Portage Lake taxidermist bestowed special honor
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney-Hopkins
Local award-winning taxidermist Steve Jandreau, owner of Wildlife Artistry in Portage Lake, was recently bestowed the honor of having one of his mounts permanently on display at the elite military West Point Academy in Virginia.
TAXIDERMIST STEVE JANDREAU, owner of Wildlife Artistry in Portage Lake, was bestowed the honor of having one of his mounts permanently on display at the renowned West Point Academy in Virginia. 
The moose is the official mascot of the I-2 Company at the Academy. Here, West Point military personnel pose with Jandreau’s mount.
The full body mount of a mature bull moose, mounted by Jandreau, was commissioned and donated to West Point Academy by the Zachensky family, whose son is a 2014 cadet member of West Point’s I-2 Co. The I-2 Co.’s mascot is a moose.
Jandreau had also done a head mount for the same West Point Company last summer. The mount is said to be the largest mascot in the history of the Cadet Corps at the academy.
“It’s so massive, it wouldn’t fit in the hallway or in the tactical officer’s office,” said cadet Emily Taylor, Class of 2012, company historian.
Due to its size, the mount is on display in the dayroom of the 2nd Regiments I Co. and will be seen by many military officials and dignitaries, possibly including presidents and other world leaders. This is quite an honorable distinction that Jandreau can add to his professional résumé, which has included awards and commendations for his life-like and creative taxidermy.
Jandreau has been practicing taxidermy for 29 years and has been operating his own business for the last 15 years. The arrival of the moose mascot was welcomed with much pomp and circumstance in what the academy dubbed, “The Moose Induction Day.”
Wildlife Artistry is located at 441 West Cottage Road in Portage Lake. Business hours are 6 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday and until 11 a.m. Saturdays. Jandreau welcomes customers to drop by the shop to see his work. For more information, contact Jandreau at 435-7908.
Portage Lake Historical Society bean supper
The Portage Lake Historical Society is celebrating its second annual meeting Saturday, June 16 at 5 p.m. with an old-fashioned “bean-hole” bean and baked ham dinner at the Portage Lake Town Hall. All are welcomed!
You do not have to be a member of the historical society to come and enjoy good food and company. Donations will be accepted at the door and membership forms will be available for anyone wishing to become a part of this wonderful organization. You do not have to be a resident of Portage Lake to become a member; you just have to care about the town and preserving its history.
Plan to attend the dinner and hear about what the society has been doing over the past year. (And don’t forget to tell your friends and family). For more information, contact Sarah Brooks at 551-6471 or Corrine Routhier at 435-6854 or e-mail arouthier@roadrunner.com.
Ashland Summer Food Service Program
The Ashland District School will be participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children free of charge, Monday through Friday, beginning June 25 and running to July 31. The meals will be served in the Ashland District School Cafeteria from 11-11:30 a.m. All meals are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Spread the word to neighbors and friends with school-aged children.
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.
