Community Notebook

Ricker Rumblings
By Lois Downing
I am going through a shock treatment! No computer this week – it is being checked out. Happy day when it returns.
We had a Triad meeting here in the community room conducted by Lt. Daniel Pelletier of the Houlton Police Department Feb. 4. Another meeting will be held here Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. If you are interested in this program, you are welcome to come. Some headway was made during the meeting. Ideas were exchanged and plans are forthcoming.
Donnie Thompson, husband of Sylvia of Ricker Plaza, has been transferred from Brewer to Madigan House, Room 3. He would enjoy company.
A surprise birthday party was held in the community room on Thursday, Feb. 11 for Charlene Henderson. Family and residents of Ricker were guests. A large birthday cake was featured. All those attending agreed it was a nice time and “Happy Birthday” to Charlene and many more to come.
A friend gave this poem to me with some Hershey’s kisses in a net sack: The real treasure isn’t something you can buy; it’s the kisses and the love that a heart can supply. So when you hold this sack know happiness is never bought with appreciation and gratitude then true joy can be sought. So if you feel discouraged and the world gets you down, a kiss from the sack should chase away your frown. Isn’t that sweet?
We have escaped the several feet of snow in the Washington-Delaware-Virginia and other states area. We are blessed!
Some of the residents are better from colds; others have acquired one. Better health to all.
The scripture reading for the day is taken from Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of death is eternal life through Jesus.”
Have a week of wonder, love, and joy.

Purple Hat Society
By Lois Downing
The Purple Hat Society met in Linneus at Grammy’s Country Inn Restaurant on Tuesday, Feb. 9.
A short meeting was held and leader Charlotte Marley was present to welcome the diners.
Attending were from Cary: Joanne Scott and Denise Kinney; from Houlton: Betty and Paul Wyman.
Also from Dyer Brook: Wannetta Townsend, Marie Gillotti and Sandy Wyman; from Merrill: Arlene Friel.
Also from Oakfield: Delores Locke, Evelyn Burpee, Sandra Holmes and Bernice Campbell; from Island Falls: Mildred Gangon; from Smyrna: Cindy Gray, Peggy Sanders, and Charlotte Marley.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 9 at Oakfield – Smoki Haulers Snowmobile Clubhouse.

Happy Losers
By Shirley Sides
On Feb. 10, the Happy Losers held their weekly meeting at the Congregational Church vestry in Island Falls.
We always open with our pledge and roll call. We had eight ladies weigh-in and attend our class.
Loretta Bouchard was the person who lost the most for the week, and Hilda Clukey was runner-up. Great job ladies.
Reports were given by our secretary and treasurer for the week.
We have started a new contest between two teams, one is called Daffodils, and the other is Tulips.
Hilda Clukey led the program for the week. Her topic was on an article about vegetables and fruits with colors. Meeting was interesting and informative.
Please feel welcome to our group every Wednesday 8-8:45 a.m. weigh-in and meeting starts at 9 a.m..Call 365-4884  for more information.

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, Feb. 12 meeting.
Nineteen ladies were present; four of these were KOPS. Joyce Estey, leader, was present to welcome everyone. Elinor Harvey was the official greeter.
Roll call and reports were given by Joanne Scott, weight recorder and Lois Downing, secretary. It was a good weight loss week for the group.
Lose of the week was Denise Kinney with Janette Nelson runner-up.
Barbara Troy was the winner of the skinny dish. She told us she was a $500 winner and a $20 winner during the past week! Barbara was the leader of the exercises program.
Charlotte Marley explained the new contest, “Back to Basics.” At this time, each person gave a short resume of something she did during the week pertaining to the contest. She also gave us a new list of names containing telephone numbers and other pertinent information. She explained how the new bracelet and charms are placed.
Awards of charms were given to the people absent last week by charm person Melva Folsom.
Betty Ivey had charge of the program in place of Gerry McAfee. Her question was: what has all of this to do with you? She suggested to laugh and enjoy; TOPS family is important, remind those who are absent they are missed and please return; be the best you can.
Charlotte had charge of the exchange of valentine cups with a reading of “left and right.” Every time the word left was given, we would pass your valentine cup to the left and so on with the right. Everyone wound up with a beautiful cup!
If you need more information on the chapter, you may contact Betty Ivey at 532-9653 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483.
Every Friday weigh-in is 8 to 8:45 a.m. with the meeting at 9 a.m. and ending approximately one hour later.

Patten Senior Citizens meet
Patten Senior Citizens met at Meadowbrook Manor on Feb. 2, with 11 members and two guests present.
The Lord’s Prayer was recited in unison before the potluck meal.
The business meeting was opened by President Jackie Palmer, who also led the flag salute.
Secretary and treasurer reports were read and accepted.
Readings were done by Marilyn Somers and Maxine Brackett.
A card was signed and sent to Nancy Dauphinee.
All members are asked to bring a valentine to the next meeting. The menu will be sandwiches. Annette Noyes will make the birthday cake and Marilyn Somers will bring the ice cream.
Gini Garrett, RSVP Coordinator, spoke of the new supplemental food commodity program that will begin around April 1. The Aroostook Agency on Aging is partnering with Catholic Charities food banks. She also stated that the annual RSVP Recognition dinner will be held in Island Falls this year at the Island Falls Baptist Church on May 12.
A slate of officers was presented to go into effect March 1. They are Annette Noyes, president, Marilyn Somers, vice-president, Mary Lawler, secretary-treasurer.
The game was played and enjoyed by all.
Members present were Mary Cox, Marilyn Somers, Marge Heath, Maxine Brackett, Jean Tarr, Joyce Harvey, Jackie Palmer, Pearl Grant, Mary Lawler, Nettie Shorey, Annette Noyes and guests Gini Garrett, RSVP Coordinator and Connie Berry.

Sherman seniors have potluck
On Wednesday, Feb. 3, the Sherman Area Senior Citizens club met for potluck lunch, discussed planning for events involving three summer trips to eat out at some of northern Maine restaurants and see some special sights of restauranteers that abound, not far away.
We ended our meeting with games of Beano, in the protection and warmth of the Sherman gym. It was a sunny, cold day, typical of the winter temperatures of the season.
The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 17 for a potluck. Join us and enjoy.
Present were Fred and Annie Atkinson, Richard and Marjorie Hall, Muriel Morgan Hughes, who has come back home and is thrilled to be here in the winter this time of year, living in front of the view of majestic Mt. Katahdin. Also present were Sandra Qualey, Bonita Staples, Esther Greenier, Eva Perry, Donna Grass Linniea Perry and Mary Lawler.