Ricker Rumblings
by Lois Downing
Welcome everyone! This column has been absent for a couple of weeks, so I hope I’m not out of practice to keep in contact with you readers.
Everyone, it seems, is staying in their own little place at Ricker Plaza. I’m guessing it is because of the severe cold spell we are experiencing at this time. Someone said today, “This is the coldest winter in nine years” and I believe it.
Friendly Barbara Ganem, one of our ex-tenants, was a visitor in the building on Thursday. Barbara left her dog at home. It was odd not to see her without her dog, She gave me a little memento of her dog during the Christmas season.
I hope the ban at the nursing homes and other places has been lifted because of the flu. The ban is for our protection, so I hope everyone understands.
I was given a brochure of the Houlton Humane Society a few days ago. The shelter is located on the Callaghan Road in Houlton. Some of their needs are: cash donations, bleach, laundry detergent, toilet paper, dog and cat food, cat litter, dish detergent, dryer sheets, and paper towels. Common items that could hurt your pet are: pesticides, weed killers, antifreeze, pain relievers, aspirin, insecticides, fertilizers, oil or gasoline, medications and acetaminophen. The following foods that could hurt your pet are: avocado, salt, chocolate (all forms), coffee (all forms), onions and onion powder, grapes, tea leaves, raw yeast dough, alcoholic beverages, moldy or spoiled foods, patty foods, garlic, raisins and Macadamia nuts. Also sharp objects, needles, string yarn, dental floss, paper clips, push pins and office supplies. I just thought this list was amazing and could help your pet as well as yourself.
I posted a bit of information on our bulletin board about the notice of the Treasury Department going digital. Starting March 1, Social Security payments and SSI will be paid to individuals by electronic devices. The new payment method is not optional. It will take some getting used to, but it will benefit many people in the long run.
St. Mary of the Visitation Church is preparing for the annual St. Patrick Bazaar, to be held at St. Anthony’s Hall (basement of the church) and the parish center on Saturday, February 16. Please set aside this event. Besides dinner, a cake walk, and various other items, it is a social and fun time.
Much information has been given in the Bangor Daily News lately about senior citizens and scams. Don’t fall for scams. There are many out there. Please don’t give your bank account number, social security number or anything pertaining to your accounts. I have been scammed twice, or tried to be be, with no money involved. These thieves are clever. Beware seniors!
We had a few snow storms within the last couple of weeks. The snowmobilers are happy, at least I am told they are. Every day one would hear the snowplows at Ricker Plaza.
Ruth (Nason) Ercolani, who fell outside several weeks ago, is recuperating at the home of her sister Janice. Ruthie, we miss seeing you coming and going. We are told that she will be back at Ricker Plaza sometime soon.
Hello, to Dot Weston and Lillian Stairs, both former tenants, now at Houlton Regional Hospital, in long term care. We miss you both and send our best.
We love the pictures Lavina Bryon puts on her apartment door of the twins born into her family. They are identical brothers and they sure are beautiful.
We were sorry to learn Molly Bailey, popular and well-known senior citizen, and wife of Chester Bailey of Smyrna Street, had an accident and suffered a broken arm. Molly will be missed in more ways than one in her daily routines. God bless, Molly.
Thomas Suitter, a first floor tenant, was in Bangor recently and visited a friend. He returned on the same day by bus. Thomas had a good day in Bangor.
Basketball tournament time will be approaching soon. Good luck to all teams and thanks to all the boys/girls who bring us this great sport, also the coaches, managers and the fans.
Congratulations to Evelyn Callnan on the birth of another great-grandson, Richard IV Mitchell. (I forgot the baby’s middle name), born in Houlton a few days ago, January, 2013.
For my angel reflection: ‘’The ignorant say they will believe in angels only when they see them. The wise understand they will see angels only when they believe in them.’’
Keep well, warm and God bless.
Island Falls
During the month of February, the Whittier Congregational Church will suspend its church services, and will begin them on March 10.
On Saturday, Jan. 26, Cheryl Sewall Connelly and husband, Peter, left for Scarborough for a visit with sister, Gail Sewall Kennett and husband, John. Cheryl will continue on to Vero Beach, Fla. for the rest of the winter and husband, Peter plans to return to Island Falls where he will continue to work on redoing the Red Brick garage into a restaurant overlooking the Mattawamkeag River.
During this bitter cold snap, I have been really busy keeping the birds and squirrels fed and it is still a circus to watch when all the squirrels gather. Boy, it is “first come, first serve” with them, with the red squirrels being the sort of under dog to the gray, as they are so much smaller. Never the less it’s fun to watch them squabble.
The cardinals still arrive, usually early morning and then late afternoon. I keep seeds on the ground for them but they are also eating from one of the feeders that is not close to the house. And lately I have had a new species of bird that I have yet to look up in my book, but want to get a closer look to make sure of the colors it has.
I had a nice phone call from a gentleman last week who informed me that the deer coming to my house is probably the spikehorn as, I was told, young buck deer shed their horns in the fall. The call reminded me of my father, Tom Donham, Maine guide, who had told me about the spikehorns years ago, and it probably is a young buck who arrives every evening about dusk and after eating his apples and bread moves over to a hanging bird feeder and cleans that out of every sunflower seed he can. Think maybe I will bring that particular feeder in at night and replace it early in the a.m.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly ME 0233, Houlton
by Lois Downing
Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Chapter 0233 of Houlton met at the Aldergate building on High Street for its Friday, January 25 meeting.
Leader Diane Folsom was in charge and led the meeting. Tess Barrett was a guest of Bonnie Pratt and was welcomed.
Eight TOPS and four KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) were in attendance. Loser of the week was Diane with Bonnie Pratt as runner-up. The skinny dish was held over for another week.
Joanne Scott gave the weight recording report and Lois Downing filled in for absent secretary Brenda Lacostic. Diane reported on the contest stating that it is going very well. She informed membership that we skipped last week because we did not meet. She read a letter from Rick giving us May 24 for State Recognition Day in Bangor. Many papers are to be filled out before that date and will be taken care of during the month of March.
Janette distributed pamphlets from Houlton Humane Society. TOPS 0233 voted to help the society by bringing items to the meeting March 29. Please refer to items on the brochure as to the items to be saved. Janette will transfer them to the shelter.
Diane conducted a game—all those participating received 3 points if she had a daughter; 4 points for each son, etc. It was a fun time and Janette Nelson was the winner receiving a gift.
Members had input to the meeting. Charlotte Marley and the chapter is planning a KOPS graduation and its subject was discussed, striving for a February date.
For more information on the chapter, you may contact Betty Ivey at 532-9653 or Charlotte Marley at 757-8483. TOPS 0233 meets every Friday; weigh-in time is 8-8:45 a.m. with the meeting beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting an hour.
All are welcome.
