Don Marley blessed our meal, and Alton Burpy won the 50/50 drawing.
The Lord’s Prayer and flag salute were said. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were given.
Our entertainment was a Yankee swap, which is always good for laughter.
Verna Boone had a birthday. Cards were sent to the sick.
Attending were Sharon Anderson, George Barrows, David Burpee, Verna Boone, Bernice Campbell, Earl and Lottie Doughty, Thelma Flowers, Nacie Fowler, Arlene Friel, Barbara Furrow, Barbara and Everett Doughty, Romano White, Betty and Alton Burpee, Ardyth and Ralph Trecartin, Bill Dill and Juanita Wiggins.
Purple Hat Ladies
The Purple Hat ladies met at the Smoki-Haulers Snow Club in Oakfield for their Christmas party on Dec. 8.
The dining room was beautifully decorated for the holiday and with gifts for each lady.
Some of the business meeting was conducted before the delicious meal was served. Wannetta Townsend asked the blessing on the meal. “Happy Birthday” was sung to Betty Wyman.
Each lady introduced herself with her Purple Hat Christmas name. Several Christmas games were played, and 12 brave ladies volunteered to participate in a rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
After singing several Christmas carols we were visited by Santa and Mrs. Claus and they proceeded to lead the Yankee Swap gift exchange.
A lovely centerpiece was won by Cindy Gray.
Many thanks to Bob Locke and his kitchen crew for a tasty Christmas dinner followed by scrumptious desserts and lots of coffee.
Attending were: Marsha Reed, Denise Clark, Arlene Friel, Donna Furrow, Sandra Holmes, Wannetta Townsend, Marie Gillotti, Cindy Gray, Brenda Lacostic, Sandy Wyman, Verna Boone, Alma Clark, Betty Wyman, Ramona White, Bernice Campbell, Joanne Scott, Mildred Gagnon, Delores Locke and Charlotte Marley.
Information about the January meeting will be available soon.
Island Falls Notes
Despite the seven inches of snow that fell on Friday, Dec. 4, the Island Falls Historical Society held their annual cookie sale on Saturday, Dec. 5, which was well attended from nine a.m. until noon. There was a great variety of cookies to be sold and many went away very happy with their choices, and I’m sure they will be all gone by the time Christmas rolls around.
I had a very nice phone call the other day from Elizabeth Poole White, a former resident of Smyrna Mills and now living in Zephyrhills, Fla., where many Mainers now spend winters. We had a great time reminiscing about the “good old days” and wondering what is going on with many of the people we have met through the years. She keeps in touch with our northern area when reading the Pioneer Times and enjoys reading about people she once knew.
I have been swimming some but not every day. Some of the regulars are still going, but the pool is not as busy as it was during the summer.
I still have the female cardinal arriving early in the a.m. and eating her breakfast with the chickadees. I haven’t seen the male for a while, though, and imagine he is still around but more careful about when he arrives.
I looked out one evening lately, about 6:30, and there were two or three deer cavorting around the end of my driveway. They ended up on the lawn of my next-door neighbor before disappearing into the woods nearby. I have at least four who arrive every night and make short work of the apples and bread I put out for them.
I still have the two pesky gray squirrels around every day for the sunflower seeds and have watched them when they fight for first at the feeders! One is bigger and seems to be the feisty one.
Happy Losers
On Dec. 2, the first Wednesday of the month, the weight group called The Happy Losers held their weekly meeting. Jackie Pratt, the leader, opened the meeting and welcomed members, followed by the pledge and roll call.
Loretta Bouchard was the person who lost the most weight for the week, and Jackie Pratt was runner-up. Great job, ladies. Nine members weighed in and eight attended the meeting. Reports were given by the secretary and treasurer for the week.
The group met next Dec. 9, when Jackie Pratt welcomed the members followed by the pledge and roll call. Ten members weighed in and nine attended the meeting.
Serena Grant was the person who lost the most weight for the week and Ann Morse was runner-up. Great job, ladies!. The report for the week was by the secretary as the treasurer was absent.
Everyone is looking forward to the Christmas party at the Brookside.
All are welcome to the group, which meets every Wednesday at the United Baptist Church vestry in Island Falls, with weigh-ins from 8-8:30 a.m. The meeting usually starts at 8:30.
Island Falls Seniors
The Island Falls senior Citizens met at the municipal building on Dec. 3 with 17 members and two guests present.
After a bountiful potluck luncheon, our business meeting was opened by our president, Rich Camire. We discussed our Christmas party, and a need to have election of officers in our first January meeting.
After our meeting adjournment, we played “The Game,” which is a favorite with everyone.
Members present were; Darlene Hartin, Claudette Dietrick, Paige Coville, Terry Dwyer, Rich Camire, Louise Butcher, Kenny and Ronda Sleunwhite, Marilyn Noyes, Darrell Hartin, Dennis Boone, Edith Dwyer, Mary Lawler, Gloria Noyes, Donna Baker, Mary Pipes, Ellie Peck and guests Patti Hartin and Jutta Beyer.
Our next meeting will be on Dec. 17, and will be our Christmas party with finger foods, entertainment and a Yankee Swap. Please plan to join us. We always welcome new members.
