By Shirley Sides
The weekly meeting of TOPS 145 was held April 9 at the Congregational Church vestry in Island Falls.
We opened our meeting with our roll call which is always interesting.
We had 13 members weigh-in and twelve attended our meeting.
Our person who lost the most weight for the week was Jackie Pratt and runner-up was Mary Shaw. Great job, ladies. Hello, Maxine.
Reports were given by our secretary and treasure for the week.
We will have our new contest until May 14.
Our leader led the program for the week. Her topic was on 12 tips for drinking water. It was an interesting meeting. Each of us has to have the desire, and will power to loose weight. TOPS and Weight Watchers are places to keep us on track.
Please feel welcome to attend our meeting every Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Weigh-ins and meeting starts at 9 a.m. Call 365-4884 for more information.
Our Guild, which includes members from Sherman, Patten and Benedicta areas, wanted to do something different this year. We called it the “Marine Comfort Quilt Collaboration Project.”
Sue Knowles of Benedicta, our local scout leader was willing to give it a try. On March 10, Jane Cummings of Stacyville (and coincidentally the president of Katahdin Shadow Quilters) invited six Junior Girl Scouts to her Wednesday afternoon class at Katahdin High School.
First Jimmy Trout of Sherman gave the girls a presentation about the Marine Comfort Quilts (www.MarineComfortQuilt.com). Once completed these quilts are distributed to the family of fallen soldiers from any branch of the service. Mr. Trout’s presentation was exceptionally meaningful because two years ago this week his grandson, Dustin Harris was killed in Iraq. Presently, Jimmy and his wife Sandra are very active in this organization.
In less than one hour, the Junior Girl Scouts sewed together pre-cut strips to make approximately 30 12.5-inch squares. Finished designs were: Sheep Fold, Blocks in a Box and Rail Fence. The girls were assisted by Jane Cummings, Sue Knowles, and several members of the Katahdin Shadows Quilt Guild.
On March 24, the local brownies met at the Katahdin Elementary School after school for their regularly scheduled meeting. Mr. Trout once again gave a very interesting and heartfelt presentation. Their leader, Mrs. Knowles, passed out scrap paper and told the girls to do a practice drawing. Once their drafts were complete they used fabric markers and drew the messages and drawings onto the squares previously prepared by the junior girl scouts.
On Saturday, March 29, the girls visited the home of Scott and Lorna Harris, mother of Dustin Harris and daughter of Jimmy Trout. The Harris home contains many tributes to their son from all over the world. They also have a room dedicated to him. The girls were treated to a delicious snack, and they presented Mrs. Harris and Mr. Trout with the quilt squares that they sewed and decorated.
We thought when we began this project that we would introduce the girls to some new skills. We think they enjoyed themselves. However they showed us how to respectfully honor the memory of a local hero. These girls will someday soon make the world a better place.
By Lois Downing
Take Off Pounds Sensibly 233 of Houlton met at the Aldergate building on High Street for its April 11 meeting.
Seventeen ladies were weighed, four of these were KOPS.
Barbara Grant returned from South Carolina after an absence of three months. Juanita Warman was a guest. Aileen Smith became a new member.
Loser of the week was Margaret Dudley with runner-up Melva Folsom.
The mystery gift was awarded to Janette Nelson; the 50/50 drawing to Barbara Grant and the skinny dish to Lois Downing.
Secretary’s report was given by Vicki Little; and Denise Kinney gave the weight recorder’s report.
Margaret Dudley was presented a workshop award. Receiving charms were Janette Nelson, Betty Ivey, Charlotte Marley, Kay Grass and Joanne Scott.
Denise went over the new contests and presented Lois Downing with a certificate for KOPS. Denise reminded the members to please bring in a gardening item for the contest.
Sherry Smith distributed birthday cards to Betty Ivey and Kathy Hutchinson.
The program was on the by-laws. Leader Joyce Estey read each by-law and changes were made, deletions and omissions.
The meeting was adjourned. If you wish to get in touch with a member, you may call Charlotte Marley at 757-8483 or Betty Ivey at 532-9653.
