Houlton Council of Catholic Women
by Lois Downing
Houlton Council of Catholic Women met for its first meeting of 2012 on Sunday, Jan. 8, in the parish center of St. Mary Church. Moderators Rev. David Raymond and Deacon Albert Burleigh were present with 15 members. Guests were Makayla McGuire, Sarah Casey with baby Amira, Jackie Judkins, and Bill Roach, husband of member Bernette Roach.
Mary Armour, co-president, presided and greeted everyone. Traditional prayers were said by all and Fr. Dave led us in the blessing before the meal, prepared by the January committee. Jane Stile, recording secretary, read the December minutes.
The seminarian fund was taken up by Fr. Dave and Bernette gave the financial report prepared by Mary Grant; Mary had hoarseness due to a cold. Christmas cards and thank you cards were read by Lois Downing, very numerous because of the Christmas holiday.
Margaret Casey, who chaired the giving tree project this season, reported that it was one third less because of the economy. The giving tree asked for personal care items such as shampoo, tooth brushes, toiletries, etc. Tim Horton gift cards will be purchased and given to Crest View residents from Houlton Council of Catholic Women.
Jane Stile reported Joyce Hughes and her family provided cradles, baby dolls, handmade quilts and small afghans and these were given to four little girls. The Hughes family has been doing this ministry for several years, even after Mr. Hughes’ death. One son builds the cradles where he lives in Alabama and ships them to Maine. Local family members finish the loving project. The cradles and dolls and outfits were delivered by Jane Stile to Houlton Elementary School, where Principal Candy Crane and staff chose recipients.
Janet Barker will chair the Valentine project next month at the February 5 meeting. Valentine cards will be made by the Faith Formation classes and HCCW members will provide crackers, home baked cookies, microwave popcorn and other items to be sent to the shut-ins. Janet will also buy fruit.
The Maine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will have a planning meeting to prepare for its annual April business meeting, in Hallowell on January 28. If you are interested in attending, please let one of the co-presidents know.
Margaret Casey and Janet Barker will oversee the purchase of a large coffee pot; the Knights of Columbus and the HCCW will split the cost of the purchase. A case of paper towels will also be purchased for the kitchen, by HCCW only.
HCCW will start saving cancelled stamps of any denomination to be sent to the missions. Lois Downing has been saving stamps for years and HCCW will reestablish this habit; Lois has agreed to be chairman of this project. Just bring the stamps to the next meeting.
Donations were given to the Backpack for Kids project, sponsored by the Methodist Church. Also a sizable donation was sent to St. Mary’s Food Pantry.
Many prayer intentions were given and three Hail Marys were recited for their intentions. Birthdays and anniversaries were recognized. Deacon Al mentioned Rita McDade, a first reader at 11 a.m. Mass, giving her a compliment and a thank you. The drawing of the door prize went to Deacon Al.
The next meeting will be Feb. 5. All Catholic ladies are invited. Come, enjoy, pray and socialize. We need you.
Happy Losers
By Shirley Sides
The Happy Losers held their weekly meeting on Jan. 11 at the Congregational Church vestry in Island Falls.
Jackie Pratt, the leader, opened the meeting with the pledge and roll call. Eight ladies weighed-in and six attended. Losers of the week were Dotty Rand, Brenda Raymond and Cecilia Brown. Loretta Bouchard was runner-up.
Reports were given by the secretary and treasurer. Riva Hawkes led the program for the week. Her article was on nuts and how they are great for your health.
Meetings are always interesting and informative. We have another contest that will end in May.
Please feel welcome to our group every Wednesday from 8-8:45 a.m. weigh-in and meeting starts at 9 a.m. Call 365-4884 for more information. See you there!
Molunkus Valley Sno-Drifters
Members of the Molunkus Valley Sno-Drifters met Jan. 7 at the clubhouse on North Street in Sherman for a potluck supper.
Members traveling the farthest were Sherry and Jeff Arsenault from Bangor.
Deb Long, club president, made a birthday cake for all members who had a birthday in January.
A trail report was given and even though there isn’t significant snow, there is work still to be done. Thanks was extended to Rick, John, Justin, Allen and Gary for all their hard work on the bridge and trail so others can enjoy the trails.
Dave Stevens spoke on new rules coming to all clubs in order to get grant money. Groomer operators are required to take and pass a groomer operator’s quiz. Also signs must be done properly, but the Sno-Drifters club president has the club’s up to par.
Henry Joy, Rick Long and Stevens spoke on people getting out and speaking against the proposed national park and the effect of a park on the area.
“Thank you Heather for more great photos, we love them,” said Deb Long.
The Sno-Drifters are planning their Valentine’s Day party, club ride and February Poker Run. Watch for details or log onto molunkusvalley@yahoo.com or Facebook for upcoming events.
