Editor’s note: The story about the Sept. 20 Family Day and benefit supper held for Devin Whitmore was written and contributed by Sammi and Midge Jimmo.
The Family Day and benefit supper held for Devin Whitmore Sept. 20 was a huge success. All proceeds from monetary donations raised during the event went directly to Gary and Denise Whitmore, who were in attendance that day, along with several members of their family.
This wonderful event was made possible because every single item needed for the delicious Bean Hole Bean supper, which fed over 200 people, was prepared, cooked and donated by many. At the end of the supper, a 50/50 raffle was drawn. The winner, which happened to be Devin’s grandmother, gave her winnings back to her family. An auction, officiated by Karen Flint, was held with items donated by Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, Freem’s Bar & Grill and Al’s/Shell. Foods were also auctioned, such as a whole baked ham, assorted pies and homemade yeast rolls … all adding to the total raised for the family’s expenses and care of Devin.
The use of the Ashland Fish & Game Club was greatly appreciated, and it was the perfect location. The covered wagon rides from 2-4 p.m. were a hit with all, and were donated by Sarah Brooks and her team from Northwoods Saddle Expeditions. Adding to the fun of the day was the artwork of Ashland Girl Scout Troop 241 as they did face painting on the young and old alike!
Fantastic music was enjoyed at the new outside stage area all afternoon and into the evening. Special thanks to “The Aroostook County Bluegrass” group and Chet Rafford & Friends, Sheldon Wright and Donnie O’Clair Sr.
The Ryder Truck Rental and Leasing team, Service Department, and drivers personally donated generously over and above the call. Everyone in the area stepped right up, no questions asked, to help raise funds and make it possible for the family to spend all their time at EMMC with their son. Among the organizations and businesses that lent a hand included the area church parishioners, the Eastern Star, Candy Boyce of the Ashland Redemption Center, Ashland Food Mart, Ashland Motor Lodge, Dalton Inn, Dean’s Motor Lodge, Qwik Stop II, the County Glass Shop, Perley Burby & Sons Logging, Pine Tree Trucking and Sullivan’s Repair, just to mention a few.
Also during the week, Ken White of Seven Islands Land Co., facilitated with Marshall White, of Orion Timberlands, LLC, to have enough wood for the winter delivered by M. Rafford Trucking from Orion’s yard to the Whitmore home. As of now, several volunteers have stopped by to split the wood. A crew is also in the process of loading the 500-plus bales of hay donated by Sarah Brooks into covered storage for the winter.
It couldn’t have been done without all the volunteers, telephone calls and a lot of teamwork. There are just too many people to list individually, but please know that a sincere thank you goes out to each and every one in Ashland and the surrounding communities involved for your time, donations, thoughts and prayers. We appreciate your attendance and the support you have given and shown. And, good things do happen. Devin is now back home and doing well. THANK YOU!
Kids Club news
Kids Club in Masardis will be starting this Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. The bus will leave the church at 5:30 p.m. and pick up those children who want to attend. Please be sure to call Cindy or the Rev. Donnie Morton at 435-6983 to make arrangements. For now, Kids Club will be held every other Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Those attending will be notified of any future changes.
Annual ham and bean supper to be held at church
The Ashland Congregational Church will be hosting a ham and bean supper Saturday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. In addition to ham and beans, the menu will include homemade rolls, potato salad, coleslaw, apple crisp and beverage. Cost for the meal is $7. The church’s Women’s Fellowship will also be selling tickets on a complete turkey dinner at the supper. Hope to see you there.
Benefit dance, auction and Halloween party scheduled
Darcy Pinette, 26, of Ashland, has been battling Fibro Sarcoma since November 2006. She has undergone three major surgeries and radiation since being diagnosed, and most recently finished a round of chemotherapy at Massachusetts General. Her mother, Brenda Pinette, along with other family members, are organizing a benefit event to help with various expenses. The fund-raiser will be Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Ashland Fish and Game Club. The night will start with a potluck supper from 4-5 p.m., then an auction. Following the auction, there will be a Halloween dance. Come as you are or dress in costume – the choice is yours. Music for the evening will be provided by long-time DJ, Gerard Charette, so come, have fun and BYOB. For more information, please contact Lori Cray at 435-8071 or Brenda Pinette at 435-1020.
Ashland Fish & Game to host hunting and Halloween events
A Halloween costume dance for grades 6-8 will be held Friday, Oct. 17 at the Ashland Fish and Game Club. The event will start at 6 p.m. and conclude at 10 p.m. Admission is $3 and prizes will be awarded for the best costume.
A Halloween dance for adults ages 21 and older will be held Saturday, Oct. 18. The fun starts at 8 p.m. and goes to 1 a.m. Admission is $5 and there will be prizes for best costume, as well as a 50/50 raffle. This event is BYOB.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, there will be a Youth Day Hunter’s Breakfast from 5-8 a.m. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under. Tickets for a 50/50 raffle will be sold during the breakfast.
Donation of uniforms welcomed
If you or anyone you know has Cub Scout uniforms that are no longer being used, we have kids that can benefit from them now. Please contact Linda Milligan at 227-9135 or Julie Graham-Berry at 435-7137.
Oct. 4 playground build postponed
Due to inclement weather and the inability to do necessary ground preparation, the erection of the “Just 4 Kids Family Play Park” had to be rescheduled. The new date is Saturday, Oct. 18. Everything else will remain the same with a start time of 8 a.m. on the new date. Help from the community is needed, so please volunteer your services and bring your hand tools. Coffee, donuts and lemonade will be served in the morning. Please call Andrea White with any questions or to volunteer your time at 435-6363.
Club changes meeting location
The Ashland Senior Citizens club will again be meeting at the Ashland Recreation Center, every Thursday at noon. This change is effective as of Thursday, Oct. 9.
Ongoing Events
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens group meets every Thursday at noon at the Ashland Recreational 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).
Photo courtesy of Sammi Jimmo
DANNI RAE CARTER gets in on the action by painting hands instead of faces to help the cause.
Photo courtesy of Sammi Jimmo
GARY AND DENISE WHITMORE are pictured here with several members of Ashland Girl Scout Troop 241 who participated in the Family Fun Day fund-raising efforts. Shown are, front row: Cassie Bolstridge. Middle row: Emily Reese, Savannah Flint, Laura Sturgeon, Gabby Reese and MacKenzie Carter. Back row: Denise Whitmore, Gary Whitmore and Sophie Theriault.
