Bigger closet!

The newly renovated Windham Clothes Closet opens Friday, Jan. 8, from 10 a.m. until noon. It is located in the lower level of the Human Resources building, with the entrance at the back door. Donations are being accepted and now will be left at the back of the building. Madeline Roberts says, “We apologize for any inconvenience and should you have an emergency, please call 892-1931 and we will make every attempt to accommodate you.” All items in the Clothes Closet are free.

Check this out!

Want to save some money? North Windham Union Church runs a thrift shop downstairs in the church building on Route 302, North Windham. Everything is very neatly organized and reasonably priced. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday and Thursday from 1-3 p.m.

Party to benefit high school groups

The Winds of Change community party is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 16, beginning at noon at the corner of Nash Road and Route 302, at the quarry. Several bands, a snowmobile stunt show and fireworks are promised. Donation is $10 for adults, $5 for 18 and under. For more information, go to www.partyforwindham.com. This is a family event and will include Rick Charette and the Bubblegum Band, horse-drawn carriage rides, a bonfire, magicians, ice skating, food and snow sculptures. Proceeds will benefit Project Graduation, sports teams and clubs.

Tea at the library

Take a break and stop in for afternoon tea Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 1:30 p.m. at the Windham Public Library on Windham Center Road. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge. For more information, call Barbara at 892-1908.

Civil War program

Windham Historical Society presents a program about the Civil War at the public library on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 9:30 a.m. The public is welcome. There is no fee but donations to the society (tax-exempt) are welcomed. A business meeting will follow the program, after a brief break for refreshments.

The program presenter will be Stevens Bunker of Gray, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Vietnam and was in the Merchant Marine. He is the former maritime historian of the city of Baltimore and one of the founders of the Baltimore Civil War Museum. He will speak about the life of a Civil War soldier. He will bring artifacts to share and demonstrate.

Bunker has been active in historic preservation in Baltimore and Atlanta. He is a past commander of the Sons of the Union Veterans in Maine and also a member of many local historical societies. When he was 13 years old, he was one of the founders of the First and Second Maine Cavalry, which is one of the oldest reenactment groups in the country. He was the youngest member at that time, now he is the oldest member of the group.

There are 20-25 members and they are very serious about what they do. There is no polyester allowed and you have to be in good shape and learn to ride horses. A dozen of his group just completed an enactment in Virginia. Last year, 18 members went to a historic event down south. Bring your Civil War swords, buttons or daggers and he will tell you about them.

Winter activities

On Friday, Jan. 22, Windham Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a snowshoe hike at Lowell Preserve, Falmouth Road in East Windham. This hour-and-a-half hike will start at 9 a.m. at the parking area of the East Windham Fire Station. This event is part of the Easy Adventures for adults 50 and over series. The cost is $5 per person, which includes the snowshoes and snacks. Space is limited, so register early by contacting the Windham Parks and Recreation Department at 892-1905.

Once the weather is cold enough and the snow settles in there is lots to do in Windham. This year Windham Parks and Recreation is working hard to have ice at the ice skating area at the Manchester School off Route 302 in North Windham. Once the ice is ready it will be open on weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and during the week after school until 8 p.m. Ice conditions are dependent on the weather, so call the Recreation Department at 892-1905 for updates.

At the Lowell Preserve, try snowshoeing on one of the loop trails. It’s a great place to take a one-hour hike or a day excursion into the woods. There are 300 acres to explore. Trail maps are available at the Parks and Recreation Office, 8 School Road in Windham, or on the town’s Web site at www.windhamweb.com. There is also a small sledding hill at the Lowell Preserve in back of the East Windham Fire Station. Parking is available at the parking lot beside the fire station. Cross country skiing is also allowed on the trails.

The Mountain Division Trail is open during the winter months for walking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Be aware that the trail is also a snowmobile trail during the winter months, so watch for snowmobilers on the trail.

The Town of Windham also has a great place for ice fishing on the 10-acre pond in the Chaffin Pond Preserve located off Route 302, just before the Sherwin Williams Paint Store heading north. There is a small parking area at the end of the dirt road. You then need to hike in, approximately five minutes, to the pond. There is also a 1.5-mile trail around the pond that makes for a good snowshoe hike for the whole family.

Remember to wear the proper clothing, bring extra water and a cell phone. If you are not sure of what the conditions are in these areas, the Recreation Department at 892-1905 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Enjoy Windham natural resources and have some outdoor winter fun in your hometown.

News, please

We know a lot of people in Windham, but need your help to get the news in this column. When your group or church or family has an event worth talking about – let us know! All nonprofit organizations can list their meetings here – but please adhere to the deadline.

By the way, the word “deadline” originated during the Civil War and meant a boundary around a military prison beyond which a prisoner could not venture without risk of being shot by the guards.

