Island Falls Happenings

By Riva Hawkes
    Whittier Congregational Church celebtated its 150th birthday on Oct 18, with the service beginning at 10 a.m. Special music was provided by Karen McNally and Susan Prescott played a piano and organ prelude. A special song by Kent Bonham, and a selection of favorite hymns sung by the choir. Following the service fellowship was enjoyed by the congregation preceding the luncheon which was served at 11:30. At 1 p.m. the special was held in the sanctuary beginning with congratulations from Aroostook Association of the UCC and the Maine Conference of the UCC.
    Letters were read from former pastors by John Stevens, Candy McKellar and Susan Prescott. Patti Hartin read the history of the church and special music was provided by the East Millinocket Congregational Church choir, playing chimes and also singing. Bob Locke and Randy Rockwell, from Oakfield, both sang several sacred selections .
    Candy McKellar and Riva Hawkes  recalled anecdotes from the early years of the church, mostly from the 1930’s and 40’s. Benediction was given by John Stevens following the service and the group then spent some time in the Craig Room looking over all the memorabilia before retiring to the vestry for refreshment, thus ending a happy time.
    Robert and Judy Porter and Mrs. Leithea Porter were in Florida on Oct. 24 to attend the wedding of Jeremy Porter, son of Robert and Judy and grandson of Mrs.Leithea Porter. They extended their stay for several days enjoying the warm weather before returning to chilly Maine.
    Have had a great succession of birds in my feeder during the cold weather and have been kept busy keeping the feeders full. The pesky pigeons are still around so  scare them off as best I can. Probably am all done gathering leaves with my lawn mower as the weather has not been very cooperative, but I did gather a lot and made several lawns look a bit neater and mulched Sam’s raspberries for him.
    Recently had the good luck to have a large flock of Canadian geese fly over my back yard, apparently heading for Mattawamkeag Lake. My picture window comes in handy when it comes time for the deer to show up. Have had the doe and two young ones out grazing lately and have taken out old bread and apples for them. One day when leaving the goodies for them the two young fled into the woods but mother stood her ground and ate everything. Then the two yearlings came out and really cavorted all over the back yard, running and leaping and once almost knocking the doe over. They put on quite a show that  I thoroughly enjoyed and hoped that my neighbors could see, too.