Ashland resident celebrates 88th birthday

    On March 14, Stella MacDonald, who resides at Northwood Manor in Ashland, enjoyed a party at the Ashland Motor Lodge in celebration of her 88th birthday. Many family and friends were on hand to take part in her special day. Congratulations Stella and happy belated birthday!
Seniors’ Club     The Ashland Area Senior Citizens were musically entertained by Donnie O’Clair recently, who sang and played his guitar for those in attendance. On April 3, Mona Lynch from the Area Agency on Aging spoke to the club about the Agency’s programs and various topics facing seniors today. Looking ahead, on May 15, Tammy Beaulier-Fuller from TAMC will be on hand to discuss infectious diseases. If you are a senior and are interested in attending the weekly meetings, please do not hesitate to go. All are welcome and you are required only to bring a dish of some sort for the potluck. The club meets at noon every Thursday at the Ashland Recreation Center.
School News
    March was a very busy month at Ashland Central School. One very fun activity that the whole school participated in was an assignment from music teacher Ben Potvin. Mr. Potvin instructed all the students to make a musical instrument. What a sight to see the children going to music class, proudly carrying their creations and grinning from ear to ear!
    Every year during the month of March, upper wing students take the Maine Educational Assessment tests. As a reward for working so hard during the three weeks that the testing occurs, students are treated to “Fun Fridays.” This year, “Fun Friday” activities included Silly Hat Day, Pajama and a Movie Day, and Sliding Day.
    Hot off the press, the second ACS Press was distributed Wednesday, April 1 (and that’s no April Fools!). This edition of the newspaper – written by kids for kids – has many items of interest including classroom activities that are on-going or have happened recently, library, music, physical education and art news; horoscopes, four Young Authors entries written by Ben Philbrook, grade 4; Jarrett Beaulier, grade 4; Autumn Lavertu, grade 5; and Sophie Theriault, grade 5; a photo of the Funky Hat Day Winners, and a lot of great student artwork. On the front page of the publication is a picture of Mr. Nemer and an action shot of the 2007-2008 girls varsity basketball team. Highlights of the season and Mr. Nemer’s thoughts about his team were included in the article.
DARE Graduation
    Just a reminder that DARE graduation will take place Thursday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Ashland Central School gym. This year’s speaker will be Det. Dan Robertson of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department.
Project Graduation to Host Bluegrass Concert
    A bluegrass concert will be held Saturday, April 26 at the Ashland Community High School gymnasium. The show will start at 7 p.m. and feature Wilf Clark and the Misty Mountaineers, as well as the Aroostook County Bluegrass Band. Cost for the concert is $10 per person. All proceeds will go toward ACHS 2008 Project Graduation. Please come and enjoy an evening of fun and entertainment.
Portage Lakers ATV Club Raffle
    Members of the Portage Lakers ATV Club are currently selling raffle tickets. The grand prize will be a mini ATV, second place will be a $25 gift certificate and third place is a $20 gift certificate. Certificates were donated by The Sled Shop and Harry’s of Presque Isle. The winners will be drawn after the Memorial Day Parade at the Portage Town Hall. Tickets can be purchased from any club member. For more information, please contact Kathy Gagnon at 435-4361 (work) or 435-6223 (home).
Recipes Needed
    The Portage Lake Cookbook Committee is in need of recipes for our centennial cookbook, which will be available in 2009. We are looking for favorite family recipes, both old and new. We would love to hear from past residents of Portage Lake, as well as current residents. Look through your recipe collection for recipes for snacks, smoothies, desserts, main dishes, soups, salads, etc. Please be as specific as possible with measurements, directions and the size of cans, packages and pans so that others can successfully make your recipe. Recipe forms will be available at the Portage Town Office or Coffin’s Store. They may be dropped off at the Town Office, Coffin’s Store or send your handwritten or typed recipes to Lou Sandy Boutot, P.O. Box 4, Portage, Maine 04768. You may also e-mail recipes to Cheryl Raymond at hayburners@gmail.com or Gail Gagnon at ggagnon@nccc.edu. Please put “Portage Cookbook” in the subject line. The deadline for sending recipes to be included in the Portage Lake Centennial Cookbook is May 1, 2008, so hurry and get your family’s favorites to us. Thank you.
Ongoing Events
    The Ashland Area Senior Citizens group meets every Thursday at noon at the Ashland Rec. Center. Any senior citizens wishing to participate in the potluck lunches and meetings are always welcome.
    The Portage Lake Seniors’ Lunch is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. at the Town Hall. All seniors are invited to attend and can bring a potluck dish to share or give a cash donation. For more information, contact Wilza Robertson at 435-6211 or Grace Nason at 435-6373.
    The Red Hat Loonies of Portage Lake meet the second Thursday of every month at Dean’s Motor Lodge. Membership dues are $2. Come and have a great meal and a great time, too! For more information, contact Rachel Stevens at 435-6358.
    If you can help plan for Portage Lake’s Centennial Celebration, please contact Barb Pitcairn at 435-2368 or Grace Nason at 435-6373.
    Ladies, are you interested in crafts or have some that you’ve started and just can’t seem to finish? If so, take yourself over to the Portage Lake Municipal Building for Girlz Night every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy the company and the satisfaction of finally completing a project!
    (Julie Graham-Berry is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and surrounding townships. She can be reached at 435-7137).