Ida C. Beaulier of Buffalo (which is just north of Portage Lake) rode with distinction in this year’s Portage Fourth of July parade. Ida, the oldest woman in that area, was chauffeured by Peter St. Peter in his 1932 Ford.
The car, which once belonged to his parents, sat on the rock pile at the family farm for many years until St. Peter decided to restore it.
Ida was born, got married and raised her seven children in Buffalo. Now, Ida spends the winter months in Zephyr Hills, Fla. with her faithful companion, Tessie, her pet dog. Every May, Ida returns to her homestead in Buffalo where she enjoys her flower gardens and the company of many friends.
freshwater Christian Fellowship to host speaker
Jackie Fierman of Ariel Ministries will be the guest speaker at freshwater Christian Fellowship Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. Fierman teaches a Jewish perspective of the Scripture and sheds light on passages that might otherwise be misunderstood outside of their historical context, thus helping people to better understand the Bible and the Jewish thought used by its inspired authors. For more information about this event, please call Pastor Roland Wortman at 435-4772.
Frenchville Mission concert and cake auction
On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Frenchville Mission will be holding a concert at the Ashland Central School. The music will be provided by Oakfield resident Randy Rockwell Sr., and will start at 6 p.m. All goodwill donations raised will go toward the heating expense of the mission. Various cakes will be auctioned off during the concert intermission and another local singer may perform, as well. Please come and enjoy a Sunday evening listening to the musical stylings of Randy Rockwell Sr. and get yourself some great desserts, too! CDs will be available for purchase.
Eat, bid and be merry!
A fund-raising supper, auction and dance will be held Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Ashland Fish and Game Club for Robin Carney. Robin underwent heart transplant surgery this past July and is recovering slow, but sure. The donations raised from this event will help Robin and her family to be comfortable this winter. The spaghetti supper will begin at 4 p.m., followed by the auction. A large variety of items will be up for bid including a cord of wood, Polaris jackets for boys – size 14-16, Sirius Satellite radios, and lumber. The dance, featuring old time rock and roll tunes, will finish out the night. B.Y.O.B. and come and have a great time!
Portage ATV Club Poker Run
On Saturday, Sept. 27, the Portage ATV Club will hold its second annual Poker Run. The fun starts at 10 a.m. with a hamburger and hotdog meal when finished. Prizes will be awarded and much more. Please call Rena Belanger for more details at 435-2780 or 227-5407.
Play Park construction helpers needed
The Ashland Playground Committee is pleased to announce that the “Just 4 Kids Family Play Park” will be erected Saturday, Oct. 4 at 8 a.m. at the Ashland Library and will continue into the evening (and possibly Sunday) until completion. We need volunteer builders to make our dream a reality! No experience necessary, just your willingness to help out with this worthwhile cause. Coffee, donuts and lemonade will be served in the morning. Please call Andrea White at 435-6363 to volunteer your services. There is a long list of hand tools needed, as well, so please inquire as to what you can bring. See you there!
Portage Lake cookbooks for sale
The Portage Lake Centennial Cookbook Committee has collected the best recipes from group members, family and friends, and compiled them into an attractive keepsake cookbook. Their one-of-a-kind cookbooks are only $12. They may be purchased from any member of the organization or at the Portage Town Hall. All proceeds will go to the Portage Centennial Celebration. The cookbook contains 390 well-loved recipes including appetizers, main dishes, desserts and many others. Recipes include the contributor’s name, enabling you to find the recipes of family and friends. For more information, contact Lou Sandy Boutot, P.O. Box 4, Portage Lake, Maine 04768 or call (207) 435-6016.
Committee creating Portage Lake Centennial History Book
The Portage Lake Centennial History Book Committee has been working on compiling the history of Portage Lake in order for it to be published in time for the 2009 Centennial. The book will be titled, “Portage Lake History and Hearsay.”
The committee has been divided into work groups that are concentrating on compiling material from the various decades. Many people have been associated with Portage Lake over the years, and the committee would like to have people contact them with historical articles, family history, photographs and any other materials to be considered for inclusion in the Centennial book.
The committee would also like to have a preliminary count of possible book orders in order to assist them in knowing how many copies need to be printed. It is felt that this will be a one-time printing and hopefully the response from the public will assist them in determining a sufficient number to print.
Articles, photographs and related material should be sent to history book chairperson, Norman St. Peter, P.O. Box 37, Portage, Maine 04768. Norman can also be reached at (207) 435-6948. Please be sure to label photographs, and to include your name and address with any correspondence so that materials can be properly returned.
Requests for book orders should be made to Anita Theriault, P.O. Box 37, Portage, Maine 04768. Anita can be reached by calling (207) 435-4311.
Any other inquiries in regards to the Portage Lake Centennial History Book should be directed to the Portage Lake Town Office at (207) 435-4361.
Ongoing Events
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens group meets every Thursday at noon at the Aroostook River Fish and Game Club. 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).
