DIXFIELD – Did you know the Front Porch Café in Dixfield has its own angels? R.E.A.L. Meals, (Retired Elderly Angel Luncheons) have been recently held at the restaurant. Sammie Angel, the cafe’s owner, is an entertainer who brings her dogs and performs in several of the Rehab & Care facilities in both Franklin and Oxford counties. In mentioning she’d like to do something special for them, two Anonymous Angels stepped up and said they’d like to be able to help by paying for the meals.
Sammie Angel started calling each of the seven places she plays here, getting a van load from each. She wanted it to be a social situation where residents could visit with others from around the area. They’d receive a full cider braised pork dinner, with all the trimmings, with dessert and a beverage, along with a song or two sung by Sammie with her guitar, which they’d not seen her play before.
The first REAL Meal happened on Feb. 15, after being postponed from the week before due to bad weather, with residents from Pierce House & Pinewood Terrace in Farmington attending. The eldest resident, Leona Cross, who is 101 years young, thoroughly enjoyed herself, along with Roberta French, Neala Jennings and Dottie Lawrence, of Pierce House. The Pinewood Terrace residents included Francis Hoar, Jean McInnis, Dot Woodbury, Sybil Bailey, Anne Marie Veillieux, Eva Lindsey, Rose Labbe, Dana Dingley, and Clint Robinson. (Sammie Angel has a special connection with several of these, as she graduated from Mt. Blue with some of their children and grand-children.)
The helpers that came were Darlene Mooar, Mary Haley, and Kelly Beisaw. There were lots of laughs and a grand time was had by all, including the Café owners & chef Clint Bailey, and the waitress, Linda Poirrier, who donated her time and energy. Residents from Edgewood Manor, Orchard Park, & Sandy River were expected this week. Tentatively scheduled for March 29 are residents from Victorian Villa & Rumford Community Home. Sammie Angel would like to express her profound gratitude for all the help, especially the two angels who paid for the meals which allowed them to do this.
