‘Outside In’ returns
By Jann Bonkowski Votaw
The Bridgewater Historical Association announces that “Outside In” will be back on stage at the BHA Hall beginning Thursday, May 24. They are not a regular band, just select group of musicians who volunteer their Thursday nights during the warmer weather to help raise money for the BHA hall. The atmosphere is very laid back with an emphasis on everyone having fun. So come on out and have a good time. Bring your dancing shoes. We have a wonderful wood floor to dance on. The music begins at 6 p.m. and runs until at least 9 p.m.
The BHA would also like to thank all who attended the play, “Hood Of Sherwood.” We hope you enjoyed the show. A huge thank you goes out to the fine folks at the Smyrna/Merrill Historic Society for bringing their play up to our hall. They do such a great job putting on the plays. And if you weren’t lucky enough to attend the play in either location, the SMHS will be doing an encore performance at their hall on Saturday, May 26 at 6 p.m. This will be a dinner show and it will be on a first come, first served basis. So get there early.
The BHA will hold their first yard sale of the year Friday and Saturday, June 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Purple Hat Society
By Lois Downing
The Purple Hat ladies met at Grammy’s Country Inn in Linneus for their May 8 meeting.
Leader Charlotte Marley was in attendance. Marie Gillotti had charge of the meeting. The blessing before the meal was given by Lois Downing.
Each lady gave her Purple Hat name and the meal was eaten. Charlotte Marley and Lois Downing both read stories. Each lady was asked to give a special time in their life pertaining to Mother’s Day.
A birthday celebrated in May was Kay Grass. Lois Downing was awarded the purple purse.
The next meeting will be at the ice-cream stand in Linneus, unless it rains. If it rains, we will meet at the Taste of China in Houlton.
Attending were from Houlton: Lois Downing, Betty Wyman, Marcia Reed and Paula Wyman;
Also from Cary, Jackie Colella and Joanne Scott; from Smyrna, Peggy Sanders, Cindy Gray and Charlotte Marley;
Also, from Oakfield, Dolores Locke, Evelyn Johnston, Sandra Holmes, Evelyn Burpee, Bernice Campbell, Mildred Gagnon and Elaine Barrett;
Also, from Merrill, Arlene Friel; from Littleton, Kay Grass; from Dyer Brook, Wannetta Townsend, Marie Gillotti, Sandra Wyman and Charlotte Durr.
For more information about the group, call any of the above ladies, or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483.
Houlton Council of Catholic Women
by Lois Downing
The Houlton Council of Catholic Women met Monday, May 7, at 6 p.m. in the chapel of the St. Mary of the Visitation Church for recitation of the Holy Rosary. Deacon Albert Burleigh led it. A business meeting followed in the parish center. Mary Armour presided over the meeting with 19 members and moderator Father David Raymond, Deacon Al and guests Sarah Casey with daughter Amira and Jackie Junkins.
Traditional prayers, salute to the cross, pledge to the flag and the hymn, ‘’On this Day.’’ were said. Treasurer Mary Grant gave the financial report and advised members dues are ready to be paid. The Seminarian Fund was available for those wishing to contribute.
Lois Downing, corresponding secretary, read a note of thanks for stamps recently mailed by Lynette Dobbs.
On April 28 attending a meeting in Augusta at St. Augustine Church were Lynette Dobbs, Mary Armour, Alta Reardon and Jane Stile. At this meeting the HCCW was presented a certificate for being the largest donor toward the Seminarian Fund. The ladies gave a summary of the meeting, noting that Bill Wood from Catholic Charities and Sr. Aenata from the Community of the Resurrection were speakers.
A discussion of the upcoming banquet, end of the year meal, will be in the parish center May 29, catered by Cathy Bither, SAVE employee head. A paper of attendance was distributed and Betty Ann Childers will be chairman of the affair. The menu will consist of chicken and fish.
First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies will be May 20 at the 8 a.m. Mass with Bishop Malone officiating. Co-president Mary and Janet Barker solicited help from Council members to cook, serve and clean up at this ceremony. HCCW donated flowers also.
During the 11 a.m. May 27 Mass Lynette Dobbs will profess as a Secular Franciscan. Sr. Carol will perform the rite. Lynette stated that she will bring Christ to everyone through her daily life. She will be following the footsteps of Jesus the way St. Francis did, especially caring for less fortunate people. A Harvest magazine interview will be published showing Lynette. Fr. Dave said, ‘’Embrace your spirituality, this is a big occasion for St. Mary’s.’’
A sign-up sheet was available for members to participate in a reception with Molly Bailey as the chairman; hosting will be Parish Life Commission.
Deacon Al reminded everyone of the Mother’s Day breakfast, hosted by the Youth Ministry, after the 8 a.m. Mass on May 13. HCCW donated toward the beautification project that Phyllis Blanchette and Darlene Longstaff undertake for plants and maintaining flowers outside the church.
The door prize was won by Ethel Schools. Many May birthday and anniversaries dates were acknowledged and prayer intentions were gathered for the saying of the Hail Mary’s. Janet Barker was thanked for providing treats for members and May baskets for the officers.
The next gathering will be May 29 in the parish center for the end of the year banquet. Please let the chairman, Betty Ann, know if you plan to attend.
Island Falls News
Island Falls VFW Post 7529 will host a roast beef and pork roast supper on Saturday, May 19, at 6 p.m. Chef Al and his wife will share the honors and wives of the Post will furnish desserts. Tom Hawkes, son Chris and wife, Amanda, grandson Joshua, all from Glenburn, were visitors of Riva during the past weekend. During their visit a few chores were accomplished, plus a good visit followed by a great lunch at Brookside, in Smyrna, before they returned home to Glenburn.
