ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney-Hopkins
The Portage Lake Walking Path committee is seeking donations of gravel and equipment (to borrow) to get the walking/biking path constructed. The path will be erected around the Town Hall property. The committee is willing to swap topsoil for gravel load for load. They do have volunteers to operate the equipment; they just need the equipment such as a bulldozer, etc. The donation and recruitment of volunteers is the required “in-kind” portion of the Recreational Trails Program Grant the committee received this spring. Come on Portage Lakers! Let’s get this trail up-and-running for all of us to use and enjoy! What a benefit to our beautiful town. For more information about how you can help, please contact Corrine Routhier at 435-6854 or e-mail arouthier@roadrunner.com.
The Portage Lake Association will be sponsoring the fourth annual “Ring of Fire” on the lake Saturday, Sept. 4. The rain date will be Sunday, Sept. 5.
The Portage Lake Association invites all residents and campers with houses or camps on the lake to light a contained fire lakeside at dark. Invite your family and friends to enjoy the fun and sit within the illuminated glow on the lake. It is really such a beautiful sight.
The Ring of Fire event has been such a success with more and more participating every year. Last year there were 87 campfires; with many people just enjoying the evening. The intent of this event is to promote camaraderie between the neighbors and friends of Portage Lake. It also allows everyone to enjoy time outdoors in our amazing environment. For more information about the event or Portage Lake Association membership, please contact Ralph or Cindy Miller at 435-2098.
Calling all members of the Ashland District School communities! On Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27 and 28, one of the final pieces of the new school will be added. Playground equipment for our youngest students will be unpackaged and assembled.
Imagine the looks on their little faces the first time they lay eyes on these exciting new structures that sit and wait for the children to play on them when the school year begins!
Come be a part of this community build project beginning at 8 a.m. Many volunteers are needed to construct the equipment. Won’t you come join your fellow community members and help to assemble something the children of our community will use and enjoy for years to come? Your kids, grandchildren and future children will thank you for it! Bring your shovels, rakes and utility scissors and help make history! For more information, contact Kim Holmes at 435-6043.
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.
