Katahdin Club gathers
On Sept. 8, the Katahdin Club of Island Falls had the first meeting of the coming year with a potluck lunch at Leithea Porter’s camp on Mattawamkeag Lake. Leithea and Verna MacArthur were co-hosting.
Before lunch was served, Laura Bomba gave the table grace. After the meeting was opened, the secretary and treasurer reports were read and approved.
After the meeting was closed, the members were treated to a very interesting talk by Jerolyn Ireland, regarding taking care of one’s own health.
Members present were Laura Bomba, Lee Brewer, Paige Coville, Rachel Daniel, Mary Joy, Doris Lynch, Verna MacArthur, Mary N. Moore, Helena Porter, Leithea Porter, Edna Schmidt, Dorothy Williams, Nora and Gloria Willigar and a guest from Minnesota.
The next meeting will be Oct. 13, at Mary Moore’s in Hersey.
Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
Hi again — Peas, porridge hot, peas porridge cold — how do you like it — hot or cold? Anyway, it has cooled off some and many will like this temperature.
Norma Bates has had many members of her family visiting: son Ken and his wife Maureen Bates of Texas, and son Richard Bates of New York. They also visited Norma’s siblings — Lavina Byron, Gerry Dunn and Bill Cogswell of New York. The family is close knit and they enjoy being together and that is nice to see.
Many of the tenants attended on Friday, Sept. 10, the funeral of Ronald Brownlow, husband of Priscilla Brownlow. Ron was a resident at Gardiner Home Health Care Facility, Houlton. He will be sadly missed by Priscilla — they were husband and wife many years. It was his time and sympathy is extended to their family in this big loss.
Betty Britton’s son Dan from Concord, N.H. came one day last week to visit his mother and two aunts, and sister Delpha Sweenor. Delpha was celebrating her 89th birthday. Happy belated birthday, Delpha!
Saw the “Story of Houlton” on MPBN on Friday of last week, alerted by my neighbor Donna Burns. It was well worth watching and fun to see the various homes that we know so well in Houlton on the television screen. Houlton had several millionaires living here at one time, only to be second to Brookline, Mass. Can you believe that now? It’s a known fact.
Our hairdresser, Ella Fitzpatrick, had knee surgery last Wednesday. Hope it wasn’t too bad, Ella. Will be glad to see you at our Ricker Plaza hairdressing shop soon.
Mike Tidd is working full-time as maintenance man. I haven’t met him yet but I will welcome him to our Ricker Plaza staff.
The Aroostook & Senior Volunteer Program’s new address is PO Box 1288, Presque Isle, ME 04769 with the telephone number of 207-764-3396. Please make note of this change if you need to get in touch with RSVP for any reason.
You may call me for any news items for Ricker Plaza, 532-2125.
The weekly rains were welcome but we still need rain, according to the farmers.
Kathryn Hall of Bangor was a weekend visitor of her mother, Lois Downing. Some of the tenants were talking to Karen Bither, recently at the Rehab Center in Brewer. You are missed, Karen, and hope to see you when you are able to return to Ricker Plaza.
The verse on angels for this week is: “When life is hard, help me not despair; angels around me, please answer my prayer.”
“Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Please to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.” (Luke 10:5-6.)
Have a wonderful week and keep healthy.
I’m a little late but I hope everyone had a nice and restful holiday weekend. When I was a youngster, and we attended the St. Stephen Fair in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, it was always said the Labor Day weekend was the last of the summer. Let’s hope we have a wonderful (what is left of it) September and a beautiful fall.
This is the second week of the “Healthy Living” program, given by Helen Sherwood, RN, and assisted by Brenda McGillicuddy. Brenda worked here many years ago—so I felt already ahead of the game. The goal of the program is to teach self-management of chronic disease and the topics covered include: disease related problems, nutrition, medications, advance directives, and chronic illness. Come and join us.
Carolyn Carmichael and Paul Armstrong were in Bangor recently for a doctor’s appointment. They also visited Karen Bither in Brewer. Karen is doing well and we say “hello” to her as she is being missed.
The Friday, Sept. 3 gathering at Market Square for hot dogs, potato chips, and soda was a plus for all. The time was spent saying hello to your friends and there were plenty of them there. Thanks to Houlton Water Company for a delicious luncheon.
Ricker Rumblings column satisfied Dean Richardson and Barbara Spellman in just a few days. Thanks to these tenants who were pleased—Barbara acquired an article and Dean gave an unneeded chair to a person who could use it.
Now, to another subject: is there a dressmaker in the building? If there is, I’d like to know and thanks. Roger and Joanie Hughes of Baltimore, Maryland is visiting his sister Jane. Roger and Joanie are also visiting his mother, Joyce Hughes—they were due to arrive in their motor home.
