Community Notebook – week of November 14, 2007

This year’s Harvest Supper went well. We had a good crowd and everyone had a good time. No one left hungry as there was an ample amount of delicious food to eat.     After the meal there was plenty of music thanks to volunteer musicians: Pam Green of Centerville, Carol Trafford of Florenceville, Annette Green of Hartland, Jim “Sheldon” Wright of Presque Isle, Leland Clark of Mars Hill, Jann Votaw of Bridgewater, Wayne Scott of Calais, and Denis Gagne of Bridgewater.
At the event the BHA had door prizes, raffles, and a costume contest. We hope to repeat the event next year. Besides all of our individual donors, we would like to thank Bradstreet Family Farm, Wood Prairie Farm and Bradbury Barrel, all of Bridgewater, for their donations. We sincerely appreciate all of you who continue to support us. We hope you continue to do so. Any and all physical and monetary donations are graciously accepted.
Unfortunately, due to the cold weather, our Thursday night music program has come to a close. Thanks also to all who came to enjoy the music. We look forward to returning in the spring. Even though it appears we shut  down for the winter, the members are still active working on projects and making plans for next year.
Anyone who would like to make donations to the general fund or to our special fund to raise money for a new sound system for the hall, can contact Denis Gagne at 429-8290 or Jann Votaw at 425-7901.  Or you can send a check to the BHA at: Bridgewater Historical Association, PO Box 341, Bridgewater, ME  04735.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly met at the Aldergate building on High Street for its Friday, Nov. 9 meeting.
Eighteen ladies were present; three were KOPS. Kathryn Hall was a visitor.
Leader Kay Grass was present and had charge of the meeting. Joanne Scott gave the weight recorder’s report.
Loser of the week was Margaret Dudley with Gerry McAfee as runner-up.
We had the TOPS and KOPS pledges. Lois Downing read some jokes from a penpal.
The skinny dish was held over; Joyce Estey won the 50/50 and the mystery gift was taken home by Barbara Grant.
Denise Kinney, contest person, reported that there are two in the Lifeboat.
Mystery gifts are needed; if you bring one, please bring it wrapped. Denise Kinney had a review of the Washburn workshop on Saturday, Nov. 3. Our chapter was well represented: Joyce Estey had a no gain, she placed fifth in the top 15 and won the door prize; Joan Simpson placed second and she won the raffle, a Christmas wreath; Gerry McAfee placed fourth in the top 15.
There will be no meeting the day after Thanksgiving.
Kathy Henderson will pick up a camera for the chapter. Christmas party will be at Grammy’s Restaurant on Friday, Dec. 7 at noon.
The program was on food safety. The temperature of your frigidaire should be at 40 degrees or less. Hot foods should be refrigerated as soon as possible; don’t test taste or save food if it has been sitting out.  Many other factors were given as to safety and bacteria in the home.
The next meeting will be Nov. 16. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. after weigh-in at 8-8:45 a.m.
If you need questions answered, please get in touch with Charlotte Marley at 757-8483.
Everybody is welcome.

President Bob Locke opened the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer and Flag Salute. All reports were
read and accepted.
A notice of the upcoming Medicare D seminar on Nov. 14 was read. Medicare D is changing next year so be sure and keep up with all of those changes. Gini Garrett, RSVP area co-ordinator sent a note about the craft fair in Houlton on Nov. 23 and 24 at the Rec Center on Main Street. RSVP will be having a table there and is in need of crafts and baked goods.
Happy Birthday was sung to several members celebrating their November birthdays.
Our next meeting with be the Thanksgiving Dinner at Southern Aroostook Community School on Nov. 14. Be sure to be there by 10:30 a.m. and enjoy this time of visiting with the students.
Sis McLaughlin joined as a new member today. Welcome, Sis.
Peggy Sanders, Delores Locke, Bunny Stewart, Evelyn Burpee and Bernice Campbell volunteered to plan our Christmas meeting on Dec. 5.
Mystery gift winners were Jeanne Clements, Dolly Estabrook and Ursula Levesque.
Marge Seiler was our guest speaker and she entertained us with several readings such as “Grin and Bear It,” also the “Class Reunion.” Thanks, Marge!
Those attending included: Bunny Stewart, Hope Anderson, Barry and Charlotte Short, Tessie Barrett, Bessie Sawyer, David Burpee, Peggy and Larry Sanders, Mildred Gagnon, Halbert Miller, Evelyn and Merle Burpee, Charlotte Marley, Bernice Campbell, Delores and Bob Locke, Ele Chambers, Ursula Levesque, Alma Clark, Althea Lloyd, Jeanne Clements, Jackie Kennedy, Dolly and Earl Estabrook, Sis McLaughlin, Sandra and Wendell Holmes, Thelma Flowers, Edith Hardy, Aubine Fox, Marie Gillotti.
Oakfield Senior Citizens meet twice a month on the first and third Wednesday of the month, if you would like more information please call Marie Gillotti 757-8481.

