Recently, Henry Milligan, a member of Troop 179 in Ashland, completed his Eagle Scout Project with the help of fellow Scouts, Scouters, family and friends.
The project took place at Russell Crossing Campsite on the Big Machias River in the North Maine Woods. After four days of hard work, the completed project included an Adirondack shelter, table shelter, work to the fire ring and cleared trails.
This project would not have been possible without the donations by Katahdin Forest Products, North Maine Woods, Ashland Building Supply, Maine Potato Growers, Lowe’s Home Improvement, S.W. Collins, Portage Construction and Stu Wyckoff. Many people also gave of their time to help with this project. They include Al Cowperthwaite, Linda Milligan, David Milligan, Duncan McFarland, Josh Wortman, Brett Stratton, Mickenzy Ronco, Malcolm Milligan, Makayla Ronco, Sean Robertson, Isaac Wortman, Adam Sessoms, Justin Belanger, Rich Whitish, Sheila Whitish, Polly Libby, Andrew Libby, J.J. D’Ozier, Alan Chalou and Frank LeBlanc.
Shepherds, Angels and Other Nativity Characters Wanted
New Found Hope is putting on a Christmas play called “The Not So Silent Night,” and is inviting kids in Kindergarten through fifth grade to participate. Practices will be Saturdays from 12:30-2 p.m. starting Nov. 10. The best part about this play is that there are no lines to memorize! If your child is interested in being in the play, please come to the practices at New Found Hope on Main Street. For more information, please call Ginger Nelson at 435-8573 or Tammy Wortman at 435-4772.
New Found Hope to Host Service
Join us for the Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. New Found Hope on Main Street is the hosting church this year. Everyone is welcome!
Rotary Club Auction Reminder
The Ashland Rotary Club will be holding its annual auction and supper Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Ashland Community High School. Ashland Pioneer Lodge 72 and Order of the Eastern Star – Tillikum Chapter 99 will be catering the delicious meal again this year, which will consist of roast pork and all the trimmings. The cost for tickets is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Supper will begin at 5 p.m. with the auction following at 6:30 p.m.
In addition to the supper and auction, three $50 cash door prizes will be drawn throughout the auction – you must be present to win. Also, the Rotary Club is currently selling ring boxes for a chance to win a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring that was generously donated by Cathy Beaulieu of Wilder’s Jewelry in Presque Isle. Everyone who purchases a $20 ring box will receive a ring, but only one lucky winner will get the sapphire and diamond ring valued at $620. The grand opening of the ring boxes will be around the mid-point of the auction. Please note that unlike the door prizes, you do not have to be present to win the ring. You simply have to purchase your ring box number from a Rotarian anytime from now until Nov. 17. Do not wait until the night of the auction, as there may not be any box numbers left. Reserve yours now!
It’s not too soon to start thinking about holiday gifts either. What a great opportunity to get a jump on shopping for all of those on your list. So come early and look over the auction items, sit down to a great roast pork supper, and then get ready to start the bidding with Auctioneer Ron Leonard of Mapleton. It’s sure to be a most enjoyable night!
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 pickup 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 Fair and Luncheon
St. Mark’s Catholic Church will hold its annual craft fair Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The luncheon will start 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.
Produce Stand Closed
The potato shack located at 41 Presque Isle Road is now closed. I would like to thank everyone for their patronage this season. Having the pumpkins this year was a lot of fun and I am already looking forward to next fall. Thanks again! Julie.
Well Done Hornets – Eastern Maine Champions!
Thank you Ashland soccer teams for the great season and for bringing lots of excitement into our lives! The community supports and loves you and we look forward to cheering you on next year. Basketball is just around the corner … best of luck to you all.
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).
THE BASE of the Adirondack shelter is constructed.
FRAMEWORK for the floor is put into position.
ANDREW LIBBY and Duncan McFarland strip the bark off of the logs to be used for the table shelter at Russell Crossing Campsite.
McKENZIE RONCO atop the shelter.
DUNCAN McFARLAND hammers in large spikes to hold the wall together.
SO FAR SO GOOD! – The group poses for a picture before starting the roof work.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
THE FINISHED PRODUCT, an Adirondack shelter to be used by campers at the Russell Crossing Campsite on Big Machias Lake. Great work everyone!
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
JUSTIN BELANGER holds a log in place as Andrew Libby pounds in a spike on the table shelter.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
JOSH WORTMAN shows of his limberness as he attaches shingles to the structure.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
WITH TOOLS IN HAND, from left, Malcolm Milligan, Mickenzy Ronco and Brett Stratton await instruction from Henry Milligan on his Eagle Scout Project.
