Portage Lake resident celebrates 90th birthday
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney-Hopkins
Glena “Gram Con” Condon celebrated her 90th birthday at her residence in Portage Lake Sunday, March 18 with about 75 family members present. The house was festively decorated in 90th birthday banners, balloons and streamers for all to see.
THE BIRTHDAY GIRL 
— Glena “Gram Con” Condon of Portage Lake celebrated her 90th birthday recently with about 75 family members. Condon said she “feels blessed” by having a wonderful family and is “thankful for those, past and present” that have made her life full and enjoyable.
She had five birthday cakes made especially for her by her daughters, Irene Flint and Betty Chapman, and her granddaughters, Dawn Dunbar and Roberta Belanger. Four different flavors of homemade ice cream were also prepared by her son, Ted Condon, son-in-law, Patrick Raymond, daughter, Irene Flint and daughter-in-law, Hallie Condon Baker. There were lots of special gifts and cards for her to open and enjoy. A huge 90th birthday card was presented to Glena which was signed by everyone with endearing wishes for her special day. She also received many wonderful hugs!
Glena would like to thank all of those, past and present, who have made her life full and enjoyable; and is thankful to those who joined in her celebration. Glena feels blessed by a wonderful family, many of whom celebrated with her.
Ashland to host Miss Ashland pageants
To the delight of many, the town of Ashland will once again host Miss Ashland pageants for the local young ladies in town and the surrounding townships. There will be four divisions — Tiny Miss, Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss. They will be divided into two separate pageants, with the Tiny and Little Miss pageant being held Thursday, April 26 and the Junior and Miss pageant being held Thursday, May 3. Both pageants will be held in the Ashland District School auditorium beginning at 6 p.m.
The contestants will be judged in the following categories: Everyday Wear, Talent, Evening Gown and Interview. There will also be an award for Miss Photogenic given in each category that will be decided by audience vote.
Contestants in each division are:
Tiny Miss — Raegan Libby, Mackenzie Moro, Brooklynn Stokes, Lacey Jandreau, Abby Doughty, Libby Collier and Rochelle Chasse.
Little Miss — Jamie Poulin, Kylee Bolstridge, Camryn Curtis and Kassandra Nelson.
Junior Miss — Taylor Morton, Savannah Flint, Laura Sturgen and Sydney Curtis.
Miss — Brooke LaBelle, Kali Pelletier and Gabrielle Cyr.
All of the contestants are selling tickets. The cost is $6 per ticket and children under the age of 6 will be admitted free of charge. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go toward the Ashland Summer Fest.
Portage Lake Town Yard Sale
The Portage Lake ATV Club will be sponsoring a Town Yard Sale Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 at the Portage Lake Town Hall from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There are tables available for $10 each for vendors to sell their wares. Crafters, artisans and citizens with yard sale items are encouraged to participate. Out-of-towners are invited to spend the day in town. It’s always a great ride out to Portage Lake! Dean’s Restaurant is open for a meal and/or drinks, the lake is “almost” open and wildlife sightings are becoming more frequent. You never know what treasures you might find! Please contact Jeannie Jones to reserve your table or for more information at 435-6967.
Ashland Cub Scout news
PINEWOOD DERBY — The top four finishers of the 2012 Ashland Pinewood Derby were, from left: Wolf Scout Owen Burby, first place; Wolf Scout Caleb Cray, second place; Wolf Scout Alex White, third place; and Webelo I Scout Graham Berry, fourth place. 
Since our write-up last October, Cub Scouts from Ashland Pack 179 have been very active. In November, Cubs delivered popcorn to those individuals that had supported the annual fund-raising event. The top seller for three years running has been Graham Berry. Both Berry and Alex White sold in excess of $600 and were awarded gift cards and cyclone disc shooters for their superior efforts. Also selling and receiving gift cards and/or recognition were: Dakota Sutherland, Clark Condon, Owen Burby, Brady Cowett, Dane Driscoll, Blayne Boutot, Tristan Perreault and Dylan Haley. As an additional treat, all the boys that participated got gift certificates to Babes Variety Store in Ashland.
Also in November, the Pack joined with the veterans of VFW Post 9699 on Veteran’s Day to honor military persons — past and present — with a flag retirement ceremony. Afterwards, veterans, Scouts and relatives were treated to a luncheon at the VFW served by current auxiliary members Noreen Graham, Judy Charrette and Darleen Roberts.
