Ever wonder who decorates the windows at the old Chasse’s department store building? Well, the set-ups are the collaborative efforts of Heather Bessey, Pam McFarland, Susan Cameron and Ella Weeks. Susan and her mom, Ella, are responsible for the two windows on the corner of Exchange and Main streets, while Heather and Pam design the rest.
Decorated with antiques and old-fashioned pieces, the windows display scenes of times past and are both pleasing and interesting to look at. Heather says that Pam is the decorator. She supplies the materials, and Pam just has a way of arranging them in a simplistic and artful way. Some of the antiques in the displays may date back to the 1800s, but Susan says the majority of the pieces that she and Ella use are from the 1920s and 30s.
Thank you ladies for your time and efforts in adding to the appeal of Ashland’s Main Street.
Scout Skills Show and District Pinewood Derby set for March 7
It will be Scouting mania at the Aroostook Centre Mall this Saturday, March 7. Ashland Scouts, along with others from around northern Maine, will take part in the District Pinewood Derby, as well as the Scouting Skills Show on that day. The skills show is just that … Scouts demonstrating skills that they have learned during their “career” in Scouts. There will be many booths and lots to look at, so come and check it out. The show runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration for the derby starts at 12:15 p.m. and the racing will begin at 1:30 p.m.
Mr. and Ms. Ashland Pageant scheduled
Ashland High is changing things up a bit. This year, there will be a pageant competition for couples. Currently, six boys and six girls will vie for the title of Mr. and Ms. Ashland, to be held at the high school gymnasium Saturday, March 14. The show starts at 6:30 p.m., so come check it out. A donation at the door will get you in and there will also be a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will go toward the class of 2009 Project Graduation.
Recreation Center schedule
Wednesday, March 4: Basketball, grades 3 and 4 (2:30-3:30 p.m.), Open rec., grades 6 to 8 (4-5:15 p.m.) and adult volleyball at 6:30 p.m. at the grade school.
Thursday, March 5: Cross-country skiing, leaving from the grade school by 2:30 p.m. Karate at 6 p.m. at the grade school.
Friday, March 6: Open rec. for grades 4 to 6 (2:30-4 p.m.).
Saturday, March 7: Boys and girls basketball games at St. Agatha, grades 5 and 6 (departure time to be announced).
In Memoriam
It is with much sadness that I offer my condolences to the O’Clair family. Donnie will be greatly missed and always remembered.
Tillikum News
Tillikum Chapter 99, Order of the Eastern Star, will open the 2009 session Tuesday, March 10. The evening will begin with a potluck supper at 6 p.m. and the annual meeting with reports and election of officers at 7 p.m.
Portage Historical Society & Centennial News
Individuals from Portage and surrounding communities are in the beginning stages of forming a historical society. This group will meet each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Portage Town Hall until a society is up-and-running. Anyone who has an interest in preserving Portage’s history, regardless if you are from there or not, is welcomed to join.
Participants are still needed for the Centennial Variety Show to be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at the Portage Lake Town Hall. People of all ages, and from all communities, are invited to participate. Those interested can sign up on posters around town, or call/e-mail Corrine Routhier at 435-6854 or arouthier@roadrunner.com. Be sure to include your name or group name, phone number and the talent you are to perform. Come on, we know there’s a lot of talent out there, so go and sign up. It will be lots of fun!
Don’t forget about the giant snowman building! It’s happening every Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at noon until it’s finished. Bring your family and lend a hand at the site – Route 11 North, just past Coffin’s Store.
Ashland Public Library offers energy detectors
Want to know which appliances in your home are consuming the most energy? Well, now there is a device called the “Kill A Watt” that can help you do just that. Just plug in the “Kill A Watt” energy detector and it will give you various readings to help you determine exactly how much electricity each appliance, etc. is using. “Kill A Watt” detectors are available for checkout at participating public libraries. For more information about the “Kill A Watt” energy detector, visit www.efficiencymaine.com.
Ongoing Events
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens group meets every Thursday at noon at the Ashland Recreational 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 11:30 a.m. at the Town Hall. All individuals 50 and over are invited to attend and can bring a potluck dish to share. 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 2009 Centennial Celebration, please contact Corrine Routhier at 435-6854. Your help is both needed and appreciated.
There is an aerobics/exercise group meeting Monday and Thursday nights at the Portage Lake Municipal Building at 6:30 p.m. There is no cost for participants. Please contact Kim Holmes at 435-6043 for more information.
(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
THIS COLLECTION of old-fashioned memorabilia adorns one of the windows of what was once Chasse’s department store in Ashland.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
THESE ANTIQUES AND WATERCOLORS by Heather Bessey decorate this window on Main Street in Ashland.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
DAVE ADAMS, left, and Adam Rider of Mapleton Cub Scout Pack 170 monitored and posted race times for the Ashland Derby.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
FOUR CARS of Ashland Cub Scout Pack 179 race down the track at the 2009 Pinewood Derby held Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Mapleton Lions Hall.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
PENG CHENG, an Ashland Webelo, gives the thumbs-up sign indicating that he is ready for the race to start. Tiger Cubs Weston Robinson and Sean Montpetit are shown enjoying the event.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
THREE OF THE EIGHT first-grade Tiger Cub boys watch as their cars prepare to come down the track. They are, from left: Lucien Hammond, Hunter Ginn and Weston Robinson.
Contributed photo
THE TOP SPELLERS in the Ashland Middle School Spelling Bee were, from left: seventh-grader Kali Pelletier, first place; seventh-grader Ally Beaulier, third place; and sixth-grader Ashley Robinson, second place. Pelletier will compete in the Aroostook County Spelling Bee in March at Presque Isle Middle School.
