Community Notebook

Happy Losers in Island Falls
On Dec.2, the Happy Losers held their weekly meeting at the Congreational Church vestry in Island Falls. Jackie Pratt, our leader opened our meeting with our pledge and roll call. We had 11 ladies weigh-in and ten attended our class.
    Annie Jane Smith was the person who lost the most weight for the week and Dotty Rand was runner-up. Great job ladies. Reports were given by our secretary and treasurer for the week.
Jackie led the program for the week. Her topic was an article on coffee. The article was very interesting.
Please feel welcome to our group every Wednesday at 8-8:45 a.m. weigh-ins and meeting starts at 9 a.m. Call 365-4884 for more information.

Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
Is winter really here? Snow this morning (Sunday) and slippery in some places. We, at Ricker, are driving our cars in a different place in order to allow the snowplow to shovel. Ah, the beauty of winter!
But didn’t we have several days of great fall weather. We are grateful for that. We are sorry the Wesleyan Church is not having their annual tea this year. We miss it, but understand and thanks for all the years you did. We enjoyed it tremendously.
The “Healthy Living” program on the third floor on Wednesday is going well. We learn and we change. That is what it is all about. Carolyn Carmichael and Paul Armstrong have both lost weight on the program. Congratulations.
We had an enjoyable afternoon upstairs one day last week when we gathered in the community room to celebrate Peggy Robinson’s birthday. Peggy is the daughter of Arlene Friel, a tenant here. We had ice cream and cake and we sang “Happy Birthday” to Peggy, who, she says, is 39 and holding! “Happy Birthday,” Peggy, a very nice lady. Attending were Ron and Priscilla Brownlow, Opal Crane, Jeanie Hall, Arlene Friel, Elinor Schenk, Geri Smith, Lois Downing, Carolyn Carmichael, Paul Armstrong and Michael Tuttle.
Jeff Thibodeau has been with us all week. He hasn’t been here for a long time, so is kind of making up for it. Jeff reports to us that his parents, Martin and Muriel Thibodeau, who live in Florida, arre fine. A big “hello” to them from us.
Paul Downing with son Patrick from Wakefield, Mass. has been visiting his mother, Lois Downing.
Helen Brewer is visiting her sister at this time in Massachusetts. Her sister drove up here and took her back with her for the holidays.
That big holiday, Christmas, Dec. 25 that we always celebrate, is creeping up on us. Are you ready for this holiday? I’m not at this writing.
My Bible passage for this week is from John 14:1 & 2A, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.”
Have a wonderful week, healthy and happy.

Sherman seniors gather
The Sherman Area senior citizens’ club met on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at noon at the Sherman gym to enjoy a combined Thanksgiving/Christmas meal. Thanks to the cooks who made their donations of special pies, and Annie who prepared the major part of the dinner, turkey and all the fixings.
Our next meeting is to be on December 16. Please bring a bag lunch so that we can have extra time for the Katahdin elementary fourth graders. They have planned entertainment which we always enjoyed.
Please mark your calendars of these special endeavors to make each occasion a big success.
Present were Fred and Annie Atkinson, Richard and Mary Hall, Dean McKenny, Eva Perry, Linniea Perry, Bonita Staples, Esther Greenier, Mary Lawler and Donna Grass.

TOPS #ME 0233 Houlton
by Lois Downing
Take Off Pounds Sensibly Chapter 0233 of Houlton met at the Aldergate building on High Street for its Friday, Dec. 4 meeting. Nineteen ladies were present and weighed in and five of these were KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). Jean Lake and Lorna Pond were guests.
Joyce Estey was present to conduct the meeting. Elinor Harvey was the official greeter. Loser of the week was Joanne Scott with runner-up Janice Shaw. Reports were given by Joanne Scott and Lois Downing. Janette Nelson as the official treasurer gave a report on our finances.
Charlotte Marley, contest person, gave a review on our Christmas tree contest and said how well it is going. The skinny dish winner was taken home by Gerry McAfee.
We had 10 minutes of exercises led by Barbara Troy. Melva Folsom  was in charge of the program, presenting “Things you never knew about yourself.” It was taken in part by a recent Readers Digest publication.
After the meeting an exchange of Christmas gifts took place. The ladies then met at Grammy’s Country Inn in Linneus for a Christmas luncheon. Betty Ivey will present the next program, Dec. 11. There will be no meeting Dec. 25, Christmas day or New Year’s. The meetings start at 9 a.m. after weigh-in at 8-8:45 a.m. For more information you may contact Betty Ivey at 532-9653 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483. Everyone is welcome.

Patten seniors meet
Patten senior citizens met at Meadowbrook Manor on December 1, with nine members present.
After the potluck meal, the business meeting was opened by president Jackie Palmer, who also led the Flag salute.
Cards were signed and sent to Jean Tarr, Reginald and Lenore Hanson, Kay Rideout and Pam Coolong.
At the next meeting on December 15, there will be an exchange of Christmas gifts with a $5 limit and a Yankee swap. Members are also asked to bring in a couple of dozen cookies or squares (with recipe) for exchange. Sandwiches and sweets will be the menu.
Members present were Nettie Shorey, Gloria Noyes, Pearl Grant, Annette Noyes, Marilyn Somers, Maxine Brackett, Rubenia Botting, Joyce Harvey and Jackie Palmer.