Island Falls News
By Riva Hawkes
On Dec. 5, the residents of Woodland Heights held their annual Christmas party in the rec room there. Turkey and all the fixin’s were brought in by Sheila Smith. Others brought pies, rolls, veggies, all of which were greatly enjoyed by the group.
Following the meal gifts were exchanged and fellowship enjoyed. Attending this affair were, Clifford Gallagher, Terry Dwyer, Clara Hathaway, Sheila Smith, Edie Dwyer, Marjorie Nicholson, Blanche Ryan, Bev Rand, Alice Briggs, Patty Morse, Anna Pelkey and Darrell Glidden.
Sam Sewall has returned home after being away the better half of two weeks, visiting with his daughters, one in Scarborough and one in Florida. Glad to see the lights on again in his house across the street from mine.
Have recently heard that Ginny Mooers, a former resident. She has had the misfortune to fall and break a hip. Last report was that she was still in the hospital and doing fairly well.
On Dec.7 I had the good luck to look out my kitchen window in time to see a male cardinal sitting on the branch of my cedar tree. I watched him hop to the ground to eat some seeds and then away he went. I have been looking for him since, but he is quite elusive. And no deer! Have not seen one in my back yard for at least ten days, though I keep on watching patiently. Have seen no deer tracks in the new fallen snow, even with my binoculars, so they have all decamped somewhere. Maybe when they get hungrier they will return.
Red Hat Border Belles
By Barbara Grant
The Red Hat Society Border Belles enjoyed their Christmas Party this past Wednesday at the Houlton Fire Station community room. The twenty-two ladies arrived in full regalia, sporting Red Hats, purple attire and lots of “bling”.
It certainly was a colorful event as the tables were adorned with red/purple tablecloths and like colored goodie bags were placed on the tables for each Border Belle, while the food table was highlighted with a beautiful centerpiece. These items were made and donated by member Priscilla Munroe and her husband, Robert.
All the ladies shared yummy potluck dishes, exchanged Christmas gifts, participated in singing red hatter lyrics to familiar Christmas tunes. The afternoon included entertainment by a rowdy group of their own called the “Menopausal Mama’s” (i.e. Joan Logan, Marilyn Tidd, Linda Russell and Barbara Grant) with their rendition of a medley of songs from the highly acclaimed musical “Menopause”. It’s not expected that the ladies will go professional anytime soon!
Border Belle Lois Morin advised the group that local quilters are looking for material to create individual quilts for the “Linus Project”. It was quickly agreed that all present would donate cash and that the chapter would match said funds to purchase needed material for this worthy project.
As the party came to a close, a Red Hatter Toast of sparkling grape juice in fine plastic goblets was sung (to the tune of Auld Lang Syne) by Leola Bishop, Joyce Blake, Linda Cassidy, Pat Chase, Elva Coburn, Margaret Dudley, Melva Folsom, Barbara Foster, Lillian Gibson, Barbara Grant, Irene Jackson, Dorothy King, Joan Logan, Marjorie Melvin, Carole Milliken, Priscilla Monroe, Lois Morin, Marge Pannell, Sara Regent, Linda Russell, Marilyn Tidd and Jean Wiley.
Purple Hats
By Lois Downing
The Purple Hat ladies met at the Smoki Haulers Snowmobile Clubhouse in Oakfield for a Christmas party and dinner. The meal was served at noontime with Sandy Wyman as cook. It was a delicious meal topped off with chocolate peppermint candy. Lois Downing gave the blessing before the meal.
Items for the Pet Shelter were brought and will be delivered to the shelter in Houlton.
The tables were all decorated with Christmas decorations and a colorful Christmas tree too. All the gifts were placed under the tree until Santa appeared.
Don Marley, as Santa Claus made an appearance with Brenda Wallace as Mrs. Claus. We all welcomed them.
Charlotte Marley, leader, had two Christmas stories that she read. We all participated in ABC of Christmas. For decorations we had blocks of wood made into a doll. We also had purple hats with a ribbon, made by Kathryn Hall, and it was edible.
Denise Kinney recognized birthdays for the group.
Some of the ladies and their husbands will go caroling to Bunny Stewart’s house. Bunny is a faithful and loyal Purple Hatter, who is on the sick list. Prayers were asked for Evelyn Burpee, also on the sick list.
A Yankee Swap took place and everyone went home with a lovely gift. The group will meet again in January, the second Tuesday, at Grammy’s Restaurant in Linneus.
Attending were, Joanne Scott and Denise Kinney from Cary; Wannetta Townsend and Marie Gillotti from Dyer Brook; Brenda Wallace, from Hodgdon; Arlene Friel from Merrill; Delores Locke, Elaine Barrett, Evelyn Johnston, Nancy Townsend, Jackie Kennedy, Alma Clark, Bernice Campbell, Ursula Levesque and Helen Blois from Oakfield; Lois Downing, from Houlton; Charlotte Marley, Cindy Gray and Peggy Sanders from Sherman.
Several of the ladies’ husbands were helpers, Don Marley, Jim Blois, Larry Sanders, and Bob Locke.
