By Riva Hawkes
On Dec. 5, the Island Falls Historical Society held a very successful cookie sale at the Emerson House. There were trays of cookies in three rooms and it was fun to go along and choose just how many and what kind of cookie you wanted and put them in the containers supplied by the hostesses. I filled a container full and the next day sent most of them to Bangor to my grandson, who is very fond of cookies. Saved some for me to enjoy, of course.
I was a Thanksgiving dinner guest of good friends, Clayton and Priscilla Varney and they enjoyed a great meal cooked my a great chef, Clayton, and had a good visit, also. Have a lot of birds now flocking to the feeders and the woodpeckers are still the first ones to show up when I put out the peanutbutter and lard mixture. They fly up on a branch of the tree and say “thank you” in their woodpeckers squeaky way then attack the goodies as soon as I leave. Also have some gold finch now to join the flock and saw some fresh deer tracks out back in the snow so that they are still around and will be looking for the goodies I will give them.
Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
The time for joy, good health and cheer is upon us. And that is my wish for all of you for this time of the year and elsewhere. Around Ricker Plaza it is festive with Christmas trees, wreaths, jingle bells, Santas, decorations, cards, lights and other items to bring the cheer to the people and surroundings.
It is time to wish all of you a very merry Christmas. Thank you all for all your good words throughout the week and other times and there have been many. I appreciate all your compliments and thank you.
A happy Christmas to Marion Hogan at Gardiner, Florence Hanson at Madigan Estates Nursing Home and Dot Campbell, whom I’m told is at Houlton Regional Hospital. Get well, we miss you all.
Have fun at your parties, drive safely and don’t overeat. God bless. My Bible verse is from Matthew 6:8B, ” Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
Dyer Brook News
By Wanetta Townsend
On Saturday evening, October 24, there was a good turnout for a memorial for Mrs. Velma Catra at the Oakfield Community Center.
On Wednesday, November 4, Mrs. Marie Gilloti and Miss Wannetta Townsend attended Senior Citizens at the Smoki-Hauler Snow Club in Oakfield.
On Thursday evening, October 26, Mrs. Melissa Porter, Mrs. Bonnie McKeen of Island Falls, Mrs. Myrna Sprague and Miss Wannetta Townsend were callers on Mrs. Elaine Crandall in Oakfield.
On Saturday, November 7, Mrs. Gail Berry and Mrs. Angela McArdle and Emily of Ashland were callers on her sister, their aunt and great-aunt, Miss Wannetta Townsend.
On Tuesday, November 10, Mrs. Marie Gilloti, Mrs. Sandi Wyman and Miss Wannetta Townsend, along with other purple hat ladies society had lunch at Grammie’s Country Inn in Linneus.
Toni Marie and Danny Gilloti of Hodgdon were recent weekend guests of their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Gilloti.
On Tuesday, November 17, Mrs. Marie Gilloti, Miss Wannetta Townsend, along with the Senior Citizens of Oakfield, had Thanksgiving dinner at Southern Aroostook Community School.
Mr. and Mrs. Darin Crane, Sidney and Matthew of Hodgdon, were Thanksgiving dinner guests of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Crane.
Miss Wannetta Townsend was a recent overnight guest of her brother-in-law and sister, Mrs. And Mrs. Jon Berry in Ashland.
On Tuesday, December 8, Mrs. Sandi Wyman, Mrs. Marie Gilloti and Miss Wannetta Townsend, along with other purple hat ladies society had lunch at the Courtyard Café in Houlton.
Many families got together over the Thanksgiving holidays.
Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Slauenwhite were Thanksgiving dinner guests of their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Wade Slauenwhite and Chelsey.
On Wednesday, December 9, Mrs. Marie Gilloti, Miss Wannetta Townsend and Mrs. Sis McLaughlin attended Senior Citizens at the Smoki-Hauler Snow Club in Oakfield.
Purple Hat Society
by Lois Downing
Purple Hat Society met at the Courtyard Cafe in Houlton’s Market Square for its Tuesday, Dec. 8 meeting.
