Ashland Rotary Club disbands
due to lack of membership
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
After more than 63 years of presence in our community, the Ashland branch of Rotary Club International has sadly disbanded due to lack of membership.
Founded in 1948, the Rotary Club was initially a “men’s” club, made up of area businessmen and prominent farmers. Women were “allowed” to join only in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Ironically, at the closing stages, woman made up two-thirds of the membership!
The club held its first meeting in March of 1948; holding weekly meetings thereafter. At these meetings, the members shared a meal and fellowship with their professional peers, while conspiring good deeds. The Rotary Club has been an important and prominent presence in Ashland and the surrounding communities, with many of our neighbors and friends being participating members.
The Rotary Club International has 1.2 million members worldwide with branches in every state and many countries around the world, each dedicated to civic duties and the betterment of their communities. Lucky for our community, we had the Ashland Rotary Club. The members — past and present — were dedicated and worked tirelessly to help the local citizens for the betterment of their community.
The club has been involved in countless fundraisers and each member has donated untold hours of their time and efforts to help those less fortunate or to help enhance our community in diverse ways. Some of the fundraisers the club has organized include cutting and splitting firewood, the annual auction, truck pulls at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds, and an annual golf tournament. All of the funds raised from these events always supported various projects in the community such as the Boy Scouts, scholarships to graduating Ashland seniors, assisting local families during difficult times, sports teams, Life Lines for our elderly/handicapped citizens, the local churches, the town library, Northwood Manor and Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery. There really are too many fundraisers and projects to mention as the club has such a long history and the projects have changed over the years.
The most important project the Ashland Rotary participated in was funding the Ashland Town Library. This was by far their biggest project and one the members (at the time) took a great deal of pride and accomplishment in.
The last remaining members, though disappointed by the conclusion, decided in typical Rotary spirit to disperse their remaining funds amongst some local organizations in one last generous deed. The members wished not to make a big to-do about the club’s expiration, nor the donations they made in closing. The members had decided the organizations and/or clubs in town could all benefit; and they did. I wish to thank all of the Rotary members, past and present, for their selfless acts of kindness. Your efforts and deeds are very much appreciated by those whose lives you have touched. In essence, all of our lives have been affected by the Rotary Club in one way or another and the members should all take pride in the fact the legacy of the Rotary Club will live on in this community though the actual formation of the club may not.
The mantra of the Rotary Club is “Service Above Self” and though a simple phrase, it embodies the attitude and moral compass of the members of the Rotary Club International. Their dedication to the betterment of their community and mankind should serve as model for all of us in how we can improve the lives of others, the world and ourselves.
Our community is losing a very valuable asset with the loss of our local Rotary Club. We can only hope that in the near future, they will be able to regroup and once again spread their goodwill throughout the community. Until then, I know each of them individually will continue on, shining their light upon others.
Ongoing events
The Portage Lake ATV Club will meet every first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Office. All are welcome to attend. Contact Rena Belanger for membership or more information at 435-2780.
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens meet every Thursday at noon for a potluck luncheon at the LeBlanc Junkins VFW Post 9699 on the Portage Road. This active and growing club of senior citizens also takes trips to various restaurants throughout The County, hosts cookouts, enjoys guest speakers and entertainment such as musicians. For more information, contact Roberta Savary at 435-6422.
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 the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 435-8232 or Feenhop@aol.com.
