Ashland Scouts keeping busy this winter
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from the Scouts and it seems they’ve been busy! The boys have reported what they’ve been up to below.
BEN PHILBROOK of Ashland Boy Scout Troop 179 caught this trout while ice fishing with his troop on Little Machias Lake recently.
In December, Ashland Troop 179 relocated its regular meeting place from the fire station to the old grade school (the future Community Center). The boys are really enjoying the expanded space. With the larger space, the boys decided to have an overnight in the gym. This was also a going away party for one of the Scouts, Dawson. The boys were able to play basketball, mutant caterpillar tag, football and other games they made up on their own. Pizzas were ordered and lots of munchies were consumed. The boys had so much fun they decided to make this an annual event. Seems the old school is already being put to good use!
Ashland Boy Scout Troop 179 took their annual ice fishing trip to Little Machias Lake Jan. 2. Eleven members of the troop went, along with six guests. Even though the day started out with freezing rain, by the time they got on the ice the precipitation had stopped and to add to the day, the sun had come out!
Eight boys got a chance to work on their Fishing Merit Badge. There was plenty of action with the ice traps, with trout, yellow perch, chub and bullhead being caught. The boys needed to catch two different kinds of fish each and identify them. They also needed to release one fish unharmed and clean and cook another fish. Boys cooked their fish in foil over the fire. In addition to fish, the boys cooked hotdogs with chips and Clementines. Spoons were accidentally left at home, so hot chocolate was stirred with candy canes. Mmm, sounds like an awesome treat!
THE ASHLAND BOY SCOUTS of Troop 179 recently spent a day ice fishing to earn their Fishing Merit Badge. The boys had a blast catching various species, as well as cooking and eating the fish that were caught. Pictured here are the Scouts and their guests who spent the day on the ice, from left, front row: Linda Milligan, Scoutmaster; Malcolm Milligan, Dayne Durand and Polly Libby, assistant Scoutmaster. Middle row: Otis Nelson, Kassandra Nelson, Wyatt Carr and Dawson Lane. Back row: Kurt Philbrook, Brian Philbrook, Sean Robertson, Dave Milligan, Ben Philbrook, Zach Carr, Baily Clark, Peng Cheng and Ginger Nelson.Everyone had a fun day running for traps, catching and eating fish, throwing snowballs, having lots of laughs and enjoying the great outdoors.
Thanks boys for keeping us up-to-date on your activities. Your community and fellow Scouts really enjoy hearing what you’re up to. Enjoy the rest of the winter season. We can’t wait to hear all about it!
Project Grad bottle drive
Ashland Project Graduation 2012 would like to thank all of the residents who donated their bottles to the project during their Jan. 7 bottle drive! It was a great success. Project Grad will continue taking bottle donations now through June. Anyone wishing to donate their bottles can do so at the Ashland Redemption Center. Simply drop your bottles off and let them know they are for the Ashland Project Grad.
Portage Lake Historical Society meeting rescheduled
The date for the Portage Lake Historical Society meeting has changed to Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall building. The 26th was the original date, but it didn’t work well for most of the members so it was changed to accommodate them. The meeting is open for anyone wishing to become a member.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 435-8232 or Feenhop@aol.com.
