Raffle tickets still available
By Jann Bonkowski Votaw
The Bridgewater Historical Association still has raffle tickets for their “Dance For The Dogs” project. Gleni, a canine Maine State trooper will be this year’s beneficiary of the project. Though his down time is spent with is partner, Chad Fuller and his family, there are times when Gleni needs his own space. Therefore we are raising money to purchase a covered pen so he will have that space. Should Gleni no longer need the pen in the future, the pen will be passed to another canine state trooper.
The 1st prize in the raffle is a handmade quilt by Shirley Drew, second prize a woodcarving by Dee and Phyllis Cote, and the 3rd prize is a food basket. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Please contact the BHA to purchase tickets.
The winning tickets will be drawn on Dec. 8 at the BHA’s Christmas Party at Bonanza. We thank everyone for his or her support on this project.
Purple Hat Society
by Lois Downing
Grammy’s Country Inn was the setting of the latest meeting of the Purple Hat Society on Tuesday, November 13. It was a rainy day but 20 of us in our Purple Hats braved the weather and had a wonderful time.
Charlotte Marley, in one of her newest hats (cowboy style), greeted everyone.
After the blessing by Lois Downing, and a large meal that only Grammy’s can serve, we gave our given names and our Purple Hat names. Sandy Wyman had a birthday in November, so we all sang ‘’Happy Birthday’’ to her.
Lois read a comical story about Bill and Hillary Clinton. At the end of the program, each lady held a decorated fork provided by Charlotte and stated what they were thankful for. Mostly the members all agreed they were thankful for good health, friends and family. Being so close to Veteran’s Day, uppermost in our minds was to give thanks to the veterans for the sacrifices given to our country.
Brenda Lacostic and Bernice Campbell were awarded the fashionable ceramic purses. Everyone brought non-perishable canned items and it was donated to the Food Pantry at St. Mary of the Visitation Church. The pantry is not just for Catholics but everybody in need.
The Dec. 11 meeting will be at the SAVE building in Houlton, 11 a.m. We will bring five dollars to be given to the Salvation Army for their needs during the Christmas season.
At the December meeting, we will be given a box; the box will be filled with cookies to be given to a person who you would not ordinarily be giving a gift.
Attending from Cary: Jackie Colella and Brenda Lacostic; from Houlton, Lois Downing, Paula Wyman, Marsha Reed, Betty Wyman and Wannetta Townsend; from Littleton, Kay Grass; from Dyer Brook, Marie Gillotti, Sandy Wyman; from Oakfield, Delores Locke, Mildred Gagnon, Bernice Campbell, Elaine Barrett, Evelyn Johnston; from Merrill, Arlene Friel; from Smyrna, Charlotte Marley, Cindy Gray, Peggy Sanders; from Cary, Denise Clark.
Please keep in mind the December date is Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. See you there!
Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
What a busy place it is at the Plaza on Sunday morning. The American Legion on Bangor Road is delivering their Thanksgiving dinners to those who called and ordered them. I don’t know how long the American Legion has been doing this community-wide event but it is surely a nice way to start the week. Thanks to the American Legion and all its helpers. The dinner was scrumptious.
Bulletin board notices: Ricker tenants’ Thanksgiving dinner in the community room on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at noon. Our Ricker Plaza liaison, Charlene and hubby Brian Henderson, are planning the dinner and a goodly number of tenants usually partake. Thanks to Charlene and her lovely family including the staff for all you do for us.
Alfreda Albert of Bird Street has been a patient at Houlton Regional Hospital for a few days, but has been discharged and is home now. Alfreda recently had a visit with her son-in-law and daughter Lisa in Gardiner.
Another notice is the Thanksgiving dinner at St. Mary of the Visitation Church serving at noon to 2 o’clock. Margaret Casey, a charitable parishioner, will be baking and cooking and preparing the night before and early morning with a lot of help from parishioners. Again, it is a scrumptious meal. Everyone is welcome.
Peggy Robinson left for Florida a week ago to spend several weeks; one thing Peggy will do is visit with her son. She will be home after Christmas.
Aileen Smith of the North Road is home after several days at Houlton Regional Hospital. Carmen Chasse was making a big fish chowder when I dropped by on Sunday. Fish chowder is one of my favorite meals.
The weather is beautiful, crisp but sunny days. Two days I didn’t have to scrape frost from the car windows. Can you beat that for this time of the year?
Our Bingo money was counted and we gave $50 for the Food Pantry at St. Mary of the Visitation Church. The pantry is community wide and many contributors give to the pantry. Another $50 was given towards buying food for the Thanksgiving dinners. We feel really blessed that we can donate money to give food to the needy. God bless to all who participate. The next donation will be to the Salvation Army and to their needs.
Joe Garnett plays in Oakfield on Tuesday nights, on Wednesday night he is in Littleton and on another night he is somewhere else. Now, that is quite a schedule. Joe enjoys playing, not sure of the instrument yet but I think it is guitar.
Paul Armstrong has finished treatments for cancer and is gaining little by little. Paul, get better. We all miss you and your sense of humor.
Dewey DeWitt spent a few days recently at Houlton Regional Hospital. We’re glad you are better and that you are able to return to your apartment.
