ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
Friends and members of the Ashland Advent Christian Church have organized and will be hosting a “Door-to-Door Christmas House Tour” with a chicken stew supper and community carol sing to be held Sunday, Dec. 9. Join them in “opening doors to a joyous season by sharing and giving back.”
This fantastic inspiration was designed to bring the community together to celebrate the holiday season while also giving back to the community we all call home. Six very generous homeowners in the Ashland area have agreed to open their homes and hearts by allowing tours of their homes, which are festively decorated with Christmas décor. Haven’t you always wondered what some of those marvelously decorated homes must look like on the inside this time of year? Imagine no more! Come experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Christmas season that can be found behind the doors of six of the most brilliantly decorated homes in the community. Tours will be held from 2-5 p.m.
Immediately following the tours, the Advent Church will host a chicken stew supper at the church. Come enjoy homemade chicken stew, rolls, apple crisp, hot cider, tea and coffee. This provides a wonderful opportunity to discuss the house tours and to catch up with community members and friends before the holiday rush … all while enjoying the warm comfort of a delicious meal. You don’t have to participate in the tour to enjoy the dinner. It’s open to all. Dinner begins at 5:15 p.m.
To end the day in a good, old-fashioned way, there will be a community carol sing beginning at 6 p.m. at the church. Come sing (or just listen to) your favorite Christmas carols with friends and family. There will also be special performances by representatives from (other) are churches. Door prizes will be awarded! This is an ecumenical event and all are encouraged to gather together in fellowship and in the spirit of Christmas.
Tickets will be sold in advance and also on the day of the event and are available at the Advent Church. Tickets for this very unique event are as follows: House Tour and Supper – $8 each or $15 for two. Supper only is $5 per person. Children under the age of 12 are free of charge. Each participant will receive a “Passport/Map” of the location of the homes to be toured. Whether you purchase your ticket in advance or on the day of the event, you should pick up your passport/map at the Advent Church before the tours begin, on the day of the event between 1:30-2 p.m.
All proceeds will benefit the Ashland Food Pantry and the Good Shepard Thrift Shop. This is a unique and wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season while helping our local neighbors and friends. For more information and/or tickets, contact Linda Pelletier at 762-3741.
‘Portage Lake History and Hearsay’ books on sale
Back by popular demand (and just in time for Christmas), the Portage Lake Historical Society (PLHS) has reprinted the original “Portage Lake History and Hearsay” books that were written and published for the town’s centennial in 2009. There have not been any changes made; just a reprinting due to the high demand for copies as all the originals sold out. The books are $20 each and are currently available for purchase at the Portage Lake Town Office.
Cub Scout news
If you are at the corner of Exchange and Main streets, be sure to check out the “cool” window display at Orion Timberlands. Grade 3 Bear Scouts from Pack 179 decorated it this past weekend with a huge snowman, a Christmas tree and reindeer. Grade 1 Tiger Scouts made snowflakes which were hung from the ceiling to give the effect of falling snow. It looks really awesome Scouts!
The Pack also held its annual Christmas tree sale Saturday, and would like to thank everyone that purchased trees or donated to the Pack.
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.
