Flatwillow Homemakers met at Melody Whitcher’s home on January 10, 2023. She had ham and lamb for her meat, and everyone brought their favorite potluck vegetables, salads, and desserts. Eight members were present, and we had one guest, Ella Iverson. Sandy Gonzalez, Karen Hale, Luann Knutson, Raye Anne Lund, Bonnie Moore, Lillian Moore, Kim Tarplee, and Melody were all here. We missed those who couldn’t make it today. Melody read the thought for the day called “Drinking from the Saucer.” Roll call went along with her thought. We all answered with blessings we receive no matter the circumstances. We told what makes us happy as we drink from the saucer because our cup is overflowing. The December minutes were approved as read and the treasurer’s report was approved as presented.

There was discussion on renting a room at the PCCC if you weren’t able to hold Homemakers at your home. We don’t know for sure what the price would be but it is an option if needed. Melody passed out a list of ideas we can use coffee filters for. Basket style coffee filters are made of absorbent paper that leaves no lint behind. That makes them super useful around the house and garage for so many things that have nothing to do with coffee.

Ella had brought along a certificate she had received in 1996 honoring her for thirty-nine years of membership in Flatwillow Homemakers. Bonnie won the blind pig. Everyone bid on the opportunity table. Sandy received a secret sister gift for November when she was not able to make it. She also received a January birthday gift. Happy Birthday, Sandy. Arlene Bond, her mother, also had a birthday in January. Everyone bid on the opportunity table. It was a beautiful day to get together and visit, catch up on everyone’s news and enjoy good food with good friends. Next month our meeting will be on Valentine’s Day, February 14 at Kim’s home. This will be a secret sister month. Have a great month and we’ll see you on Valentine's Day.

The Winnett Lions Club holds a Christmas decoration contest every year and I forgot to mention who the winners were last month. The country winner was Colt and Rachael Gorrell. Business in Winnett who won were 1st Northern Motel, 2nd The Breaks Store, 3rd, B & D Service, and 4th was Olson’s. Town resident winners were 1st Tina Rayburn, 2nd Kim Jensen, 3rd Bill and Nikki Rife, 4th, Jerry Fortner, and Honorable Mention was Betty Bevis. Congratulations to all of you. The night of the Christmas Stroll, there was also a parade of lights, and a gingerbread making house decoration. I know that Tom Tiarks and his horse drawn buggy (only it was pulled by a 4 wheeler in the parade) won 1st. It was very festive and very decorated up. There were eight entries in the parade of lights, and everyone was decorated and lit up so nice. It was a fun way to start the Christmas season. There was a tie for the winner of the gingerbread house contest: Remy Hollender and Keeghan Smith tied for first place. Congratulations to all of you and thank you all for taking the time to decorate your homes, vehicles, and gingerbread houses. We’ll be planning to see everyone next year to ring in the Christmas season. I apologize that I forgot to get this in my news in December.

Mark your calendars for February 10 and February 12 for the Winnett Community Play. Terry Lewis and her merry band of community members have been working and practicing hard on “Clueless in Catscratch”. It is going to be the first event held in the new Petroleum County Community Center. It is loosely based on the game of Clue on who done it? Humor is blended with intrigue as a variety of local actors and actresses try to fine out who done it in its first production . PIE will be serving up a spaghetti dinner Friday night before the play. The dinner will be $10 for adults, children under 12 years will be $5. The play will cost $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. These are two separate entities. The dinner and play will each have a charge. You can buy your tickets at the door the night of the play for both, but if you can RSVP to any PIE member, that gives them an idea of how many people to prepare the meal for. Pie members that I know of are Reba Ahlgren, Nicole Tholt, Laura Nowlin. I know there are more, these are the ones I know off the top of my head. There will be a matinee on Sunday, February 12 of the play starting at 1:00. That way you can watch the play and still get home in time for the Super Bowl. I’m sure the “Clueless in Catscratch” will be much more fun than the Super Bowl, but this way you get to do both.

Winnett School News - The Snowball Dance at the school will be January 10 from 8-11pm. There is only one more weekend of basketball games until tournament time. Both our Rams and Lady Rams played Belt in Belt last night and Highwood tonight. Next Saturday, our teams play Roy/Winifred in Winnett. That will be our last game before tournaments. District tournament play begins on Wednesday, February 15 – 18th at the Fergus Fieldhouse in Lewistown. The following week will be divisional tournament in Great Falls at Four Season’s TBA February 22 – 25. Be sure to get out and cheer on our WGR Rams and Lady Rams.

It has been a busy January and February looks like it will be equally as busy. Stay warm, stay safe, and we’ll see you next time. Happy Valentine’s Day!