Usually incorporated into the Ashland Daze Festivities, Ashland’s Early American Festival had to be rescheduled this year to when its organizers could best put on the event. Therefore, on a slightly breezy, but beautifully sunny Oct. 7, the first Fall Festival took place.
Approximately 100 people were fed an old-fashioned meal of ham and bean-hole beans prepared by Jason Bartlett and both Bob Sawyers (father and son), potato salad made by Lois Howes, homemade breads baked by Heidi Campbell, Marion Dunham and Kim Haines; and fresh from scratch cookies by Marshall and Andrea White. As in many festivals’ past, Kim Haines prepared fire-baked biscuits and topped them with her homemade jams, as well. Mmmm … what a treat!
Throughout the day, the musical stylings of Donnie O’Clair and his Old Thyme Band entertained the crowd and an old-fashioned cider press, owned by John and Ella Weeks, was put to use making delicious cider for many to enjoy.
Several crafters were also on hand displaying their talents for people to admire and purchase. They included: Susan White – stained glass and hand-made tote bags; Sue Beaulier – glass jewelry; Judy Sherman – gel candles; Francis Condon – jams, jellies and fudge; Janice Bouchard – decorative painted pumpkins; Joyce Drambois – wildlife cookbooks; Susan Michaud – crafts and quilts; Erin Bartlett – knitted wearables; Sharon Walker – quilts; Andrea White – cookie jar mixes; Girl Scouts/Dance troop – candy apples, goodie bags and candles. Bernie Howes also had a display of some of the many antique items that he has collected over the years.
Bobbi-Jo Condon did a great job providing all the children with fun games to play and both young and old took part in the “paint your own pumpkin” table. Another activity that was a real crowd pleaser was the “make your own scarecrow.” Participants dressed their scarecrows using clothes provided by the Good Shepherd Thrift Shop and then decorated the faces as they wished.
Thank you to the many men and women in the forefront and behind the scenes that helped to make this festival a huge success. All proceeds raised during the festival went to benefit the Ashland Logging Museum.
Choir to Perform in Oxbow
The combined Union Congregational and West Chapman church choirs will put on a Christmas concert at the Oxbow Lodge Sunday, Dec. 2. The performance, entitled “Wonderful Name,” will begin at 2 p.m.
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).
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
MANY YOUTHS participate in the pumpkin painting activity.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
CRAFTER SUSAN WHITE shows her stained glass creations.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
MACKENZIE CARTER holds up her scarecrow creation.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
DONNIE O’CLAIR, second from left, and members of his band perform for the Festival crowd.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
THIS LITTLE BOY gives a big thumbs-up to the Fall Festival!