Bigger closet!

The newly renovated Windham Clothes Closet opens Friday, Jan. 8, from 10 a.m. until noon. It is located in the lower level of the Human Resources building, with the entrance at the back door. Donations are being accepted and now will be left at the back of the building. Madeline Roberts says, “We apologize for any inconvenience and should you have an emergency, please call 892-1931 and we will make every attempt to accommodate you.” All items in the Clothes Closet are free.

Check this out!

Want to save some money? North Windham Union Church runs a thrift shop downstairs in the church building on Route 302, North Windham. Everything is very neatly organized and reasonably priced. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday and Thursday from 1-3 p.m.

Party to benefit high school groups

The Winds of Change community party is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 16, beginning at noon at the corner of Nash Road and Route 302, at the quarry. Several bands, a snowmobile stunt show and fireworks are promised. Donation is $10 for adults, $5 for 18 and under. For more information, go to www.partyforwindham.com. This is a family event and will include Rick Charette and the Bubblegum Band, horse-drawn carriage rides, a bonfire, magicians, ice skating, food and snow sculptures. Proceeds will benefit Project Graduation, sports teams and clubs.

Tea at the library

Take a break and stop in for afternoon tea Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 1:30 p.m. at the Windham Public Library on Windham Center Road. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge. For more information, call Barbara at 892-1908.

Civil War program

Windham Historical Society presents a program about the Civil War at the public library on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 9:30 a.m. The public is welcome. There is no fee but donations to the society (tax-exempt) are welcomed. A business meeting will follow the program, after a brief break for refreshments.

The program presenter will be Stevens Bunker of Gray, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Vietnam and was in the Merchant Marine. He is the former maritime historian of the city of Baltimore and one of the founders of the Baltimore Civil War Museum. He will speak about the life of a Civil War soldier. He will bring artifacts to share and demonstrate.

Bunker has been active in historic preservation in Baltimore and Atlanta. He is a past commander of the Sons of the Union Veterans in Maine and also a member of many local historical societies. When he was 13 years old, he was one of the founders of the First and Second Maine Cavalry, which is one of the oldest reenactment groups in the country. He was the youngest member at that time, now he is the oldest member of the group.

There are 20-25 members and they are very serious about what they do. There is no polyester allowed and you have to be in good shape and learn to ride horses. A dozen of his group just completed an enactment in Virginia. Last year, 18 members went to a historic event down south. Bring your Civil War swords, buttons or daggers and he will tell you about them.

Winter activities

On Friday, Jan. 22, Windham Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a snowshoe hike at Lowell Preserve, Falmouth Road in East Windham. This hour-and-a-half hike will start at 9 a.m. at the parking area of the East Windham Fire Station. This event is part of the Easy Adventures for adults 50 and over series. The cost is $5 per person, which includes the snowshoes and snacks. Space is limited, so register early by contacting the Windham Parks and Recreation Department at 892-1905.

Once the weather is cold enough and the snow settles in there is lots to do in Windham. This year Windham Parks and Recreation is working hard to have ice at the ice skating area at the Manchester School off Route 302 in North Windham. Once the ice is ready it will be open on weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and during the week after school until 8 p.m. Ice conditions are dependent on the weather, so call the Recreation Department at 892-1905 for updates.

At the Lowell Preserve, try snowshoeing on one of the loop trails. It’s a great place to take a one-hour hike or a day excursion into the woods. There are 300 acres to explore. Trail maps are available at the Parks and Recreation Office, 8 School Road in Windham, or on the town’s Web site at www.windhamweb.com. There is also a small sledding hill at the Lowell Preserve in back of the East Windham Fire Station. Parking is available at the parking lot beside the fire station. Cross country skiing is also allowed on the trails.

The Mountain Division Trail is open during the winter months for walking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Be aware that the trail is also a snowmobile trail during the winter months, so watch for snowmobilers on the trail.

The Town of Windham also has a great place for ice fishing on the 10-acre pond in the Chaffin Pond Preserve located off Route 302, just before the Sherwin Williams Paint Store heading north. There is a small parking area at the end of the dirt road. You then need to hike in, approximately five minutes, to the pond. There is also a 1.5-mile trail around the pond that makes for a good snowshoe hike for the whole family.

Remember to wear the proper clothing, bring extra water and a cell phone. If you are not sure of what the conditions are in these areas, the Recreation Department at 892-1905 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Enjoy Windham natural resources and have some outdoor winter fun in your hometown.

News, please

We know a lot of people in Windham, but need your help to get the news in this column. When your group or church or family has an event worth talking about – let us know! All nonprofit organizations can list their meetings here – but please adhere to the deadline.

By the way, the word “deadline” originated during the Civil War and meant a boundary around a military prison beyond which a prisoner could not venture without risk of being shot by the guards.