Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
Ricker Rumblings did not get published last week, simply because I was so busy I didn’t get one sent into the Houlton Pioneer Times office. Sorry about that! I spent an unexpected visit with my daughter Kathryn and attended a birthday party for my nephew Michael Phelan of Bangor. Saw a lot of family, really important to me.
My wish to all readers is that you had a Merry Christmas. As to the New Year, may it improve with the day, share your love, patience, thoughtfulness, kindness, and caring with your neighbors and friends. Some of our military have returned to the states and we are grateful for their safe return.
Carmen Chasse left before last Wednesday to spend Christmas with her daughter and family in another town. We miss you, Carmen. During the snowfall on Christmas Eve, I looked out the window and into the parking lot and there I saw an angel, dressed in a full Santa Claus outfit. What a nice sight to behold. Thank you, Peggy.
Our Bingo on Wednesday was a fun afternoon again. Paul Armstrong was his usual comedic self and we all laughed and it was a relaxing time for those who played Bingo. Joyce and Diane each brought candy and Christmas cookies were available too. Come and join us, for those who don’t participate.
‘’A Christmas Story,’’ recently appearing in the December 8 issue of the Calais Advertiser, was on the bulletin board for all to read. For those who are wondering what it was all about, the editor’s brother, Paul Phelan, 90 in age, was the subject. A kindness was shown to him by his former students in Washington County, and the story was told to the public by Calais Advertiser writer, Dorothy Johnston. Good story!
Need to mention the Oakfield Historical Society 2012 Heritage Calendar is a 25th anniversary special edition. Information about this calendar is written up in a December 12 issue of the Bangor Daily News. For $10.50 plus $2.00 for postage and handling, you can purchase a calendar by writing to the Oakfield Historical Society, P.O. Box 176, Oakfield, ME 04763.
The Christmas cactus was placed in the downstairs computer room and it had blossomed with many pink colors. It was beautiful and now it has returned to its usual green. Just thought our readers would be interested. Poinsettia is the Christmas plant for the season but the cactus was very pretty, to say the least.
The caroling of the youth from the Wesleyan Church took place here one night, chaperoned by Pastor Robertson and David Rowe, presently. The 27 kids, counted by Lavina Byron, gave us several Christmas selections, ‘’Jingle Bells,’’ Away in a Manger,’’ ‘’Noel,’’ and many more. You could tell the kids as well as the adults were having fun! We loved it and thank you for thinking of us.
Stores around Houlton and the vicinity were very busy during the Christmas season, at least, I thought so. The editor wound up in a crowd at the Walmart store and other places and when I reached home, I was glad to get there!
Jolynn Stevens and Cassie McAfee, representing the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, performed an ‘’Eat Well Nutrition Program,’’ in the community room at Ricker Plaza several days ago. Attending besides the writer were Peggy Robinson, Lavina Byron, Shirley Nason, Priscilla Brownlow, Robin Chambers and Nacie Fowler. Sorry if I omitted your name. The program was a fun time, and the girls were great with information and help. Come again and they will in about another month.
Thomas Vasko, one of our third floor tenants, is still hospitalized as of this date. Thomas, we all wish you well and I’m sure you wish you were at Ricker Plaza instead of at the hospital. God bless, Tom.
Our blessing is extended to all our friends in the nursing homes and those who are in ill health and are at home. Donna Burns wrote to all the tenants and is a patient at Madigan Health Care Facility and a cancer patient. We’re praying you will return to our little community soon, Donna.
Mike Brown, former sexton at St. Mary of the Visitation Church, is hospitalized at this time. Our best to Mike and we’ll keep you in prayers.
Our thoughts are for the best for everyone and I mean everyone! God bless!
Little Maddie, one of Brian and Charlene’s Henderson’s granddaughters, was in the office a few days ago. She is a little doll, a redhead child. By the way, have you seen Adam lately? Adam is growing a beard! How these teenagers grow! This is a quote from Charles Wesley: ‘’Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem.’’
Paul and Jeanie Armstrong spent Christmas Eve with Jean’s granddaughter in Ludlow and then they went to Bridgewater to spend Sunday Christmas with another relative. They are a really busy couple.
Happy New Year
The Sherman Senior Citizens club met on Dec. 21 at the Sherman gym for their annual Christmas dinner. The nine people present enjoyed the wonderful food and beautiful decorations.
Mark your calendar and join us in going to Houlton on the date of Dec. 29 at the Houlton Higher Education Center on Military Street. The governor plans to eliminate the Maine low-cost drug program and Medicare buy-in program. Please come and let your state representative and state senator know. We’ll be voting on these cuts. We’ll meet at Stuart Kelley’s Shell station at 10 a.m. and eat lunch at Elm Tree Diner then meet at 1 p.m. at this very important place.
Present at the meeting were Annie Atkinson, Donna Grass, Eva Perry, Esther Greenier, Bonita Staples, Linniea Perry, Mary Lauder, Sandra and Paul Qualey and Frances Gorman.
Our next meeting is Jan. 4, 2012.
