The volunteer firefighters in Ashland, Oxbow/Masardis and Portage Lake received a surprise recognition ceremony hosted by the Ashland Rotarians. On Monday, May 4, the Oxbow/Masardis and Portage Lake stations received recognition in tandem, in what they thought were “special” meetings, while the Ashland station received their surprise recognition Tuesday, May 5. Town Managers Rita Sinclair (Portage Lake) and Jim Gardner (Ashland) assisted the Rotary Club in pulling off the surprise.
Rotary President Sarah Brooks explained that during a club meeting when talk came up about the Rotary Club’s community service project, past Rotary president and current member Leon Buckingham made the suggestion they honor the local fire departments. The members agreed unanimously. Buckingham, a former firefighter himself, felt that because, “They work so hard, and nobody really notices. They do this for no money. They are so deserving and we (the Rotary Club) wanted them to know they are appreciated.”
“Many people don’t realize what goes in to volunteering for a fire department. The commitment goes much further than attending meetings and responding to pages. Most are not aware of the time spent in training, certifications that are OSHA required, how weekends (of personal time) are given up to be prepared for each and every scenario that any emergency might present,” said Brooks. “They continually face the unknown when responding to a call. They never know if the page is for a family member or close friend. Every fire response brings with it the possibility they may have to risk their own lives to enter a building in order to rescue someone. Every call is putting their life on the line.”
Each department received a personalized written commendation by Brooks, recognizing each member for their contribution to the department. Shorty Long was recognized with the distinction of having served on the Ashland Fire Department for 54 years to date.
A plaque honoring their department and dedication to their communities, along with a check for $1,000, was given to each chief to be used at the departments’ discretion.
“Every bit helps. It is very much appreciated and will definitely be spent wisely,” said Assistant Chief Brad Boutot of the Portage Lake department. Boutot also mentioned the department is in need of a new hose, and have been in the process of locating grant money and donations to fund its purchase.
Oxbow/Masardis Chief Steve Sherman said they will use the funds to replace two dry hydrants.
“The department didn’t budget for them, so this gift comes in handy. It is a very nice gesture and we really appreciate it,” he said.
Ashland Chief Ned LaBelle, who was “gratefully surprised,” said they have been “debating several ideas” on how to spend the money. The “number-one thought” is buying uniforms for all the members. LaBelle said the department “hasn’t had uniforms in years” and they want to “outfit everyone.”
These departments, though separate, basically function as one (department), working together to accomplish the shared goal of keeping their communities safe. Having that backup is essential for them, and for all of us as a community. Without the assistance of neighboring departments, some of the recent fires and emergencies could have been much worse. Rural areas like ours in The County rely on volunteer departments. Some also volunteer on more than one department because they “are needed.” Most of the volunteers agree they do it because of the desire to contribute something to their communities, because they have “a calling,” and some because it has been a family tradition.
Most days go by without any of us thinking about who is going to help us in an emergency. We sometimes take for granted that “someone” will respond to our calls. Not intentionally, but because we are brought up with the comfort of knowing emergency responders respond to emergencies. This is especially true with small town volunteer departments. We are used to seeing these people in our every day lives. They are our neighbors and friends, our fathers, sons and brothers. We sometimes forget when that call goes out at 3 a.m. on a minus 30-degree night, while we are safe and warm in our beds, they are putting their own lives and safety on the line to save someone and their belongings, stabilizing a critical accident victim, or comforting a distraught family member. It doesn’t matter what the weather is doing, how they are feeling, or what they are doing at the time of the call. They respond unselfishly. These heroes live among us, every day, most of the time going unnoticed until we need them. And every time, they are there for us. It’s wonderful to see them get the recognition they so rightfully deserve.
Summer Worship
The Portage Lake Congregational Church will open for summer worship beginning Sunday, June 7 through the end of September. Worship is ecumenically centered within the framework of a traditional Protestant service. Holy Communion will be offered on the first Sunday of every month. Church begins at 10 a.m. with refreshments following. All are welcome! For more information, please contact Wes Lavigne at 764-1630.