Purple Hat Society
by Lois Downing
The Purple Hat Society met Tuesday in Linneus at Grammy’s Country Inn for its Jan. 10 meeting.
Charlotte Marley, leader, was present and conducted the meeting. After dinner, each lady gave her Purple Hat name as well as her given name and then Charlotte requested each one to state three things that define her. Some of the responses were: forgiving, happy, animal lover, dancer, swimmer, cook, loving, etc. It was a fun thing. At the February meeting, we are to describe three words to another Purple Hat lady’s name.
Cindy Gray read a story about a lady in the doctor’s office. Charlotte had two ceramic pieces: they went to Tess Barrett and Evelyn Johnston. Charlotte read a New Year’s poem.
Dolores Locke read a thank you letter from Maureen Bird—she thanked everyone for a recent gift. Dolores also suggested that if a person does not wear her Purple Hat to the next meeting, she will be fined 25 cents. The ladies agreed this is a project we could fund for future use.
Charlotte asked about the cookie project started at the Christmas meeting. The cookies, to be baked or provided by the member, were to be passed onto another person who ordinarily is not given a gift. Jackie Colella and Marie Gillotti as well as others responded to this project in a positive way.
“Happy Birthday” was sung to Evelyn Johnston. Members on the sick list are Kay Grass and Joanne Scott.
A Good Place to Eat in Oakfield is the setting for the next luncheon, Feb. 14. Being Valentine’s Day we will all wear something significant relative to Valentines on our purple hat. Charlotte asked what ideas we could develop for future projects. Volunteer leaders of future programs are Peggy Sanders and Dolores Locke.
Attending were: from Cary, Jackie Colella and Brenda Lacostic; from Dyer Brook, Wannetta Townsend, Marie Gillotti, Sandy Wyman; from Oakfield, Evelyn Johnston, Elaine Barrett, Bernice Campbell, Delores Locke and Evelyn Burpee; from Merrill, Arlene Friel; from Smyrna, Peggy Sanders, Cindy Gray and Charlotte Marley; from Houlton, Lois Downing, Betty Wyman, Marsha Reed and Paula Wyman.
Don’t forget, Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, at a Good Place to Eat in Oakfield and wear something denoting Valentine’s Day on your purple hat. See you there. If you need more information about the society, please call Charlotte Marley at 757-8483 or any of the other ladies mentioned above.
Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
Here I am again. Brrrr, it’s cold outside! We finally have frigid cold and with the wind chill factor, way below zero. Sympathy is extended to Shirley Nason in the loss of her sister-in-law, Martha Nason who died last week at home. Shirley and Martha were very close and she will be missed very much. Our sympathy is extended to her husband too as well as family.
Trotting into the computer room one day last week was Carmen Chasse pulling her great-granddaughter, Hannah in a laundry basket! Hannah has grown since I last saw her and they were having fun. Hannah was happy to see everyone and big smiles were on her face.
Happy Birthday to Winnie Briggs who turned 92 on Jan. 15. When you see Winnie, be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday! My daughter Kathryn Hall of Bangor was an overnight visitor on Saturday.
Two other ladies who served the community well died last week, Frannie Bishop and Leonie Spaulding. Leonie was a frequent caller here at Ricker Plaza when she was a working lady. Frannie was a short acquaintance of mine but oh what a beautiful lady. Our sympathy is extended to both families in their losses.
On angels: Powerful warriors of mercy and love. Pray for us, angels, pray for our souls. The Bible reading is from Mark 3:5: “Stretch out your hand.” See you next week and stay warm!
Island Falls News
I have just heard from my sister, Phyllis Donham Jenkins, and she tells me that on Jan. 11, she became a great-grandmother of a baby boy, who weighed in at 9 pounds, 3 ounces. He is the grandson of her daughter, Christine (Jenkins) Perkins, who lives in Warner, N.H. The baby and mother are thriving and are now home and accepting visitors.
Jerolyn (Jones) Ireland is a patient at EMMC in Bangor following an accident in her home during which she fractured both arms. I am sure get-well cards would be appreciated as she recovers from her accident. The storm this past week delivered about four inches of snow on top of the ice already present so my dooryard is still quite slippery and I use much caution when going out to feed my wild life friends. I have a lot of gold finch now along with the chickadees and woodpeckers and, of course, the pigeons arrive on a daily basis, but not for long as they don’t find many seeds to eat due to the protected feeders I have. They do pick up what falls to the ground, however.
I am still throwing out chunks of old bread and cut up apples about every evening, as there were many deer tracks in the new fallen snow. They trampled quite a large area as they were getting their meal so there must have been at least four or five of them. Never see them, though, as they apparently arrive after dark. Maybe some day they will decide to show up in the daytime.
