By Lois Downing
Take Off Pounds Sensibly #233 of Houlton met at the Aldergate building on High Street for its Christmas meeting on Friday, December 7, 2007.
Seventeen members were in attendance; five were KOPS. Kay Grass, leader, was present and official greeter was Joyce Estey. Kathryn Hall, daughter of Lois Downing, was a guest.
Loser of the week was Kay Grass with Denise Kinney as runner-up. The week proved to be a good weight loss one for the chapter.
Mystery gift winner was Janette Nelson; Charlotte Marley won the skinny dish and Denise Kinney won the 50/50.
Weight recorder’s report was given by Joanne Scott; Charlotte Marley gave the secretary’s minutes and Janette Nelson provided a financial report.
Cards were distributed and gifts were given by a numbering process, a fun time.
Denise Kinney reported on the Lifeboat contest; a new contest will be in effect in January.
Kay read a letter from Janice Cote, area captain and a letter from Judy Hamilton, a new regional officer.
After the gift giving, we drove to Grammy’s Restaurant in Linneus for a luncheon.
The next meeting will be Dec. 14. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. after the weigh-in at 8-8:45 a.m.
For information on the chapter you may call Betty Ivey or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483.
Everybody is welcome.
Blizzard! The Sherman Senior Citizens Club met on Dec. 5, at the Sherman Elementary School gym for their scheduled combined Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner. Sixteen hardy souls showed up to savor the delicious festive dinner that involved the generous, competent cooks of the day who made the contributions with their own hands.
Packages were colorfully wrapped in preparation for the planned expectations for the Dec. 19 meeting when the fourth grade Sherman Elementary children will be entertaining in skit and song, always much enjoyed by the lucky senior folks, who attend each year. The seniors will eat hot dogs prepared in the building kitchen prior to the arrival of the entertainers. Do not bring any potluck dishes this time!
Out with the old year! In with the new, Jan 2, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 1, 2008.
Present were: Annie and Fred Atkinson, Fred and Sylvia Lilley, Dean and Frances McKinney, Sandra Qualey, Linniea Perry, Bonita Staples, Eva Perry, Maria Stell, Margaret Duffy, Sam Guiggey, Donna Grass, Mary Lawler, Mary Dickinson.
By Lois Downing
‘Tis the season to be jolly!! Is the season trying your patience? Well, just look around you — count your blessings—I’m sure everyone has some, no matter how small.
I’m off my soapbox—here’s the scoop!
Jean Adams was the winner of the pre-lit and decorated Christmas tree at Saint Mary of the Visitation Church; the chance tickets were sold for the Seminarian Fund by the Houlton Council of Catholic Women and the tickets were drawn Sunday. Lucky, Jean.
Two decorated trees are in “full bloom,” here at the plaza. Both were put up and decorated by the tenants this past Friday, Dec. 7. The writer could not participate this year, but the trees look great and it is beginning to look like Christmas here at Ricker Plaza. Come and see!
Have you any old dolls that needs a new dress, a hairdo or whatever. Kathy Hall, the writer’s daughter, is doing just that. The dolls will be given to a worthy person at Christmastime. Kathy can make a throwaway doll look like a new one. She has a definite talent. You can call 532-2125 or the drop-off apartment number is number 108. Thank you very much.
Anyone out there want a shoveling job for the season? A friend of mine is in need of a shoveler so that she can get her car out of the garage. Again you can call 532-2125 and thanks.
Linda Beaupre, a former tenant at Ricker, is a great-grandmother. The new baby lives in Brunswick and Linda is very happy to be a great-grandmother. Happy holidays, Linda.
Thank you to the Good Samaritan for cleaning off the snow from my car after the snowstorm of last week. That isn’t the first good deed she has done and I’m sure it isn’t the last. Another thank you and God bless.
Enjoyed the newsletter received in the mail from one of the agencies—it contained recipes, a word search, holiday facts and much more. Thanks very much.
Eric A. Robinson, son of Peggy Robinson, and grandson of Arlene Friel, returned to his home in Florida. Eric spent several days here and was a guest of his Aunt Maureen Friel. Peggy picked him up at the airport and returned to Portland for his flight home. Glad you could spend some time in Maine, Eric.
Here’s a joke football fans will like: A football coach was asked his secret of evaluating his new recruits. “Well,” he said, “I take them out in the woods and make them run for a while. The players who run around the trees, I make those guys into running backs. And the ones who run straight into the trees, of course I turn those guys into linemen.”
Thank you to the staff, Charlene, Brian, Adam and Ben for helping make our driveway safe and clear of ice. Charlene was in the parking lot with the “boys,” doing her part in clearing the snow. Thanks, guys!
Lots going on this week in Houlton. Be sure to read the Pioneer Times to keep abreast of everything.
If you read this on Wednesday, Dec. 12, come and join us for an “Open House,” at my apartment 108, Ricker Plaza from 3-6 p.m. There’ll be music, fun and food! All friends and family are welcome, that means YOU!
Ricker Plaza is a smoke-free building now, thanks to the management. If you want more information on this subject, call the Ricker number, 532-3037.
Norma Ellis of Monticello and Elaine Webb of Augusta were in town on Sunday and they all attended a Christmas party with their mother, Lillian Stairs. Elaine is in town for a few days and is enjoying her mother’s company.
Veronica Chapman of Bangor and her daughter Victoria were visitors of her mother and grandmother, Marion Hogan, on Saturday. Veronica and Victoria had been Christmas shopping and they brought gifts to Marion.
Irene, manager of Meals on Wheels at Ricker Plaza, has lap robes and bibs for sale; the proceeds will be used for the Aroostook Agency on Aging. Irene did most of the work of the crafts she had on sale and I must say it was excellent work. Come and see what Irene has for sale—you’ll be glad you did.
My thought for the day is taken from Matthew 6:3-4: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Have a safe and holy week.
