ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney-Hopkins
Local quilters from Portage Lake and neighboring communities have created a quilt in honor of the 2014 World Acadian Congress.
The group, which includes novice to skilled quilters, organized last fall and has been getting together most every Monday night since for meetings and to work on the project. Lucinda Jacobs, of Portage Lake, who is a skilled sewer/seamstress, said she decided to begin quilting seven years ago as a way to keep busy during “the long, dark, cold winters of Maine.”
All of the contributing quilters have a connection to the Portage Lake community whether they are a resident or not. “Some live right here; others are from Ashland, Nashville and Mapleton. Another lives out of state, but has a camp here,” said Mary Ann Gagnon, a Portage Lake resident.
The quilt has 18 hand-made squares featuring scenes of Portage Lake landmarks, celebrated Maine symbols such as fiddleheads, a whoopie pie and lupines, along with the natural scenic wonders of northern Maine. Some of the squares were created by transferring historic photos onto fabric, while others were fashioned with the classic embroidered, hand-painted and appliqué quilting methods.
The quilt has a tree fabric border with log appliqués, paying homage to northern Maine’s rich logging history. The very talented and creative quilters and their squares include: Marie Bagley (loons); Betty Benson (Acadian flag); Jean Clark (moose); Barbara Rouse (old Portage school); Chris Murphy (the center square which features the Portage Lake ‘Welcome’ sign and logo and the dedication square); Allyx Beaulier (Dean’s Motor Lodge); Linda Caron (whoopie pie); Betty Chapman (Condon Potato Farm); Kathy Gagnon (fiddleheads); Marria Bagley (maple sugar shack); Gail Gagnon (scene of Portage Lake); Susan Cyr-Simpson (lupines); Lucinda Jacobs (Congregational Church and American flag); Martha Haskell (scene of the lake); Mary Ann Gagnon (the original barn from Garrity’s farm) and Anita Theriault (Coffins General Store).
The Portage Lake Tourism Committee helped fund the project, while the quilters donated their time and skill to this labor of love. The quilt will be permanently displayed in the Portage Lake Town Office for all to see for generations to come. The quilters encourage and invite community members to stop in to view this special gift made especially for the community.
Ongoing events
The Portage Lake ATV Club will meet every first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Office. All are welcome to attend. Contact Rena Belanger for membership or more information at 435-2780.
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens meet the first and third Thursday at noon for a potluck luncheon at the LeBlanc Junkins VFW Post 9699 on the Portage Road with a meeting to follow. This active and growing club of senior citizens also takes trips to various restaurants throughout The County, hosts cookouts, enjoys guest speakers and entertainment such as musicians. For more information, contact Roberta Savary at 435-6422.
The Portage Lake Over 50’s Club lunch is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at the Town Hall. All individuals 50 and over are invited to attend and can bring a potluck dish to share. For more information, contact Jean Clark at 435-8034 or Donna Martin at 435-7108.
The Red Hat Loonies of Portage Lake meet every third Thursday of every month at Dean’s Motor Lodge. Membership dues are $2. Come and have a great meal and a great time, too!
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 227-7760 or Feenhop@aol.com.
