Houlton Council of Catholic Women
by Lois Downing
Houlton Council of Catholic Women met Sunday, Nov. 4, in the living room of St. Anthony Hall after 10:30 Mass. President Janet Barker welcomed everybody including Rev. David Raymond, moderator, guests Bill Roach and Joyce Tomah.
The group said traditional prayers including Salute to the Cross, Pledge to the Flag and the hymn, ‘’On This Day, O Beautiful Mother.’’ After the blessing, members enjoyed a luncheon with the November committee in charge. The luncheon tables reflected the time of the year with orange and black decorations.
Jane Stile read October minutes and Mary Grant gave the treasurer’s report.
Janet read a prayer for November and urged everyone to vote on Nov. 6.
Lois Downing read correspondence from Father Dave reflecting on his thanks and dedication of the Council for monetary support to him and to the church and Father Dave again thanked the Council at the end of the program.
President Barker thanked everyone helping with the annual rummage sale. All expenses are not into the books yet but will be soon.
A substantial amount of money was voted to be given to Margaret Casey, chairman of the annual Thanksgiving dinner, to be used for that event. Other donations were sent to the Food Pantry, fuel fund and the custodian Steve DiMarco for his assistance during the sale.
Molly Bailey, chairman of the December 8 Christmas Bazaar, noted that reservations for 16 tables already were in; the tables are $10 per table. Call Molly if you wish to have a table. Hot dogs and pizza will be offered for sale at 11 a.m. The table sales will start at 9 a.m. and end at 2 o’clock.
Houlton Council of Catholic Women will reserve a table selling jams, jellies, bread, baked goods, rolls, tea breads, etc. Jane Mitchell has donated a prelighted wreath and had it on display. The wreath will have 50 $1 bills on it and tickets will be sold at that time and possibly beforehand. The proceeds will go directly to the Seminarian Fund.
Father Dave spoke about the new railing adjacent to the altar, built by Phil Hathaway as well as the new closet, for holy oils, both works of beauty.
Rose Levesque and Joyce Tomah will help with the Giving Tree, if Council is sponsoring one this year. Joyce Hughes and family will be donating four doll cradles complete with dolls, blankets, etc. The Hughes family has been donating the cradles and dolls for several years; Jane Stile will deliver the cradles to Houlton Elementary School, where Principal Candy Crane will select the worthy recipients.
Louise Gulliette is in the process of becoming a Secular Franciscan and received congratulations from many on her recent venture.
A Yankee Swap will be the highlight of the next meeting, Dec. 2 after the 10:30 Mass. Each person who chooses to participate will bring a wrapped gift not exceeding in value of $5.00. Refreshments will be served by the December meeting.
Birthdays and anniversaries were recognized. The door prize name drawn was Father Dave, who had a lot of fun with it.
Several prayer intentions were given at the end of the program and prayers were said for these purposes.
When the program ended members were encouraged to go to the Parish Center to view the wonderful Eucharistic Miracles display sponsored by the local Knights of Columbus.
Happy Losers
On Nov.7 the Happy Losers held their weekly meeting at the Congregational Church vestry in Island Falls. Jackie Pratt, the leader opened the meeting with the usual pledge and roll call.
Eight ladies weighed-in and attended the class. Mary Shaw was the person who lost the most weight for the week and Cecilia Brown was runner-up. Great job ladies!!
Dec. 12 is the date for our Christmas Party at the Brookside Resturant. The secretary and treasurer gave reports for the week. The leader led the program for the week. Her topic was Super Charge Sugar Foods. Meetings are informative and interesting.
Please feel welcome to our group every Wednesday, weigh-ins are from 8 to 8:45a.m. Meeting starts at 9 a.m. Call 365-4884 for more info. See you there!
Oakfield Seniors
Oakfield Senior Citizens met on Nov. 7 for their first meeting of the month at Smoki-Haulers Snowmobile Club in Oakfield with 24 members and two guests attending.
The blessing and potluck luncheon was followed by the drawing of the 50/50 which was won by Neva Wilkey. The Lord’s Prayer and the Flag Salute were led by President Bob Locke, as he opened the business meeting. The secretary, treasurer and card reports were read and accepted.
Locke reported that Thanksgiving Dinner at Southern Aroostook Community School will be served on Nov. 15 for members that want to attend.
There is a need for cookies, candy or money for Christmas boxes to be sent to several servicemen and the boxes have to ready before Dec. 4, please call 757-8478 for more information.
Christmas dinner will be at the Snowmobile Club on Dec. 5 with a gift exchange to follow the meal.
David Burpee and Roger Ethier entertained us with several musical duets. Good job. Three members also line danced and enjoyed the music. Thanks! We also enjoyed a surprise visit from Linda Bartlett.
Attending were: George Barrows, Linda Bartlett, Hazel Beers, David Burpee, Tessie Barrett, Bernice Campbell, Jeanne Clements, Earl and Lottie Doughty, Roger and Shirley Ethier, Arlene Friel, Thelma Flowers, Naci Fowler, Mildred Gagnon, Marie Gillotti, Sandra Holmes, Ursula Levesque, Bob and Delores Locke, Charlotte and Don Marley, Bonnie Pratt, Wannetta Townsend, Neva Wilkey and Bob Barrows.
Come and join us for an enjoyable time.
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 Nov. 9 meeting.
Leader Diane Folsom was present and had charge of the meeting. Many were absent because of the snowstorm. Attending were 11 TOPS and four KOPS, (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). Loser of the week was Diane with runner-up Marsha Reed. Lois Downing was awarded the skinny dish. Brenda Lacostic gave the secretary’s notes and Joanne Scott the weight recording.
Charlotte Marley had the floor explaining the workshop in Washburn Nov. 2. Several members of our chapter were honored, namely: Diane Folsom, Shirley Ethier, Lois Downing, Denise Clark, Joanne Scott, Brenda Lacostic, Charlotte Marley, and Betty Wyman. Chapter 0233 had the most members attending.
Date for the Christmas party is Friday, Dec. 7. More plans on the party will be forthcoming.
If you wish more information on the chapter, you may contact Charlotte Marley at 757-8483 or Betty Ivey at 532-9653.
Weigh-in is at 8-8:45 a.m. every Friday; a meeting is started at 9 o’clock and generally ending an hour later. Come, enjoy and take off weight — you’ll be glad you did.
