Community Notebook

TOPS ME No. 233, HOULTON
by Lois Downing
Take Off Pounds Sensibly Chapter 233 of Houlton met at the meeting room in back of the Wesleyan Church on High Street for its Friday, August 21 date.
    Joyce Estey, leader, had charge of the meeting.
We had roll call first and all gave their weights or gains. Thirteen TOPS and five KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) were present.
Reports were given by newly appointed secretary Lois Downing and weight recording report by Joanne Scott.
Runners-up in the losing department were Linda Bartlett and Barbara Grant.
The skinny dish winner conducted by Donna Parent was Grant. She gave the reasons why she lost weight later in the program, as requested by Estey. Others losing weight  did the same thing, for example one lady said she cut down on calories.
Charlotte Marley gave a report on the current contest, “Losing to Bloom.” She called on Gerry McAfee, the only person able to attend a workshop in Connor from our chapter August 12. Gerry received four extra petals for her report.
Our outing at Janette Nelson’s cottage has been cancelled, but instead we will meet at the Information Center after the meeting. We will eat a lunch there but the program may or may not be given earlier at the meeting by Elinor Harvey.
Discussion was held on our greeting cards. Betty Ivey gave a report on the recent recipients of cards and she will be reimbursed for the cost of stamps, as voted by the membership.
“Happy Birthday” was sung to Joanne Scott, Marley and Estey.
Downing had charge of the program, in the form of a quiz called FQ meaning “Fitness Quotient.” It proved to be beneficial and gave some information pertaining to exercises. A prize was given to the person with the most correct answers.
Program schedule for September is: first week. Denise Kinney; second week, Linda Bartlett, third week, Marley and the last week, Ivey.
The next meeting will be at the same place and time, August 28. Weigh-in time is at 8-8:45 a.m.; meeting time is 9-10 a.m. each Friday.
For more information you may call Ivey or Marley at 757-8483.
Everybody is welcome, young, teens and seniors.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Chapter 233, of Houlton, met at the meeting place in back of the Wesleyan Church for its Friday, Aug. 28 meeting.
Joyce Estey, leader, was present. Fourteen TOPS and five KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) were weighed. It was a good loss for the group.
Reports were given by Joanne Scott, weight recorder, and Lois Downing gave the minutes of the last meeting.
The loser of the week was Janice Shaw, runner-up was Melva Folsom.
New birthday sheets were distributed by Charlotte Marley. Kay Grass and Charlotte composed them and the ladies were thanked for their efforts.
Joyce explained the “10” contest that will conclude with SRD in Bangor in a few weeks, so she asked for the member’s input.
The skinny dish drawing went to Janette Nelson. We sang “Happy Birthday” to Janette who was celebrating her birthday on the 28th of August.
Several members told how they needed to cut calories and exercise to keep their weight at a minimum.
Elinor Harvey was the person in charge of the program; her article was called, “I can make you thin.” There are four items to help you do this: eat when hungry; eat what you want; exercise and stop when you are hungry. Her program also contained reading of an article from “Woman’s Day” magazine. Try another weight loss (to keep weight off); eat beans, yogurt for protein; don’t wait to eat and walk 10,000 steps daily. Elinor was given an ovation for her program.
Charlotte Marley gave a report on the current contest and said it is going very well.
When we closed the meeting via leader Joyce, several TOPS and KOPS met at the Information Center for lunch and fun. Charlotte took pictures and we walked around the center. We agreed that we should do it again.
For more information on the chapter, you may call Betty Ivey at 532-9653 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483.
Weigh-in time is 8-8:45 a.m. and the meeting time is 9 to approximately 10 a.m.
Everybody is welcome.

