by Susan Feeney Hopkins
The Ashland Advent Christian Church welcomed the bicycle riders from the “Bike4Christ” ride earlier this month.The Bike4Christ riders are a group of bicyclists who ride together to raise money for charities/organizations they believe in while expressing their religious freedoms and beliefs. The riders pay all of their own expenses, and this year chose to ride from Key West, Fla. to the Top of Maine, Fort Kent. Though some of the riders did not participate in the whole length of the journey, they were encouraged and welcomed to join en route.
Not all of the team members were from Maine, but the local riders participating in the event were Pastor Bill Harris (of the Advent Christian Church), who resides in Ashland, and former Ashland residents Brad Ellis and Kristi Libby. Pastor Harris, who had never participated in this type of riding before, joined the team of riders as they entered Maine (in southern Maine) on the Route 1 Bridge. He took on the challenge not only for himself and his “love of God,” but to help raise the much needed funds for the missionaries his church supports. His money raised will be split between missionaries involved with Mexican Medical, Pioneers in Hungary and New Tribes Mission in Senegal.
Pastor Harris began training months in advance and throughout the summer. He started in small increments eventually leading up to rides from his home in Ashland to Portage Lake and back, as well as to Presque Isle and back. His body and spirit did not go unscathed while training or in the actual ride. During training, Harris sprained an ankle in a fall and during the actual ride he “took a pothole as opposed to hitting a truck” scraping up his leg quite badly. Due to his injury, he was not able to ride the full 400 miles with his team, but by his estimates rode 193 miles total, riding a little each day. By his own confession, not being able to ride the whole 400-mile journey through Maine made him “a bit depressed,” but like any athlete knows, no matter how hard you train, you can’t win them all. Like any pastor knows, sometimes you just have to accept what God gives you with grace and move on. That he did.
The team also rode and persevered in the rain storms Maine was subjected to; but rejoice, like life, after the clouds lifted, the team enjoyed pleasant riding conditions once again.
The team was welcomed by members of the Ashland Advent Christian Church to share in storytelling and fellowship. The ladies of the church treated everyone to refreshments and tasty desserts. The riders ended their journey in Fort Kent Sept. 11 with charitable donations, reinforced friendships, faith and tired bodies. All of which are well worth the effort.
A note to Chief Martin
On Wednesday, Sept. 21, our local police chief, Cyr Martin, was involved in a very serious automobile accident involving a moose and another vehicle. I think I speak on behalf of all residents in wishing Chief Martin a speedy recovery. You are in the thoughts and prayers of many. We look forward to having you back on the job!
Hunter’s breakfast
The day we have all been waiting for has finally arrived … bird hunting in The County! The Aroostook River Fish and Game Club in Ashland will be hosting a breakfast from 5-9 a.m. Oct. 1 at the club. The fee will be $3 for children and $6 for adults. They will be having a pistol drawing and lots of door prizes. Everyone is welcome to attend. Stop by for a good feed before your hunt or on your way out of town after your successful moose harvest. Support our local fish and game club!
Correction
In a previous edition of Ashland news, it was written that the Portage Lake cookbook proceeds would go to the Historical Society. That information was not correct. All proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will go toward the kitchen renovations at the Town Hall. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
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.