The Purple Hat Society met at Tiffany’s Restaurant in Island Falls for its Tuesday, Nov. 6 meeting.
Leader Charlotte Marley was present in a new felt purple hat. Twenty-two ladies attended and others had new hats too. Lori Silvia of Connecticut (Foxwoods) was a guest.
The blessing before the meal was led by Lois Downing.
After the meal, the ladies gave their Purple Hat name. Lois Downing read a story about a little boy in a restaurant who said grace. It was well received.
Charlotte also had a reading — it was named “Change in Plans,” with Martha Stewart. It had a comical ending.
Alma Gallop won the ceramic purple hat doll — this one was adorned with eyeglasses.
The ladies discussed the next meeting to be at the snowmobile clubhouse in Oakfield. The date will be Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 11:30 a.m. The menu will be announced but each lady attending will bring a wrapped gift not exceeding $5 in value for the Yankee Swap. A non-perishable item for the Food Pantry will be brought too, in keeping with the Christmas spirit.
Attending from Cary, Joanne Scott; Hodgdon, Shirley Smith; Houlton, Lois Downing, Alma Gallop, Evelyn Reese;
Also, Dyer Brook, Sandra Wyman, Marie Gillotti, Wannetta Townsend;  from Smyrna, Charlotte Marley, Peggy Sanders, Bunny Stewart, Charlotte Short ; from New Limerick, Sandra Holmes;
From Oakfield, Delores Locke, Alma Clark, Jackie Kennedy, Evelyn Johnston, Elaine Barrett, Evelyn Burpee,  Bernice Campbell; from Merrill, Arlene Friel.
Come to our Christmas party and enjoy. Your only requirement is to wear a purple hat.

The weekly meeting of TOPS 145 was held Nov. 7 at the Congregational Church vestry in Island Falls.
We had 14 members weigh-in and attend our meeting.
Our person who lost the most weight for the week was Valerie Gardner and runner-up was Mary Shaw. Loretta Bouchard was the person who lost the most weight for the month of October and runner-up was Jackie Pratt. Great job, ladies!
Reports were given by our secretary, and treasurer for the week.
So far, the Orange team has lost the most weight.
Our leader Jackie Pratt led the program for the week.
Please feel welcome to our group. We gather every Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. for weigh-ins and the meeting starts at 9 a.m. Call 365-4884 for more information.

Br-r-r. Sunday and what a cold day. Time to put on extra clothing like a hat, gloves or mittens and warm socks. I was unprepared for that cold wind on Sunday.
Elinor Schenk and daughter Geri Smith attended the Beth Moore show on Saturday in Island Falls.
Norma Bates had surgery on Friday. She is home now. We wish you well, Norma.
Attended the Master Magician Marko and hypnotist at the Houlton High School on Thursday, presented by the Health Services Foundation. What a show that was! The first part was all magic with many children and teenagers participating from the audience. The second part consisted of adults from the audience—Marko hypnotized close to 20 adults. They were talking foreign languages, performing dances, and different other actions. It was a fun night to say the least.
Dianna Faulkner and Nancee Campbell are our newest tenants and are getting acquainted. Now we have three Campbells on the second floor, none related.
The staff is having a potluck on our Monday holiday, Veterans Day. More on this later.
Thank you to all veterans and their families for all you do and have done. God bless all.
Have you been to Market Square lately? You will see a big change with the destruction of the Penney’s building and the building next to it. It will be interesting to watch the progress of the bank to be erected in its place.
Kathryn Hall and Lois Downing spent Saturday in Calais visiting relatives.
The Marden’s store was filled with shoppers from Canada. What a difference the American and Canadian dollar makes. Our money, I am told, is worth less now and can change suddenly due to the economy.
My thought for the day is: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105). Have a nice week.