Community Notebook

TOPS #ME 233, HOULTON
By Lois Downing
TOPS #233 of Houlton met at the Aldergate building on High Street for its Friday, May 1 meeting. There were 16 members and four KOPS in attendance. The leader Joyce Estey was present and Elinor Harvey was the official greeter.
   Janette Nelson gave the treasurer’s report; Brenda Lacostic the weight recorder’s report and Vicki Little gave the minutes.
Barbara Troy led us in 15 minutes of exercises. The loser of the week was Donna Parent with runner-up Betty Ivey.
The mystery gift winner was Barbara Grant; 50/50 went to Donna Parent and she also won the skinny dish.
Brenda Lacostic’s husband will make a cabinet for us to store our records. Charlotte Marley distributed the Easter contest papers.
The meeting was spent in planning for SRD in Bangor.
The next meeting will be Friday, May 8. If you need more information on the chapter you may call Betty Ivey at 532-9653 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483.
The meetings begin at 10 a.m. after weigh-in at 8-8:45. Come and enjoy and everybody is welcome.

Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
Hello everyone! We’re in the month of May already. Where did the other months go? Anyway, Happy May.
We have a May basket hanging on our bulletin board. We were saying the other day that these habits and memories are almost passé. There are few who make May baskets anymore. Too, bad.
I enjoyed the Houlton School of Dance Friday evening at  Houlton High School. The program went along rapidly and we were home within two hours of its starting point. Lots of beautiful girls and teenagers wearing beautiful costumes, It was a night well spent. I have always said, “The talent in this town is awesome.”
I was sorry to learn of the passing of Charles Simonson, 77, March 6 at Presque Isle. Charles and his wife Betty ate here in our dining room numerous times. They had been married 50 years. We shall miss Charles and we send our sympathy to Betty and family on his death and passing.
Sylvia Thompson lives here at Ricker Plaza. Her husband, Donnie lives in Brewer. If you would like to send him a card, his address is Colonial Circle, Room 33-2, Woodland Alzheimer’s Home, Brewer, 04412. I’m sure both Sylvia and Donnie would appreciate it.
Here’s some bad news: the cost of stamps has increased two cents and the new price of a stamp will be effective with the mailing May 11. Be sure to keep this in mind. If you don’t, some of your mail will be returned.
A friend of mine gave me this for my column: Adam was out walking with his two sons, Cain and Abel. When they came to the Garden of Eden. Not what it used to be, Adam held his two sons close, “This is where your mother ate us out of house and home.” (Bishop Shein)
What did you do, if anything for Earth Day? I’m trying to recycle paper, bottles and any other thing that I can. I also unplug the toaster cord after using it. Do you do that, too?
Don’t forget that Saturday, May 9 is the 17th annual “Stamp out Hunger” day. Letter carriers all over the country will pick up bags of non-perishable food you leave near your mailbox and deliver them to local food banks. Prepare yours the night before, so as not to forget.
Here’s my weekly bible passage: “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” (Matthew 5:29)
Have a good week.

Happy Losers
By Shirley Sides
    On April 29 the weekly meeting of the Happy Losers was held at the Congregational Church vestry in Island Falls. We always open our meeting with our pledge and roll call. There were nine members weigh-in and eight attended our class.
Losers of the week were Annie Jane Smith and Shirley Sides. Runner-up was Glady Corneil. Great job ladies!
Hilda Clukey greeted everyone and our secretary and treasurer gave reports  for the week.
Hilda Clukey led our program and her topic was on Aging Well.
The meetings are informative and interesting.
Please feel welcome to our class every Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. to 8:45. Weigh-ins and our meeting starts at 9 a.m. See you there. Call 365-4884 for more information.

Patten Senior Citizens
Patten Senior Citizens met at Meadowbrook Manor on April 21, with 11 members present.
The prayer before the potluck meal was given by Gloria Noyes and the Lord’s Prayer was recited in unison by the members.
The business meeting was opened by President Jackie Palmer, who also led the flag salute.
Secretary and treasurer reports were read and accepted.
A reading of “History of Aprons” was done by Joyce Harvey.
The birthday cake was made by Jackie Palmer and happy birthday was sung to Pearl Grant.
Cards were signed and sent to Mary Morris, Roland Wilkins, Bob Morrarty and John Mehurin.
The Game was played.
Hostesses were Jean Tarr and Rubenia Botting.
Hostesses for the May 5 meeting will be Nettie Shorey and Annette Noyes.
Members present were Pearl Grant, Dot Binette, Maxine Brackett, Nettie Shorey, Annette Noyes, Mary Lawler, Gloria Noyes, Joyce Harvey, Jackie Palmer, Rubenia Botting and Jean Tarr.