Friday the 13th

How did Friday the 13th become a symbol of bad luck? This time of year brings a sense of hurry-up, as families try and fit in all they wanted to do during the summer. Agricultural fairs beckon and for those with children, the aisles of the stores are packed with bargains galore. There is plenty to do in the region, for sure. Don’t forget Saturday the 14th, to bring donations of nonperishable food and funds to the Windham Food Pantry, across from Friends Meeting House on Route 202.

Windham and World War II

As a kid during World War II, it was really weird not to have a father in the house. My mother didn’t go to work, of course, with four children to take care of – she also didn’t drive and Windham at that time was a dirt-road country town. It was different, alright. Many high school students and teachers weren’t around, either – they were serving their country on the battlefield. If you can remember ration books, black curtains over the windows, War bond drives and saying goodbye to relatives, neighbors and schoolmates, you might be interested in a special program being held on Monday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. at Windham Veterans Center on Memorial Drive.

Windham Historical Society is presenting “Windham in World War II,” with the experts being the folks who went to war and those who stayed at home. This will be an informal program with participants telling what it was like for them and their family. Lots of displays to bring back memories. Questions are welcomed from the audience and if readers would like to participate in this community program, please call society members Norma Rogers, 892-5608, or Dave Tanguay, 892-3106.

Popsicles on the playground

Dr. Rhoads and Ms. Grant will share popsicles with Windham Primary School families by the playground on Tuesday, Aug. 24, from 6-7:30 p.m. Rain date is Aug. 25. School principals welcome this opportunity to meet with students and their families. Call the school office, 892-1840, with any questions.

Food Pantry ?thank you

The Food Pantry wants to thank all who donated backpacks and school supplies. There are now 16 backpacks filled with supplies ready to go for any needy Windham family with school-age children.

Help for veterans

Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 9 a.m. noon, Phyllis D’Orsay, a seasoned Veteran’s Advocate from Portland, will be available to assist veterans, widows of veterans and dependents with questions about benefits and other information at Windham Veterans Center. She will be on hand on the second and fourth Wednesdays each month. If you have questions of a military nature, stop in and get some answers. The Veterans Center is off Route 302 in back of the Windham Mall on Memorial Drive.

Halloween Walk/Run

The annual Windham Community Benefit 5K Walk/Run will be held on Oct. 31 to raise more than $15,000 to directly benefit the community. Proceeds will be used to provide heat and other essential needs to residents. Team up with neighbors, friends and co-workers and have fun – costumes are encouraged! It is, after all, Halloween – and going without fuel can be a scary thing! Help keep Windham warm. The event is hosted by Windham Lions and Windham Neighbors.

Bag sale

North Windham Union Church Thrift Shop is holding a $5 bag sale on clothes and shoes through Aug. 14. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday 1-3 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. until noon. The shop is downstairs at the church near Boody’s Corner.

Food and funds drive

Windham Food Pantry is the recipient of a community effort to fill the pantry shelves during this “few food drives” season. Nonperishable food is needed most, for example: spaghetti, rice, macaroni, pasta mixes, cereal, tuna and canned meat products (hash, chili, chowders), canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, baked beans, soup, juice, etc. For more information, contact Sen. Bill Diamond, 892-8941; Rep. Gary Plummer, 892-6088, or Rep. Mark Bryant, 892-6591. Cash and checks are also welcomed. Please make checks payable to the Windham Food Pantry.

On Saturday, Aug. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., please bring all contributions to the Windham Food Pantry/Windham Human Services Building, Route 202 beside the Windham Public Safety Building.

Wall of Honor

If you or a member of your family served in the military, and was or is from Windham, the Windham Historical Society would like to add a photograph to a Wall of Honor being compiled. This is an ongoing project and would include military from as far back as the Civil War up to current times. Photos will be displayed at events such as Veterans Day and Memorial Day and will be a permanent display at the society at 234 Windham Center Road.