Boy Scouts hold honors ceremony
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
The Ashland Boy Scout Troop 179 recently held a Court of Honor ceremony at the Ashland Recreation Center with a large group of parents and family in attendance. Special guest Kathy Peary was also in attendance to give the Friends of Scouting presentation.
Boy Scouts receiving rank advancements were: Tristan Perreault (Scout Rank), Baily Clark (Scout Rank), Ben Philbrook (Scout and Tenderfoot), Dayne Durand (Scout and Tenderfoot), Alex Gillis (Tenderfoot), Steven Bellanceau (Tenderfoot), Daniel Rafford (2nd Class), Wyatt Carr (2nd Class), Airin Harmon (1st Class) and Zach Carr (Star Scout).
Photo courtesy of Polly Libby
ASHLAND BOY SCOUTS from Scout team “Six Patrol” of Troop 179 
recently participated in the Scouting Court of Honor ceremony. During the event, Scouts received Merit Badges and Rank Advancement. Pictured are, from left: Tristan Perreault, Alex Gillis, Otis Nelson, Daniel Rafford, Wyatt Carr, Garrett Graham and Peng Cheng.
Scouts receiving merit badges were: Dayne Durand (Fishing), Airin Harmon (Snow Sports), Ben Philbrook (Fishing), Steven Bellanceau (Wilderness Survival), Garrett Graham (Camping), Peng Cheng (Wilderness Survival), Zach Carr (Wilderness Survival, Fishing and Communications) and Malcolm Milligan (Wilderness Survival, Citizenship in the World, Citizenship in the Nation and Citizenship in the Community).
After the ceremony and the Friends of Scouting presentation, the boys received Camp Cards which they will be selling in the community. This is a new fundraiser to help the Scouts earn their way to Boy Scout Camp. Cards are $5 each, with three one-time coupons and many every day discounts (listed on the back of the card) that will be good for the rest of this year. These are a great way to show your support for the Boy Scouts while getting a good bargain. The Scouts are selling them now through the beginning of May.
RECEIVE BADGES — Ashland Boy Scouts from Scout team “Tree Ninjas Patrol” of Troop 179 received their Merit Badges and Rank Advancement during the Scouting Court of Honor ceremony which took place recently at the Ashland Recreation Center. Pictured are, from left: Zach Carr, Airin Harmon, Dayne Durand, Steven Bellanceau, Baily Clark, Ben Philbrook and Malcolm Milligan. 
The Scouts will also be selling firewood again this year as another fund-raising opportunity toward the cost of camp. The cost per cord is $200. The wood is cut, split, delivered and stacked for you. (What an awesome deal!). To place your order or for more information, please contact Linda Milligan at 227-9135. The Scouts would like to extend a “huge thank you” to Maine Woods for the wood donation and to Mark Rafford and Greg Gillis for providing the transportation of the log-length wood to the boys’ working location.
These two fundraisers, in addition to the others the Scouts organize, make Scout Camp possible for many of the Scouts. The boys gain so much from participating in the camp. They really look forward to the learning, skills and fun that Scouting brings. Please support your local Boy Scouts. These young men will someday become fine adults, thanks in part, to the superior life skills, leadership and mentoring they receive during their participation in the Boy Scouts of America organization.
Welcomes new daughter
James and Joanne Haycock of Oxbow welcomed their new daughter, Katelin Sue, on Wednesday, March 28. Katelin weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was born at 8:18 a.m.
Her maternal grandparents are Bill and Ann Wagner of Monrovia, Calif. and her paternal grandparents are Frederick and Rebecca Knight of Oxbow.
Congratulations to the family.
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 the first and third Thursday at noon for a potluck luncheon at the LeBlanc Junkins VFW Post 9699 on the Portage Road with a meeting to follow. 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.
