This year’s Summer Fest was so jam-packed with activities, a person could not help but have a good time. And the music was just fantastic! If you have photos from the weekend that you would like to share, please contact me (Julie Graham-Berry) at 435-7137. Look for more information and pictures from the Summer Fest in the next couple of issues.
Birthday celebration
Two birthdays were celebrated at the home of Helen Beaulieu June 28. Sisters Middi Sutherland of Connecticut and Salina O’Clair of Ashland each had milestone birthdays in the last couple of months. Middi turned 80 May 22 and Salina 85 June 29. Thirty-four guests attended the gathering and a lot of visiting and singing was enjoyed by all. Those performing the music included: Ronnie Bill McKee, Donnie O’Clair, Joe White, Middi Sutherland, Felicia O’Clair and Jamie St. Peter. The host of the party, Helen, even got a surprise when her daughters, Cherie Nightingale of Portland and Cathy Bishop of Skowhegan, showed up for the party.
Helen would like to also thank her three sons: Darrell (and wife, Jane) of Bucksport, Tim of Holden, and Peter of Lincolnville for all the carpentry work they did recently at her home. The new entry is greatly appreciated.
Advent Church News
On Saturday, Aug. 2, the Ashland Advent Christian Church will be having a “Raise the Roof” benefit supper to help fund the replacement of the damaged one on the parsonage. For more information about this, please contact the church at 435-6669.
Martha & Mary’s Ministries of Presque Isle is seeking donations of furniture. If you have any furniture that you would like to donate, you may contact Pastor Bill Harris at 435-6669 and he can help set up transportation of the items, or you can call Martha & Mary’s directly at 764-0758.
If you know of anyone who cannot attend church and would be interested in receiving a copy of “The Beacon” newsletter by mail, please contact Cheryl Harris at 435-6669 or by e-mailing whach.Cheryl@verizon.net.
Senior Citizen News
Middi Sutherland was a musical guest entertaining the club at their June 26 meeting, and Ashland Police Chief Cyr Martin visited with the seniors July 3. The club also held a hot dog sale July 5 as part of the Ashland Summer Fest activities.
Library News
Ashland Community Library invites all children, ages 4 and up, to Monday “story hour” from 10 to 11 a.m. The program will be each Monday during the month of July. Hope you can come!
Vacation Bible School
There will be an Egypt Expedition-themed Bible school program at St. Mark’s Church. The program is scheduled for Monday, July 14 through Friday, July 18 and will run from noon-2 p.m. each day. Any questions may be directed to Corrine Routhier at 435-6854.
Class of 1958 Reunion
The Ashland graduating class of 1958 has planned two gatherings to celebrate their 50-year milestone. The first will be a dinner at the Ashland Motor Lodge Saturday, July 19. Classmates are asked to arrive around 5:30 p.m. for some social time before dining off the menu at 6 p.m. On Sunday, July 20, a barbeque will be held at the home of Don and Barb (Kerry) Paradis in Portage. Starting at noon, burgers, hotdogs and various salads will be served. If anyone would like to bring a favorite dish to share, that would be great. Please contact Jo (Kinney) Kilbourne with any questions at 435-2682. Everyone associated with the class of 1958 is invited to attend these events … the more the merrier!
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).
