Ashland FFA travels to The Big E and beyond
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney-Hopkins
On Sept. 17, a group of 18 Ashland High School FFA members and advisers traveled to the Eastern States Exposition, otherwise known as “The Big E,” in West Springfield, Mass. to demonstrate proficiency, teamwork and leadership skills in competitions with FFA members from many other states.
During this 5-day trip, which was made possible by grants from Maine Ag in the Classroom and the Maine Potato Board, Ashland FFA students participated in a wide range of agricultural experiences outside the traditional classroom setting.
Photo courtesy of Jan Perry
ASHLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL FFA STUDENTS recently attended the Eastern States Exposition, otherwise known as “The Big E,” in West Springfield, Mass. Here, in front of the Maine State Building on the fairgrounds are, from left: Kayla Cote, Rachel Gillis, Allyx Beaulier, Gabrielle Cyr, Jessica Johnson, Stephanie Goulet, Kylee Rubin, Fallyn Tardie, Christina MacDonald, Danielle Higgins, Isaac Cyr, Dylan Cyr Cormier, Emma Walker, Amos Ward, Kalie Pelletier and Royce MacDonald.
Individual students competed in Job Interview and Creed Speaking contests, while teams of students competed in Dairy Cattle Evaluation, Dairy Foods, Environment and Natural Resources, and Floriculture contests. In addition, students were allowed time to see a wide variety of exhibits at one of the largest agricultural fairs in the country.
While in Massachusetts, the Ashland students also spent time touring the Smith College greenhouse exhibits, which feature one of the best collections of tropical, subtropical and desert plants in the United States. Within the climate-controlled sections, students saw more than 2,500 species of plants native to varied habitats.
Photo courtesy of Jan Perry
ROYCE MacDONALD, Ashland District School FFA member, evaluates dairy character and conformation during the Dairy Cattle Evaluation contest in the coliseum of “The Big E.”
Students also spent time at Barstow’s Longview Dairy Farm in Hadley, Mass. where they saw firsthand how a multi-generational family farm can diversify. This farm milks nearly 150 dairy cows, composts the manure and sells it to local gardeners, and also runs a busy farm store, marketing a large selection of agricultural products. The farm logo, “Absolutely Local, Absolutely Delicious,” showed students how a family farm can be very successful in today’s economy by growing and selling high quality, value added local products.
Sunday on the coast of Maine in Boothbay Harbor, students continued to learn about the excellent variety of agricultural opportunities available in New England. The day began with a visit to the Maine State Aquarium where students were able to see both the educational and economic importance of marine science. Students investigated sea creatures in the touch tank and other exhibits and talked with the aquarium staff learning about the variety of careers available in marine sciences.
Photo courtesy of Jan Perry
AS PART OF THE ASHLAND FFA TRIP to learn about agriculture outside the traditional classroom setting, students visited the Maine State Aquarium. Here, students were able to attend a special exhibit on sharks and had the opportunity to touch the live specimens. Pictured are, from left: Allyx Beaulier, Rachel Gillis, Gabrielle Cyr, Kayla Cote and the Aquarium presenter.
The group then went out on the water to experience a popular ecotourism activity, an afternoon schooner ride. The captain and first mate of the “Eastwind” had built a number of wooden schooners themselves, sailed them around the world, written books detailing their adventures, and also owned a dairy farm in Maine. They shared life stories with the students who learned about wind and sails, coastal Maine history and the quiet enjoyment of being on the water without reliance on motors.
During the late afternoon, the group traveled to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens where students could walk through a variety of beautiful landscape settings, designed for people of all ages and physical abilities.
On Monday, the trip concluded with a campus tour of Unity College where students learned about excellent educational opportunities here in Maine. Well known for its extensive selection of environmental programs, Unity College offers the training students would need to enter a wide range of agriculture-related careers.
Photo courtesy of Jan Perry
HOISTING THE SAILS — Ashland District School FFA members got an opportunity to sail on the schooner “Eastwind” in Boothbay Harbor. Here, the students learn “hands on” about wind power and eco-tourism as they manually hoist the sails. Raising the sails are, Dylan Cyr-Cormier, far left, and at right, Kayla Cote and Gabrielle Cyr.
During these experiences, Ashland students were able to learn “hands on” about agriculture outside the traditional classroom setting. Ashland FFA members taking part in these agricultural activities were Allyx Beaulier, Dylan Cyr-Cormier, Kayla Cote, Gabrielle Cyr, Isaac Cyr, Rachel Gillis, Stephanie Goulet, Danielle Higgins, Jessica Johnson, Christina MacDonald, Royce MacDonald, Kali Pelletier, Fallyn Tardie, Emma Walker and Amos Ward.
The students and advisers wish to thank Maine Ag in the Classroom and the Maine Potato Board for helping to make this FFA trip a huge success!
Harvest Supper
There will be a Harvest Supper held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church on Route 11 in Portage Lake Sunday, Nov. 6 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Turkey and all the fixings will be served. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win “food and fuel” gift certificates, as well as cord wood. Come on out to the lake for some good comfort food and company!
Christmas Crafts/Treasures Sale and Luncheon
The Ashland Advent Christian Church on Exchange Street in Ashland will be holding its annual Christmas Crafts and Treasures Sale Saturday, Nov. 15 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Stop in to buy a lovely native craft or find a hidden treasure. They will also host their popular Soup Luncheon from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. during the sale. While you’re shopping, you can warm up and nourish with some hearty homemade soup. Contact 435-6669 for more information.
Aroostook River Voices concert
The Aroostook River Voices singing group will be performing at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 in the Ashland District School Auditorium. The theme of the concert will be “Songs of Hope” and will also include a tribute to military veterans, as the concert falls in harmony with Veterans Day.
A special treat will be the first ever onstage performance of the newly established Ashland High School Chorus. As you may recall, the school did not have a formal high school choir so the idea to have a community choir including high school students who wanted to sing was initiated, and so became the Aroostook River Voices group. Thanks to the efforts of Larry Hall and all participants, their efforts paid off and now the school has an official high school chorus! The “Bosom Buddies” trio including members Melissa Hall, Sherri Calhoun and Julie Gardner will also perform as special guests. This is something not to be missed. These ladies can sing! Admission is free, however donations will gladly be accepted and appreciated. All donations will go to the Ashland Alumni Association, which is sponsoring the event. After the concert, refreshments will be served in the school cafeteria. This is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. See you at the show!
Ashland Area PTO to host Family Movie Night
On Friday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m., the Ashland Area PTO will be showing Disney Pixar’s “CARS 2” for the students and families of Ashland District School. This free night of fun is the PTO’s way of saying “thank you” to their students and parents for all they’ve done to support the PTO so far this year. So come early with your pillows and blankets (and wear your pajamas, if you like!) to get a good seat for an awesome event. Drinks and snacks will be provided, and at the end of the show, the DVD will be given to one lucky winner! Students will not be admitted without being accompanied by a parent or guardian — after all, it is Family Movie Night! Can’t wait to see you.
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.
