Portage Lake hosts
Memorial Day Candlelight Ceremony
ASHLAND NEWS
The Pavilion in Portage Lake was illuminated with the memories of loved ones who have passed as townspeople gathered for the second annual Memorial Day Candlelight Ceremony.
White paper bags were adorned with names, personalized messages, photos and mementos in remembrance of departed loved ones. Each bag contained a votive candle inside, lit at dusk, making for a beautiful display.
Sarah Brooks eloquently read each name one by one, as Corrine Routhier, tolled a bell with each name. It was a poignant moment and a time of reflection for all in attendance.
Ashland High School band members Andrew Libby and Duncan MacFarland bugled a fine rendition of “Taps.”
Though it is a somber event by nature, it was in fact a good evening overflowing with the shared memories of loved ones and neighbors.
PORTAGE LAKE RESIDENT Sarah Brooks spoke at the Memorial Day Candlelight Ceremony to honor friends and loved ones who have passed.
John and Marcel Gagnon of Portage Lake were recently surprised in their own home by family and friends with a party to celebrate 40 years of marriage.
The Gagnons thought they were having people over for a potluck dinner that night. Little did they know their three children had conspired a bigger celebration for them. About 50 loved ones gathered at their home, with some traveling from far away distances including Quebec City, Montreal, Connecticut and New York.
To commemorate this special occasion, Marcel was given a pair of ruby earrings and John was presented with a plaque with his likeness to be included on the “Heroes Wall” at the Aroostook Centre Mall which proudly honors his military service.
Married May 30, 1970, the couple have three children and five grandchildren – a son, Maurice Gagnon from Meredith, N.H.; a daughter, Corrine Routhier and her husband, Arthur, and children Jack, Alden and Grace of Portage Lake; and son, Matthew Gagnon and his wife, Sarah, and their children Aiden and Ashtyn of North Waterboro.
Congratulations Marcel and John!
JOHN AND MARCEL GAGNON of Portage Lake recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at a surprise party given by their children. The Gagnons were married May 30, 1970.
Students at the Ashland Central School were recently presented with two soccer goals as part of the “Campbell’s Labels for Education” program.
Over the course of this school year and last spring, students saved and gathered box labels as part of this program which allowed for the classrooms to “purchase” the soccer goals with the accumulation of points from the labels. The points come from the UPC codes from Campbell’s products.
With the assistance from the Ashland Area PTO, this is an on-going program at the school.
Anyone can donate labels to the school either by bringing them directly to the school or by sending them into the school with a student. You can also go online to labelsforeducation.com and type in Ashland’s zip code (04732) in the upper right-hand corner. This screen will show you the status of school points and the “wish list” from the teachers.
Congratulations to the students for achieving their “goals!” Your efforts and hard work paid off.
STUDENTS AT THE ASHLAND CENTRAL SCHOOL were recently presented with two soccer goals as part of the “Campbell’s Labels for Education Program” in which students collect Campbell’s product UPC code labels to raise points to “buy” school supplies. Pictured in the photo are students from various classrooms ranging from grades pre-K-grade 2. The adults in the photo are Ashland Area PTO members, from left: Shelli Condon, treasurer; Corrine Routhier, secretary; Sammi Jimmo and Andrea White, co-vice presidents.
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.