Oakfield Senior Citizens
Thirty members and three guests met at the Oakfield snowmobile club on Aug.19, for a potluck lunch and a business meeting of the Oakfield Senior Citizens. We had a great lunch and everyone enjoyed ice cream cones. We were led in the Lord’s prayer and the flag salute. Treasurer’s report was read and accepted. The secretary’s was also accepted. Bonnie Pratt was the speaker on taxes she spoke on different things that the state will be adding to what they tax now. If you would like a list of things that will be taxed call Bonnie as  I know she will be glad to give you a list.
We had three guests — Bonnie Pratt, Connie Barry and Ginnie Garrett, who is the leader of RSVP. If you would like more information about our senior citizens, call Peggy Sanders at 757-8634 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483. Or join us on the first and third Wednesday of the month at the snowmobile club.
Attending were Geneva Bell, Linda Bartlett, Katherine Boutlier, Pete Peters, Linda Slauenwhite, Tessie Barrett, Jim and Helen Blois, Evelyn and Merle Burpee, Bernice Campbell, Alma Clark, Marty Dickerson, Doreen and Joe Messina, Arlene Friel, Mildred Gagnon, Marie Gillotti, Sandra and Wendall Homes, Ursula Levesque, Wanetta Townsend, Bob and Delores Locke, Don and Charlotte Marley, Larry and Peggy Sanders.

Houlton Council of Catholic Women
Houlton Council of Catholic Women will begin their season with a 6 p.m. Mass Monday, Sept. 14. Local Knights of Columbus will join them for the Mass and supper. Please bring your own place setting. Meeting will take place after supper. All ladies are urged to attend as there will be a group picture taken for the church directory.

Happy Losers
by Shirley Sides
The Happy Losers held their weekly meeting at the Congregational Church vestry in Island Falls. We always open our meeting with our pledge and roll call.
We had 14 ladies weigh-in and 12 attended our class. Loretta Bouchard and Dotty Rand were the persons who lost the most weight for the week, and Annie Jane Smith was runner-up.  Great job ladies.
Reports for the week were given by our secretary and treasurer. Jackie Pratt, our leader, led the program for the week. Her topic was an article on “fix it with food” like dark chocolate, salmon, and eggs.
Please feel welcome to our group every Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. weigh-ins and meeting starts at 9 a.m. Call 365-4884 for more information.

Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
Another phase of summer is almost a feature of the past. When August disappears, we think the summer is over. The week just past has been a mixture of rain, cold, warmth, wind, and what else! You know the old saying, “If you don’t like the Maine weather, wait a minute.” It sure applies here.
Welcome back to Joyce Bryant, our third-floor tenant. Joyce lived on the first floor for a while, then moved, and now she is back. Joyce, we hope you stay this time.
Marion Hogan is a patient at Houlton Regional Hospital at this writing. Marion misses Ricker and says “hello” to all her friends.
Connie Barry is away; she told me she will be gone six weeks. Happy vacation.
It has come to my attention that the new senior group will meet at the new bridge beside the moose for their meal. More on this at a later date.
We were sorry to learn of the death of Jeannie Stacey. Jeannie was a worker of the Meals on Wheels for several years, when the meals were in full force here at Ricker. She was a frequent visitor at McDonald’s where I used to see her occasionally with her partner, Howard Stacey and their friends. Our sympathy is extended to Jessica, Howard and all family in their loss.
Dot Campbell is home! We were happy to see Dot on Saturday, using a walker for a short time. Dot returned the previous Wednesday and said she had over 100 cards, phone calls, visitors and enjoyed every minute of it. Dot fell in the parking lot and broke her hip but she is well on the mend now. Good for you, Dot.
The last concert of McGill’s Community Band was a wonderful occasion and we were blessed by a super warm  evening. Rod Palmer had a solo, well received. Congratulations to Rod on his 90th birthday. The band complimented us with a delicious buffet following its closing. Thank you for a great summer concert and to all those involved in bringing such wonderful music each Thursday.
We are grateful Labor Day is upon us, the last long holiday weekend of the summer. Have a good one, safety first but also have fun.
The reading for today is: “Pleasant words are as honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)
Have a great week.