Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
Happy Thanksgiving everybody! May you spend your day with family and friends. We are all thankful for all that is provided for us, a warm place to live, food, friends, and all the blessings bestowed upon us each and every day.
It is dark and an overcast day on Sunday, Nov. 20 as this is written. One day this week, possibly Wednesday, it rained, sleeted, snowed, then the sun shone brightly and it did the same thing over again. No wonder the old adage rings true: “If you don’t like the Maine weather, wait a minute.”
I understand less people are traveling this Thanksgiving because of the economy. Then there is Black Friday, when the stores are open earlier than usual to allow customers to take advantage of their sales. I’ll avoid that.
Paul and Jeannie Armstrong are preparing for Paul’s granddaughter’s wedding, on Thanksgiving Day. More on this later. Jeanie and Paul’s door is prettily decorated with a big Santa Claus at the entrance. Sylvia Thompson’s doorway is also nicely decorated. Some of us have that certain touch.
I must tell you about a quick witted son, (Priscilla’s Brownlow) my mail was flying out of my mailbox, when Sandy said “That’s what you call airmail.” Very cute!
Just enjoyed the American Legion annual Thanksgiving given for those who want to enjoy and have a nice homemade dinner before Thanksgiving: turkey, gravy, fresh roll, stuffing, peas/carrots, mashed potatoes and pie! How cool is that. Thank you for your generosity.
Enjoyed a visit with Bonnie Pratt, our new Southern Area RSVP (retired senior volunteer program) coordinator. She’s taking over since Linda Bartlett resigned. New members in our area are Joyce Bryant, Eva Hamm, Cheryl Larson, Betty McGary, and Joanne Rockwell. Welcome aboard. Bonnie says ‘’Don’t sweat the small stuff.’’ (Richard Carlson)
Leeana Nason was a recent overnight visitor at her aunt’s apartment, Shirley Nason. Have been to visit my neighbor, Donna Burns, at Madigan House, a department of Madigan Nursing Home Facility. Donna does not know when she will return to Ricker Plaza, but we hope soon. She is doing well and wishes to be remembered to all her Ricker friends.
Have you seen my Christmas cactus? We placed it in the lobby, for all to see—it replaces one of Lavina Byron’s plants and she has had some nice ones. Norma Bates, Lavina’s sister, is getting some walking in the halls lately.
Paul Downing was a visitor of his mother while in the area for his annual hunting trip. We had a special treat on Wednesday, our Bingo day. Joyce Bryant always brings a treat and this time it was like a chocolate sandwich and you could smell the brownies she was baking in the oven wafting through the Ricker halls. Uumm, good! Thanks, Joyce.
I am spending Thanksgiving week with my daughter, Kathryn Hall, in Bangor. We will be guests of my great-nephew and his family, Aaron and Betsey Shaw.
Our sympathy is extended to Mary Joseph’s family, Mary was commonly known as June. She had a large family and at one time lived on Military Street, close to Ricker. May June rest in peace.
Peggy Robinson is having a visit in Florida. We will miss Peggy coming and going. A nice photograph of Ken Larson will be erected soon in the waiting room of the Cardiac Rehab waiting room at Houlton Regional Hospital. Ken was in our cardiac rehab class and was a very nice man. He is fondly remembered.
A big ‘’hello’’ to Joyce Miller, a tenant at Crest View on the Calais Road. Joyce has many friends at Ricker Plaza and elsewhere.
My bible reading is taking from Ezekiel 34:11: ‘’For thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.’’ God bless and don’t get “turkeyed” out!
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, Nov. 18, meeting. Nine ladies were weighed; plus six KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly).
Denise Clark, leader, was not present for an unforeseen reason—Diane Folsom, co-leader, took her place. Barbara Troy will be the official greeter for December. There will be no meeting the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25.
Joyce Estey spoke on the current turkey contest. The skinny dish was taken home by Barbara Grant.
Loser of the week was Betty Ivey with runner-up Lois Downing. Lois had the subject of vitamins for a program. Most of the ladies had input on the subject.
Dec. 2 is the date for the annual Christmas party at the snowmobile clubhouse in Oakfield. Each lady who wants to exchange a gift will bring one, wrapped, for exchange. (The gifts will be exchanged before riding to Oakfield.) Menu cost is $8.
If you wish more information about the chapter you may call Betty Ivey at 532-9653 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483. Chapter 0233 meets every Friday at the above address. Weigh-in is 8-8:45 a.m. and the meeting begins at 9 and usually ends at 10 o’clock. Everyone is welcome, young and old.
Island Falls News
Mary Lou Pomeroy and daughter, Jane Foster, of Caribou, have been recent visitors here in Island Falls. While here, Jane also spent some time at the November craft Fair held at the municipal building on Nov. 5. There she met up with several old friends and they had a great visit. They have since returned home to Caribou.
Bryce Bates has been a recent visitor of his grandmother, Susie York, and also visited with me, while he was here. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Webb have been in Bangor recently, where Mrs. Webb consulted a doctor. After a bit of shopping they returned home the same day.
I have had a slew of birds in my feeders so that it keeps me busy filling them up. The weather has turned a bit cooler, so all the birds are really eating a lot, especially the peanut butter mixture I put on the tree limbs for them. Looked out one day and there was a big gray squirrel hanging by his hind feet from the branch and he was busily consuming all the sunflower seeds he could out of the tube feeder there. And I have plenty of frustrated pigeons flying in to eat what they can. Since the metal roof was put on the pigeons now have no place to perch – that means more feed for the small birds as the pigeons do not linger long.
I have several woodpeckers and they really like the mixture I put on the tree limbs. I have been throwing out cut up apples for the deer and find that they are coming and eating them all, mostly during the evening. Hope they will come someday in the daylight when I can enjoy watching them.
