at the grade school! Tours of each school will also be conducted. Coffee and refreshments will be available at the grade school starting at 10 a.m. An “Ice Cream Social” hosted by the PTO will be in the high school cafeteria starting at noon allowing for that one last chance to eat in your old cafeteria. The PTO will also be taking orders for the collectors’ piece of the gym floor. Buy yours soon! 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 1 – High School Sports Award Banquet.
• Wednesday, June 2 – Middle School Sports Award Banquet.
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.