Aroostook Retired and Senior Volunteer program mailed its newsletter over a week ago. Their summer raffle was a great success realizing almost $4,000. Mary Caron, Doreen Turner, Wilfred Martin, Real Michaud, Anne Gagnon, Christina Lavway, Sue Tardie and Elaine Corey were some of the winners of the great prizes donated by businesses.
A benefit supper is slated for Saturday, December 1 at Shiretown Inn and Suites banquet room, North Road, for Houlton Humane Society. The menu includes spaghetti, rolls, salad, beverages and dessert. The cost of meal is by donation and several raffle items and door prizes will be offered. Come and enjoy a delicious meal and support the animal shelter. Many of the tenants here at Ricker Plaza are involved in this project.
Barbara Ganem of Littleton has been by a few times, visiting her many friends at Ricker.
I attended the celebration of the canonization of St. Kateri Tekakwitha at St. Mary of the Visitation Church on Oct. 21. The celebration consisted of a smudging ceremony by Commandeer Brenda, attended by many of St. Mary’s parishioners and the local tribal people, the Maliseets. A potluck supper was enjoyed at the Maliseet Community Center following the service at the church. The ceremony was enlightening and learned about the newly canonized saint, St. Kateri, called ‘’Lily of the Mohawks,’’ patroness of the environment and ecology.
Norma Bates attended church this past Sunday and is looking and feeling well. Dale DeVoe’s nephew from out of town was visiting on Sunday.
Robin Chambers, my neighbor, is away this week with her brother. Lois Downing spent the holiday with her daughter Kathryn Hall in Bangor.
On Monday, Nov. 12, a baby shower was given at Doris Hogan’s apartment for Doris’ granddaughter, Ashley Thornton from Bradley. The shower was hosted by Vicki Hagerman, Ann Miller and Jean Flewelling. Attending were Jeanie Flewelling, Patti Hogan, Gloria Messier, Sheila Heath, Vicki Hagerman, Sophia and Liam Bailey and Nicki, Harriet and Joe and Doris Hogan (Please forgive if the names are misspelled).
My quote on angels is: ‘’Follow your bliss, and you will meet with multitudes of angels waiting to cheer you on your path to joy and happiness.’’ My Bible reading is taken from Daniel 7:13: ‘’He received dominion, glory and Kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve Him.’’
A blessed Thanksgiving Day to all readers, before you indulge in your meal, please say a prayer for those less fortunate. Thank you and may God bless.
Island Falls
Shelley Stevens and I were recent visitors in Presque Isle where I had a visit with the eye specialist. On their return home they stopped for a while in Houlton and did a bit of shopping before driving on to Smyrna where they had lunch at the popular Brookside restaurant, finally returning to Island Falls early afternoon.
Marion Hoar and Riva stopped in to see Candy McKellar recently, as Candy is now home and is slowly recovering from the accident she was involved in a week ago. She will be house-bound for several weeks while her broken ankle and wrist heal and we kept our visit short.
I have been seeing the male and female cardinal some during this cold weather and the other day I had the good luck to see close to in my cedar tree a pilated woodpecker. I have heard them around a lot but have never seen them as they tend to keep out of sight as much as possible. The gray squirrels are feuding again. I saw two of them in the tree and the larger one was very aggressive towards the smaller one and kept him away from the bird feeders until he himself had had his fill. The little red squirrels make do with what is left over.
The spike horn deer that has been eating all the sunflower seeds from my feeders is at it again as my feeder was on the ground recently, along with my peanut butter and lard feeder and they were all empty so the deer had a good dinner during the night. Am still enjoying the swimming at Vacationland Estates and my friend John, who hails from Smyrna, is there usually to keep me company. When the snow flies I may give it up but right now I am there several days a week.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly ME 0233, Houlton
by Lois Downing
Take Off Pounds Sensibly ME, Chapter 0233, of Houlton met at the Aldergate building on High Street for its Friday, Dec. 16 meeting. Nine members consisting of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) were in attendance plus 5 KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly).
Leader Diane Folsom had charge of the meeting. Roll call was given and reports were given by weight recorder Joanne Scott and secretary Brenda Lacostic.
The loser of the week was Joanne with Mildred Gagnon as runner-up. Lois Downing won the skinny dish for the second week in a row.
Friday, Dec. 7 is the date for the chapter’s Christmas party. The party is to be held at the Smoki-Haulers Snowmobile clubhouse in Oakfield with a pot roast dinner. Ladies who want to participate will bring a wrapped gift not exceeding in value of $5. More information on the party will be forthcoming.
Charlotte Marley had charge of the program, the subject being apples, all varieties including red, green and yellow. Diane brought several kinds of apples, McIntosh, Duchess, Gala, Granny’s. It proved to be an interesting program, with questions and answers to and from the membership.
The next meeting will be Nov. 30, skipping the Friday after Thanksgiving. We all left wishing each other the best Thanksgiving ever.
For more information on the chapter, you may call Charlotte Marley at 757-8483 or Betty Ivey at 532-9653.
Weigh-in is at 8-8:45 a.m. with a meeting starting at 9 a.m. and usually ending an hour later. Come, enjoy and take off weight.
