Portage Lake musher competes in first Can Am
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
The 2011 Can Am Dog Sled races will go down as being one of the most challenging in its 19-year history.
With the unseasonable rain throughout the day changing over to near blizzard conditions during the night, the trails and overall conditions made a difficult pursuit even for the most seasoned human and canine veterans.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
EDDIE the “wheel dog,” teammate of Portage Lake musher Jessica Holmes, did his best to run the Can Am 60 mile race with an injured leg. Here, the dog lets Holmes know that it’s feeding time.
Portage Lake resident Jessica Holmes, 20, attempted her first-ever Can Am 60 mile race succumbing just shy of the 30-mile mark; a respectable endeavor any way you look at it. In addition to the weather conditions, Holmes had to make the call to end her efforts due to a safety issue involving one of her teammates. Though disappointed, Holmes is proud of her team and their first race together. Keeping a positive attitude, she says she will race again next year. “I am so proud of them,” she says while looking out over the kennel at her team of eight Alaskan huskies, all of whom she bought as an intact team from a musher out of Fort Kent.
Holmes began training just under one year ago upon the insistence of friends and other Can Am associates. Having volunteered with the Can Am races since high school to help her “overcome her fear of dogs,” overcome she has. As you watch her interact with her team, one would never suspect any apprehension. “I have a lot of trust for them, and they with me,” she says proudly. “It took a while though,” she added with a smile. She then laughed and said, “I am the biggest contradiction (as a musher)” noting her “great” fear of dogs, the “wild animals” she could encounter on the trail, and her total alarm and inexperience in the woods. Contradiction indeed, but a challenge to her spirit that will no doubt help her to grow as a human being as she discovers what she is made of. A journey we are all meant to take in our 20s, just not all of us on the back of a dog sled.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
PORTAGE LAKE MUSHER Jessica Holmes, 20, is shown here with one of her “retired” teammates, Peppé. Holmes entered her first-ever Can Am 60 mile race this year.
Holmes is a self-taught musher; a complete novice learning all she has thus far from “a book and just doing it.” She says she “has received a lot of encouragement” from the dog racing community and considers veteran racer Lindy Howe of Stockholm one of the most supportive. Mostly she credits her father, Karry Flint, also of Portage Lake. Holmes explains her Dad has been very encouraging – “her biggest fan” and has helped her “with everything.” He helped her acquire and care for the dogs and equipment and together through trial and error, they have learned the proper use of the equipment. Holmes laughed recalling a few instances where they “totally had no idea” what certain items were for. Flint has been with her “ever step of the way” even training with her on the trails, he on a snow sled. “I couldn’t do it without him” she gushed.
Holmes, who is in her second year in the University of Maine at Fort Kent nursing program, intends to continue with training and competing though she recognizes the commitment required for both conflict with one another. She is focused on completing her nursing degree, which does rightfully take “priority” in her life plans. “But,” she says, once school is over she “would like to compete in the 250 (mile race).” As I walked away from our time together I had a feeling we haven’t seen the last of Jessica on the racing circuit whether she knows it or not.
Ashland Area PTO to host Family Reading Night
The Ashland Area PTO has planned another “Family Reading Night” for the students and/or their families in the Ashland school district. The event is free, but participating students are asked to bring a book in “good condition” from home with them to be swapped at the event. If everyone does so, each student will be taking a “new” book home with them that evening in exchange. What a great night of fun for families, while encouraging our students to read!
The event will take place Friday, April 8 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Ashland District School.
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 Senior Citizens Club meets every other Thursday from Nov. 1 through March 31 and every week (Thursday) from April 1 to Oct. 31 at Forest View Circle, Maple Building #4. The club meets at noon for a potluck luncheon to enjoy the company of others, games and guest entertainers. All are welcome to attend.
The Portage Lake Over 50’s Club lunch is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at the Town Hall. All individuals 50 and over are invited to attend and can bring a potluck dish to share. For more information, contact Wilza Robertson at 435-6211 or Grace Nason at 435-6373.
The Red Hat Loonies of Portage Lake meet the second Thursday of every month at Dean’s Motor Lodge. Membership dues are $2. Come and have a great meal and a great time, too! For more information, contact Rachel Stevens at 435-6358.
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.