Portage Lake ‘History and Hearsay’ Books Now Available
The months of effort and countless hours spent to put Portage Lake’s town history together in a bound book has finally come to fruition. The Portage Lake Centennial Book Committee is responsible and deserves kudos for putting together an interesting and fabulous read. There are many familiar names and faces, as well as a detailed account of the early settlement history and its people. Books are available for $16 at the Town Office (from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), Coffin’s General Store and Dean’s Motor Lodge (during normal operating hours). Any person who “pre-ordered” will need to go to the Town Office to pick up their copy.
Keep Portage Lake Beautiful
There will be a town cleanup in Portage Lake Saturday, May 16 starting at 8 a.m. Participants will meet at the Town Hall. Please bring your own work gloves. Garbage bags will be provided. Depending on how many people participate, it should only take a few hours out of your time. We all take pride in our hometown, so let’s all work together to help keep Portage Lake beautiful!
Ongoing Events
The PTO of Ashland Central School is still collecting soup labels (with bar code), box tops and drink pouches to earn points that can be used toward educational and classroom supplies. You can send them in to school with your child, or drop them off in the school office. Please contact Kim Holmes at 435-6043 with any questions.
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens group meets every Thursday at noon at the Ashland Recreational Center. Any senior citizens wishing to participate in the potluck lunches and meetings are always welcome to attend.
The Kids Club will meet again this Thursday, May 14 at the Masardis Pentecostal Church. If your child needs a ride, please contact the Rev. or Mrs. Donald Morton at 435-6983. The group meets every other Thursday from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Portage Lake Historical Society – Individuals from Portage Lake (and surrounding communities) are in the process of establishing a historical society. This group will meet each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Portage Lake Town Hall. Anyone who has an interest in preserving Portage Lake’s history, and becoming a charter member is welcome to join.
The Portage Lake Over 50’s Club lunch is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at the Town Hall. All individuals 50 and over are invited to attend and can bring a potluck dish to share. 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.
There is an exercise group every Monday night at the Portage Lake Municipal Building at 6:30 p.m. There is no cost for participants. Just a group gathering to keep exercise motivating and fun! Please contact Kim Holmes at 435-6043 for more information.
Portage Lake Centennial Celebrations – There are still events in the works and assistance is still needed to help plan and participate in the celebrations. Any help you can provide is both needed and appreciated. Please contact Corrine Routhier at 435-6854.
Centennial Commemorative Items Available For Sale – Coins, key chains, slide show DVDs, calendars and cookbooks available at the Town Hall. T-shirts and mugs available only at Dean’s. There is a Centennial Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. on June 8 at the Town Hall.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and surrounding townships. She can be reached at 435-8232 or feenhop@aol.com.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
MEMBERS OF THE ASHLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT are, front: Jean Poitraw. Kneeling, from left: Myles Bolstridge, Stan Saucier, Tom Raymond, Shorty Long, Don Bouley, Dave Bolstridge, Scott Hammond, Edward Bellanceau and Kevin Robinson. Back row: Harvey McClellan, Joanna Thyng, Jason Durrell, Mike Howes, Josh Robinson, Eric Boyles, Chief Ned LaBelle, Joe Basso, Danielle Long, Tyler Cote, Aaron McClellan, Kenny Dubois, and Dana Howes.
Photo courtesy of Susie Cameron
MEMBERS OF THE OXBOW/MASARDIS FIRE DEPARTMENT with members of the Rotary Club are, front row, from left: Tim McKinnon, Nelson Craig, Tom Dittus, Rotarians Sharon Everett and Lester Junkins. Back row: Chief Steven Sherman, Rotarians Roy and Heather Clark, Kenny Dubois, Rotarians Janet Jandreau and Dana Cameron. Absent from the photo is “Rotarian photographer” Susie Cameron.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
PORTAGE LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT and Ashland Rotary Club members are, front row, from left: Selectman Raymond Cyr, Scott Hammond, Assistant Chief Brad Boutot, Rotarian Gloria Curtis, Aaron McClellan, Chief Dave Bolstridge and Gary Hafford. Back row: Rotarian Leon “Cunningham” Buckingham, Marcus Belanger, Rotary President Sarah Brooks, Shawn McClellan, Rotarian Denise Beaulier, Harvey McClellan, Rotarian Patty Rafford, Myles Bolstridge, Portage Lake Town Manager and Rotarian Rita Sinclair, Brian Cote, Dan Perrault, John Robertson and Dave Pierce.