Meetings begin at 9 a.m. after weigh-in. Weigh-in starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 8:45 a.m.
Come and join us. Everyone is welcome.
By Lois Downing
Houlton Council of Catholic Women met in the parish hall of St. Mary of the Visitation Church on Monday, April 7.
Thirty-two members attended. Former member Kathy Strange, now of Portland, was present.
President Childers called the meeting to order and the usual prayers and pledge of allegiance were recited.
The leader then introduced Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone, who was principal speaker. He is also the director of the ambulance service and the cemetery superintendent.
Chief Cone said Houlton has seven full-time firefighters and 22 paid volunteers, who are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week and all are dedicated to their positions. The ambulance service has six full-time EMTs licensed at the paramedic level and trained to stabilize patients before transport.
Chief Cone brought several handouts including the vial of life, to be used to acquire information easily available to responders in the event a person is unable to communicate.
Fire Chief Cone spoke on the importance of working fire detectors and said the fire department will do an inspection of homes, if asked. He said the ambulance EMTs are willing to do blood pressure clinics.
President Childers thanked Chief Cone for taking the time to talk to us. Guest speaker for May will be Lynn Skehan of the Pregnancy Center. Members are asked to please bring a gift for a baby shower.
Secretary’s report was given by Ethel Mersereau and treasurer by Bernette Roach. The report will be filed for audit.
Janet Barker thanked everyone who helped with First Communion and Confirmation reception, also for donated flowers. President also thanked everyone who worked for Fr. Morin’s potluck supper, especially Pricilla Farrar, who worked tirelessly in the kitchen.
This was Humane Society meeting and ladies all brought items for the society. President Childers thanked everyone who donated.
State meeting will be in Norway at St. Catherine on April 26, as stated by Lois Downing. Everyone will bring a bag luncheon and two pies will be provided for raffle.
Pizza Hut fundraiser night will be Monday, April 21. Cruz-Cruz will be distributing coupons beginning at 4 p.m.
The Council will pay a substantial amount for one student to attend Youth Convention in Portland. A second student will be paid if necessary.
The yearly banquet will be at the parish center with Kathy Bither cooking the meal. The cost will be $8.95. Your choice of menu will be solicited at the May meeting.
Judy Reid will pick up 10 cookie sheets for the kitchen. Wesley Grant will make a cabinet for holy oils at a reasonable cost.
Mary Grant won the door prize, donated by Cruz. Cruz was thanked for bringing it. A collection was taken up for the Seminarian Fund. Birthdays and anniversaries were acknowledged.
Janet will look into the subject of having the tables we purchased transferred by Wal-Mart.
The committee in charge was Margaret Casey, Lynette Dobbs, Lois Downing, Monique Grant Louise Guillette, Valerie Pelletier, Judy Reid and Cindy York.
The meeting ended with several requests for prayers.
The next meeting will be May 5 with the date for the banquet will be announced.
By Lois Downing
Hello everyone again! The weather continues to dominate the conversations. With rain, sleet, snow and what have you, we take whatever God has put before us. At least the big piles of snow are depleting.
One of the first things our new maintenance man has done is erect the American flag on the pole in the parking lot. It is nice to see the flag flying again. And you ladies who don’t know his name, it’s Keith from Island Falls. Welcome aboard, Keith.
The Houlton Council of Catholic Women are holding a fundraiser on Monday, April 21 at Pizza Hut. A portion of the sales go toward the fundraiser. If you eat out on that night, think of the Pizza Hut.
Dianne Faulkner was in Island Falls a few days ago, visiting friends in the area.
Our sympathy is extended to Rose Levesque in the loss of her mother, Mamie Nadeau, 99, who died a few days ago. You’ll miss her, Rose as will her relatives and friends.
You RSVP volunteers, keep in mind the date for the Recognition Celebration and Banquet at the Smoki-Hauler Snowmobile Clubhouse May 8, Oakfield, 9:30 a.m. Set aside this date
My thought for the day is: “…all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant — these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.” Isaiah 56:6-7.
Have a wonderful week.
