Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 99 of Ashland, held its 2008 installation of officers Tuesday, April 8. Grand Conductress Phyllis Blakely and Past Grand Patron Vernal “Mack” Blakely were the installing officers for the evening. Past Grand Patron Leighton Perkins served as the installing Marshal; District Deputy Grand Marshal Brenda Hall was the installing Chaplain and Rhoda Thombs, the installing Organist.
Following the ceremony, refreshments provided by Sisters Donna Martin and Hallie Baker were enjoyed by all. The next scheduled meeting for the chapter is Tuesday, May 13 at 7 p.m.
New Jackets
(A note from Christopher Hallett, assistant principal at Ashland Community Schools): On April 15, the Ashland Community High School Boys and Girls Eastern Maine Championship Soccer Teams were awarded with their championship jackets. Each student was presented with their jacket in front of a crowd made up of the student body, teachers, and parents. The students had been anxious to receive their jackets since winning the Eastern Maine Championship games in October 2007.
Jackets were provided to the students at no cost because of numerous donations from community organizations, local businesses, and generous Hornet fans. A very special thank you goes out to all that helped raise the money that was needed to provide our 44 student athletes with jackets and also to those that served on the Soccer Jacket Committee.
Caron places second
Local Boy Scout Jeremy Caron placed second out of approximately 160 racers at the state council pinewood derby race held in Bangor recently. No stranger to derby competition, Jeremy had won first place honors just a few years ago as a Tiger Scout. Since this was his last competition as a Boy Scout, Jeremy was happy to represent his troop and community at the state level. Jeremy’s parents, Chris and Cindy Caron, are very proud of their son’s success during all his derby races, as well as his accomplishments while being involved in the Boy Scouts.
Heartfelt Thank You
John and Noella Craig would like to thank all those who have helped them, in whatever capacity, since their barn collapsed on Good Friday. Without the support and help of many, they could not have come through this unfortunate event.
Centennial Cookbook
The Portage Centennial Cookbook committee is offering the opportunity for you to honor a loved one by purchasing a “Memory” or “In Honor Of” line in the back of our cookbook. Send your one-line submission and a check for $15 to: Town of Portage Lake, P.O. Box 255, Portage Lake, Maine 04768. Please make checks out to “Town of Portage Lake” and write Centennial Cookbook on the memo line. You will need to have your submission in by May 24.
Summerfest
The Ashland Summerfest Committee is hard at work planning and organizing the many activities that will take place this July 4-6. Because of the abundance of musical performances going on during this year’s Summerfest, the theme of “The Woods Are Alive With The Sound Of Music” seemed only fitting. And, because the music will run the gamut from country, blues, folk, gospel, rock and roll, bluegrass and jazz, the Summerfest is sure to be a very “noteworthy event,” too!
A final itinerary will be available as the date gets closer, but for now the committee reports that Friday, July 4 there will be two concerts at the high school and two mini-concerts at the bandstand; on Saturday, a fitness walk and road race will occur in the morning, a craft fair (either on Main Street or at the grade school), two mini-concerts at the bandstand, an afternoon concert at the high school followed by a cabaret supper at 4 p.m., and then the street dance that evening. On Sunday, two concerts will be held at the high school, as well as two mini-gospel concerts at the bandstand, and as always the fireworks show at the Fish and Game Club. (Of course, there are many other activities that will be going on; this is just a small listing of some). If you would like more information about events being planned for the Summerfest, you may contact Larry Hall at 435-6845 or the Ashland Town Office at 435-2311.
The Summerfest committee, made up of Debbie Carney, Kathi Beaulieu, Sherri Calhoun, Lendell Tarr, Bobbi-Jo Condon, Andrea White, Linda Milligan, Larry Hall and Harvey McLellan, will meet again in May. They welcome anyone to join the committee or volunteer their time during the Summerfest because a lot of help will be needed. Also, nominations for this year’s Citizen of the Year and parade Grand Marshall are being accepted. If you would like to nominate someone for either of these positions, please do so at the Ashland Town Office.