We had a fire drill Aug. 31. I’m hoping it was successful—I was on the way for an appointment, so really couldn’t comment on it.
St. Mary of the Visitation Church with pastor Rev. David Raymond is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the churches in Aroostook County Friday, September 24, with Cyr Bros. bus lines. If you are interested in this, call 532-2871 for details. First come first served basis.
John, the Meals on Wheels person, gave us the following details about the meals: The program has undergone some major menu and food prep changes that will thrill you! The TV dinner kind of meals that were offered initially (when the program converted to frozen meals) are a thing of the past. The frozen meals are home cooking (from a head chef from the Valley), at their best. All the meals are now tenderized and tasty, and we have 50 different menu items to assure great variety. You can pick and choose the meals you want, just ask and I’ll (John) will explain how. If you have never tried Meals on Wheels, or you didn’t care for it before, you owe it to yourself to give the meals a try. Plus, each meal has low salt, no preservatives, low fat and 1/3 of everything you need for nutrition in the course of the day. Give John a call at 415-1688 if you are interested. The suggested price is $2.50. Food stamps can be used.
Lots of visitors coming and going this weekend.
My parting statement is on angels: “Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, The bed he blest that I lie on. Four angels to my bed; Four angels round my head, One to watch and one to pray. And two to bear my soul away.” (by Thomas Ady)
Go peacefully, and God bless.
Patten Seniors convene
Patten Senior Citizens met at Meadowbrook Manor on Sept. 7, with 11 members present.
The Lord’s Prayer was recited in unison by the members before the picnic lunch.
After the meal, the business meeting was opened by President Annette Noyes, who also led the flag salute.
The secretary and treasurer reports were read and accepted.
Cards were signed and sent to Laurel Boynton, Gordon Dauphinee, Ginny Anderson, Patricia Given, Larry Palmer and Gary Campbell.
It was voted to have Chuck Louka tune the piano.
Nettie Shorey will make the birthday cake for the next meeting on Sept. 20.
The Game will be played.
Members present were: Marilyn Somers, Maxine Brackett, Jackie Palmer, Mary Cox, Marge Heath, Mary Lawler, Gloria Noyes, Joyce Harvey, Annette Noyes, Nettie Shorey and Rubenia Botting.
Island Falls Happenings
Gary Webb, son of the late “Bucky” Webb has returned home to S. Carolina after staying here for about ten days, visiting with his mother, Gertie, in Patten, and brothers Roger and “Juny” here in town, and getting reacquainted with friends in the area.
Arthur and Reneva Smith, Island Falls, and Peter and Carol Blood, Houlton and Pleasant Pond, have returned from a two week trip to Alaska where they enjoyed some of Alaska’s finest fishing, getting their limit on each excursion. They took many tours, visiting Denali Park to enjoy viewing Mt. McKinley and driving south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway to the Kenai Peninsula for the great salmon fishing there. One tour was by boat to the Kenai Fjords where they saw sea lions and sea otters. On the last leg of their trip the group went by train to the Alaska State Fair where they saw gigantic vegetables. A pumpkin that weighed 906 lbs. and a cauliflower that weighed in at 86 lbs.
They returned home by plane on Aug. 31 and all agreed that the scenery was spectacular and the fishing was the best ever. Calvin Varney, son of Clayton and Priscilla Varney, has been a recent guest of his parents at their cottage on Mattawamkeag Lake. He has since returned home to Concord, N.H.
Guess I have lost “yowler” cat as I haven’t seen him now for a week. Maybe the owners have come and taken him as he did wear a collar and was very tame. Still have a few hummingbirds but as the season for them is over, wont be seeing them much longer. Still have five very large black crows who appear every afternoon on my back lawn and the other day saw them squabbling over a couple of pieces of bread that I had thrown out for them. What a racket they made during this ruckus. Still no doe or fawns showing up. Hoping this fall they will reappear.
Oakfield Seniors meet
A total of 21 Oakfield senior citizens met at the snowmobile club for their first meeting of September. We don’t get around to thank the snowmobile club for letting us have our meeting there. We really appreciate the gesture.
After the blessing was said we had a great lunch finished off with watermelon thanks to don. The Lord’s Prayer and flag salute was held before the business meeting. The treasurer’s report was read and accepted, as was the secretary’s report. Wanetta Townsend gave the card report. The club will decide at thier next meeting where to go and the date. Attending the meeting were David Burpee, Evelyn and Merle Burpee, Bernice Campbell, Doreen and Joe Messina, Marie Gillotti, Arlene Friel, Sandra and Wendall Holmes, Ursula Levesque, Wanetta Townsend, Bob and Delores Locke, Charlotte and Don Marley, Peggy and Larry Sanders, Janice Roy and Katherine Boutlier.
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, Sept. 10, meeting. Leader Joyce Estey conducted the meeting. Elinor Harvey was the official greeter.