Mary Lou Pomeroy and daughter, Jane Foster, former residents, were in town recently where they visited with Patti Hartin and Riva Hawkes before returning home to Caribou. I am still seeing quite a few birds at my feeders, mostly goldfinch and chickadees and an occasional woodpecker, who is an ardent eater of the peanut butter and lard mixture I make. I am not putting out so much now, as the weather has gotten slightly warmer. The two big gray squirrels are still around, gobbling all the seeds they can hold and the other day saw the two of them having a bit of a tiff, both trying to get at the bird feeder and one chasing the other all over my front yard, until it finally gave up and disappeared in the direction of Sam’s house. Finally got some of my lawn mowed before more rain arrived, and saw evidence of deer being around when I mowed the back lawn so I guess they are still hiding in the woods and will show up when they feel like it.
Sherman Seniors meet
The Sherman area Senior Citizen’s group met on May 2 for lunch with nine members present. In attendance were Donna Grass, Eva Perry, Esther Greenier, Sandra Qualey, Annie Atkinson, Fran Gorman, Teresa Albert, Bonita Staples and Linniea Perry.
Recited the Lord’s Prayer and the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Sympathy cards were sent to the Jackie Palmer family, Larry Morgan family and the Juanita Lane family. Get-well cards were also sent to Margaret McLellan and Alonzo Lee.
An RSVP recognition was held.
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 May 11 meeting.
Eighteen members were present; six of these were KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly).
The loser of the week was Dellie Bennett with Barbara Grant as runner-up. Reports were given by Brenda Lacostic and Joanne Scott.
Leader Diane Folsom led the group.
Charlotte Marley gave a report on the contest, ‘’How does your garden grow?’’
The rest of the morning was given to Barbara Troy, who led us in several minutes of exercise. Demonstrators were Charlotte Marley and Janette Nelson.
We meet every Friday at 8-8:45 for weight-in; the meeting starts at 9 o’clock and usually ends an hour later.
For more information, call Charlotte Marley at 757-8483 or Betty Ivey at 532-9653.
See you; come, enjoy and exercise besides losing weight.
The group also met May 3. Reports were given by Joanne Scott and Brenda Lacostic. The loser of the week was Denise Clark with Shirley Ethier as runner-up. The skinny dish was held over for another week. Janette Nelson gave the monthly treasury’s report.
Joyce Estey won the last contest. Charlotte Marley distributed contest rules and told how it would enfold. Each person will keep track of her weight for the contest. Charlotte Marley explained the weight process on the new scales.
Last week the members watched a tape on exercise, presented by Barbara Troy. This week she distributed books on exercises and other literature. We were assigned a partner and a number in the exercise book and we did the exercises according to the numbers.
Diane reminded us if we are absent to be sure and add the extra amount when you come the next time. Barbara Whited, charm lady, distributed the following charms: January, loser of the month, Janice Shaw, KOPS in leeway, Lois Downing, Charlotte Marley and Donna Parent; February, loser of the month, Diane Folsom, KOPS in leeway, Lois Downing, Charlotte Marley, Donna Parent and Betty Ivey; March, loser of the month, Denise Clark; KOPS in leeway, Lois Downing, Charlotte Marley, Donna Parent and Betty Ivey; perfect attendance, Diane Folsom, Brenda Lacostic, Darren Lyons, Charlotte Marley, Janette Nelson, Barbara Troy, Bonnie Wotton and Bessie Wyman, Marsha Reed.
Also, March, Diane Folsom for reaching goal; Marsha Reed, bracelet for first 5 lb. loss and a charm for the 10 lb. loss; Bonnie Wotton, bracelet for first five lb. loss; Shirley Eithier, bracelet, 5 lb. loss, charm for 10 lb. loss.
Each Friday we meet to be weighed in at 8-8:45; the meeting starts at 9 a.m. No one will be weighed after 8:45 a.m.
If you need more information on the chapter, you can call Charlotte Marley at 757-8483 or Betty Ivey at 532-9653. Come, enjoy, exercise and socialize.
Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, stepmothers, guardians. I’m a little late but the old saying is ‘’Better late than never.’’
It is a little rainy here on this day. Everything is getting greener. They say we need rain, but how much? We’re all waiting for the grand opening of the Yankee Grocer on Military Street tomorrow, Monday, 14. The grocery looks like a nice store and we’re looking forward to seeing the inside.
We had a delicious potluck on Friday of last week. Lots of good food, chicken, lasagna, casseroles, cranberry sauce, rolls, beets, chocolate dessert, cookies, ham, chop suey. Maybe I have left a dish out. Hope not—everything was so good.
Emily Little, student nurse attending Liberty University, Class of 2014 in Virginia arrived home last Tuesday for summer vacation. She attended the Nursing Day luncheon and program last Wednesday at Houlton Regional Hospital with her great-grandmother, Dorothy Shaw Campbell, R.N. Emily will be employed at Gardiner Health Care Facility for the summer.
Some of the ladies got together for a bit of socializing on Sunday afternoon.
We were treated to chocolate chip cookies by my neighbor, Robin Chambers, on Bingo Day. They were delicious. Lots of end of the year affairs, graduation, balls, weddings, banquets, and other affairs coming up for May. It sure is a busy month.
A statement on angels: ‘’Your suffering may make an angel weep into her wings, but it will never make her walk away.’’
The Bible verse for the week is: ‘’It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you…John 15:16.’’ Keep well, warm and healthy.
