Portage Lakers host 10th annual Radar Runs

by Staff Star Herald
14 years ago

Portage Lakers host

10th annual Radar Runs

ASHLAND NEWS

by Susan Feeney Hopkins

Over 50 racers participated in the Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club’s Radar Runs held on the lake Sunday, Jan. 16. This was the club’s 10th year hosting the radar runs, and their “most successful yet” said club president Jen Curran. Though the day was brisk and overcast, the lake was crowded with an impressive turnout of racers and spectators. Rolling into town as early as 8 a.m., trucks pulling trailers full of sleds lined the ice in preparation of the runs. In addition to the racers, “more than 300 (admission) attendees” came to watch the excitement and participate in all the action. This was, by far, the biggest turnout I have seen. “Portage was a booming town that day. It was great to see,” added Curran. A 50/50 raffle was held to benefit the Kyle Rogers Memorial Scholarship Fund. The winner of the raffle received a $175 cash pay out from the 50/50 raffle, plus another $75 from the snowmobile club totaling $250!

LO-ASHLAND-DC2X-SH-04Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
RACERS EAGERLY stand on the sidelines waiting for their chance to race in the 10th annual Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club’s Radar Runs.

Over 70 racers participated in 21 classes with an awesome 265 runs! The fastest speed for the day went to Scott Gagnon who tacked the radar at an astounding 127 mph. The following is a list of the race classes, the winners and their top speeds. Congratulations to all the racers. You did a great job and provided some really exciting entertainment!

LO-ASHLAND-DC4X-SH-04

Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins

PORTAGE LAKERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB members (and former Portage Lake residents) Tara Cusick, left, and Sue Rogers both traveled to Portage Lake to participate and lend their support to the club.

Stock Open: Carl Theriault (110), John Alexander (100) and Whitney Robinson (97); Stock 1000: “Connor” (104), Kyle Anderson (103) and Amanda Cyr (101); Stock 900: Amanda Cyr (102), John Alexander (100) and Jason Gray (91); Stock 800: “Connor” (104), Amanda Cyr (103) and Scott Dyer (102); Stock 700: Kevin Kearney (103), Ethan Rossignal (100) and Jason Gray (93); Improved Stock 4 Stroke: Carl Theriault (118) and John Alexander (115); Improved Stock 1000: Cody Thibodeau (116), Scott Dyer (115) and Connell McLean (110); Improved Stock 900: Amanda Cyr (103), Travis Collins (99) and Matthew Lavoie (99); and Improved Stock 800: Ryan Everett (106), Dan Robertson (104) and “Connor” (104).

LO-ASHLAND-DC5X-SH-04Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
JEN CURRAN, president of the Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club, stayed warm keeping track of the racers and their top speeds during the event.

Also, Improved Stock 700: Kevin Kearney (103), Ethan Rossignal (100) and Adam Michalka (95); Improved Stock 600: Dylan Ouellette (95), Seth Lockhart (84) and Brian Buck (78); Improved Stock 500: Dillan Byram (88), Rosco Tobin (85) and Billy Weisman (80); Stock 600: Eric Condon (92), Melissa Ellis (88) and Scott Fisher (86); Stock 500: Rosco Tobin (85), Billy Weisman (81) and Mallory Thompson (81); Mini Class: Blayne Boutot (28); Vintage Class: Dillan Byram (86), Mallory Thompson (80) and Leroy Pelletier (75); Junior Class: Leroy Pelletier (72); Open Mod: Scott Gagnon (127 * top speed for the day), Brock Kilcollins (125) and Cody Thibodeau (116).

The club would like to extend “a big thank you” to their sponsors, club members, the racers, volunteers and spectators for such a successful day. To learn more about the Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club or how you can become a member, visit them at www.portagelakerssnowmobileclub.org.

Ashland Senior Citizens are moving

The Ashland Senior Citizens Club will be moving to the Junkins-LeBlanc VFW Post 9699 on the Portage Road. The new space should allow more room for the ever popular and growing-in-size club. The club meets every other Thursday from Nov. 1 through March 31 and every week (Thursday) from April 1 to Oct. 31. The club meets at noon for a potluck luncheon to enjoy the company of others, games and guest entertainers. For more information, contact Roberta Savary at 435-6422.

FOUR GENERATIONS
lo ashland c6x sh 04Photo courtesy of Pearle Soucy

The Soucy family in Portage Lake recently welcomed the newest addition to their family. Baby Chase Alberie Goldhawn Gagnon was born to first-time parents, Cole and Erin (Soucy) Gagnon of Windham. Paternal grandparents are Ray and Karla Gagnon of Bath. Maternal grandparents are Darrell and Sandra Soucy of Portage Lake, and maternal great-grandmother is Pearle Soucy, also of Portage Lake. Pictured are, from left, back row: Erin (Soucy) Gagnon and grandfather Darrell Soucy. Holding her great-grandson Chase Alberie Goldhawn Gagnon is great-grandmother Pearle Soucy.

 

Portage Lake Historical Society

The Portage Lake Historical Society will be meeting Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 9 a.m. in the Portage Lake Town Hall. Anyone with an interest in town history and the preservation of its history is welcome to attend. Contact the town office for more information.

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.