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, Feb. 3, meeting. Fifteen TOPS and three KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) were in attendance.
Leader Denise Clark was present, gave roll and called pledges. Loser of the week was Brenda Lacostic with Barbara Troy as runner-up. The skinny dish was taken home by Lois Downing.
Denise read letters from Rick Danforth and Judy Petit, officials of TOPS. Barbara Whited volunteered to take over as charm lady, since Melva Folsom resigned as she was unable to be present in the future. We will have a cup swap for Valentine’s Day—each lady will bring an unfilled cup to be swapped.
Linda Cassidy, Diane Folsom and Margaret Hagerman were presented by Denise a certificate for losing weight during the year 2011. Bonnie Wotton’s program was the subject of sugar, carbs, fruit and other nutrition.
Weigh-in is at 8-8:45 a.m. every Friday, unless it is a storm day. A meeting is started at 9 a.m. and usually ends an hour later.
For information about the chapter you may call Betty Ivey at 532-9653 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483. Come, enjoy and take off weight—you’ll be glad you did!
Island Falls Happenings
The Whittier Congregational Church held its annual meeting on Jan. 29 in the vestry of the church following the morning service. Phil Faulkner was elected moderator and conducted the meeting, which was opened with a prayer from Pastor Amanda Wagner.
Reports from the nominating committee were read and accepted. Also reports from the treasurer and secretary were read and accepted. Following a discussion on other issues, the meeting was closed by prayer. Luncheon was served by Candy and Don McKellar and Elinor Savage and a time of fellowship was enjoyed.
I have heard recently from Clayton Varney, a former resident now living in Texas. He and Priscilla are certainly enjoying the 74 degree temperature there this winter. He also is anticipating a procedure for an ear implant that will improve his hearing. I will keep you posted on that possible event.
Despite the several inches of snow that arrived I am still able to get to the bird feeders due to my plow man who sweeps the snow away quite nicely for me. All the birds are always very anxious for the mixture of peanut butter and lard I put on the cedar tree. Especially the woodpeckers and blue jays — they are there actually waiting for me to get through so they can get their fill. And the little chickadees are there too, waiting patiently for their turn, and sometimes not even waiting but just flying in to get some of that good stuff, regardless of the bigger birds.
I now have a skinny red squirrel who arrives in the morning to eat what is left of the peanut butter mixture and gobble what bird seed he can find. He has not yet attempted to climb onto the (supposedly) squirrel-proof feeder like the gray squirrel does, so I try to put some seed where he can find it. The gray squirrel is still clinging upside down on the feeder about every day but doesn’t seem to make a dent in the supply as it is hard work getting his nose in one of those small holes.
I am now happy to report that I have four deer appearing beside the barn where I put the apples and bread. They show up about dusk so I have to be alert if I want to see them.
