TOPS 233 Houlton
Take Off Pounds Sensibly Chapter 233 of Houlton met at the Aldergate building on High Street for its Friday, May 16 meeting.
Joyce Estey, leader, was in attendance. Joanne Scott was the greeter for the month. Elinor Harvey was present as a new member.
Twenty-five ladies attended with four KOPS.
Loser of the week was Gerry McAfee with Lois Downing as runner-up.
Mystery gifts are needed so if you have one, please bring it in, wrapped.
The mystery gift was given to Gerry McAfee who also won the 50/50 drawing. The skinny dish was held over.
Sherry Smith passed out papers denoting calories on fruits, vegetables and grains. Secretary’s report was read by Vicki Little and she read some information from one of our representatives.
The rally coming up is in Brewer, October 4, with a Western theme.
Linda Trickey of the University of Maine Cooperative was the speaker, her topic was portion sizes. She passed out several sheets to illustrate. She also gave us a recipe for sweet potatoes up the potatoes leaving the skin on; put the pieces in a bap with one teaspoon of oil or olive oil; add spice or any favorite and shake; spread on a cookie sheet and place in a 400 degree oven for approximately 13-15 minutes. She recommended whole wheat pasta but try it three times.
If you want information on the chapter, please contact Charlotte Marley at 757-8483 or Betty Ivey.
Weigh-in time is 8-8:45 a.m. with the meeting beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 10 a.m.
Patten Senior Citizens
Patten Senior Citizens held its regular meeting at Meadowbrook Manor on May 6, with 11 members and 12 guests attending.
The prayer before the potluck meal was given by Maxine Brackett.
After the meal, the business meeting was opened with the Flag Salute by president Jackie Palmer.
Secretary and treasurer reports were read and accepted.
Cards were signed and sent to Loretta Dwyer, Ruby Carver, Eileen Fisher, Thelma Mitchel, Dot Howard, Kay Shackford and Doug Elwell.
A special Mother’s Day program, directed by Maxine Brackett, was presented. Annie Lord sang and told jokes. Readings were done by Rubenia Botting and Mary Lawler and we enjoyed several musical selections by Ashley Randall.
A reminder was given for the RSVP Recognition Dinner that will be held in Oakfield on May 8.
Hostess for the May 20 meeting will be Rubenia Botting and Maxine Brackett.
Members present: Pearl Grant, Iola Giles, Rubenia Botting, Maxine Brackett, Nettie Shorey, Mary Lawler, Gloria Noyes, Jackie Palmer, Joyce Harvey, Annie Lord and Jean Tarr.
Guests present: Barbara Porter, Marjorie Hall, Dot Wamboldt, Marilyn Somers, Lottie Peavey, Annette Noyes, Brenda Raymond, Karen Hall, Lenore Hanson, Tammy Randall, Ashley Randall and Gini Garrett, RSVP coordinator.
By Lois Downing
Hello. Has spring finally sprung? We hope so. The trees are budded and so are some other blooms. We’re in for a good week, except for the rain, which is sorely needed.
Paul Phelan, brother of Lois Downing, visited over the weekend from Westbrook. Lois’ brother was very pleased to see Fr. Ron LaBarre, pastor of St. Mary of the Visitation Church. He is very loved and treasured at Southwestern part of Maine. Also happy to see David McGillicuddy, who wanted to be remembered to Dick Burr in the Patten, Oakfield area and who was Paul’s colleague in the Biddeford school system. Burr has a legion of friends and one of the dance band musicians. His solos electrified when he played throughout the state. He also is very generous and a week ago presented Paul a new trumpet which he will use playing in the Music Makers of Portland, Paul being a member.
Nancee Campbell is going to be in Bangor to have her leg checked, as it has been bothering her. Good luck, Nancee.
Hope to see the dance recital this weekend. It is always a very delightful evening.
No news to report about Irene, manager in the community room for Meals on Wheels. She had a pacemaker installed and we wish her luck with her health.
