As part of the Ashland Summerfest Parade, the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 9699 held a membership drive. Auxiliary members distributed patriotic candy, notepads and United States flags to the crowd while ‘Uncle Sam’ passed out papers to parade watchers with the following statement: “We Want You” to join the VFW or VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Membership is a vital part of any club or organization. With our busy lives today, many of us feel that we do not have the time to attend meetings or functions and therefore do not join. Although the VFW and its Auxiliary would love for you to be involved and actively participate, it is not a requirement of membership. By simply paying dues (which for the Ladies Auxiliary is currently $11 annually) you contribute to many programs that help veterans, active military and your community. Please consider becoming a member of your local VFW or Auxiliary; your contribution in whatever form is both needed and greatly appreciated. For further information, call 435-7137 or speak to any VFW or Ladies Auxiliary member.
Poppy Princess
Since the early 1920s, the poppy has been recognized as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The poppy represents the blood shed by American military service members and honors the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This year, VFW Post 9699 was pleased to have Miss Courtney Jimmo representing them as their Poppy Princess. Courtney did a wonderful job and looked as sweet as could be riding in the Summerfest parade. Courtney is the granddaughter of Auxiliary member Sheila Buckingham.
Church service time change
New Found Hope Assembly of God will be changing service hours as of Sunday, July 22. Morning services will be held at 10 a.m. which includes KIDS Church for children in grades pre-K to 5. A weeknight service will now be held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. All are welcome to come and “Share the Hope of Jesus.”
Ongoing events
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens group will meet every other Thursday starting June 7 for the months of June, July and August. The meeting time is 12 p.m. and location of the Ashland Rec Center will remain the same. 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. 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.
Anyone interested in planning 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!
Playground fund-raiser
If you are interested in purchasing a raffle ticket for a three-day two-night all-inclusive stay at Chandler Lake Sporting Camps which includes a scenic flight over the North Maine woods, please contact Julie Graham-Berry at 435-7137 or Andrea White at 435-6363. Tickets cost $10 each and all funds raised will go towards the Community Playground 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.
