Portage Lake parade, festivities were great fun for all
THAT’S SOME UMBRELLA — Jaymie St. Peter, of Ashland, watches the recent Portage Lake parade under the shade of her huge — yet friendly — Great Dane, Bentley.
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
IN LOVING MEMORY —
Family members and friends lovingly decorated a float for the Portage Lake parade in memory of the late Mack and Rena Boutot of Portage Lake.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
SOMETHING SMELLS GOOD —
Grant Shook, left, of Eagle Lake helped John Gagnon, a resident of Portage Lake, baste and cook the roast pig for the Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club’s annual pig roast.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins EASY RIDER —
Isaac Howes gives his best girl, daughter Kaydence, a ride in his sidecar during the Portage Lake parade.
Kaydence’s mother is Alecia Collins, a native of Portage Lake.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
BALANCING ACT —
Terry Curran, of Portage Lake, does his best to balance his motorcycle in a balance competition during the Motorcycle Rodeo hosted by the Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club during the town’s Summer Round Up.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
JEANIE JONES, of Portage Lake, rode in the town’s annual parade on her 4-wheeler as part of the Portage Lake ATV Club.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins DON BOUTOT, formerly of Portage Lake, got festive riding on a float honoring his late parents, Mack and Rena Boutot.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
LUCINDA JACOBS, of Portage Lake, proudly represented the Portage Lake Red Hat Loonies by riding on their float in the parade.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
PETER ST. PETER showed off his classic wheels riding in honor of his late parents.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
GRAND MARSHALS Pelletier Lumber represented the company in the Portage Lake parade.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
UNCLE SAM —
Malcolm Milligan, of Wrightville, showed off his riding skills during the Portage Lake parade.
Milligan has been riding the unicycle for just a few years and proves that with practice, you can do anything!
Portage Lakers were out and about for their annual parade and festivities Saturday, July 9. The parade’s theme was “Then and Now” with Pelletier Trucking serving as the grand marshal. Participants included local Boy Scout Troop 179, unicycle riders, classic cars, representation from the Portage Lake ATV Club and many more.
The standout float, by far this year, was the Boutot family’s caravan to honor the late Mack and Rena Boutot, lifelong residents of Portage Lake. There was a float carrying their son, Donnie, driven by their son, Brad, decorated with balloons and patriotic ribbons. On the back of the float was a collage of photos posted to a background featuring the couple’s garage. Significant because you could often find the couple with their family and friends gathered in the garage which overlooks downtown and the lake. To this day, you will find them all there. They are a staple of Portage Lake!
Another float carried the couples’ daughters, Angie and Patty, grand and great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. To me one of the most poignant tributes of all was that from Rena’s girlfriends who called themselves, “The Golden Girls.” These women were lifelong friends who met for coffee, bowled and relied on one another as girlfriends do. They rode on the family float with a simple sign of mention and their presence. It was bittersweet; but mostly sweet. Rena, who passed away in March, had her committal ceremony the day before the parade. What a touching tribute to she and her late husband. An exceptionally honorable way to be laid to rest in the hometown where she was adored by all who were lucky enough to have known her.
After the parade, everyone rallied around for the motorcycle rodeo held at the Town Hall parking lot. Riders from all over competed in several competitions testing their riding skills while showing off their eye-catching bikes. As usual, it was a lot of fun and everyone really enjoyed the show! The afternoon ended with the popular pig roast hosted by the Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club. The club did a great job as usual feeding the hungry natives. What a wonderful day to get out and enjoy the town and our neighbors!
Portage Lake Historical Society to be at Northern Maine Fair
The Portage Lake Historical Society is going to be a part of the Northern Maine Fair Historical Pavilion August 2-4 and is looking for historical items from the Portage Lake area to have on display. They don’t necessarily have to be from Portage Lake (although it would be great if they were), but should have something to do with the area’s history and heritage such as items from logging camps, farming items, etc.
If you or anyone you know have items like this and would be willing to let the Society borrow them during the fair, please bring them to the Portage Lake Town Office along with a short description of the item with your name and phone number so you can be reached.
The Historical Pavilion is taking place in The Forum and will be locked each night. If you have security concerns, the group will work with you to solve them. Please have all items to the PL Historical Society before 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 29.
Also, if anyone is interested in helping during the fair at the Pavilion, they are looking for someone to (help) cover the shift for Thursday, Aug. 4 (which will also include taking down the display).
For more information, contact Sarah Brooks at 551-6471, Corrine Routhier at 435-6854 or Rachel Stevens at 435-6358. Thanks for your help!
Ashland alumna earns degree
Melinda Chasse, an Ashland Community High School alumna from the Class of 2008, graduated from the University of New England May 21.
Chasse completed the required course of study, and having complied with all other requirements of the University, received an associate’s degree in applied science (dental hygiene).
She is the daughter of Ann and Peter Chasse of Ashland and the granddaughter of Ralph Smith of Ashland and Fern and Raymond Chasse of Portage.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 435 – 8232 or Feenhop@aol.com.
