On Friday, Oct. 26, Ms. Campbell and Mrs. Haines’s classes went on a pumpkin picking field trip to Mr. and Mrs. Graham’s house on the Presque Isle Road. When they arrived, students were treated to snacks of hot chocolate, chips, cookies and even roasted pumpkin seeds! Afterwards, the children had fun playing games of roll the pumpkin, pumpkin golf and toss the candy into the pumpkin. Before leaving, each student got to choose a pumpkin to take home.
Singspiration Draws Large Crowd
Parishioners from several area churches gathered Oct. 28 for a wonderful evening of musical entertainment. Nathan Gardner, co-pastor of the Ashland Congregational Church and West Chapman Advent Christian Church, did a terrific job organizing the event and wore many hats that night.
Performers during the evening included: Nathan Gardner, the Ashland and West Chapman church choirs, Dee Dee Page and Betty Sturgeon, accompanied on the piano by Karen MacDonald; a sweet, young lady, Catherine Sharp, who dedicated a song entitled “She Loved” to her grandmother who has Alzheimer’s Disease; Teena Buckingham, who sang a snappy little number called, “I Just Want to Praise You”; brother and sister, David Morton and Karen MacDonald; Suzanne Morton, who played a beautiful composition of the songs “Sweet Adoration,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Amazing Grace” and “Come Thou Fount” on her violin; the Morton’s with their 5-person band, and Wendy Robinson, who soothed the crowd with her touching song.
Following the music, refreshments were served and fellowship was had. Special thanks to Nathan Gardner and also Donald Morton and his family for their participation and vast musical talents. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this night a possibility.
Eastern Star to Bake Holiday Pumpkin Pies
Why not free up some of your time this Thanksgiving and let someone else bake your pumpkin pies? Tillikum Chapter 99, Order of the Eastern Star is having a pie fund-raiser for just that purpose. The cost is $8 per pie and pies will be fresh and ready for pick-up Wednesday, Nov. 21 at the Ashland Food Mart. Contact Sheila Buckingham at 435-6002, Heather Clark at 435-4072, or Andrea White at 435-6363 to place your order. Tell your friends and family and get the Star club baking!
Craft Fairs and Luncheons
The Congregational Church will hold its annual holiday craft fair and luncheon Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The luncheon will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
St. Mark’s Catholic Church will hold its fair the following Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the luncheon at 11 a.m.
Ham Raffle
Tickets for a ham with extras including potatoes, peas, rolls, condiments and a pie are being sold by the Union Congregational Church Women’s Fellowship. Cost for tickets is $1 each or 6 for $5. Contact Lisa Basley at 435-3601 for more information.
VFW to Hold Public Ceremonies
Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day, a time to remember, celebrate and honor those who have fought for our freedoms. LeBlanc Junkins VFW Post 9699 will hold two ceremonies on Veteran’s Day. The first will be at the memorial on Main Street at 11 a.m., and the second will be at the VFW at 2 p.m. A potluck will follow the 2 p.m. ceremony. The public is invited to both events.
Pumpkins Must Go!
Grab some pumpkins for your fall decorating – priced to sell at four for $1. Ten-pound bags of Russet and Shepody potatoes are also for sale at the potato shack located at 41 Presque Isle Road. Cost per bag is $3.50 or $6 for two bags.
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).
