Houlton Council of Catholic Women
by Lois Downing
The Houlton Council of Catholic Women met at the parish center for its monthly meeting on March 7. Moderator, Rev. David Raymond, and grandson of Cruz-Cruz, Andrew Cole, with 25 members were in attendance. Special guests were Tribal Chief of the Maliseet Nation, Brenda Commander, her mother, Audrey Atkinson and granddaughter, Jordan Tibbetts.
Janet Barker, co-president, welcomed everyone then we began with our traditional prayers, and hymn. Janet gave a blessing and a delicious luncheon was provided by our March Committee.
Betty Ann Childers introduced guest speaker Mrs. Commander, who enlightened us on the Maliseet Tribal history and culture. The Maliseets were federally recognized in 1980. The tribe is known as a gathering and hunting tribe boasting 1,078 members. They are a proud nation who are focusing on health services for their people with prevention being its main objective. Their language is of upmost importance to them and having their young continue the traditions as basket making is being pursued. The tribal chief had a variety of impressive handmade articles on display to depict the skills and crafts of her people.
After the presentation the business meeting resumed. Lenten calendars were distributed to all and available for those wishing to take to the nursing homes.
A basket was available for donations toward the Houlton Humane Society, as pointed out by Bernette Roach, treasurer. If some of the members forgot her donation, it can be brought at a later date and Molly Bailey would deliver them.
Janet thanked everyone for their generosity and kindness during the benefit luncheon honoring her son-in-law, Kevin Larson. The volunteer hours turned in recently were tallied by the co-presidents and amounted to 47,114 hours. Janet also revealed that over 50 Valentine bags were packed at the February meeting and were well received and appreciated.
Judy Reid and Margaret Casey reported on their preparation of the Umbrella of Care meal at the Recreation Center, 32 attending. Fr. Dave and Deacon Al were thanked by the members for their supporting efforts.
Judy also reminded the ladies about the Pregnancy Care baby bottle project. The bottles may be returned at any time.
Cruz spoke on the St. Patrick’s Bazaar March 20 and encouraged the ladies to help in any way. Betty is looking for raffle items. Jane Mitchell, chairman of the Cake Walk, asked for cakes. Council will provide funds for two students to attend the Catholic Youth Convention.
Betty mentioned the Senior Retreat held in February and sponsored by the Parish Life Commission saying it was well attended.
Mary Armour read the prayer for priests and later was awarded the door prize. Seminarian collection was taken up. Recitation of the Hail Mary was said for several prayer intentions.
The next meeting is Sunday, April 11, the second Sunday because of Palm Sunday being the first. All Catholic ladies are invited and welcome.
Patten Womens Club meets
The Patten Woman’s Club met Tues, March 16 at Cecily MacKinnon’s house. A Spring raffle was planned. Lana Robinson was our guest speaker. She wrote a book about the history of families in Benedicta. Our next meeting is at Meadowbrook Manor in April.
Lenten Breakfast
On March 14th the fourth Lenten breakfast was held at the Whittier Congregational Church with Marion Hoar as head chef.
Assisting her were Sharon Grant, who handled the French toast. Phil Faulkner cooked the bacon (Sam’s not back yet) and Steve Berry dished out the egg orders. Menu also included grape juice and orange juice, coffee and tea. Marion and Verna Boone were waitresses and everyone pitched in to do the cleaning-up.
Leithea Porter left a few days ago to fly to Arizona where she will visit for a week with her daughter, Elaine. And Susan York, my next door neighbor, has flown off to Aruba for three weeks — missing all this nice sunshiny weather we have been having. No word from her but I am sure she is having a terrific time. Still lots of birds at my feeders and I am afraid now the coons are out from hibernation as every morning the feeders are empty and one or two are a bit lopsided where they have knocked them while getting at the seeds. The female goldfinch are still numerous. Haven’t seen any grosbeaks for some time and only an occasional blue jay.
The tiger cat that shows up on my doorstep for a handout is still around and he has the loudest yowl I’ve heard in some time when I bring out his meal. I think he is trying to say “thank you” but wish he would say it quieter.
Still no deer appearing in the late afternoon for a handout. And, with the snow gone, can’t see any tracks now, even if they did show up.
Happy Losers convene
On March 10th the Happy Losers held their weekly meeting at the Congregational Church vestry in Island Falls. We opened our meeting with our usual pledge and roll call.
We had 11 ladies weigh in and 10 attended our class. Dotty Rand and Lois Green were the persons who lost the most weight for the week. And, Shirley Sides was runner-up. Great job ladies!
Reports were given by our secretary and treasurer for the week. We welcomed Jeanne Watson back to our class. Jackie Pratt led the program for the week. Meetings are always interesting and informative.
The Tulips have taken the lead from the Daffodils in our contest.
Please feel welcome to our group of ladies every Wed. 8-8:45 a.m. Weigh-ins and meetings start at 9 a.m. Call 365-4884 for more information. See you there.
TOPS #ME 0233
by Lois Downing
Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Chapter 0233, of Houlton met at the Aldergate building on High Street for its Friday, March 19 meeting. Eighteen ladies were in attendance, as well as our leader Joyce Estey. Official greeter was Elinor Harvey.
Loser of the week was Janice Shaw with runner-up Sharon Martin. Janice was also the winner of the skinny dish.
Charm lady Melva Folsom presented Jackie Reinzo with a TOPS bracelet, for losing her first five pounds; Brenda Lacostic was the best loser for February and received a charm; charms for KOPS in leeway were given to Betty Ivey and Donna Parent.
Joyce told us the next workshop is in Van Buren March 27. Plans were made for those attending. She also read some literature about a program in Washburn April 17 in Washburn. April will be installation of officers; SRD will be in Bangor May 21-22.
Joyce presented the weekly program. It was on saboteurs and its causes and cues. We look and feel better after losing weight was the general concensus of the members. Some of the causes of not losing weight, we feel sorry for ourselves; time element, snack time; we reason we can eat just a bite; we are entitled to it; I’ll do it tomorrow. The desire to eat goes away if postponed.
Weigh-in time is 8-8:45 a.m. every Friday. The meeting starts at 9 o’clock and generally ends an hour later.
If you want more information about the chapter, you may call Betty Ivey at 532-9653 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483. Everybody is welcome.
Oakfield Seniors gather
by Peggy Sanders
The Oakfield senior citizens met at the Smoki-Hauler Snowmobile Club for our March 17 meeting. We had 22 members and one guest.
After blessing was said we had a good lunch. We had the sectary’s and treasurer’s report and the card report by Wannetta Townsend.
The hall was decorated for St. Patrick’s Day by Marie Gillotti and it was a good job as always. After the Lord’s Prayer and the flag salute we had the 50-50 raffle that was won by Katherine Boutlier.
Our Easter dinner will be at the school on Tuesday, March 30 at 11a.m.
Our special guest was Marge Sieler who did some funny readings and she is so good at storytelling. Thank you Marge.
Attending were Katherine Boutlier, David Burpee, Thelma Flowers, Evelyn and Merle Burpee, Bernice Campbell, Arlene Friel, Mildred Gagnon, Marie Gillotti, Sandra and Wendall Holmes, Ursula Levesque, Wannetta Townsend, Charlotte and Don Marley, Peggy and Larry Sanders, Elden Peters, Pete Peters, Barb Doughtty, Martha Chapados, Donna Farrow and our guest Marge Sieler.
