Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
Hello everyone! Time to write again.
Here is the month of August. Where did the other months go? August is the eighth month, named after Augustus Caesar. Its flower is gladiolus and it has two stones: peridot and sardonyx. National Smile Week is from Aug. 5-11. August 13 is National Left Hander’s Day. (Didn’t know that). August is the month Elvis Presley died. He will be sadly remembered.
It was nice to see Lillian Stairs at the band concert in the park a couple of weeks ago. Lillian’s no longer a resident of Ricker Plaza. We miss you, Lillian.
One of the residents got a suspicious phone call a couple weeks ago. The police were here investigating. It all had to do with her bank account, so beware if you get any of these phone calls, just don’t get excited but get as much information from them as you can and hang up!
Barbara Ganem attended the Northern Maine Fair in Presque Isle on the Senior Citizens Day (Wednesday, I think). She enjoyed seeing the horses. You should have seen Fifi, her dog. He was all decked out in a pink raincoat! Super.
Slyvia Thompson went to Pennsylvania for her and Donnie’s granddaughter’s wedding. Megan is the daughter of Bob and Betsy Thompson. Sylvia also went onto Ryden, N.C. to visit a friend, Dora Pittman.
For those who believe that marriage is one woman and one man would have been thrilled to see how Chick-fil-A was supported by thousands. Also McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken joined in.
Bill Cogswell and his sister Gerry Dunn are daily visitors of his sister, Norma Bates. Norma is blessed with lots of friends and callers, with relatives. And if you can’t find Lavina (Byron), look for her in Norma’s apartment.
The month of August is moving right along. We are looking forward to the Potato Feast in a few days.
Kathy (Cathy) and her husband Joe Mankiewicz (spelling) of Florida are home visiting her mother, Pricilla Farrar.
Been enjoying the Red Sox games on television. Some games I become pleased and others not.
The Bible verse is taken from John 6:57: “Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.’’
Have a safe and happy week.
Island Falls news
On July 21 Verna MacArthur was guest of honor at a family gathering held at the cottage of Dwayne and Sandy, Scot and Erin MacArthur in Milinocket at So. Twin Lake.
All six of Verna’s children were there, along with spouses, children and grand and great grand children, some of whom traveled from as far away as Arizona to enjoy the festivities. All together there were 54 attending with ages ranging from 69 years to 18 months who came to honor Verna.
Mrs. Paula Chamberlain, accompanied with her mother, Mrs. Pauline Robbins and son, Jeffrey Chamberlain, have arrived to spend a couple of weeks here both at Vacationland Estates and the Chamberlain cottage on lower Mattawamkeag Lake.
I had a nice phone call recently from Peter Delong, a former resident of Island Falls, and son of Dick and Claudette Delong, who now lives in Massachusetts. The Whittier Congregational Church had a very successful Trash and Treasure and home-baked sale on July 28 — the beginning of the Summerfest activities.
I still have a few loyal gold finch who arrive at the feeder, sometimes I also see a few redpolls there, too. As I no longer put as many seeds in my feeders I think I have discouraged the squirrels finally from attacking and clinging to my big feeder. And I believe I have discovered why the deer have deserted my back lawn. It is because I no longer have a vegetable garden and there is no vegetable garden at Sam’s either. A friend says the deer is chewing his garden some and hopes he can salvage most of it come fall. Maybe next year I will plant some carrots and beets to see if the deer will return to my premises.
Keep Pounds Off Sensibly 0233, HOULTON
by Lois Downing
Keep Pounds Off Sensibly, Chapter 0233 of Houlton met at the Aldergate building on High Street for its Friday, Aug. 3 meeting. Sixteen members were weighed; five of these were KOPS (Keep Pounds Off Sensibly).
Loser of the week was Brenda Lacostic, with Shirley Ethier as runner-up. The skinny dish was held over.
Reports were given by Joanne Scott; secretary’s report by Brenda Lacostic; and Janette Nelson gave a monthly financial report. Diane Folsom was in charge and introduced Brenda who was the speaker of the day. She told of the exchange program as written in our last TOPS magazine. You can keep track of these exchanges by using the cards in the magazine. Please refer to the magazine if interested in doing this program.
Charms were distributed by Diane in place of Barbara Whited who was unable to be present: for June: perfect attendance, Dellie Bennett, Shirley Eithier, Denise Folsom, Brenda Lacostic, Charlotte Marley, Marsha Reed and Joanne Scott.
For KOPS in leeway, Lois Downing, Diane Folsom, Barbara Grant, Betty Ivey and Charlotte Marley. We will have a game of Bingo after the workshop in September.
Diane asked all to bring ideas for the workshop. The silent auction we had last week was very successful. For information on the chapter, you may call Charlotte Marley at 757-8483 or Betty Ivey at 532-9653. We meet every Friday morning; weigh-in is at 8-8:45 a.m. and a meeting is started and ended by 10 a.m. approximately. Come, enjoy and take off weight.
