Masardis native wins big at ag convention
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
A local FFA member took top honors recently at the Maine FFA State Convention for building a top supervised agricultural experience and mastering skills critical for future success in the area of agriscience.
Amos Ward 
of Masardis, a member of the University of Maine at Presque Isle Collegiate FFA, was named the Maine FFA Star in Agribusiness and is now eligible to compete for national honors.
The National FFA Star Awards program features four categories for FFA members to compete in including Star Farmer, Star in Agribusiness, Star in Agricultural Placement and Star in Agriscience. Finalists in each award category have mastered skills in agricultural production, finance, management and/or research. The Maine FFA Star Awards are available to FFA members who have earned their state degree and have built a strong supervised agricultural experience that coincides with their work in agricultural education and FFA. State Star Award members earn $300 for their achievement.
Each state FFA association recommends four American Star Award candidates — one for each of the four award areas — for consideration at the 86th annual National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Ky. in October.
At the state convention, Ward also was named the Maine FFA winner in Agricultural Educational Entrepreneurship/Placement.
The supervised agricultural experience is one of three integrated parts of agricultural education alongside classroom instruction and FFA activities designed to improve FFA members’ skills for future careers.
Tag and bake sale
The VFW Auxiliary’s annual tag and bake sale will be held Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (both days) at the Ashland VFW.
Any items that you would like to donate would be greatly appreciated.
Call Julie at 435-7137 to schedule a pick-up, if needed. All proceeds to back to the VFW. Come check it out.
Ongoing events
The Portage Lake ATV Club will meet every first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Office. All are welcome to attend. Contact Rena Belanger for membership or more information at 435-2780.
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens meet the first and third Thursday at noon for a potluck luncheon at the LeBlanc Junkins VFW Post 9699 on the Portage Road with a meeting to follow. This active and growing club of senior citizens also takes trips to various restaurants throughout The County, hosts cookouts, enjoys guest speakers and entertainment such as musicians. For more information, contact Roberta Savary at 435-6422.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 227-7760 or Feenhop@aol.com.