It’s fiddlehead time again. Several of my friends have acquired this popular green and I hope to have some to cook myself.
Memorial Day has crept on us silently. Time to decorate the graves again or when it is convenient to. Can’t forget the loved ones.
Lois Downing and brother Paul Phelan were visitors of Mavis Phelan of Limestone on Sunday. Mavis’ son was there too and they visited Lois and Paul’s brother’s grave in Caribou.
The thought for the day is from John 14:13: And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.”
Have a wonderful week and enjoy the holiday, safely and with family.
By Lois Downing
We are having some warm days, a little windy but we are grateful. We don’t have to worry about hurricanes, tornadoes and floods in this part. Thank you, Lord.
We are concerned about Irene, the popular lady for Meals on Wheels. She was preparing to leave for out of state vacation when she suffered a heart attack. As far as I know, Irene is in one of the Bangor hospitals at this time. Get better, Irene.
The Good as New store, in the former Rexall store, will be moving soon. They are occupying the basement of Parkview, where Neil Cowperthwaite occupies his store. We will let you know when the change takes place.
Mother’s Day was celebrated well here. With all the cards, plants, flowers, packages, and everything, seems as though everyone had a good time. I attended the breakfast with Althea Lloyd at St. Mary’s Church and what a wonderful breakfast it was. The youth are to be commended. Thank you, all.
The postmen of the U.S. Government are to be thanked too for their lugging and picking up the canned goods left by the tenants for the Food Bank. A goodly number of bags were left here for pickup.
Our Aroostook RSVP 33rd annual appreciation celebration on May 8 at the Smoki Haulers Snowmobile Clubhouse in Oakfield was a delightful success. We were happy to hear a combo, recently formed I’m told. I didn’t get all their names but Mike Clark of Houlton was on the drums. They played 60s and 70s music and pleasant to hear. Attending from Houlton were Althea Lloyd, Connie Barry, Helen Brewer, Lois Downing, Molly Bailey, new member Rose Levesque, Yvonne Blake, Mildred Reece, Mim Nichols, Joyce and Urban Hughes, Barbara Spellman, Margaret Dudley. I hope I haven’t left anyone out. Our leader, Gini Garrett, was in attendance. Barbara was honored for five years of service. Many of the ladies received prizes. We had turkey pie and brownies ala mode for dessert, a delicious dinner. Thank you everyone.
My thought for the day is: “…for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56.7)
Have a good week.
Grand Lake Grange held an open house April 20, in celebration of Grange month. The annual Community Citizen was chosen and honored. This year’s recipient was July Austin of Orient.
The Community Citizen is chosen by the grange members and is given to a non-granger. This person (individual or organization) must show extra effort to better her community and enhance the life of her neighbors. Julie is a nurse at the Habilitation Center. She has been a foster parent and an adoptive parent. Her hobby (besides horses and water-sports) turned to photography. When seven young men from surrounding towns were called from the National Guard to go to Iraq, Julie and her camera began the tie that binds. Each month she went to the families of the men, taking pictures of everyday happenings. She attended baby showers, birth of a baby and documented other things the boys would miss out on. She was active in sending goody boxes to them. Several men mentioned they don’t know what they’d have done without her input.
The program began with the opening of the Bible and flag salute. Master Leland Potter welcomed the crowd. Danforth poet Laureate Winston Bartlett wrote a poem read by his wife Elaine. Lecturer Jackie Allen had a little joke before Beverly Austin read “A Letter From A Farm Kid”. Skits were by Mavis and Leland Potter and Jackie and Gerald Allen. Toby Mailman and Clayton Austin did some funny one-liners. George Morehouse read “I Am An American” before Leland told about a mechanic trying to save money. Videos were put on the television. The main ones were of the boys arriving in Bangor at the airport from Iraq.
The piano was played throughout the evening by Jeannette Springer. She complimented Julie’s preference of Western music.
A certificate and paper-weight were presented to Julie with the deepest appreciation and affection of all.
A lovely lunch was served and a social time enjoyed.
