‘Outside In’ is back in Bridgewater
by Jann Bonkowski Votaw
The Bridgewater Historical Association is happy to welcome back the volunteer musicians who make up the band “Outside In.” Bob Heller, Pam Green, Simon Clair, Carole Trafford, Hughie Gray, and Eldon Lawrence join BHA Pres, Jann Votaw on stage to perform on Thursday nights from 6 – 9 PM beginning May 26. So dust off your dancing shoes and come on down. The atmosphere is very relaxed and we are all there to have a great time. We are trying something a bit different with the Thursday night music, it will not be an open jam. If possible, we may have an open mic night on another night of the week.
Friends and members helped get the hall in shape for this season. The side stairs have been replaced, more painting has been done some plumbing work has been done and of course lots of cleaning was done. A huge thank you to everyone who helped out. What a great crew!!!!! We hope to get more painting done during the year.
We were also able to purchase three showcases. They are not filled yet, but we hope to get them ready soon. If anyone would like to make a donation, we would love to accept them.
Donations are also being accepted for our yard sales. Please no clothes or electronics. Once again thank you for all of the help. We look forward to seeing everyone at our events. You can reach us at: Bridgewater Historical Association, PO Box 341, Bridgewater, ME 04735 or by phoning 425-7901.
Happy Losers meet
The Happy Losers held their weekly meeting in the Congregational Church vestry in Island Falls. Jackie Pratt, the leader opened the meeting with the pledge and roll call. Nine ladies weighed-in and attended.
Mary Shaw was the loser for the week, and Dotty Rand was runner-up. Great job ladies. Our secretary and treasurer gave reports for the week. Jackie Pratt, the leader led the program for the week. A five-question quiz was conducted, with answers that were interesting and informative.
The teams contest will end June 29 with the Lilacs winning so far. Please feel welcome to our group every Wed. weigh-ins from 8 to 8:45a.m. and the meeting starts at 9 a.m. Call 365-4884 for more information or come on over.
Oakfield Seniors meet
The senior citizens of Oakfield met at the snowmobile club for their last meeting of May. Twenty-two members and one guest attended. We want to congratulate Linda Bartlett for the great dinner and program she planned for R.S.V.P. It was for all the seniors who do volunteer work all year long. Her assistant Hazel Beers did an outstanding job. The food, friendship and the fellowship was as good as you can get anywhere.
I have heard such good things I just had to let Linda know thank you to every one that helped. After our lunch, we had a business meeting. The secretary and treasurer reports were given and accepted.
Wanetta Townsend gave the card report. We had a special guest who spoke on Medicare. She was a very good speaker and explained it so we could all understand it. She was from the Agency on Aging in Presque Isle.
Attending were Tessie Barrett, David Burpee, Merle and Evelyn Burpee, Bernice Campbell, Thelma Flowers, Arlene Friel, Mildred Gagnon, Mary Lawler, Ursula Levesque, Wanetta Townsend, Bob and Delores Locke, Charlotte and Don Marley, Peggy and Larry Sanders, Geneva Bell, Romona White, Donna Farrow, Martha Chapados and guest Jean Wiggins.
Patten Seniors gather
Patten Senior Citizens held its regular meeting on May 17 with ten members present. The Lord’s Prayer was recited in unison before the potluck meal.
The business meeting was opened by President Annette Noyes, who also led the flag salute. Secretary and treasurer’s reports were read and accepted. Cards were signed and sent to Karen Hall and Donna Patterson.
Maxine Brackett read an article from today’s Bangor Daily News telling of how life was like growing up in a family of ten children. She also has family in Hueysville, Ala., and showed newspaper clippings and photographs of the destruction from the April 27 tornado.
The birthday cake was made by Annette Noyes. The next meeting will be on June 7, when The Game will be played. Jean Wiggins from the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging will speak on Medicare Fraud.
Members present: Rubenia Botting, Maxine Brackett, Marilyn Somers, Mary Cox, Annette Noyes, Nettie Shorey, Joyce Harvey, Marge Heath, Mary Lawler and Gloria Noyes.
Patten Woman’s Club meets
The Patten Woman’s Club held their May meeting at the Horn of Plenty restaurant in Houlton.
We will not meet again until September. The club will be having a raffle of items made by local artists, winners to be drawn on Patten Pioneer Days in August.
Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
Hello everyone. Nice sunny day here on Sunday and it is more than welcome. Aren’t we thankful we don’t have to contend with the floods and other weather related circumstances, tornadoes, etc. We are indeed blessed.
Blaine Johnston attended a week ago Saturday graduation in Presque Isle of a relative. Attending with him were his mother from Brewer and his sister from Bangor.
Abigail Henderson, daughter of Ben and his partner, was in the office recently with her grandmother and oh how she has grown. Abigail is a sister to popular Wyatt.
Victoria Marie Downing, daughter of Paul and Linda Downing of Wakefield, Ma., graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in social work from Salem State University on May 21, 2011. Victoria is the granddaughter of writer Lois Downing. Congrats to Vicki, she has worked hard and was a dean’s list student.
Talked to Irene, former head of Meals on Wheels at Ricker Plaza a few weeks ago. Irene had a four bypass heart surgery a few months ago and is doing well. She asked about everybody. It was nice to talk to Irene and she looked great.
The postal collection for the annual collection of food from Ricker Plaza was great. Most people remembered and left their food bag near the collection boxes.
Harold McCarthy, age 85, died and was buried last week. Harold and his wife Janice lived at Ricker Plaza and then moved to Littleton, I believe. Our sympathy is extended to Janice and the family in the loss of their husband and father.
What about the fiddleheads? My supply was increased greatly by a generous neighbor recently. The rainy weather certainly put a damper on the picking for a while. They taste good.
To all who are celebrating birthdays this month including Donna Burns who was celebrating her birthday on Sunday, “Happy Birthday.” Many more to come.
Congratulations to all graduates, high school and college and a special congratulations to Marina DiMarco, valedictorian of the class of 2011 of Houlton High School for a job well done.
Have a good week all readers; keep well and happy and above all, do a good deed for someone this week.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly 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, May 20 meeting.
Eighteen members were in attendance; five were KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). Leader Denise Clark led the meeting.
Loser of the week was Linda Cassidy with Lois Downing runner-up. Diane Folsom won the skinny dish.
Denise read a letter from our representative Janice Cote. A new contest will be starting in June, ending in August. Reports were given by Charlotte Marley, secretary and treasurer Janette Nelson.
The remainder of the meeting was the subject of the workshop, June 4 at First Baptist Church in Houlton, hosted by our chapter 0233. Barbara Grant and Brenda Lacostic spoke on name tags, and other subjects pertaining to the workshop. Assignments were given to the members.
Meetings are every Friday at 9, after weigh-in at 8-8:45 a.m. No weighing is done after this time to allow the officers for paperwork.
If you need information about the chapter you may call Charlotte Marley at 757-8483 or Betty Ivey at 532-9653.Come and enjoy TOPS.
