Radar Run a frigid, fun time in Portage
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
The Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club hosted another successful radar run event at Portage Lake Jan. 15.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
CLUB MEMBERS 
and race volunteers Terry Curran, left, and Brian Cote, right, both of Portage Lake, attended to the racers at the starting line helping to keep the race in order. Volunteers are an integral part of the club and its events.
Despite the below zero temperatures and wind chills, 258 spectators bundled up to cheer on their favorite racers and socialize with neighbors and friends. Jen Curran, club member and event organizer, reported this year was “definitely the largest number of competitors in several years. We had 267 runs.”
The racers had a 1,000-foot groomed strip on the Portage Lake ice to push their sleds to their top speeds. A radar gun is used to gauge the speed of the racers and the top speed in each class would determine the winners in that class. Racers rode on an assortment of snow machines from vintage models to the most souped up speed racers on the market. It was a lot of fun to see them all. At the end of the day, Scott Gagnon got his sled to an amazing 127 mph racing in the modified class. This speed made him the overall fastest racer of the day.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
PORTAGE LAKE SNOWMOBILE CLUB member 
and volunteer Tara Cusick, left, helped the racers register for the day’s events.
Ashland District School’s Project Grad had a food and drink stand to help keep the racers and spectators nourished and warm. The students and parent volunteers sold out of their goods and raised $380 in the process. Great job!
The Portage Lake Snowmobile Club would like to thank all who volunteered, participated in and attended this year’s event.
“I don’t know what we would have done without all of the diehards that worked all day in the cold,” said Curran. “Thank you to everyone!”
THE YOUNGEST RACER of the day was Josh Clark of Ashland who is shown here intently keeping tabs on the racers’ speed chart.
COMPETITORS wait for their turn at racing their snow machines at the Portage Lake Radar Runs. This annual event is hosted by the Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club.
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 Area Senior Citizens meet every Thursday at noon for a potluck luncheon at the LeBlanc Junkins VFW Post 9699 on the Portage Road. This active and growing club of senior citizens also takes trips to various restaurants throughout The County, hosts cookouts, enjoys guest speakers and entertainment such as musicians. For more information, contact Roberta Savary at 435-6422.
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.
