Ashland’s VFW Post 9699 to conduct Memorial Day services

    The VFW Post 9699, along with the Ladies Auxiliary, will be conducting Memorial Day services at our local cemeteries Sunday, May 24 starting at 6:30 a.m. Services will begin at the Sheridan Cemetery, continuing on to Frenchville, Oxbow, Masardis, Portage Lake and ending in Ashland. The Ashland High School Band will meet the VFW members in Masardis, and travel on from there for the remainder of the services.     A complimentary breakfast (and break) will be served at the Post hall at approximately 9:30 a.m. for the Post members and Band members. Once all volunteers have finished, they will move on to Portage Lake. Kindly, SAD 32 will be furnishing the bus transportation for members and for the students. Community members are more than welcome to follow behind in their own vehicles to participate at each location.
    “[The Post members will recognize] all veterans, regardless of war service, or duty. It doesn’t matter. They all deserve the recognition,” said current VFW Post 9699 Commander Lawrence Michaud.
    Memorial Day is such an important holiday, and unfortunately, one whose meaning is often overlooked. Most consider this holiday the “official mark of summer” or a great reason to “get a day out of school or work.” This day should be, especially now, in time of war, a day where all of us at the very least, take a moment to honor and remember our veterans who have served and are serving so bravely and honorably for our country. They have made our world a better, and safer place. Time removes a lot – but how do we forget the men and women who have died fighting for (and have or are fighting for) the freedoms we enjoy? Each and every one of them deserves our respect and gratitude. So, on this Memorial Day – thank a veteran (we all know and love one), participate in your VFW ceremonies and say a prayer for all of our men and women serving in our armed forces. See you at the ceremonies!
Ashland Rotary up to More Good Deeds
    Thanks to a generous donation made by the Ashland Rotary Club, the residents at Northwood Manor will be enjoying a subscription to the Bangor Daily News and Star-Herald newspapers. The Ashland Rotary Club has made this special donation to the Manor for the last four years. Thank you Ashland Rotary Club members!
Bluegrass Concert This Saturday
    Don’t forget to wear your best stomping shoes on Saturday night! Ashland Community High School’s Project Graduation Committee will be hosting a bluegrass concert this Saturday (May 16) starting at 7 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. Admission is $10 for adults and children under 12 will be admitted free of charge. The featured groups are Wilf Clark and the Misty Mountaineers Band and the Aroostook County Bluegrass band. Proceeds will help support the graduating seniors’ class trip to Six Flags in Massachusetts.
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 to attend.
    The Kids Club will meet again Thursday, May 28 at the Masardis Pentecostal Church. If your child needs a ride, please contact the Rev. or Mrs. Donald Morton at 435-6983. The group meets every other Thursday from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
    The Portage Lake Congregational Church will open for summer worship beginning Sunday, June 7 through the end of September. Worship is ecumenically centered within the framework of a traditional Protestant service. Holy Communion will be offered on the first Sunday of every month. Church begins at 10 a.m. with refreshments following. All are welcome! For more information, please contact Wes Lavigne at 764-1630.
    Portage Lake Historical Society – Individuals from Portage Lake (and surrounding communities) are in the process of establishing a historical society. This group will meet each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Portage Lake Town Hall. Anyone who has an interest in preserving Portage Lake’s history, and becoming a charter member is welcome to join.
    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 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.
    There is an exercise group every Monday night at the Portage Lake Municipal Building at 6:30 p.m. There is no cost for participants. Just a group gathering to keep exercise motivating and fun! Please contact Kim Holmes at 435-6043 for more information.
    Portage Lake Centennial Celebrations – There are still events in the works and assistance is still needed to help plan and participate in the celebrations. Any help you can provide is both needed and appreciated. Please contact Corrine Routhier at 435-6854.
    Centennial Commemorative Items Available For Sale – Coins, key chains, slide show DVDs, calendars and cookbooks available at the Town Hall. T-shirts and mugs available only at Dean’s.
    There is a Centennial Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. on June 8 at the Town Hall.
    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.