Late this summer, you may have noticed many round bales of straw speckling the landscape around town. In just three years, what started out as a means of providing feed for farm animals has grown into quite a production for Mike Graham of M&M Graham, Inc. Many of the 4-foot by 6-foot round bales done this year are being sold downstate for bedding, garden use or decoration.
Get Out and Vote
Tuesday, Nov. 6 is Election Day. On the ballot for Ashland residents is the election of SAD 32 school board members. Mary Casy and Sandra LaBelle are both seeking three-year term positions and Jennifer Hammond is seeking a one-year term position. The polls, located at the Ashland Municipal building (Town Office), will be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
VFW to Hold Ceremonies
Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day, a time to remember, celebrate and honor those who have fought for our freedoms. LeBlanc Junkins VFW post 9699 will hold two ceremonies on Veteran’s Day, the first will be at the memorial on Main Street at 11 a.m., and the second will be at the VFW at 2 p.m. A potluck will follow the 2 p.m. ceremony. The public is invited to both events.
Busy Weekend for Congregational Church
On Saturday, the Congregational Church held its annual ham and bean supper. Approximately 65 people were served a homemade meal of beans, ham, roles, coleslaw and apple crisp. For the first time this year, the church held a silent auction in conjunction with the supper. Before diners went downstairs to eat, they were able to peruse the items on display in the vestry and then bid on those of interest to them. A special thank-you to everyone who contributed food, time and who donated items for the auction. On Sunday, the Congregational Church held its second “Singspiration.” Parishioners from several area churches came together to sing and enjoy musical specials performed by some very talented individuals. Next week’s article will include pictures and more information about this event.
Craft Fairs and Luncheons
The Advent and Congregational Churches, as well as St. Mark’s Parish, will be holding their annual craft fairs beginning in November. The Advent Church’s will be Saturday, Nov. 3, and the Congregational Church’s will be Saturday, Nov. 10. I apologize for not knowing St. Mark’s date yet, but I will include it in next week’s column.
Hooray Hornets!
On Friday, Oct. 26, the boys and girls each won their Eastern Maine match-ups. Both games were exciting and definitely action packed. Now it’s on to the State championships Saturday, Nov. 3. As it turns out, our teams will be playing against both of Richmond High School’s boys and girls teams for the state titles. What a historical event this is for our athletes and our school! Ashland fans will be there in force to cheer on our teams, and we thank the players and coaches for all their hard work and determination this season. Let’s take it all the way Ashland!
Produce for Sale
Ten-pound bags of Russet and Shepody potatoes are for sale at the potato shack located at 41 Presque Isle Road. Cost per bag is $3.50 or $6 for two bags. Pumpkins are also available and are individually priced from 50 cents to $5.
Self-Defense Course
Ten women are wanted to participate in a self-defense course to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday nights at the grade school multi-purpose building. The cost for the course is $50 and it will run for a total of 10 weeks. The start date will be set once enough participants are registered for the course. Please consider coming to learn something new and to also get some exercise. Call Julie at 435-7137 to sign up.
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
MIKE JIMMO of M&M Graham, Inc. windrows straw with an Agri-Link double rake.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
IN THE FOREGROUND, Bev Chapman gathers the windrowed straw with Graham’s New Holland round baler. An alarm sounds when the bale inside the machine has reached the pre-programmed size and is ready to be net-wrapped. 
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
A SECOND ALARM alerts the operator that the bale is ready to be ejected.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
THE REAR HATCH opens, dispensing a 4-foot by 6-foot, net-wrapped bale of straw. 
