The Basket Lady

The participants and employees gave Joseph Sirois an A+ send off into retirement with their best wishes and a fond farewell as he begins a new chapter in his life story.

I can just picture it now, Joseph and Anne riding off into the sunset with Betty by their side as they gallop through the fields and over the hills.

Joseph has left a legacy at the Hope Association that will probably never be matched, a man worthy of accolades exited center stage with great care for the feelings of others who will undoubtedly, miss his energy and wit.

Thank you, Joseph, for being the man that you are- the man that’s loved and admired by many in this community. Go in peace. The sunset is beckoning.

A dear lady with an armload of packages practically spilling over, approached me when she spied me downtown and told me to, “Please hurry up and write down the instructions for making up a Christmas basket before Christmas gets here.”

“Alrighty, then,” Message sent and received.

Supplies

Basket:

Natural splint basket with side handles, 12” x 10” x 6” high

Basket Decorations:

Christmas fabric for lining in two coordinating prints.

Suggestion: poinsettia print for the sides and a smaller scale burgundy print for the bottom.

Bow made from burgundy print fabric or fabric of your choice.

1-1/4 yds. burgundy trim

Burgundy tassel

Gift Basket Contents:

Pine cones various sizes and shapes

Fresh evergreen

Decorating The Basket:

Measure, cut, and line the basket ( no-sew liner-use glue.

Attach the burgundy trim around the top rim of the basket, using a glue gun.

Tie a tassel to the handle.

Affix the fabric bow to the basket over the tassel with the wire ends.

Assembling The Gift Basket:

Fill the basket with fresh evergreens.

Place the filled cellophane bags on top.

Display the basket in your front entrance, ready for holiday guests.

Community members have generously donated various items such as children’s books, shampoos, toothbrushes/toothpastes, diapers, knitted scarves/mittens brushes/combs, enough to make up 50 holiday baskets, given to individuals in need.

Ginny Todd’s recent donations benefited the McLain family.

The Dr. Robert and Joyce Saisi family sponsored a Christmas food basket that was given to a lonely senior citizen.

Rhonda Ouellette donated items for a Care and Comfort basket that was given to a grieving widow.

The above mentioned baskets are just a “small” sampling of what the community gives to others, neighbors helping neighbors.

Thank you for a job well-done and for a kindness shown to the following angels in training:

Arthur Boivin; Hannaford Store employee (gift savings card); Jim and Carrie Rinaldo; Margaret McNeal

Free Store volunteers; John Kezal; Richard Hutchins; Barbara Jean Smith; June Weeks; Carol Emery; John Patrick and Steve Zadakis.

Kindness not only counts but it adds up! Show someone a kindness today, give them a basket.

We miss you everyday, Dot Sanchas! Until then, smile and live in the present.