March Senior Luncheon

Full house for March

Ready for the show

Pastor Tom and Rosemary

Pastor Tom On the 12^th of March, Peoples held its monthly Senior Luncheon for the first time since December. In spite of the fact that the Coronavirus was spreading from the west to the east 48 guests and 22 members of the church came together to experience once again a great meal and wonderful entertainment. Chef Brad had prepared a traditional Irish meal of Corned beef and cabbage with onions and potatoes, and Irish soda bread. Rosemary had made cookies in the shape of shamrocks with green sprinkles. Many comments were made by the guests and happy that we were able to have this get-together for the community. Because of the virus hitting locally it is difficult at this time to indicate whether we will be able to meet next month. Stay tuned on that count.

Portland Ballet Artistic Director Nell

Nell shows one of Midsummer Night's Fairy Costumes

Mistress of Ceremonies Marlene

As the morning unfolded a number of male and female members of the parish set up the tables and chairs and under the guidance of Pam D the tables were decked out with decorations that were fitting for the Irish holiday. Thanks, are extended for all who helped in the hall as well as the kitchen with Brad.

5 Ballet Dancers

Nell shows another intricate fairy costume

At 11:30 AM many of the guests were already here and waiting for the entertainment. Coming back for a second time were a troop of dancers from the Portland School of Ballet under the artistic direction of Nell S. Grace, Cliana, Toni, Heather, and Milena presented a show of steps and an introduction to the school’s next production of “Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Nell also talked about the artistry and the costume designs for the production. All in attendance were enthralled by what they saw and heard. Nell said they would like to come back in the future.

UMC members ready to serve

At noon the kitchen crew began dishing out the meals which in turn were taken two at a time by the servers guided by Dan to the various tables filling each table at a time. Servers would in time collect the finished dishes and replaced them with plates of cookies.

We are also thankful for the cleanup crew that had all of us on our way home by 2:00PM.

 UMM Men at Work

Water Tank removal

Pastor Tom and Andy G

Over the course of the last few weeks, the United Methodist Men have been called on by the Trustees to work on a couple of around the church projects. The first of these was, after a regular Saturday morning meeting, to go the parking lot in back of the church to remove an old hot water tank that had already been replaced. Team leader for this project was Dick Small who led Randy, Andy Goodwin, Pastor Tom in moving the heavy load to the back of Randy’s truck. Eventual resting place for this piece of equipment would be the South Portland dump.

Dick S and Randy P

What's up there?

Can you tell who it is?

On the following Saturday Dick led another group of men in insulating pipes above the perimeter ceilings in Ellis Hall. The team also removed the Christmas lights and decorations that were hanging in Ellis Hall.

Brad Wes and Keith

Moving along

Randy about to disappear

Those who were available for this project in addition to Dick were Randy, Keith, Brad, Wes and Art.

Dedication of Ellis Hall Kitchen

 Dedication of the Ellis Hall Kitchen

Plaque on stove hood

Kitchen stove and Fire Suppressant Equipment

Over the years in the life of kitchens at Peoples United Methodist Church many women and men have put what facilities the kitchens have had to good use. Most recently it was known that a fire suppressant system needed to be in place above the present gas stove to pass full inspection and be fully engaged.

Darlings and Dan Hamilton with Doreen Gay

Barbara Jody and Becky

Peoples has long been known for its suppers and other meals that are most often served to the public. Bean suppers for many years and the more recently held Community Senior Luncheons have both given the church a good name to have a meal. Other smaller functions often keep the kitchen hopping.

Marnie Tom Herd , Paul and others

Lin leads church service and Children's Story

Sadly, Chris Ward, who was a longtime matron of the kitchen passed away and the family, Darling, started a fund in her honor that would be used for this kitchen renovation. At the same time the Hamilton family had started and raised a similar fund that, in part, might also be used for this change in the kitchen and in the name of Emma Hamilton.

Church service in Ellis Hall because of cold

Dan Hamilton, Grandson of Emma and Nick

Plaques on kitchen wall

On Sunday, January 11 after a church service that was held in Ellis Hall because it was too cold in the sanctuary, the official dedication was held in and around the new facility. Lin Arnold was asked to give the dedication prayer and words about each of the women who the kitchen was dedicated too. A picture of Chris and another of Emma Hamilton and other women of her time can be found just inside the door and there is a brass plaque on the canopy over the stove with both the names of the women.

Church members today are very thankful for all of the folks that contributed to these funds and/or gave a donation themselves to this upgrade in our facilities.

Brain Gym and Seniors

Brain Gym and Senior Luncheon

Guests check in

Table decorations

The December Senior Community Luncheon held on December 12, 2019 in Ellis Hall was attended by over 60 Senior citizens of our South Portland community. With the staff on duty for this occasion their presence swelled the numbers in attendance to over 80 people. The early birds were greeted by having the hall set up with Christmas colors of red and green tablecloths covering the tables and seasonal Nutcrackers and floral decorations on each table. Strings of while lights hung near the ceiling adding to the décor.

Pat and Brad inthe kitchen

Near the door greeters would welcome folks as they came in to the hall. Shari, Susan and Joanne could be found at the check in table.

Some of the guests

Time for coffee and chatting

In the kitchen was Brad with help from Patrick, Len, Rosemary, Dick S and Keith. The meal for today would be pot roast, boiled potatoes and carrots with rolls and Christmas cookies for dessert.

Spurwink

Marlene the MC

Brain Gym exercises

Felicia

 Before the meal, however, was an interesting program called “Brain Gym”. Marlene welcomed everyone at 11:30 AM and then introduced Felicia Pease who would speak and demonstrate and involve the audience in exercise. She had already passed out a description of the exercises and also a blowing bubbles tube. Even the blowing of bubbles could be shown to exercise muscles in the throat and mouth in a fun way. She demonstrated “Hookups, Calf Pumps, Cross Crawl, Brain Buttons and the significance of drinking plenty of water. Felicia was a former elementary teacher and administrator from the Strong area. She still substitutes many days a year. Her presentation was well received by all.

