ASHLAND ROYALTY — First Runner Up Eleana Reynaga and 2009 Miss Ashland Taylor Baker.
Ashland crowns 2009 queen
Ashland was alive with talent and beauty on Wednesday, July 1, while four of their finest young ladies vied for the title of Miss Ashland. Hosted by the Ashland Chapter of the FFA, student members actively participated in the organization and management of the pageant. All proceeds will be used to help fund the chapters trip this fall to Massachusetts for the Big E Fair. Opening the show with a choreographed performance to “All That Jazz” from the musical “Chicago,” the girls showed off their dancing skills. The reigning (and charming) Little Miss Ashland Mia Carney then tap-danced into everyone’s heart to “The Press Conference Rag,” also from the musical “Chicago.”
The contestants then showcased their talents with a sporty Suzanne Poulin performing a unique dance routine with her basketball to the song “Basketball.”
Taylor Baker gave a lovely performance singing “Broken” by Lindsey Haun.
Miranda Donovan got into the spirit of things, singing “Some Days You Gotta Dance” by the Dixie Chicks.
The elegant Eleana Reynaga added a touch of culture to the evening singing “Angels” by Jessica Simpson, in Spanish, paying homage to her native roots.
The ladies then walked the runway in their formal wear — each too lovely for words.
The final portion of the night included the interview questions. Mistress of Ceremonies Carol Cote sat with the contestants individually on the stage while they chose a question. Each girl answered their questions with poise and confidence. Judges Kristen Lagasse, Jenny Luukko, and Andrea Hallett then conferenced to decide the winner. With Cote and Little Miss Ashland on hand to crown the winner, the names were announced. Eleana Reynaga was named the first runner-up and Taylor Baker was chosen 2009’s Miss Ashland.
All of the young ladies did a fine job and were able to showcase why they were each worthy of the title. You should all be very proud of yourselves. Your community is.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
2009 MISS ASHLAND CONTESTANTS preparing for their “All That Jazz” routine, pictured from left: Eleana Reynaga, Miranda Donovan, Suzanne Poulin and Taylor Baker.
On Tuesday June 23, seasonal and year-round residents of Oxbow Plantation turned out to help cut and chip brush from around the Oxbow Congregational Church. The crew spent over six hours cutting and hauling brush that at one point had been so thick and overgrown it was touching the building.
In 2007 the town of Oxbow Plantation had participated in a ‘Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Assessment’ conducted by the Maine Forest Service forest rangers. The assessment is intended to assist homeowners, and communities as a whole, in identifying and reducing the risk of property loss in the event of wild fires entering the community. In this assessment, the Maine Forest Service found that over 50 percent of resident homes and camps had less than 30 feet of “defensible space” between the structure and wild land fuels — wild land fuels being overgrown brush, grassy fields, trees, bushes, etc.
“Basically anything that is not a structure is considered wild land fuel,” noted Forest Ranger Amanda Barker.
Having a structure that is free from combustible fuels around a structure is one of the most important steps a homeowner can take to reduce the risk of fire loss.
Taking advantage of an industrial chipper available to the communities that participate in the assessment, the crew did a fantastic job of providing ‘defensible space’ around the church as well as improving the aesthetics. What a bonus! Great job! Thanks to the volunteers and the Maine Forest Service for assisting our communities in staying safe.
Ranger Barker also mentioned the Forest Service is planning an assessment in Ashland “sometime this year for those interested.” She asks residents to contact the Maine Forest Service at the number provided. For more information on how to prepare your home or camp for wild fire, contact the Maine Forest Service at 435 – 7963.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Barker
THE OXBOW CREW taking a moment of rest for a photo. Pictured standing, from left: Al Currier, Jeff Knight, Wayne Vaughn and sons Ben and Jonathan. Seated is George Shean.
On Sunday July 12, the Portage Hills Golf Course will be holding their annual ‘Practico /Sileski’ Memorial Golf Tournament. This year will mark the 25th year the club has held this tournament to honor the memory of two former members who have both passed away – Pat Practico and Joe Sileski.
“This tournament has been mostly for the club members and locals who knew these men. They were hunters from Vermont who spent a lot of time at the club and in Portage and it was a way to honor their memories” said club member Bill Nemer, adding, “it is open to the public and we would love to have more participants.” Coinciding with the Portage Lake Centennial, it’s another event for the locals and visitors to participate in.
This specific fund-raiser is for the club to help assist in the upkeep of the course and, according to Nemer, “it’s just a fun reason to get together.” Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 10:15 a.m. A ‘shotgun’ start at 10:30 a.m. will begin the tournament. There will be snacks and beverages available for purchase. The registration fees will be $30 for non-members and $25 for members.
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 Portage Lake Over 50s’ 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.
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.
