Houlton Council of Catholic Women
by Lois Downing
Houlton Council of Catholic Women met in the parish center at St. Mary Church for their February meeting on Sunday February 3, after the 10:30 Mass and Eucharist.
Rev. David Raymond, moderator, Deacon Albert Burleigh, and guest Bill Roach were in attendance. Janet Barker, president, called the meeting to order just before noon.
Deacon Al led the grace before the luncheon and then the business meeting resumed, after our traditional prayers.
Recording secretary Jane Stile read the minutes from our January meeting, treasurer Mary Grant provided the financial report and Lois Downing read some thank you notes Mary Grant read a personal note from Milford Clark and all were grateful for monetary gifts.
Dates, after much discussion, were finalized for the annual rummage sale: Oct. 3, 4, 5.
Youth of Faith celebration will be in Augusta on Oct. 5. Decision was made that if HCCW members wishing to attend the celebration, there will not be a conflict with the rummage sale.
Prior to the meeting, Janet packed the colorful Valentine bags containing fruit, heart shaped cards and Guardian Angel prayer cards. Lynnette Dobbs donated the bags, HCCW purchased the fruit and prayer cards, an anonymous parishioner donated boxes of candy (added to the bags), and Janet added more candy. The delicious treats were delivered to shut-ins by HCCW members, an annual practice by HCCW members.
Plans for St. Patrick’s Bazaar, to be at the parish center and St. Anthony’s Hall, are underway, to be March 16. Shirley Reardon and Rose Levesque are soliciting from stores and businesses. A beautiful clock was donated by Furniture and Floors North and is a major item. Margaret Casey and many others are in charge of the kitchen and supper TV spots and radio advertising is already being taken care of and the supper will prove to be a big boost for our parish, St. Mary of the Visitation.
Janet Barker and Jane Stile will shop for a boy’s bicycle, sponsored by HCCW, to be raffled at the bazaar. Anniversaries and birthdays were acknowledged. Bunny Tidd won the door prize; Janet Barker brought a special prize and Mary Grant took that prize home.
The luncheon was provided by the February committee: Janet, Mary Grant, Jane Stile, Lois Cassidy, Alta Reardon, and many more. Donations to the Seminarian Fund were taken up by Jane Mitchell.
Deacon Al added a few words at the ending of our meeting before the prayers intentions were given. We will meet again on Sunday, March 5. Members are asked to please watch the weekly church bulletin.
Island Falls News
On Feb. 16, Island Falls VFW Post No. 7529 will serve its monthly public supper, starting at 6 p.m. and I’m sure it will include either roast pork and ham, or roast beef and pork, along with many good veggies and, of course, many desserts to finish off a good meal.
On Sunday, Feb 3, several members of the Whittier Congregational Church were in Millinocket where they attended the church services at the First Congregational Church and after the services enjoyed a dinner at a nearby restaurant. Members attending this outing were Candy McKellar, Bertha Pray, Verna Boone, Elinor Jane Savage and John, Shelly Stevens and myself.
I had a good time the other day watching the antics of the red squirrels as they vie for places to get at the bird seeds before the big gray squirrels arrive and drive them away. I have four red squirrels and they really move fast when I have left after filling the feeders. They get right into the three open feeders and and eat everything in sight.
Meanwhile, the chickadees and nuthatches are picking away at the closed in feeder to get any nourishment they can. Still have the cardinals arriving but not until afternoon, usually and I make sure there are sunflower seeds for them, too. When the gray squirrels are desperate for food they will hang by their hind feet from the tree limb and get their noses right into the enclosed feeder as best they can.
And am still giving the spikehorn deer his supper. He is now being kept company by another deer who has been arriving sometimes a bit too late to enjoy the bread and apples pieces I put out for them. Lots of deer tracks now in my back yard, especially around my cedar trees, where I can watch the deer nibble on that after the goodies are gone.
Oakfield Seniors
Another snowy day as the Oakfield Senior Citizens met at the Smoki-Haulers Snowmobile Club for their first meeting in February. Iona Nadeau was the winner of the 50/50 raffle.
It was nice to see Peggy and Larry Sanders back with us again. After the Lord’s Prayer, President Bob Locke conducted the business meeting with all the usual reports being read and accepted. Happy Birthday was sung to Tessie, Bernice and Lottie.
Marge Seiler was our guest speaker today and in her own special way she kept us all laughing as she told us stories starting with “Maxine” and her parking place. She had many stories about different “characters” including Chickens, Heaven, Jonah, a Pilot, America, Democrats and Republicans and Curtain Rods—-something for everyone. Come back soon Marge—it was fun.
Attending were: Ursula Levesque, Viola Hersey, George Barrows, Kathleen Boutilier, Bernice Campbell, Earl and Lottie Doughty, Arlene Friel, Naci Fowler, Bob Locke, Mildred Gagnon, Peggy and Larry Sanders, Tessie Barrett, Wannetta Townsend, Iona Nadeau, Don and Charlotte Marley, Marie Gillotti and Marge Seiler.
Come and join us on the first and third Wednesday of each month in Oakfield for good food and visit with friends and neighbors. Call Delores Locke for more information at 757-8478.
Ricker Rumbings
by Lois Downing
We, all at Ricker Plaza, got through the recent ‘’blizzard’’ with no ill effects. Thank you, Lord. When my sister called from New Hampshire on Saturday, she reported 30 inches of snow, same as in Massachusetts where one son lives and another had no power. Think of the people who are without power all the time, in other countries. I would not like it a bit! We are blessed, to be sure.
Shirley Nason is ready to come home from Houlton Regional Hospital. Shirley was suffering much pain, but is better now. Again we are grateful. I’m happy to report that my Christmas cactus has red buds, my African violet has purple ones and my poinsettia has red blossoms. Is it spring yet? I’m happy with these plants. They get enough sun, in the computer room and in apartment 108. They are several of God’s mysteries, I am sure.
We are having a Valentine party on Thursday. Wish you were here to help us celebrate. We officially begin Lenten season on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13.
My angel book reveals: ‘’When we aspire to live from a higher consciousness, we often find an angel ready to lift us beyond our human limitations to touch the face of the divine.’’ Have a safe, healthy and faith-filled 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, Feb. 8 meeting. Fifteen TOPS were in attendance; six were KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly).
Diane Folsom, leader, had charge of the meeting. Secretary Brenda Lacostic read the minutes of the last meeting. Janette Nelson gave a monthly financial report.
Bonnie Pratt took the skinny dish home. Loser of the week was Diane with Shirley Smith; Betty Wyman was runner-up. Barbara Whited reported that there is one more week left for the weekly contest. Contestants are urged to fill out their food charts.
The remainder of the meeting was spent playing Bingo, proving to be a lot of fun. The members supplied the prizes. If you need more information about the chapter you may contact Betty Ivey at 532-9653 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483.
The chapter meets every Friday at 8 a.m. for weigh-in; weigh-in ends at 8:45 a.m. when a meeting starts at 9 a.m., usually ending an hour later. Come, enjoy and take off weight.