Paying attention and taking directions

Volunteers

Checking water flow

Felicia and her audience

Lin, Merrill, Pam L, and Judy

Janice, Becky G and Kathy

Before serving

Ruth, Aaron and Dick M

 It was then time for Pastor Tom to give the blessing and the corps of waiters and waitresses to make their meal deliveries. Art guided each deliverer to the folks that had not yet received a meal and within 5 minutes all present were being fed.

Workers remained until all tables and chairs had been cleaned up and put away and the kitchen crew was ready to leave.

We will not be having the luncheons in January and February as the weather is too hard to predict. The next luncheon will be planned for Thursday, March 12, 2020 in Ellis Hall. The entertainment for that date will be a return of members of the Portland School of Ballet with a preview of their next production of “Midsummer night’s dream”.

Christmas Wonderland

Peoples Christmas Fair 2019

Looking over the crafts

Becky and decorations

One of the events sponsored by Peoples UMC and looked forward to with great anticipation is the annual Christmas Fair. Named “Winter Wonderland” for a number of years it brings

Carol sets up glass display

together men, women and children to work and to visit each other in Ellis Hall. The Fair usually finds many individuals setting up their tables and wares on the day before it occurs. Some of men can be seen preparing in the kitchen while Dick S. can be seen stringing lights from the ceiling. 

Jolly Betty

Shari and Pam

Everyone needs a bear

Doreen and Sharon

Pam and Becky and books and books and books

On the day of the Fair many of the workers are making last minute preparations well before thedoors open at 9:00AM. Some of the fair goers could actually be seen outside on this beautiful morning before the doors were unlocked. This was a busy day for fair goers since there were at least three others nearby.

Sue and Jody overseeing last minute preparations

Jeanne, Dick and Jojo

Serious about his music

 Depending on the direction that community members came through the door they might begin with the Craft table overseen by Shari and Jeanne while nearby Dick M could be seen playing his electric piano. All manner of hand crafted goods could be found on these tables.

Sharon and her light up trees

Doreen and her jewels

 As one would move from that spot one might cross the walking space to look over beautifully displayed jewelry presided over by Doreen, Sharon and Pam D. Rings, bracelets and necklaces can be found among the jewelry presentations.

Pam B and Christmas decorations

 Looking beyond the jewelry tables the visitor could spend many minutes checking out a hodge podge of trash and treasures that might find any number of new owners when they would be walked out the door. Toys and puzzles, knick knacks and so many other items were displayed along one whole side of the hall. Betty S and Joanne K were charged with overseeing this collection of goods.

Betty and Joanne

At the very end of these tables could be found Pam B with all manner of Christmas decorations for sale. The choices one could pick were vast and in the best of condition for the buyer.

Trash and Treasures

Becky G, Susan A and Pam L

 Venturing out on the breezeway one would find the book room, Becky G, Pam L and Susan A were the greeters and sellers found in this area with thousands of books available for purchase. Both hard cover and paperbacks were available for a very reasonable price. One of the specialties was cook books but one could also find novels and true stories throughout the displays.

Mariah and Hannah

Moving across the back of the hall the peruser would find a table where Mariah and Hannah, with broad smiles, would make the buyer a specially decorated Christmas ornament often with a name painted on the ornament.

Marlene and Amy

 Next most people would need to stop at the bakery tables with homemade scones, cookies, and whoopee pies for sale. These tables were presided over by Marlene T and Amy W. Some folks would soon be having coffee and so bought one of these sweets to go with it at the tables set up in the middle of the hall for snacks and lunch. Many would buy goodies to take home and perhaps share with family.

Becky G and Janice

Mariah and Rosemary

Becky S and Janice H were next door at the candy and sweets table. Again a favorite table for those with a sweet tooth. All of the sweets were wrapped in plastic bags or wraps of the season.

Kitchen crew

Rosemary

The kitchen crew had prepared coffee for anyone that wanted something hot in the morning and had also begun to prepare a full course luncheon menu that included corn and fish chowder, Chili that certainly was warming and if you wanted something in the form of a sandwich chicken salad was available as well as hot dogs. Working in the kitchen or handling the money were Brad, Keith, Dick S, Len, Danielle and Rosemary.

Anyone for lunch?

Nearing the end of our trip around the hall were the tables of merchandise prepared and worked on by Carol and Kathy. A variety of goods like glass goblets and other seemingly valuable trinkets were available at these tables.

Carol And Kathy

See no evil, Speak no evil, Hear no evil

Finally nearing the door the United Methodist Men had tables with old tools, wooden goods, baked beans and sharp cheese to sell. A variety of greeting card packs were also available for purchase. Among those working on this table were Art, Dan, Merrill, Wes, and Dick M. Dick M also was busy most of the time playing Christmas music on his electric piano.

Marita G

Aunt Irene and Thomas

The visitors who came to buy or spend some time in the holiday air were of all ages. One can see that Pastor Tom had his grandson Thomas and Thomas’s Aunt Irene. Not to far away, Peoples oldest member could be seen looking over merchandise at the jewelry counter. At 105 and soon to be 106 Marita G is a still quite spry and still teaching piano students.

Pastor Tom, Irene and Thomas

With merchandise from some of the tables unsold by the end of the day, much of it was packed up and taken to the local Goodwill store as a donation to their causes.

The Christmas Fair always gets many of the members of the church involved and doing a fun and at the same time meaningful event in the life of the church accomplished with the right “Spirit”.