Bluegrass concert raises
funds for Project Graduation
ASHLAND NEWS
There were some first-class bluegrass sounds streaming from the Ashland Community High School gym Saturday, May 22. Two local favorite bluegrass bands performed in support of the 2010 Project Graduation. This was the fourth year of what has become an annual event.
Opening the show was “Blistered Fingers,” is one of Maine’s premiere bluegrass music groups. This classic band has been awarded the prestigious titles of “Maine’s #1 Bluegrass Band of the Year” and placed in the “All Times Greats” category by the Maine Country Music Association, and “Bluegrass Band of the Year” by the Maine Academy of Country Music several times over. This band delivers a high-energy show and are overall just a great band of very talented musicians.
After intermission, the Aroostook County Bluegrass took the stage. This group is made of local musicians and friends “who get together to play music and have fun.” Fun is what they had and provided to their audience.
The Project Graduation committee would like to thank the individuals and businesses that helped sponsor the concert. They wish to extend their gratitude to the bands for coming out to Ashland to help make this fund-raiser a success.
EDDIE THERIAULT of Blaine and his dancing partner, Nancy Morneault of Connor Township, two-step around the dance floor.
BLUEGRASS FAVORITES Blistered Fingers recently performed at a bluegrass concert in Ashland to support Ashland High School’s 2010 Project Graduation. Pictured are, from left: Greg Cormier, banjo; Sandy Cormier, lead vocals and lead guitar; Jim Carey, upright acoustic bass and vocals; Chad Cormier, mandolin and lead vocals; and Bob Kelley, fiddle and vocals.
The Tillikum Chapter 99 Order of the Eastern Star holding a giant indoor flea market and craft fair Saturday, June 19 at the Masonic Hall on Plum Street in Ashland from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
There will also be “lunch to go” for $5 per person, as well as a variety of homemade baked goods for sale. All proceeds will benefit the chapter’s charitable causes in the community.
Vendor tables are still available to sell your wares. For more information, contact Andrea White at 435-6363.
Of the 462 members of the University of Maine at Farmington 2010 graduating class, approximately 416 graduates marched in the University’s 157th commencement ceremony Saturday, May 15 on the UMF campus.
One local student was among the graduates. Mea Richmond, of Ashland, received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology.
Looking for something fun to do on a Tuesday night? Why not head over to the Ashland Central (elementary) School gym Tuesday, June 8 for the fourth-grade play. “Maine: A Place For All Seasons” is a musical highlighting the “key elements of special places in Maine” and is also a “tribute to Maine’s historic places and celebrating Maine’s Native American heritage.” The students are very excited and have been working very hard in preparation. There is no admission charge and all are welcomed and encouraged to attend!
The Portage Lake Recreation Department is looking for volunteers to help with the final leg of the playground construction. The plan is to complete the project on the first weekend of June (June 5-6; this weekend!) starting at 8 a.m. Saturday on site in front of the town hall. The Rec Department will provide the volunteers with coffee and donuts in the morning, and hotdogs for lunch. Volunteers are asked to bring “a shovel and bug spray” and anything they would normally use for outside yard work (gloves, etc) to keep themselves comfortable.
The Recreation Department has worked tirelessly to garner the funds needed to construct this playground to provide the children of the town a healthy and safe place to play. How exciting to see it actually come to fruition! Come on out and lend a hand – your kids will thank you for it!
• Thursday, June 3 – Senior Class Night at the high school starting at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
• Friday, June 4 – High School Graduation at the Ashland High School Bobby Goding Auditorium starting at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
• Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6 – Portage Lake playground construction. Starting at 8 a.m. Saturday the 5th on site (in front of town hall).
• Tuesday, June 8 – Fourth-Grade Play starting at 6:30 p.m. in the grade school gym.
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.
