Northwood Manor in Ashland has once again received a grant from the Ashland Area Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to support its Activities Program. The care manager of the facility, Susan Feeney-Hopkins, wrote a grant to the foundation which was then turned over to a donor they felt would be interested in providing their support to the facility.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
NORTHWOOD MANOR in Ashland has once again received a grant from the Ashland Area Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to support its Activities Program. Activities Coordinator Jennifer Durand, who took over the position in January, has kept busy revamping, planning and implementing new and creative activities. Pictured are some of the residents who enjoy the many activities, front row, from left: Marion Martin, Alice Black and Muriel Gordon. Back row: Pauline Craig, Activities Coordinator Jennifer Durand, Alma Goding and Elaine Goodall.
“The Maine Community Foundation has provided a lot of support to our organization for the betterment of the lives of our residents, which is very much appreciated,” said Feeney-Hopkins.
The Maine Community Foundation is a non-profit, public charitable organization providing grant funding to Maine residents and businesses for non-profit purposes with special focus on areas of education, the environment, arts and humanities, and social and community services.
Activities Coordinator Jennifer Durand, who took over the position in January, has kept busy revamping, planning and implementing new and creative activities. Residents have been making seasonal crafts, birdhouses, jewelry, lamps, playing Bingo, participating in memory and thinking games, as well as being treated to twice monthly “mani – pedi” spa treatments.
“Working within a very limited budget, the extra funds will assist us greatly in keeping our program afloat,” said Durand.
If you would like to make a donation to the program or donate the gift of time, please contact Feeney-Hopkins at 435-3700.
Employees from SAD 32 (Ashland) participating in the American Cancer Society “Relay for Life” walkathon will be having their first major fund-raiser … a dress sale, just in time for the prom season! Why spend so much on a dress (especially in this tough economy) that you will only wear once? True “fashionistas” know you don’t need to buy brand new, or spend a fortune to look fabulous!
Dresses have been donated to the cause, and will be sold at prices between $10 and $25. They currently have 28 dresses available, and will continue accepting donations until May 1. Some are casual, while others are much more formal. All have been previously worn (usually just once!) and are in neat and clean condition. The sale is open to everyone (not just the Ashland area).
Dresses are available for viewing and purchase at the Ashland High School between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but if needed, special accommodations can be made. Alterations will be done free of charge! You cannot find a better deal for a formal dress anywhere in the County. Come on girls! Take a ride out to Ashland and find your dream dress – it’s waiting for you! For more information, please contact Jill Ireland or Terri Driscoll at 435-3481.
Individuals from Portage Lake (and surrounding communities) are in the beginning stages of forming a historical society. The group will meet every 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 Lake’s history and becoming a charter member is welcome to join.
VFW News
Again this year, VFW post 9699 will be offering two $100 scholarships to graduating seniors. Students applying for the scholarships should have a connection to the organization through a relative in order to be considered. Applications may be picked up at the high school guidance office and must be returned to Mr. McHatten no later than Tuesday, May 5.
Ashland Parent Teacher Organization
The Ashland PTO will be meeting Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Ashland Central School cafeteria. Please attend and lend your support to our teachers, parents and school. Please contact Kim Holmes at 435-6043 for more information.
The PTO of Ashland Central School is collecting soup labels (with bar code), box tops and drink pouches to earn points that can be used toward educational and classroom supplies. Please send the labels, tops or pouches to school with your child, or drop off at the school. Tell your family and friends! Instead of throwing them away, let’s all support our local students in this worthwhile effort. A collection contest will begin April 27 and will run until May 22 to see which classroom can collect the most labels and box tops combined. The competition will be broken down in two groups: the “lower wing,” which includes grades Pre-K to 2 and the “upper wing,” which are grades 3 to 5. The classroom in each group collecting the most will be rewarded with an ice cream party. Please contact Kim Holmes at 435-6043 with any questions. Good luck students!
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 to attend.
The Kids Club will meet Thursday, April 16 at the Masardis Pentecostal Church. If your child needs a ride, please contact the Rev. or Mrs. Donald Morton at 435-6983. The group meets every other Thursday from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
The Portage Lake Over 50’s Club 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.
Coulda’, Shoulda’ Woulda’? Do you wish you could have been involved with planning the Portage Lake’s Centennial Celebrations? It’s not too late! There are still events in the works and assistance is still needed to help plan the celebrations. Any help you can provide is both needed and appreciated. Please contact Corrine Routhier at 435-6854.
Commemorative Portage Lake Centennial coins, key chains and a DVD of the slide show are available for purchase at the Town Hall. Call 435-4361 or stop in for more information.
There is an exercise group every Monday night at the Portage Lake Municipal Building at 6:30 p.m. There is no cost for participants … just a group gathering to keep exercise motivating and fun! Please contact Kim Holmes at 435-6043 for more information.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and surrounding townships. She can be reached at 435-8232 or feenhop@aol.com.
Photo courtesy of Teri Lyn Driscoll
THESE ARE SOME OF THE DRESSES that are available as part of a fund-raising sale, which will benefit the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” walkathon that employees from SAD 32 will be taking part in this summer. Prom dresses have been donated to the cause, and will be sold at prices between $10 and $25. Dresses are available for viewing and purchase at the Ashland High School between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but if needed, special accommodations can be made.
