Ashland Boy Scouts participate in Winterama

Ashland Boy Scouts participate in Winterama

ASHLAND NEWS

by Susan Feeney Hopkins

    Ashland Boy Scout Troop 179 spent a fun-filled day at the Aroostook State Park Feb. 18 with 12 boys participating in the annual winter Scouting event, the “Winterama.” Boy Scouts from all around Aroostook County gathered to compete in the Klondike Derby, which involves varied events each year.

    THE TREE NINJAS PATROL and the Riot Control Patrol teams from Ashland Troop 179 retrieve their supplies for the first competition in the Klondike Derby during the Boy Scout “Winterama” competitions held at the Aroostook State Park. Pictured, in no particular order, are Zach Carr, Malcolm Milligan, Dayne Durand, Ben Philbrook, Airin Harmon, Garrett Graham, Alex Gillis and Otis Nelson.

    Before the afternoon’s competitive events, the boys were able to spend the morning preparing their tote sleds for the derby and sliding down the fantastic hill which led out onto frozen Echo Lake. The boys also spent some time skiing around Quaggy Jo Mountain.

    This year the boys began the derby with the “3 Forks” event which involves cooking their lunch over a fire. This event was judged on the taste, warmth and nutritional value of their meal. They were also judged on food safety and the “leave no trace” philosophy.

    The next event of the afternoon was the “snow snake.” This involves sliding a handmade wooden snake, which is about five- to six-feet in length, across the ice, measuring its sliding distance. The Scouts also competed in the “axmanship” competition. The Scouts must try to light a match by swinging an ax to ignite it.

    HAVING THEIR SLED PACKED  with all the essential gear, the Riot Control Patrol team of Ashland Boy Scout Troop 179 is ready to participate in the Klondike Derby. Pictured are, from left: Otis Nelson, Alex Gillis and Daniel Rafford.

    The knot-tying event tested the boys’ basic Scout skills, while the “lashing event” required the boys to build an impromptu flagpole out of four poles and ropes that each patrol carried in their (dog-type) race sled. All of the events required patrols to emphasize leadership and survival skills.

    Ashland Troop 179 brought home several awards. The “Tree Ninja Patrol” placed first in the “Pucker Brush” event which tests their survival skills. The team also placed second in the “Knotty Bluff” event. The “Riot Control Patrol” placed first in the “Snow Snake” event and third in the “3 Forks” event, the “Valley Forge” leadership event and the “Pucker Brush” event. Overall, the Riot Control Patrol placed second in the Klondike Derby. Congratulations Ashland Scouts! Great job.

    Completing the derby events, Troop 179 devoured a tasty supper of chicken fancy cooked over a fire in Dutch ovens with cookies and squares for dessert. The Scouts “Own Service” and Klondike Derby awards were held at the Park Lodge where everyone had a chance to warm up by the fireplace, drink hot chocolate or coffee. There was lots of shared laughter and stories from an exciting day.

    Scouts attending the days’ events from Ashland Troop 179 were Malcolm Milligan, Garrett Graham, Peng Cheng, Zach Carr, Wyatt Carr, Dayne Durand, Tristan Perreault, Airin Harmon, Alex Gillis, Daniel Rafford, Otis Nelson and Ben Philbrook. Also attending were Linda Milligan, Scoutmaster; Polly Libby, assistant Scoutmaster; Andrew Libby, Eagle Scout; and Kurt Philbrook, who was an adult volunteer.

Graduates from military basic training

    Air Force Airman Andrew R.E. Libby,  of Ashland, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He completed an intensive eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.

    Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Following graduation, Andrew was enrolled in a six-week training program at Fort Lee Army Base in Virginia to learn the technical skills needed by the Air Force.

    Airman Libby received commendation ribbons in national defense and the graduate of basic military training. After a brief visit home with family, Libby is now stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany working in air transportation. Libby is the son of Scott and Polly Libby of Ashland. He is a 2010 graduate of Ashland Community High School.

Free Family Fitness Night

    The Ashland Area PTO is hosting a Free Family Fitness Night at the Ashland District School Friday, March 16 at 6 p.m. This is open to all families of Ashland District School students in pre-K through grade 12. The evening will include Zumba, martial arts and yoga demonstrations, as well as many family-friendly physical fitness activities.

    The evening is also set to include nutrition information, free recipes and free samples. Drawings will be held for door prizes and eight lucky winners will receive a free chair massage. This is a great opportunity for families to get up, get out, and get active together in a fun-filled evening where you can learn to make healthy lifestyle changes for the whole family.

    For more information, please contact Amy Stedman at 227-0604 or 496-3031. Hope to see you there.

    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.