The 2008 Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program for Ashland Central School students began the first part of January. Ongoing for 13 years, the D.A.R.E. program is a cooperative effort between SAD 32 and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department. Local Game Wardens and the Ashland Police Department also participate in D.A.R.E. by doing special programs for ACS students throughout the year.
This year, Deputy Michael Montpetit has helped D.A.R.E. program coordinator, Deputy Rosemary Coffin, by visiting the various Ashland Central School classes with her to educate the students about 9-1-1 and stranger safety. Deputy Coffin, teachers and students all enjoy Deputy Montpetit’s visits.
Ashland Central School also had unexpected guests recently as Deputy Vance Palmer and Deputy Larry Gough of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department were in the Ashland area and stopped by for a visit. The two men enjoyed lunch with fellow deputies Montpetit and Coffin, as well as teachers and students. Afterwards, the deputies spent a lot of time in the various classrooms talking and answering questions about the D.A.R.E. program. What a great treat it was to have three patrol deputies in the same place at the same time. The dedication of the officers toward this D.A.R.E. program is certainly apparent and greatly appreciated by all.
Guest Speaker to Attend Senior Lunch
On Thursday, Feb. 14, Tammy Beaulier-Fell of The Aroostook Medical Center will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about infectious diseases and the “Super Bug” at the Ashland Area Senior Citizen’s weekly meeting. The group meets every Thursday at noon at the Ashland Recreation Center. Any senior citizens wishing to participate in the potluck lunches and meetings are always welcome. Last week’s topic was “Farm Share” and was presented by Perry Charette.
Caravan Scheduled for Feb. 15
Back in February 1957, a group of 23 Aroostook County residents departed from Ashland for a 200-mile trek to Quebec City through the Maine wilderness. Encouraging cultural and economic development between Quebec and Maine, the caravan has become an annual event for over 50 years. The Ashland Rotary Club will host a breakfast for caravan goers at 6:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15 at the Ashland Motor Lodge at a cost of $7.50 per person. The caravan will depart from Ashland promptly at 7:15 a.m. and travel west through the woods to the border crossing at St. Pamphile. Once in Quebec City, members of the caravan will be able to explore the city and check out the Quebec Winter Carnival festivities. Anyone wanting further information about the trip or to make reservations should call Northern Maine Community College at 768-2760.
Clark named to Dean’s List
Kendell Clark of Peru, N.Y. has been named to the Dean’s List at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y.
A second-year student in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering, Clark is studying electrical engineering with a Presidential scholarship in the Honors Program.
Clark is the son of Julie Clark of Peru, N.Y. and Tony Clark of Ashland, and the grandson of Milton and Dawn Clark of Ashland and Pat Goodblood of Portage. He is a 2006 graduate of Peru Central High School.
Looking for Recipes
The Portage Lake Cookbook Committee is in need of recipes for our centennial cookbook, which will be available in 2009. We are looking for favorite family recipes, both old and new. We would love to hear from past residents of Portage Lake, as well as current residents. Look through your recipe collection for recipes for snacks, smoothies, desserts, main dishes, soups, salads, etc. Please be as specific as possible with measurements, directions and the size of cans, packages and pans, so that others can successfully make your recipe. The deadline for sending recipes to be included in the Portage Lake Centennial Cookbook is May 1, 2008. Recipe forms will be available at the Portage Town Office, or send your handwritten or typed recipes to Lou Sandy Boutot, P.O. Box 4, Portage, Maine 04768. Thank you.
Ongoing Events
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens group meets every Thursday at noon at the Ashland Rec. Center. Any senior citizens wishing to participate in the potluck lunches and meetings are always welcome.
The Portage Lake Seniors’ Lunch is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. at the Town Hall. All seniors are invited to attend and can bring a potluck dish to share or give a cash donation. 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.
If you can help plan for Portage Lake’s Centennial Celebration, please contact Barb Pitcairn at 435-2368 or Grace Nason at 435-6373.
Ladies, are you interested in crafts or have some that you’ve started and just can’t seem to finish? If so, take yourself over to the Portage Lake Municipal Building for Girlz Night every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy the company and the satisfaction of finally completing a project!
(Julie Graham-Berry is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and surrounding townships. She can be reached at 435-7137).
