Residents ‘paying it forward’
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney-Hopkins
For a number of years now, the Ashland Fire Department, Ambulance Department and community members prepared for Christmas by being “Santa’s little helpers” wrapping and delivering presents to the needy children in the area. All was made possible thanks to donations from the United Way, area churches and other charitable organizations over the years. This year they have decided to take it a step further. Each year, the departments have an annual Christmas party and social gathering prior to the holiday season. At the end of the evening, they would exchange gifts in a Yankee Swap. A number of the members this year felt that being community service personnel, they wanted to expand on what they do for the community around the holidays. It was decided instead of participating in a Yankee Swap, they would contribute the money they would have spent (to purchase the gift for the exchange) to instead buy a basket filled with all the necessary items to cook a Christmas dinner and give them to community members.
“One of the thoughts behind what we are doing is that throughout the year, we see many people that have had a major setback in their life such as the death of a loved one and are now living all alone, a sickness, or some other catastrophic event,” said Ashland Fire Chief Don Bouley. “We see this all the time throughout the year and decided this year, where the community has always been supportive of the Fire and Ambulance Departments, we wanted to show our support to these people and let them know they are not alone at this time of year or any time of the year.”
Pat Long, ambulance director, added, “We don’t want to offend anyone receiving the baskets. We just hope they understand that they have been in our thoughts and prayers and no matter what has happened in their lives, they are not alone. As we all know the holiday season can be a stressful and depressing time of year, and if we can do one small thing to bring a smile to someone’s face, then we have accomplished what the true meaning of Christmas is and what these baskets are meant to do. We are considered community servants so what better way to do just that, than giving back? So please, if you are a recipient of one of these baskets, do not be offended. Just give us a smile or a hug and rest assured you’ve made our Christmas. We truly hope we’ve made yours just a little brighter.”
An “additional hope” of the members is to “start a chain reaction” by inspiring other communities to do the same things.
“Christmas is a time of giving and we intend on doing just that,” added Long. “The departments extend their message of Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all in the community.”
What a very heartfelt and thoughtful gesture! On behalf of your community, we thank all of you for your selfless acts, courage and support.
Harlem Superstars shine on Ashland
What do you get when you mix an athlete and a comedian? The Harlem Superstars! The gymnasium at the Ashland District School was packed with a rowdy crowd of over 500 spectators Friday, Nov. 12 to watch the Ashland Dream Team take on the Harlem Superstars for a fundraiser game. Hosted by the Class of 2014, the much-anticipated competition lived up to its expectation! These players put on a very entertaining show.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
HARLEM SUPERSTAR “Super Chicken” with Kolson Condon, 8, of Portage Lake during the halftime show at a recent fundraiser at the Ashland District School.
“It was one of the biggest fundraisers the school ever had,” said Roberta Belanger, one of the parent organizers. She added, “The class worked hard this summer raising money to be able to bring them (the Harlem Superstars team) here … along with the help of 22 surrounding business sponsors.”
Athleticism and silliness don’t usually jive, but this team of men kept everyone laughing at their antics and in awe of their superior skill on the court. Not a dull moment was had by anyone, as the Superstars remained very interactive with the audience and the Ashland Dream Team. The participants from Ashland were fine sports and did a great job supporting the Superstars by getting in on the act! Those actions usually drew a huge laugh from the audience seeing their own usually reserved citizens being so comical and amusing.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
CASSANDRA O’CLAIR of Ashland receives an autograph from Harlem Superstar “Showboat.”
While the talented and athletic Ashland Dream Team played hard, the Superstars did not make it easy on them! The fact that most of them stood about two-feet taller created some very funny entertainment in itself. They would steal the ball in the most amusing way, block shots just by standing in front of the net, all the while playing some real ball.
The halftime show was full of crowd participation with the Superstars placing themselves within the audience, pulling all sorts of pranks and clowning around. A group of kids were taken to center court to form a circle and played a fun musical chair type game – basketball style. Superstar “Super Chicken” would toss the ball at an individual child and if it dropped, they were out of the circle. The trickery involved made for a lot of mishaps and laughs. The kids were all good sports and tried really hard to outsmart Super Chicken; but alas, he got them every time!
Photo courtesy of Roberta Belanger
PETER McNALLY of Ashland gets a lift from Harlem Superstar “7 Footer” for a slam dunk during a recent fundraiser basketball game held at the Ashland District School.
A sentimental moment for the Class of 2014 came as they thanked the adult supervisors and coordinators for their efforts and hard work for managing and getting the event planned and organized. Adults helping the class were Roberta Belanger, Michelle and Jim Beaulier, Julie and Steve Cyr, Roxanne Tardie, Tracy Baker, Anita Theriault, Kim and Ed Flewelling, Monica Hebert, Sue Rogers, Holly and Ray Chasse and student adviser Catherine Packard.
After the halftime show, the game took off once more, with the jokesters impressing with their awesome athletic talents and good-humored fun. In the end, the Superstars and the Ashland Dream Team played a fantastic game and provided an excellent night of good old-fashioned fun!
The Class of 2014 would like to extend their gratitude to the parents and adults who helped them with such a successful night including referees Ron Grover, Lynwood McHatten and Peter Belskis for their participation and support. A “big thank you” to the sponsoring businesses for their support and to the Harlem Superstars and the Ashland Dream Team for providing such great entertainment.
Ashland students brighten elders’ day
Students from Kim Haines’ kindergarten class and Teri-Lyn Driscoll’s seventh-grade class recently visited the residents of Northwood Manor in Ashland. The students were joined together in the “Buddy Classroom” project, which commingles kindergarten students with junior high school students in cooperative projects. The youngest students were dressed in festive pilgrim and Native American Indian costumes. The students began their visit by performing three Thanksgiving songs for the residents, who were very delighted by the performance. After their songs were completed, the students helped the seniors craft holiday inspired placemats. It was a joy seeing the youngsters come together with the elders of the community! The seventh-graders presented the residents with bookmarkers they made for them. The residents truly enjoyed the performance by such special visitors.
KIM HAINES’ kindergarten class and Teri-Lyn Driscoll’s seventh-grade class at the Ashland District School are captured here performing Thanksgiving-themed songs for the residents at Northwood Manor.
NORTHWOOD MANOR resident Elsie Gibson, above, shows seventh-grader Savannah Flint and kindergarten students Tripp Reese and Tyler Knight her artwork. Below, resident Alma Goding makes holiday-themed placemats with kindergarten students Kallie Condon and Abigail MacClean.
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.