ASHLAND WEBELO II Tristan Perreault displays his arrow of light award. 
Finally, on Nov. 18, Cub Scout Pack 179 held a ceremony for those new Scouts that had earned the rank of Bobcat. In order to advance in each individual grades’ program, the Scout must first complete the Bobcat Trail, which consists of eight parts: knowing and reciting the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, the Cub Scout motto, explaining the meaning of Webelos, demonstration of the Cub Scout handshake, sign and salute, and discussion with a family member about personal safety issues and rules. Those Scouts taking part in the ceremony were: (first grade) Tiger Cubs — Brady Cowett and Austin Clark, (second grade) Wolves — Eli Walker, Owen Burby and Zachary Clark, and (third grade) Bears — Creed Chasse, Emmit Rushinal and Gabe Page. Congratulations to all these boys. They are a welcome addition.
During the first weekend of December, the Pack had its Christmas tree sale. Second-grade Wolf Scouts also worked on a project at the Orion Timberland offices in Ashland, creating a reindeer out of wood for the Christmas window display there. Later in the month, some of the Scouts gathered and went caroling at the Northwood Manor, Ashland Public Library and Ed and Marilyn Chase’s. During the December Pack meeting, the Scouts received their Pinewood Derby car kits so that they could get a head start on creating their racers for February.
In February, Pack 179 held its Pinewood Derby race at the Mapleton Lions Hall. For the past four years, Mapleton Cub Scout Pack 170 has graciously allowed Ashland to join them for the racing event. Many thanks to the leaders, Scouts and adults for having us. The top four placers advancing to the 2012 district race were: Owen Burby, first; Caleb Cray, second; Alex White, third; and Graham Berry, fourth.
DURING THE FIRST WEEKEND of December, Cub Scouts from Ashland Pack 179 held their annual Christmas tree sale. The weather was beautiful and the trees sold quickly. Participating in the project were, from left, front row: Dakota Sutherland, Graham Berry, Dane Driscoll, Eli Walker, Clark Condon, Zach Clark and Austin Clark. Back row: Jenn D’Ozier, Teri Driscoll and Nicole Cowett. 
March was an event-filled month with Burby, Cray, White and Berry running their cars at the district race held in conjunction with the Scout Show at the Aroostook Centre Mall. On St. Patrick’s Day, Scouts from all over the North Star District descended upon the Francis Malcolm Science Center in Easton for the third annual Cub Scout Fun Day. They saw and participated in dogsled demonstrations and enjoyed maple taffy as a tasty treat — yum! Scouts that were able to participate this day included Dane Driscoll, Clark Condon, Emmit Rushinal, Gabe Page, Graham Berry, Brady Cowett, Eli Walker, Alex White, Owen Burby and Dakota Sutherland.
The last day of March was busy! Scouts, along with their parents, did a community bottle drive with much success. After all their hard work, they had a luncheon at the VFW and the Scouts enjoyed vanilla pudding sundaes while their parents listened to a Friends of Scouting presentation by Kathy Peary, a representative of the Katahdin Area Council. Last, but certainly not least, a crossover ceremony was held for Webelo II, Tristan Perreault. Perreault also earned his Arrow of Light, which is the highest award in Cub Scouts. It is also the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn along with the Boy Scout badges that he will be achieving as a member of the Boy Scout Troop. Congratulations Tristan! The Pack will miss you.
Looking ahead, dens will continue to meet and work on requirements and the Pack will have meetings at least once a month for the next three months. For the past few years, the Ashland Pack has participated in a Scouting event at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Activities are different every year and the Scouts always enjoy the experience. This will take place at the end of April. In May there will be a Spring Camporee, and in June, the Pack will have its yearend Camp-out or Camp-in depending on the weather. Scouts also have the opportunity to participate in a Circus theme Day Camp this July at Baptist Park in Mapleton.
On a personal note, I would like to thank the parents for supporting your sons in the Scouting program and for all your help with our various activities. Also, we live in such a generous community. Myself, along with parents and Scouts, were blown away by the result of our recent bottle drive, as well as with the other fundraisers we’ve conducted this Scouting year. Please know that your contributions go back into the Ashland Cub Scout program with the Scouts benefiting from your wonderful generosity. Sincerely, Cub Scout Master Julie M.G. Berry.
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.
