A True Friend (pic and caption)

For more than 35 years, Linda True of Windham, has been playing the dice game Bunco with a group of Windham women, keeping them laughing the whole time. Here she comically uses a card to block the sunlight pouring into the patio where the group was playing last summer. Every year at Christmas, the group has a gift exchange, and every year True has them sing the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” This year, the group wanted to do something to show how much they appreciate Linda so they chose the newspaper to say publicly: “Merry Christmas, Linda. Great friends, laughter and love can make a dull day seem sunny. Love, the Bunco dice game gang: Sally Babb, Jeanie Pierce, Joan Hall, Joan Babb, Carol Miller, Joyce Riley, Betty Gagnon, Sandy Wain, Carol Swasey, Carol Taylor, Dianne Loring, Sandy O’Brien, Cheryl Page and Sharon Haskell.”

Pet Food Donations

Barbara Muir will be collecting pet food for the Windham Food Pantry on Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Kennel Shop in Shaw’s Plaza in Windham. Stop by and donate a can or bag of food to a cat or dog. If you can’t get to the Kennel Shop, call Barbara at 892-6096 to arrange for pick up of the food.

Veterans Christmas Party

On Sunday, Dec. 16 from 12:30-3:30 p.m., there will be a Christmas party at the Windham Veterans Center for the families of deployed soldiers. Singer/entertainer Gloria Jean, Operation Homefront President Donna Chapman, and Windham Veterans Association President Don Swander have joined forces to put together a free, two-hour Christmas program for the spouses and children of deployed military personnel.

There will be Karaoke singing of Christmas songs by the Christmas tree, Santa with presents for the children who attend, and refreshments. Call the Windham Veterans Center at 892-1159 and leave a message with the names and ages of the children you will bring. The more the merrier so come one, come all.

In Re-Hab

Beulah Mason of Varney Mill Road, has been in the St. Joseph’s Manor for re-hab since Nov. 27. She had previously been in Mercy Hospital. Beulah is doing much better and will be home soon.

Historical Society Officers

New Historical Society officers elected for the coming year include: President Elizabeth Winslow, Vice President Walter Lunt, Secretary Kay Soldier, Treasurer Linda Lunt, Curator/Historian Kay Soldier, Refreshment Chair Norma Rogers, Corresponding Secretary Emma Gilman and Auditor Ernest Nichols.

A new position was added this year. Membership Chair Penny Loura will keep the membership list up to date with changes of addresses, records of payments and will send out reminders on dues. All correspondence should be sent to the mailing address of the society, or e-mail for the various officers.

Veterans Services

On Dec. 12, Robin Shepard, the State of Maine Veterans Advocate, will be available from 9-11 a.m. at the Windham Veterans Center. He will assist veterans in applying for services. The service is free and you don’t need an appointment.

Birthday Dinner

Malcolm Lyons celebrated his 91st birthday Nov. 29. He enjoyed a lobster dinner with his wife, Mary, and other family members. He has five children, several foster children, 13 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren. He was born in Lubec, and has lived in Windham for 70 years. Malcolm is retired from Central Maine Power.

Windham Food Pantry

The Food Pantry will be closed on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 and New Years Eve, Dec. 31. A toy workshop will be held at the Human Resources Building on Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. Windham residents wishing to apply for Christmas help must come in and sign up. Questions may be directed to Madeline at 892-1931.

Thought of the week:

You are the bridge to someone’s future.