The Basket Lady

In the Good Humor Town, Basket Lady greeted the new day with a heart filled with appreciation for the blessings and kindness of friends, old and new.

One such friend, Lori Grassette, is a new friend but it feels like we’ve known each other for years, and that’s because we’re kindred spirits in our life’s calling to be of service to others. She’s in such fine tune with her inner voice that when she donates items, they’ll invariably be just what are needed for a sunshine basket that’s sure to light up the face and heart of the lucky recipient.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching Lori make music with her spoons and bones, then you don’t know what you’ve missed as she puts on a wonderful high energy show that mesmerizes any age-group and the audience will always ask for more. Lori and Bill have performed for the Rumford Performing Arts, the Rumford Library, and at local nursing homes and their music is truly a labor of love.

Some of my older friends, not necessarily referring to their ages, Donita St. John, Sue Ellen Richardson, Mary Benson, and the dearly departed Ellen Snow, have donated countless items of clothes, shoes, furniture, baby cribs, toys, and bikes, to the Basket Lady’s community service projects over the past ten years.

Donita St. John is always so kind to remember “the" something that I am looking for to put in to a basket for a particular person or for a particular occasion and somehow, she finds or gets the item(s) for me in an already crowded to-do list kind of day but her tender heart remembers to respond to my request even when I have forgotten about it.

Sue Ellen Richardson, Mary Benson, Al and Ellen Snow have not only donated things but have opened their hearts, homes, and friendship to the Basket Lady as well.

The Basket Lady serves others in honor of our dear Dot Sanchas and in remembrance of Ellen Snow -- someone that I was introduced to by Donita St. John. Thanks to my new and old friends, I’m blessed every day by your loyalty and kindness.

A dedication to you, written by George Banks

What I Live For

I live for those who love me; for those who know me true;

For the heaven that smiles above me, and awaits my spirit too;

For the cause that lacks assistance, for the wrong that needs resistance,

For the future in the distance, and the good that I can do.

Friend, show someone a kindness today.

We miss your kindness every day, Dot Sanchas! Until then, smile and live in the present.