Girl Scouts
This past July, Girl Scout Troop 241 took a fun-filled, three-day trip. During the first part of their adventure, the girls traveled to Ipswitch, Mass., where they saw the historical Cranes Castle and took in an outdoor concert. After that it was back to Maine for swimming at Wells Beach and mini-golf mania. On the last day, the troop dined at Chuck E. Cheese in Portland before returning home.
Led by Jodi Reese and Sammi Jimmo, Ashland’s Troop 241 is divided into five different stages or categories: Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadet and Senior. Currently, the eight members of the troop comprise three of the five categories due to their various ages. Mackenzie Carter is the youngest participant and is classified as a Daisy. Gabrielle Reese, Savannah Flint and Sophie Theriault are Juniors; and Emily Reese, Shea Craig, Jessica Jimmo and Emma Bragdon are Cadets.
At every level the girls work towards earning badges and the top award for that level. Currently the Juniors are working to attain their Bronze Award and the Cadets their Silver Award. (The Silver Award in Girl Scouts is the equivalent of Eagle status for Boy Scouts). Some of the troop’s work in the community has included: helping younger children with reading skills, visiting the elderly, caroling during the Christmas season and helping out during fund-raising events for various causes. Girls at the Cadet level are required to complete a 40-hour community-based project as part of their work towards their Silver Award. Cadets of Troop 241 decided to put their time into the Ashland Area Community Playground Project. Cadets have helped with fund-raising efforts thus far and will participate in the installation of the actual playground sometime next year.
If you would like to become involved in the Girl Scouts or have any questions, please contact Jodi Reese at 435-2070 or Penny Kern at 764-4187. Troop 241 meets every other Friday from 6-7 p.m. at the Ashland Rec. Center.
Grandparents Day
This year Grandparents Day falls on Sunday, September 9. On that day, take time to remember and celebrate the special people whose love makes or has made a difference in our lives.
Self-defense course
Ten women wanted to participate in a self-defense course to be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday nights at the grade school multi-purpose building. The cost for the course is $50 and it will run for a total of 10 weeks. The start date will be set once enough participants are registered for the course. Please consider coming to learn something new and also get some exercise. Call Julie at 435-7137 to sign up.
Time is running out
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. The winner will be drawn on September 30.
Ongoing events
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.
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!
Thrift Store sale
The Good Shepard Thrift Store will be having its end-of-the-season clearance sale on September 5, 6 and 7. Come check out the great bargains! Store hours are 1-4 p.m. and 6- 8 p.m. on designated days.
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.
