There was quite a crowd at the Masardis Pentecostal Church on the last Sunday of April. Several area churches gathered together in musical fellowship on that day and what a good time it was.
Since the Rev. Donald Morton’s church was the host of the event, much of the entertainment was provided by its members. Catherine Sharp and Ashley Morton began the evening with a beautiful song. They were followed by the Pentecostal church’s youth choir, a very talented bunch of young ones that sang, “The Lord’s Army.” While singing this song, the children had to say “Yes Sir!” and salute. One little girl, Kylee Bolstridge, did this particularly well and also very loudly, much to the delight of the audience. Next, Bonnie Bowring read a touching poem that she dedicated to her mother. Kali Pelletier and Diana Watt sang afterwards, followed by the choir from the Union Congregational Church. Wendy Robinson performed, “Heaven’s Point of View” and Francesca Perez, Duncan McFarland and Ashley Morton combined for another performance. Catherine Sharp, Ashley Morton, and Francesca Perez also sang or played music several more times throughout the evening.
The lady that really brought the house down though was Maxine McCausland. She took the stage and sang, “Mansion on the Hilltop” and afterwards, accompanied by the Rev. Morton and his band the Masardis Pickers, played the piano and sang, “The Old Gospel Ship.” Toes were tapping and hands were clapping during her two rousing performances and the Rev. Morton jokingly commented that it would take quite a while to cool that piano down after Maxine was done!
The children’s choir performed three more numbers while the Rev. Morton played his guitar: “This Little Light of Mine,” “Lord I Lift Your Name on High,” and “Just Say No! No! No!” The Rev. Morton told the crowd how much he enjoys the time he gets to spend with the children during Kid’s Club, Sunday School, etc. Based on the number of children in attendance on this evening and how much fun they were having, I would say that they feel just the same.
To end the Singspiration, members of the Pentecostal Church put on a short skit. Performed to the music, “Who Nailed Him There?”, it was about the inner turmoil a soldier was feeling because of his part in the crucifixion of Christ. Participants in the skit included David Morton, Duncan McFarland, Dwight Sturgeon, Danny Sharp, Taylor Morton, Catherine Sharp, Donna Morton and many others.
Sincere thanks to the Rev. and Mrs. Donald Morton for hosting the Singspiration. We greatly appreciate your many talents and all your good works.
Group OFF BEAT to Perform
On Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m., the Houlton Percussion Ensemble called OFF BEAT will be giving a concert at the Ashland Community High School Gym. This will be the final performance of the Visiting Artist Program for this school year, which is generously supported by a grant from the Maine Community Foundation.
OFF BEAT, directed by Joseph Fagnant, performs a variety of music ranging from serious literature to Latin, jazz and even some contemporary percussion songs. The group has entertained audiences at several schools throughout Maine including Madawaska, Presque Isle, Ashland, Mars Hill, Katahdin, Hodgdon and Mount Desert Island. They have also been selected twice to perform and present special clinics at the Maine Music Educators Association Conference held at the University of Maine.
OFF BEAT’s motto: “It’s Not How We Play, It’s How We Perform,” helps to explain the ensemble’s name. Audience members are wowed by the level of musicianship and with the group’s use of percussion instruments and other materials such as trash cans, plastic buckets and even kitchen sinks in some musical selections. During performances at schools and in communities, OFF BEAT offers educational experiences by explaining to audiences some background information about the different instruments they perform on. Sometimes students in the group also play on their primary band instruments (saxophone, trumpet, flute, French horn), hopefully inspiring many future musicians to want to play wind and percussion instruments, as well.
OFF BEAT has had several worldwide recognized companies sponsor their educational tours including the SABIAN cymbal company, Row Loff Productions music publishing company, and the instrument case company, King Kong Kases. The ensemble travels with thousands of dollars of their own equipment and gives out free promotional CDs, stickers, T-Shirts and other items to audience members.
Please join us in Ashland May 21 for this high energy OFF BEAT concert! Donations will go to benefit the SAD 32 Music Program. See you there!
Birthday Open House
An open house will be held at the Ashland Motor Lodge Sunday, May 18 to celebrate the 95th birthday of Vera Steinbeck. The celebration will run from 1- 4 p.m. The family invites you to come and visit with Vera and enjoy some birthday cake and refreshments.
Seniors’ Club
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens will be having a guest speaker at their Thursday, May 15 gathering. Tammy Beaulier-Fuller from The Aroostook Medical Center will be on hand to discuss infectious diseases and other health-related topics.
Thrift Store
The Good Shepherd Thrift Store is now open. Hours of operation are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Items to be donated need to be dropped off during open hours please. The $2.50 bag sale starts in June, and the end of the season clearance sale will be held Sept. 3-5.
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.
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 Wendy Robinson
CHILDREN IN THE MASARDIS PENTECOSTAL CHURCH’S youth choir were having a great time singing and doing the gestures to the song “This Little Light of Mine.”
Photo courtesy of Wendy Robinson
THE MASARDIS PICKERS, comprised of, from left: Francesca Perez, Sam Morton, the Rev. Donald Morton and Chris Morton accompany Maxine McCausland during one of her musical numbers.
Photo courtesy of Wendy Robinson
MEMBERS OF THE UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH of Ashland performed two selections at the recent Singspiration held at the Masardis Pentecostal Church. Choir members are, from left: Maralee Gardiner, Terri Lovewell, Marilyn Chase, Julie Graham-Berry, Rusty Savary, Rachel Stevens, Noreen Graham and Pastor Nathan Gardiner.
Photo courtesy of Wendy Robinson
DUNCAN McFARLAND, left, Francesca Perez and Ashley Morton made beautiful music together at the April 27 Singspiration at the Masardis Pentecostal Church.
Photo courtesy of Ben Potvin
THE HOULTON PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE called OFF BEAT will be giving a concert Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ashland Community High School Gym. Audience members are wowed by the level of musicianship and with the group’s use of percussion instruments and other materials such as trash cans, plastic buckets and even kitchen sinks in some musical selections. Members of this year’s 20-member OFF BEAT percussion ensemble include: (Seniors) Max Rush, Ryan Hill, Ruby White, Bethany Targonski and Casey Faulkingham. (Juniors) Emily McGary, Elliot Mooers, Kelsey Theriault, Annie Nickerson, Anna Caron and Erika Lackey. (Sophomores) Jordan Codrey, Stephannie Kreyssig and Ashley Hannigan. (Freshmen) Marcy Hernandez, Tyler Delano, Zach Waite, Dylan Gard, Tanner Caron and Marina DiMarco.
