Community cross country skiing event a hit in Oxbow
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney-Hopkins
Thirty plus people participated in the Oxbow XC Ski Day hosted by the Ashland Area XC Ski Club and the Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC). The day in Oxbow was included as part of the series of cross country skiing events held in the Ashland area meant to encourage people to get outdoors and try their hand at such a fun winter sport.
Experienced skiers, snowshoers, and those new to the sports enjoyed the trails maintained by Bill and Joan Johnson. Located on private land, the trails are not open (at this time) for the general public use, though Oxbow residents and neighbors are encouraged to use the trails and take advantage of the natural beauty that surrounds them.
Hot chocolate and cookies were the reward for braving the brisk, cold wind, which was very present on that sunny Saturday afternoon. The Johnsons also opened their (heated) barn to the skiers allowing them the opportunity to get out of the wind and warm up a bit.
Many thanks to the Ashland XC Ski Club and the Maine Winter Sports Center for making these community events possible. I think it’s safe to say they were all a great success!
There is a meeting scheduled for Monday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ashland Municipal Building to discuss this year’s Ashland Summerfest. This meeting is open to anyone that is interested in discussing, planning and helping out with the fest. Come on Ashland residents! This is your chance to participate in making 2010’s Summerfest the best one yet!
There will be an Ashland Area PTO meeting Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ashland Central School. The PTO invites all parents and community members looking to volunteer their time to assist this worthwhile organization.
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 435-635.
Monday Night Exercise will be held at the Portage Lake Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. every Monday. Participants can workout at their own pace/instruction. Tapes and equipment are available for your use. Contact the town hall with inquires.
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 Joan Johnson
FIRST-TIME SKIER Maddie Aasbo gets some assistance from her mother, Tracey, during a recent Oxbow XC Ski Day hosted by the Ashland Area XC Ski Club and the Maine Winter Sports Center.
Photo courtesy of Joan Johnson
ASHLAND XC SKI CLUB member Linda Milligan helps to outfit a skier from the Maine Winter Sports Center trailer.
Photo courtesy of Joan Johnson
THIRTY PLUS PEOPLE participated in the Oxbow XC Ski Day hosted by the Ashland Area XC Ski Club and the Maine Winter Sports Center recently. The day in Oxbow was included as part of the series of cross country skiing events held in the Ashland area meant to encourage people to get outdoors and try their hand at such a fun winter sport. Here, skiers get ready to hit the trails.
