An unsuspecting Rena Belanger received a very special honor from her brother-in-law, Arelius “Catfish” Mayes, on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America organization. While participating in the centennial celebrations, Belanger was presented with the auspicious “Helping Hand” award in recognition of her “grand spirit of volunteerism.
” Belanger has been involved in many organizations, committees and community goings-on throughout her life. She is especially known for organizing Portage Lake’s yearly parades.
Without her enthusiasm and well organized planning, the parades would not nearly be what they are. Especially this past parade, which has been described as “the best Portage has ever had” by all who attended. Belanger said she spent “the past year planning it” (the parade) and was “proud” it turned out the way it did, noting, “It lasted for an hour!” Rena shows a true caring for her community and neighbors. Described as “someone who never says no,” Belanger gets her self involved in “just about everything” in the town.
Her only “official titles” are as secretary of the local ATV Club and Centennial Committee member in charge of the entertainment for the centennial celebrations. When asked what she thought about the honor, Belanger found it hard to find the words to describe what she was feeling and said she “was shocked and overwhelmed” adding, “I just do this stuff because I love it.”
Her brother-in-law, Mr. Mayes, traveled from Colorado Springs, Colo. with his wife, Bernadette, (Belanger’s sister) to present the honor to Belanger. While in town, Mayes was invited to march in Portage Lake’s parade with the local scouts, and did so proudly. After spending 54 years in the Boy Scout organization as a scout, leader and holding various executive positions, he will retire from the Scouts this month.
Congratulations Rena and thank you for all you do!
The weeklong festivities in Portage Lake wound down with most residents exhausted, but elated from the success of the celebrations as a whole. The town was alive with residents and visitors who turned out in numbers to participate in the many events and activities. The talk has been unanimous – the Portage Lake Centennial was a huge success. Selectman Ray Cyr agrees saying he “was so pleased and proud of the way it turned out. It was a great success.”
Saturday, July 11 marked the last and busiest day of planned celebrations – and what a day it was! The weather was a perfect northern Maine summer day. It started with an early morning pancake and sausage breakfast at the town hall to benefit the Playground Project raising $200! The sounds of the open road commandeered the morning during the “Motorcycle Rodeo” as Harley Davidsons and their riders participated in riding competitions adding a lot of fun to the morning. The Civil War Living History Camp was a popular attraction with men in period clothing, period tools and such on display. Demos and narratives of Civil War life were provided to the public throughout the day. The entertaining and talented beyond her years Melanie Dorice Saucier of Fort Kent performed songs from her new CD on a stage set up in town (in front of Coffin’s Store). She sang a sundry of songs encompassing most genres, including a set of patriotic tunes to honor the local veterans.
Main Street was lined with spectators from Eldon’s shop all the way to the churches. It was great seeing so many people out and about enjoying the festivities and one another.
Local Barb Pitcairn, also a Centennial Committee member, served as emcee announcing all the parade participants which added such a nice touch helping to identify those in costume, or the out-of-town groups that were included in the parade. Lasting for about an hour, the parade was the biggest and best Portage has ever seen! The Cyr family turned out in “CYRious” numbers with generations of the family riding on a float, and on tractors. The Shriners in a maze of go-carts raced in crazy eight patterns for the length of the parade. The men and woman involved in the Civil War reenactment camp marched in period attire, firing their powder every few minutes sometimes startling parade goers who were paying attention to other marchers. There was lots of candy thrown from the floats and cars for the children’s (and some adults) sweet tooth enjoyment.
As laughter and chatter echoed through the town, the aroma of a roasting pig on a wood fire carried on the breezy day tempting all the parade goers, and campers who waited patiently all afternoon for the annual pig roast to take place. As usual, the roast was delicious and sold out in record time! The “Carrying of the Canoes” allowed a unique opportunity to take a peek back in time while also giving a history lesson of how Portage Lake got its name. The canoes were paddled ceremoniously from Little Machias to Portage Lake, reenacting the transportation route used by the early natives and settlers to get to the Fish River Chain of Lakes. There is no river or canoeable water that connects to the (Portage) lake, so the travelers had to “portage” (carry) their canoes to get to the lake. Hence, this is how Portage Lake was named. For the French word “portage,” meaning “to carry” because they had to “portage” their canoes through the woods to get to (Portage) lake. Once across the lake, the canoeists were greeted by members of the native Wesget-Sipu Tribe, who were drumming their spiritual beats to welcome them after their journey.
Though I wasn’t able to attend every event, I have not stopped hearing about what a great time everyone had – young and old. On behalf of those who enjoyed the festivities and activities – I would like to give thanks and gratitude to all of the people involved in the planning and organization of the centennial celebrations. Without your dedication and commitment to our community, none of this would have been possible. Because of you, the rest of us had the time of our lives, and created memories that will be included in family gatherings for generations. It also allowed us to honor our forefathers and mothers who walked the same streets and inhabited this same piece of nirvana before us. Hopefully 100 years from now, the residents of Portage Lake will honor our spirits and remember us and our contributions to “their” hometown.
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 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.
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 Christie Cochran
LIFETIME BOY SCOUT Arelius “Catfish” Mayes presented his sister-in-law, Rena Belanger, the Boy Scout “Helping Hand” award for her many acts of volunteerism.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
TAUNJA JANDREAU and Corrine Routhier, both Centennial Committee members, showed their town pride dressing in period clothing and carrying the Centennial banner during the Portage Lake parade.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
THE SHRINERS were a popular attraction in the parade as they raced their way through the streets of Portage Lake.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
MELANIE SAUCIER performs to the delighted crowd that gathered to hear her sing.