Portage Lakers ATV Club Raffle
Members of the Portage Lakers ATV Club are currently selling raffle tickets. The grand prize will be a mini ATV, second place will be a $25 gift certificate and third place is a $20 gift certificate. Certificates were donated by The Sled Shop and Harry’s of Presque Isle. The winners will be drawn after the Memorial Day Parade at the Portage Town Hall. Tickets can be purchased from any club member. For more information, please contact Kathy Gagnon at 435-4361 (work) or 435-6223 (home).
Ongoing Events
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens group meets every Thursday at noon at the Ashland Rec. Center. Any senior citizens wishing to participate in the potluck lunches and meetings are always welcome.
The Portage Lake Seniors’ Lunch is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. at the Town Hall. All seniors are invited to attend and can bring a potluck dish to share or give a cash donation. 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.
If you can help plan for Portage Lake’s Centennial Celebration, please contact Barb Pitcairn at 435-2368 or Grace Nason at 435-6373.
Ladies, are you interested in crafts or have some that you’ve started and just can’t seem to finish? If so, take yourself over to the Portage Lake Municipal Building for Girlz Night every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy the company and the satisfaction of finally completing a project!
(Julie Graham-Berry is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and surrounding townships. She can be reached at 435-7137).
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
D.A.R.E. STUDENTS in Mrs. Diana O’Clair’s fifth-grade class who graduated April 10 from the Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education program are, front row, from left: Jasmine Engle, Mickenzy Ronco, Jasmine Clark, Brandon Condon and April Godsoe. Middle row: Evan Morton, Aaron Sturgeon, Jesse Cyr, Deputy Rosemary Coffin, Sophie Theriault, Wyatt Condon and Cody Blair. Back row: Det. Dan Robertson, Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department; Roy Clark, president of the Ashland Rotary Club; Ashland Police Chief Cyr Martin, Sarah Brooks, Ashland Rotary member; and Agent Salim Tourk, U.S. Border Patrol.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
STUDENTS in Mrs. Michelle Beaulier’s fifth-grade class at the Ashland Central School took part in a very special graduation ceremony April 10 to mark the completion of their Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. Pictured are, front row, from left: Daniel Libby, Rachel Vaillencourt, Deputy Rosemary Coffin, Damien Stoltz and Autumn Lavertu. Middle row: Jeremy Caron, Michael Cook, Ashley Robinson, Lane Deabay, Ramsey Paradis (standing behind Dep. Coffin), Kaitlyn Henderson, Dakota Mullen, Brittany Harris and Lacey Good. Back row: Roy Clark, president of the Ashland Rotary Club; Sarah Brooks, Ashland Rotary member; Ashland Police Chief Cyr Martin, Emily Robertson, fifth-grade student teacher; Det. Dan Robertson, Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department; Agent Salim Tourk, U.S. Border Patrol; Sgt. Tom Ward, Inland Fisheries & Wildlife; and Warden Preston Pomerleau.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR, Tillikum Chapter 99 of Ashland, held its 2008 installation of officers Tuesday, April 8. Officers are, front row, from left: Brenda Smith, Associate Conductress; Irene Klei, Associate Matron; Andrea White, Chaplain; Mary Hews, Worthy Matron; Roy Clark, Worthy Patron; Judy MacDonald, Adah; Sheila Buckingham, Ruth; and Jackie May, Marshal. Middle row: Janis MacDonald, Electa; Jodi Reese, Martha; Rhoda Thombs, Esther; Heather Clark, Conductress; Freida Dickinson, Secretary; and Cheryl MacDonald, Warder. Back row: Art Coffin, Treasurer; and Peter Martin, Sentinel. Absent when photo was taken were Herb Klei, Associate Patron; and Rachel Stevens, Organist.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
ASHLAND BOY SCOUT Jeremy Caron achieved second-place honors at the state council pinewood derby races held recently in Bangor. He is the son of Chris and Cindy Caron.