Sixteen ladies were weighed plus six KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). The KOPS list has grown: Dale Holden, Barbara Grant, Betty Ivey, Lois Downing, Charlotte Marley and Donna Parent.
Losers of the week were Melva Folsom and Elinor Harvey. Janette Nelson has 10 weeks, more or less, without a gain! Good work! The drawing for the skinny dish went to Opal LeBlond, recently returned to our chapter after a long absence.
Linda Bartlett led the ladies in several minutes of exercises; Linda has done some research on the Internet about exercises. We have learned much from her. Today’s exercises incorporating facial and shoulder muscles were used as well as a little “shuffle.”
The wegh-in persons cannot accept anyone to weigh after the time of 7:45 because of paper reporting; the members are asked to keep this fact in mind. Also Joyce asked members to please let Janette Nelson know if ou are going to the Fall Rally in Presque Oct. 2 so she may get the check into the proper person in time. The theme of the rally is “Scare the Pounds A-Weigh.”
Estey emphasized to the group how important it is to keep track of your losses—she can in turn present you with the charm you have earned.
One captain of our recent contest made it clear that we can count our mileage if we are moving while on the phone; moving while doing dishes by using your feet and many other clues such as the use some motion while on the telephone. Dale and her friend’s team is ahead so far. Charlotte’s team is runner-up.
The program given by Estey was in the form of several little paragraphs concerning food, kitchen, apples, heart and a kitchen prayer. Joyce obtained these articles from a friend in New Brunswick and they were humorous as well as informative. Some of the girls participating were Melva Folsom, Kay Grass, Joanne Scott, Elinor Harvey, Donna Parent, Lois Downing and Joyce gave hers first.
The next meeting will be Friday, Sept. 17. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. and usually ends an hour later. All persons are welcome, even gents. See you there. If you need more information about the chapter, you may call Betty Ivey at 532-9653 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483.
The group also met Sept. 3. Joyce Estey, leader of Chapter 0233, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, of Houlton, led the meeting at the Adergate building meeting area. Sixteen TOPS and five KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly were weighed. Betty Ivey filled in for Denise Kinney, who was unable to perform her regular duties because of recent surgery.
Janette Nelson gave her monthly treasurer’s report, most always very accurate. Janette just turned 80 and is a remarkable TOPS lady.
Loser of the week was Barbara Grant with runner-up Brenda Lacostic. The skinny dish drawing came next but Linda Bartlett could not collect—it’s held over and as Linda said, “I did you all a favor.” Joanne Scott gave her report and Lois Downing, secretary, read the minutes.
In place of the Circle of Hope saying repeated before our TOPS and KOPS pledges it was voted to say “My Halo Must Slip,” as read by Elinor Harvey. The new saying will begin with the next meeting, Sept. 10.
Voting was held on two things; the results will be divulged soon. Charlotte Marley assisted the leader in the voting, as did many ladies.
Melva Folsom, charm lady, presented with another person’s help, the following for six weeks with no gain: Dale Holden, Linda Bartlett, Aileen Smith, Janice Shaw, Janette Nelson, Brenda Lacostic, Joyce Estey and Elinor Harvey. Dale Holden reported on the new activity contest. She explained that any type of motion can be used for mileage. She listed the names of each member and her captain’s name. So far, Charlotte’s team is in second place.
Now, we turn to the recipe section—Joyce called on those who had favorite recipes and started with herself., a recipe to use with flat bread; Elinor Harvey’s recipe was humorous, One Calorie Diet; Brenda Lacostic had a creamy rich fudge; Angel Food Cake was Charlotte’s; a no-cook tomato sauce was Barbara Whited’s (I got to bring the mixture home); Maureen Bird’s was whole bread pancakes. If there were more, I wasn’t aware of it but these were delicious!
If you need more information on the chapter, please call Betty Ivey at 532-9653, or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483. Weigh-in time is every Friday morning, unless other specified, at 8-8:45 a.m.; the meeting starts at 9 a.m. and usually ends an hour later. Everyone is welcome.
Happy Losers meet
By Shirley Sides
On Sept 8, the Happy Losers held their weekly meeting at the Congreational Church vestry in Island Falls.
Our leader opened our meeting with our pledge and roll call.
We had 11 ladies weigh-in and 10 attended our class. Joanie Sides was the loser of the week. and no runner-up.Great job Joanie.
Reports were given by our secretary and treasuer for the week.
The Duchess team is ahead in our contest so far, but the Cortlands are closing in. Jackie Pratt our leader led the program for the week. We had a memory quiz. Meetings are interesting and informative.We ajourned our meeting with Marion’s and Riva’s jokes
Please feel welcome to our group every Wed .weigh-ins at 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and meeting starts at 9 a.m.
