Nine-year-old Cassidy Pelletier certainly has a lot to be proud of. In a little over two weeks, she will be on her way to South Portland to take part in the New England Regional “Hoop Shoot” contest. “Hoop Shoot” contests are for girls and boys in one of three age groups: 8-9 years, 10-11 years and 12-13 years.
The format of the competition is that 10 shots are taken by each participant from around the foul line area. Once each child has cycled through the first 10 shots, they take another 15 for a total of 25 shots per competitor. The person making the most out of the 25 shots wins.
Pelletier takes her training seriously and uses every opportunity to practice her shooting. Most mornings, she and her Dad can be found at the gym getting some shots off before school. Cassidy even gives up her recess time to practice; now that’s dedication! All that hard work and time are certainly paying off as Cassidy has been on fire, placing first in the four hoop shoot competitions leading up to the New England Regional. Cassidy’s Mom says that the atmosphere gets a little more serious as the children progress through the competition, but that it has been a very good experience for Cassidy and their family.
This year’s contest will take place at Scarborough High School over the weekend of March 27, 28 and 29. If Cassidy takes top honors, she will then go on to the national competition, which is held in Massachusetts.
Cassidy is pleased with her success thus far and is looking forward to going to Scarborough to compete. The Pelletiers would like to thank the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954 for its sponsorship of Cassidy and also thank everyone locally that has shown or expressed their support.
Congratulations on becoming the State “Hoop Shoot” Champion Cassidy! Best of luck to you at the regional competition, and have fun!
VFW to host St. Patrick’s Day supper
The annual St. Patrick’s Day supper for area senior citizens will be held Sunday, March 15 beginning at 2 p.m. There will be music, and hopefully some dancing, along with prizes awarded to the oldest male and female in attendance. After all that fun, a meal of roast beef, potato, veggie, rolls, fruit salad and homemade desserts (regular and diabetic) will be served. Come and have some delicious food and be entertained!
Loon calling kids needed
What child doesn’t like making noise? Well, here’s a chance for your child to put their noise-making talents to work by participating in a loon calling contest. The contest will take place during the Portage Centennial Variety Show March 21. If your child would like to take part and possibly win the $10 prize, please contact Anita Theriault at 435-4311.
Last chance to sign up
Acts for the Portage Lake Centennial Variety Show are still being sought after. Deadline for sign up is Friday, March 13. Wondering what you could do? Well, you can sing, dance, tell jokes, do skits, recreate television commercials or anything else that is entertaining. The show will be held at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 21 at the Portage Lake Town Hall. Come on, we know there is a lot of talent out there – sign up! Please call Corrine Routhier at 435-6854 or e-mail arouthier@roadrunner.com for more information. And, don’t forget about the giant Centennial Snowman! Construction is 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.
European Tour
Members of the student body of Ashland Community High School – combined with students from Washburn District High School – will be going on a 10-day spring break trip in April to places including Ireland, Wales and even a tour of famous London landmarks.
Part of their funding will be coming from a raffle drawing for a wooden beaver carved and donated by WDHS teacher Ben Goodwin. The beaver is on display in the Katahdin Trust Co. window in Washburn and tickets are also available at the bank at a cost of one for $5 or three for $10, with the drawing to be held Monday, March 16. The Presque Isle Redemption Center is also a general drop-off for bottles to go to this project.
The teacher/advisers for this trip include Chris Hallett of Ashland Community High School and Andrea Hallett of Washburn District High School.
Portage Historical Society
Individuals from Portage Lake 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 Lake Town Hall until the society is up-and-running. Anyone who has an interest in preserving Portage’s history and becoming a charter member is welcome to join.
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).
