Acadian Congress reps visit Portage Lake
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney-Hopkins
Jason Parent, president of the Maine delegation, and Lorraine Pelletier, the Maine regional coordinator from the Acadian Congress, were welcomed by the Portage Lake Historical Society (PLHS) and town members for a potluck dinner to discuss the Acadian World Congress being held in the St. John Valley in 2014.
Congress members and residents shared in fellowship along with scores of delicious, homemade entrees and desserts. After the meal, PLHS member Sarah Brooks introduced Parent and Pelletier and thanked all in attendance. Parent began the Congress presentation with a greeting in perfect French after which he then presented his welcome in English.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
JASON PARENT and Lorraine Pelletier from the Acadian Congress recently gave a presentation to the residents of Portage Lake explaining the social and economic impact the 2014 Acadian World Congress will have on the area.
Parent gave an in-depth history of the Acadians, their regions and the cultural idiosyncrasies that make them unique. Continuing on, he explained what the Acadian Congress is, who its members are, and how the Acadian World Congress gathering is assembled covering the significant dates and events that typically take place during the three-week event. Most decisively, Parent discussed just how this gathering will affect our area and how we — as a community and individuals — can benefit from this monumental event being held in our midst. Portage Lake, as a reminder, is now an official part of the St. John River Valley region, which makes the town one of the few official participating communities for the Acadian World Congress gathering. Portage Lake will be in the center of events. Make no mistake about it; this is a huge deal!
During the presentation, you could feel the enthusiasm building among the residents as they began to brainstorm events and activities the town could plan and incorporate into the celebration. Parent and Pelletier also mentioned some of the not-yet confirmed ideas and events that could possibly take place; all of which are very, very exciting for our little town!
The Acadians celebrate their rich and heartbreaking history over a three-week period, always including the auspicious date of Aug. 15 which is the “Acadian National Feast Day.” This commemoration is of the utmost significance to the Acadian culture as it celebrates their return to Acadia (now present day Canadian Maritime communities) from forced exile imposed upon the citizens by the British between the years of 1755-1763, during the French and Indian War. The Acadians had refused to sign an oath of allegiance to the British and were therefore considered a threat. Homes were burned, land was seized and families were separated with purpose and hope they would be broken up and forever estranged.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-HopkinsRESIDENTS OF PORTAGE LAKE recently hosted a potluck dinner for a presentation from the Acadian Congress to discuss the planned gathering taking place in the St. John Valley in 2014. Here, residents listen as the speakers discuss the impact the gathering will have on the town.
During these years, the exiled Acadians were dispersed throughout the United States’ colonies and also to France. Many also perished. After the war ended, the Acadian people were allowed back into Acadia, and over the course of time, made new settlements and reassembled their families. The major motivation behind the Acadian World Congress gathering, also known as the “Acadian Reunion,” is to symbolically reunite families. During each of the four previous Congress gathering, many family reunions were held. The goal for the 2014 gathering is to organize 120 family reunions to take place during the celebrations. The family reunions reunite Acadian descendants from all over the world. It is the lead draw for visitors from outside the host region. If you are interested in hosting a family reunion, the deadline is Nov. 1, 2011. Entry forms are available at local branches of Nor State Credit Unions or visit http://cma2014.org.
Though this event is still a few years away, the time we have allows for some great planning, both regionally and town wide. The Acadian Congress gatherings typically draw 300,000 entries into the planned activities with an average of 50,000 visitors from other states and over 40 countries. The projected economic impact for this fifth gathering of the Acadian World Congress of 2014 is $50 million! This is seriously the biggest event any of our towns have surely seen with the potential to create long-term advantages — let’s be ready! Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
A special thank you to Jason and Lorraine for taking the time to speak to our community about this very exciting event. This meeting was very informative and ignited a spark within the community members which is sure to grow. We are all looking forward to working with you over the next several years to make this event one for our history books! We thank you for your efforts in bringing the Acadian World Congress to the beautiful St. John Valley region of northern Maine.
Contributed photo
HARVEST HAYRIDE — A group of 14 Ashland Area Senior Citizens Club members recently took a day trip to the SAD 1 Farm in Presque Isle for a tour and some shopping at the Farm Store. The seniors also hitched a hayride. Pictured are, from left: Joan Goodblood, Judy Hafford, Julia Ellis, Theresa Chasse, Anne Cloukey, Roberta Savary, Cleo Bernier, Avis Bass and Maxine Cyr.
On Oct. 14, a group of 14 senior citizens from the Ashland Area Senior Citizens group, along with bus driver Lendell Tarr, took a drive out to the SAD 1 Farm in Presque Isle. The group was given a tour of the cider house and greenhouse and were treated to a hayride around the farm. The group then went to the Farm Store where they purchased apples, honey, lettuce, squash and other produce. Those attending were Maxine Cyr, Avis Bass, Roberta Savary, Cleo Bernier, Anne and Herman Cloukey, Theresa Chasse, Julie Ellis, Dot Robinson, Judy Hafford, Joan Goodblood, Betty and Dick Morris, Linda Chicione and Lendell Tarr.
On Saturday, Oct. 29, you have two places in town you can go for an early breakfast before heading out for your hunt!
The Aroostook River Fish and Game Club will be hosting its breakfast from 4-9 a.m. at the club. The cost is $6 per person and children under 10 eat for free!
The Ashland Fire Department will be hosting its breakfast from 4-8 a.m. in the downstairs of the firehouse. The cost is $5 per person and is all you can eat. Don’t forget the Ashland Project Grad will be on hand to help out with the breakfast and will also be having a bake sale.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 435-8232 or Feenhop@aol.com.
