The Portage Lake Recreation Department will be hosting a “Pumpkin Party” at the Town Hall Saturday, Oct. 24 starting at noon. There will be a concession stand selling lunch with a choice of hot dogs or grilled cheese sandwiches, served with chips or applesauce and a drink for $3. There will be games, pumpkin decorating, a “spooky room,” and, of course, a costume contest with medals for the winners! Be sure to wear your most creative and scary costumes! At 1:30 p.m., the classic movie, “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” will be shown. The party is for all grade school age children from all communities and their parents or guardians. Bring a friend, too, and come join the fun! For more information, log onto www.connectmaine.com/portage.
ATV Club Trail Dedication
Members of the Portage Lake ATV Club were recently granted access through a portion of land owned by Danika Garrity-Hartman, allowing a connector trail to the main ATV trail system. Out of respect and gratitude, the club decided to dedicate this thruway to Herb and Jimmy Garrity, Hartman’s father and grandfather, who originally owned, settled and farmed the land. These men were also very respected and important members of the town. A beautiful sign now marks this area, and will forever be a reminder of these fine gentlemen and their legacy to the area.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, club members took a memorial ride in their honor from the thruway to Fox Hill. Participating in the dedication and memorial ride were ATV Club members Rena and Don Belanger, Bonnie and Brian Condon, Jeannie Jones, Jasmine Engles, Bobbi Jo Condon, Harold Cyr and Gary Hafford.
Special Birthday Party Invitation
On Saturday, Nov. 28 from 3-5 p.m. at the Advent Christian Church Fellowship Room, there will be a 90th birthday celebration for our friend and lifelong Ashland resident, Marion Martin. The family wishes to extend an invitation to all their kin, friends and community members. There will be ice cream and cake served along with laughter and reminiscing. Only the gift of your presence and friendship will be accepted – see you there!
Local Wildlife News
Last week was a big one for those of us who love the outdoors. The first week of the moose season opened with Ashland checking in a total of 184 with the heaviest weighing in at 1,023 pounds. Sept. 30 also marked the last day of the 2009 open water fishing season. Local fishermen could be seen wiping away a tear while reeling in their last casts of the season. Bright and early the next morning revelry played as hunters rejoiced the opening day of upland game (i.e. partridge). The woods were busy with the moose and bird hunters offering a convenient opportunity to score both game. Hunters and guides reported above average (bird) sightings and great harvest numbers. Who’s cooking dinner?
There have been turkey sightings in Ashland, and I don’t mean the locals! Wild turkeys have been seen foraging around Ashland, so it seems the reintroduction program is working. The turkeys were reintroduced to northern Maine over the past several years and have steadily wintered well, thus assisting in their natural breeding cycles and levels allowing for natural population growth. With any luck, a hunting season for wild turkey is just around the corner.
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 Rena Belanger
PORTAGE ATV CLUB members prepare for a ride on the newly dedicated access trail in Portage with Bobbi Jo Condon in the lead.
Photo courtesy of Rena Belanger
MEMBERS OF THE PORTAGE ATV CLUB recently held a dedication ceremony and memorial ride to honor the late Herbie and Jimmy Garrity, ancestral owners of the access trail land. Pictured are, from left: Harold Cyr, Jeannie Jones, Danika Garrity-Hartman, current landowner and daughter/granddaughter of the Garritys; her son, Patrick Hartman, Brian Condon, Don Belanger, Bobbi Jo Condon and Gary Hafford.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
DAVE PIERCE and his son, Mason, from Portage Lake check in their moose at the Ashland check station. The moose was dropped with a .300 Winchester Magnum and weighed an impressive 965 pounds (dressed) with a spread of 56.5 inches.
