Annual Portage Lake Pumpkin Party a howling good time

14 years ago

Annual Portage Lake Pumpkin Party

a howling good time

ASHLAND NEWS

by Susan Feeney-Hopkins

Ghosts, princesses, werewolves and other creatures of the night descended upon the Portage Lake Town Hall Saturday, Oct. 23 for the town’s Recreation Department’s annual Pumpkin Party.
Screams of seasonal fright and fun roared from the building as the children dared to enter the Spooky Room … the bravest entering several times! The game room provided a lot of entertainment for the children, young and old, with an assortment of games being offered. The Bat Café supplied drinks and snacks between all the action.

The Costume Contest proved very difficult for the judges as all of the kids were dressed in very awesome and unique costumes. Holding the prestigious judging positions were members of the local Red Hat Loonies – Wilza Robertson, Lucinda Jacobs and Rachel Stevens.
Portage Lake Recreation Department head, Taunja Jandreau, outdid herself with her dedication, fine planning and organization of the party. Taunja spent many selfless hours preparing and her efforts were unmistakable throughout the afternoon. Just seeing the smiles and fun the children were having I am sure made it all worthwhile. Taunja would like to offer her appreciation and thanks to the following volunteers who helped make the party a success. Helping to set up were Corrine and Arthur Routhier, Maggie Pierce, Ginger Nelson, Christy Dicker, Sue Richards, Laura Richards and Heather Fullen. The “Spooky Room” characters were: Wilza Robertson as a very scary witch, Lou Sandy Boutot as the Mad Scientist, Jeannie Jones as The Butler, Halle Baker was the Vampire, John Gagnon recreated his frightening Scarecrow, Rena Belanger played the Werewolf, Ida Charette as a Pirate, and Corrine Routhier was Old Mother Hubbard, who guarded the entrance of the Spooky Room with her bone.
Working the Bat Café was Anita Theriault who, as always, applied her sweet and motherly demeanor tending to all the children requesting drinks and snacks. Game Room Volunteers were Frances and Jacob Grey, Missy Boutot, Jen Curran, Roberta Belanger, Nicholas Belanger, Diana Michaud, Andrea White and Lucinda Jacobs. Good Witch Christy Dicker greeted the attendees as they entered the party. Marcelle Gagnon assisted with the decorating. Somewhere in the mix of all these projects was Taunja’s husband, Steve Jandreau, who by my observation acted as a man of all trades.
Some area businesses and organizations very generously made monetary donations. A very appreciative thank you goes out to Dean’s Motor Lodge in Portage Lake, the Ashland Rotary Club and Walmart.

 

Photos courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins

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BRIANNA LAVOIE, 10, of Frenchville showed her creativity as an Avatar character while Brooke Robinson, 10, of Masardis scared those who looked her way!

 

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PORTAGE LAKE’S MOST LOVELY LADIES – Corrine Routhier, left, and Jen Curran, both of Portage Lake, as Old Mother Hubbard and Mrs. Roper (from the 1970s television show, “Three’s Company”), respectively, prove getting into the spirit of things isn’t only for the kids.

 

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CELEBRATING HIS FIRST HALLOWEEN is Portage Lake’s newest resident, two-and-a-half-week-old Griffin Holmes who is cradled by his mother Kim Holmes.

 

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THE MOST UNIQUE COSTUME AWARD at the Portage Lake Recreation Department’s annual Pumpkin Party went to the current Little Miss Fort Fairfield, Mariah Mink, 9, who was dressed as Little Bo Peep. Her poodle, Fi Fi, was in on the action dressed as her sheep.

 

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THIS SCARY WITCH welcomed the children into the Spooky Room. Her alter ego is Wilza Robertson of Portage Lake.

 

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THE MAD SCIENTIST, Lou Sandy Boutot of Portage Lake, shows Marshall Cook of Ashland (as Super Mario) a thing or two about mad science while in the Spooky Room Laboratory.

 

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WHO SAID DINOSAURS AREN’T CUTE? – Seventeen-month-old Wayne Shackett of Perham took a break and checked on his goodies while at the Portage Lake Recreation Department’s annual Pumpkin Party with his mom, Laurie.

 

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ELI JANDREAU, 2, son of Rod and Amy Jandreau of Mapleton, came out for the fun to celebrate with his cousins and other family members. His grandparents are Sandra and Lloyd Jandreau of Portage Lake.

 

Man with local ties retires from Navy

Jerry and Marion Dunham of Garfield Plantation would like to announce the retirement of their son, Senior Chief Craig E. Dunham, from the United States Navy after serving his country for 22 years. Dunham, who currently resides in Lisbon, was raised in the Ashland area, attended the Ashland schools and remains strongly tied to the community.
Craig’s parents wish to convey their gratitude for his service to our country. They are “proud of you and thank you for serving. Love, Dad and Mom.”

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Photo courtesy of Jerry and Marion Dunham

CRAIG E. DUNHAM, senior chief of the United States Navy, has retired after serving his country for 22 years. Dunham, who was raised in the Ashland area, remains strongly tied with the community.

 

Craft fair and bake sale at Advent Christian Church

Don’t forget the craft fair and bake sale this Saturday, Nov. 6 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Advent Christian Church on Exchange Street in Ashland. A soup luncheon will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Be sure to stop in for your favorite goodies and crafts!

Aroostook River Voices concert

A concert “never heard of in Aroostook County” is scheduled to take place Sunday, Nov. 14 starting at 2 p.m. at the Ashland District School Auditorium. Sponsored by the Ashland Alumni Association, the concert features “solos, special guests and beautiful musical accompaniment.” Admission is free and all are invited to attend this special day. Come hear the voices and harmony of the Ashland area!
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.