Construction class works to create concession building

    Once again, the students from the Building Construction class at Ashland Community High School are getting involved in a community development project. The process began with an idea to build a concession building to be used at the Ashland Trotting Park. The community comes together for several events, and this will provide an opportunity to offer refreshments for spectators.     This is just a small example how high school students, with enough motivation and basic skills, can team up with municipal officials to work together on a project that will benefit the whole community at large. Students have been involved in the estimating, plan review, layout and assembly of walls, as well as roof systems.
    With the end of the school year fast approaching, as much work will be completed as possible in time for park events this summer.
2008 Commencement and Project Graduation News
    This year’s Ashland Community High School graduation has been set for Friday, May 30 at 7 p.m. Following the commencement ceremony, Project Graduation will be having a reception in the cafeteria for family and friends. All are welcome to attend.
    Project Graduation has raised enough funds this year to take the Class of 2008 on a weekend-long trip. So, after the reception, students will be departing on a rented Cyr bus, which will transport them to the first stop of their journey, Boston. While there, students will visit the Museum of Science, take a tour of Fenway Park, cruise Boston Harbor on the Codzilla, and also check out the New England Aquarium. From there, students will travel to Salem, N.H. for a fun day at Canobie Lake Park. The weekend will conclude Monday morning when the students arrive back in Ashland.
    A very generous donation of $627 was received last week from Pioneer Lodge No. 72 of Ashland and the Grand Lodge of Maine Charitable Foundation in Portland. What a way to end the year! Project Graduation was very pleased to receive such a generous donation. This will be a big help in covering some of the costs for the upcoming trip. Thank you!
    Project Graduation has worked very hard throughout the school year to raise funds and would like to thank everyone for their help and support.
Students Visit Sheridan Hatchery
    On Wednesday, May 7, Gina Jandreau’s fourth-grade class from Madawaska took a field trip to the Dug Brook Salmon Hatchery, located just outside of Ashland, in Sheridan. Located on the Aroostook River, the hatchery raises salmon fry from eyed eggs and distributes them throughout the Aroostook River basin. The trip was coordinated between Jandreau and Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine President Ron Grover.
    Upon arriving at the hatchery, the students were shown an educational tape on salmon growth and river restoration. James Thompson led the tour of the facility and Winston Bagley and Rene Cloukey Sr. were on hand to assist and answer any questions the students had. Afterwards, the 35 fourth-graders, their teacher, chaperones and bus driver ate their lunches in the lounge and then headed back home. Everyone had a great time and the club would like to thank the fourth-graders, Jandreau, chaperones and bus driver for their enthusiastic support. The students’ interest and behavior were exemplary!
    Besides being available for tours, the ASNM club also provides eyed eggs and tanks to 11 schools for educational purposes. For more information about this program, the hatchery, or to set up a field trip, please contact Ron Grover at 435-2591.
Portage Church to Hold Summer Services
    Summer worship services at the Portage Congregational Church will begin Sunday, June 1 and continue through the end of September. Various speakers from area churches will be leading the worship each week beginning at 10 a.m. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Wes Lavigne at 764-1630.
Tag and Bake Sale Scheduled
    The Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW in Ashland will hold its annual tag and bake sale Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. The sale will be at the VFW hall on the Portage Road. For more information, call 435-7137 and speak to Julie.
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).