Portage Radar Runs raise funds
for snowmobile club
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
The morning was a bit slushy and chilly, but as the afternoon set in, temperatures warmed up along with the ice racetrack on Portage Lake. The Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club held its 12th annual Radar Runs Jan. 20. This fund-raising event has turned into a popular attraction while providing the club with an exciting way to raise the needed funds to assist them in maintaining the snowmobile trail system in the region.
THE PORTAGE LAKERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB recently hosted its 12th annual Radar Runs on Portage Lake. Here, racers prepare for their chance to compete.
THIS WEATHER’S FOR THE DOGS — Terri Merchant of Portage Lake and her pup, Mandi, were bundled up to brave the frigid temperatures while watching the Radar Runs on the lake sponsored by the Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of club members and local volunteers, the Radar Runs provided another fun-filled day for all. The Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club would like to extend a special thank you to the business sponsors and volunteers who made the event possible.
Racing began promptly at 10 a.m. and extended throughout the morning and afternoon. Sled after sled raced down the track testing their own speed against their competitors in a variety of classes. The top speed for the day went to Brock Kilcollins who hit 125 mph! Immediately following the races, club members and participants gathered at Dean’s Motor Lodge for the awards ceremony.
The placements in the classes were as follows:
Stock 1000: First place, Ethan Rossignol; Second place, Geoff McDonnah; Third place, Jason Gray
Stock 900: First place, Scott Dyer; Second place, Ethan Rossignol; Third place, Jason Gray
Stock 800: First place, Ethan Rossignol; Second place, Ryan Kelly/Jason Gray; Third place, Jason Chapman
Stock 700: First place, Ethan Rossignol; Second place, Geoff McDonnah; Third place, Ryan Kelly
Stock 600: First place, Tadic Jobin; Second place, Connel McLean; Third place, Ronnie Molnar
Stock 500: First place, Tadic Jobin; Second place, Wayne Field; Third place, Mallory Thompson
Stock Fan: First place, Jason Gray; Second place, Tadic Jobin; Third place, Taylor Miller
4 Stroke /3 cylinder: First place, John Lusick
Stroke/4 cylinder Stock Open: First place, Cody Thibodeau
Improved 1000: First place, Scott Dyer; Second place, Connell McLean; Third place, Erica Therrien
Improved 900: First place, Connell McLean; Second place, Ethan Rossignol; Third place, Jason Gray
Improved 800: First place, Ethan Rossignol; Second place, Ryan Kelly; Third place, Adam Michalka
Improved 700: First place, Ethan Rossignol; Second place, Adam Michalka; Third place, Tim Thibodeau
Improved 600: First place, Shawn Dyer; Second place, Tadic Jobin; Third place, Dustin McLaughlin
Improved 500: First place, Tadic Jobin; Second place, Connell McLean; Third place, Cody Alexander
Open Mod: First place, Brock Kilcollins; Second place, Keith Thibeau
Mini: First place, Mason McDunnah; Second place, Evan Hale
Vintage: First place, Mallory Thompson; Second place, Connell McLean; Third place, Leroy Pelletier
Ashland FFA learns about agriculture outside the traditional classroom
ASHLAND FFA MEMBER Allyx Beaulier competed in the Prepared Public Speaking Event at the National FFA Convention held in October and was awarded the Individual Bronze Emblem for her speech on lobstering in Maine.
REBECCA LIBBY, a member of the Ashland FFA, was awarded an Individual Bronze Emblem while competing at the National FFA Convention in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking Event.
THE ASHLAND FFA FLORICULTURE TEAM competed in team and individual competitions during the FFA National Convention. The team earned a Bronze Emblem, as well as several individual Bronze Emblems. Pictured are, from left: Adviser/Coach Jan Perry, Gabrielle Cyr, Rachel Gillis, Danielle Higgins, Sophie Theriault and a representative from one of the companies sponsoring the event.
THE ASHLAND CHAPTER of the FFA recently competed in events during the National FFA Convention held in Indiana. The Agricultural Sales Team shown here earned a team Bronze Emblem along with several individual Bronze and Silver Emblems. Pictured are, from left: Adviser/Coach Shari Ward, Kali Pelletier, Garrett Graham, Alex Gillis and Cassandra Bolstridge.
In October 2012, 10 Ashland District School FFA members and two advisers/coaches traveled to Indianapolis to attend the 85th annual National FFA Convention. Ashland students participated in two individual and two team Career Development Events (CDE), competing against other FFA members from around the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Each student competing had already successfully placed at the state level to earn the privilege of representing his/her home state at the National FFA Convention and Expo. These state and national speaking and team events are designed to help FFA members develop their ability to communicate in a powerful, organized and professional manner, and other important skills for all careers.
Allyx Beaulier was one of 47 participants in the National FFA Prepared Public Speaking Event, a contest which recognizes outstanding FFA members for their ability to prepare and present a factual speech on a specific agricultural issue in a well thought out and logical manner. Each competitor researched, wrote and delivered a 6-8 minute speech and responded to five minutes of questions. The judges found Beaulier’s speech on lobstering in Maine very interesting and informative and awarded her the Individual Bronze Emblem.
In the Extemporaneous Public Speaking Event, Rebecca Libby was one of 46 participants selected for her excellent ability to prepare and present an agricultural speech in a very short amount of time. In this contest, members chose one topic from a variety of categories and wrote a 4-6 minute speech within the allowed preparation period of 30 minutes. The members then delivered their speech to a panel of judges and responded to five minutes of follow-up questions. For her speech on the topic, “What new resources are available to people who want to start agricultural careers?” Libby was awarded an Individual Bronze Emblem.
Ashland FFA members also participated in two team contests in Floriculture and Agriculture Sales. In the National FFA Floriculture CDE, the Ashland team competed against students from 45 other states to test their knowledge and skill in the production and retailing of flowers, plants and foliage. All participants completed a general knowledge exam on the floriculture industry, identified plant materials, demonstrated problem solving and decision-making skills, employment and customer service skills, technical floral skills and the ability to work as a team. Students also competed for individual awards with 178 other participants. Gabrielle Cyr, Rachel Gillis, Danielle Higgins and Sophie Theriault all received individual and team Bronze emblems.
The Ashland FFA was one of 39 teams participating in the Agricultural Sales CDE. This competitive event allowed students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. The event included actual sales presentations, a written exam, a team sales situation and individual practical situations focusing on customer relations and service and prospecting new customers. In addition to the team Bronze emblem, members also competed for individual awards with 150 other participants. Cassandra Bolstridge and Garrett Graham both received Bronze Emblems, while Alex Gillis and Kali Pelletier both received Silver Emblems.
These competitions were only one part of the many educational activities at the National FFA Convention and Expo. While at the convention, Ashland FFA also attended the opening session at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and heard keynote speaker, Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton present. Students also spent time at the Career Show and Expo visiting the many booths set up by universities and businesses, showcasing agricultural programs and products. One of the highlights for the Ashland students attending the Expo was taping a Maine FFA promotional segment at the RFD television station, perhaps to be seen on many satellite and cable networks! In addition to the Convention activities, Ashland FFA also spent time at the Indianapolis Zoo observing a variety of animals housed in settings based on their natural habitats.
Each Ashland student worked very hard to prepare for these national contests and many people also helped to raise money for this trip. The Ashland FFA appreciates all the assistance they received from the school administration and staff, the community and many Maine businesses and organizations. All were extremely important in making the trip a success!
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 227-7760 or Feenhop@aol.com.