We all ate together in a large dining area. We gave our names for Purple Hat before the meal starting with Margaret Dudley.
Leader Charlotte Marley was present to greet us all. Twenty-three ladies attended. A generous collection was taken up as agreed by the ladies to donate to the Houlton Humane Society and Charlotte will send the money to them.
Charlotte told us that Maureen Bird, a member, has moved to Pennsylvania and likes it there.
Lois Downing led the group in the grace before the meal.
Santa Claus made his appearance and gave us each a decorated item for our Christmas tree. We were also given a candy cane.
Charlotte will send to the troops $25 in cookies; the money will be taken from our treasury.
It was decided to meet at the Elm Tree North for the January meeting.
At the end of the meal, each lady took a decorated tin from a table. Charlotte conducted a game about left and right and each time the word was spoken, we moved our tins. At the finish of the program, we were advised to fill the tin in any way we desire and give it to someone we have never given a gift to. What a nice idea!
Denise Kinney acknowledged birthdays and we sang “Happy Birthday” to Betty Wyman.
From Cary: Joanne Scott, Denise Kinney and Brenda Lacostic; from Dyer Brook, Wannetta Townsend, Marie Gillotti, and Sandy Wyman.
Also from Oakfield, Everlyn Burpee, Sandra Holmes, Everlyn Johnston, Mildred Gagnon, Bernice Campbell and Delores Locke; and from Merrill, Arlene Friel.
Also from Smyrna, Peggy Sanders, Cindy Gray and Charlotte Marley; and from Houlton, Lois Downing, Paula Wyman, Betty Wyman, Margaret Dudley, Ethelyn Nealey and Gerry McAfee.
Delores Locke read a funny story about Christmas submitted by Sandy Wyman.
See you in January, 2010.
Golden Ridge gathers
On Dec.9, the Happy Losers held their weekly meeting at the Congreational Church vestry.Jackie Pratt, our leader opened our meeting with our pledge and roll call.We had 11 ladies weigh-in and attend our meeting.
Winnie Desmond was the person who lost the most weight for the week. and runners-up were Hilda Clukey and Loretta Bouchard. Great job ladies!
Reports were given by our secretary and treasuer for the week. Jackie Pratt led the program for the week. Her topic was an article by Dr.OZ. about green tea and yogurt. Meeting was interesting as usual and ajourning with Riva’ joke.
Please feel welcome to our group every Wed.8:00am to 8:45am weigh-ins and meeting starts at 9:00am Call 365-4884 for more information. See you all there!
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. 11 meeting. Eighteen ladies were weighed; three of these were KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly).
Joyce Estey leader was present. Elinor Harvey was the official greeter. Lorna Pond joined our chapter and she was welcomed. Loser of the week was Linda Bartlett and Joanne Scott; runner-up was Denise Kinney.
The skinny dish was won by Barbara Troy. There will be no meeting on Christmas day or New Year’s day. Joyce read a letter from Paulette Soliere telling us about the new newsletter. If anyone wants to submit an item you may send it to Paulette. Denise read some new information. Charlotte Marley reported on the Christmas tree contest and said it is going well. Santa Claus made an appearance and passed out candy canes to all the good girls. Pictures were taken.
Lois Downing read an article pertaining to onions. Next week each person who wants to will bring a toy to be given to the Salvation Army.
Betty Ivey had charge of the weekly program. She explained the new program from the latest TOPS magazine. It gives in detail how to start to lose weight. It was pointed out that it is important or helpful to keep a journal on stress. Report and write down each action that causes stress. Learn to take breathing exercises; it helps to relieve stress. Betty told us to take 10 minute walks, also to count our blessings. Listen to yourself and don’t be negative; be thankful for small things.
Meetings start at 9 a.m. after weigh-in, 8-8:45. The meeting usually ends at 10 a.m. If you need more information you may call Betty Ivey at 532-9653 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483.
See you there.
