Happy Birthday ?to Bert

Many of us remember the beautiful gardens at the corner of Pope and Gray roads, just below the high school. Well, that gardener, Bertram Beal, will be 100 years old on Sept. 30. He originally came from Jonesport up the coast of Maine and is now a resident at Seaside Nursing Home, 850 Baxter Blvd., Portland, ME 04103. Let’s all send him a birthday card from his neighbors and friends in Windham. His family is planning a nice surprise for him, too.

Shoreland ?zoning 101

Shoreland Zoning Ordinances in Windham have recently been revised. Do you live on or near a body of water in Windham? Do you have questions about tree-cutting rules or development rules in a shoreland zone? Want to know how these new (and old) ordinances pertain to you?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then plan on attending a seminar sponsored by the town of Windham and the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District. Renee Carter, Windham Code Enforcement Officer, will be present to answer your questions and clearly explain the ordinance changes. Be part of the discussion on Wednesday, Sept. 29 from 6:30-8 p.m. in Council Chambers of Windham Town Hall.

Maine in myth ?and reality

Windham Public Library has received a grant from the Maine Humanities Council to support a facilitated discussion titled “The Mirror of Maine: The Maine Community in Myth and Reality.” Five meetings/book discussions will take place on the last Tuesday of the month starting Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Please call Barbara at 892-1908 for more information and/or to sign up for this free series.

Church supper

Faith Lutheran Church at 988 Roosevelt Trail in Windham will serve ham, beans, salads, casseroles and desserts on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome. A free will donation will be accepted. For more information, call Marcia at 892-3769.

Cumberland Fair

Many familiar faces are always seen at Cumberland Fair, which will be next week. This year, Sam Simonson, a member of the Windham Historical Society, is demonstrating the skill of blacksmithing. And remember, this year there are two senior citizen days – Tuesday and Thursday – only $2 admission!

Charity bridge game

Windham Lions will hold a fundraiser on Sept. 25 to benefit their support of the sight and hearing impaired. Duplicate and rubber bridge will be held at the Windham Veterans Center, 795 Roosevelt Trail; $20 a pair contribution. To register, call 892-5690 or windhamlionsme@roadrunner.com.

You could win ?a kayak

On Saturday, Sept. 25, ecomaine, Maine’s single-sort recycling center, will hold an open house. Events planned include a tour of the center, a stroll by the Stroudwater River, refreshments and an opportunity to win a free kayak. It’s all free of charge, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the ecomaine facilities in Portland. Kids activities and an exhibit of student art made from recycled material will be featured. For more information and directions, call 773-1738 or visit www.ecomaine.org.

Volunteer directors sought

The Windham/Raymond School Age Child Care Program board of directors is looking for volunteers from the Windham/ Raymond area to serve on the board. The directors meet four or five times a year. Duties are to oversee finances, staff, and scholarship applications and general direction of the program. If interested or for more information, please call 892-2002.

Be a Santa

The Windham Food Pantry is seeking help with the Toy Workshop again this year, to be held on Dec. 11. Last year there were requests to help 216 children from Windham, of which 65 were teens. The expectation is to see 25-30 more children this year. If you can help by adopting a child or family or providing a gift card to an area store you would be serving the community well. Please contact Madeline Roberts at 892-1931 if you can help.

Windham Community Garden

The next meeting of the Windham Community Garden group is Tuesday, Sept. 28, at the high school and is open to all. The group is seeking community members who like to garden or who are just interested in their community. For information, call Marge Govoni at 892-7192 or visit www.WindhamCommunityGarden.org.

Bean supper

Friends Church on Route 202 in Windham is hosting a baked bean supper on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Baked beans, brown bread, salads, pies, coffee and punch will be served. Cost is $6 for adults, $1 for children under 12. For more information, call 892-8469.

Mushroom walk

Have you ever wondered if the mushrooms you see are edible? How many varieties grow locally and when and where can you harvest them? You can find the answers to all those questions by joining members of the land trust along with mushroom expert Max Jacobs. He will lead a walk through the Black Brook Preserve and teach about medicinal and edible mushrooms on Sunday, Oct. 3, from 9-11 a.m. Meet at the Windham Center entrance to Black Brook Preserve, off Route 202 near School Road.

Auction to benefit school

To help cover a $45,000 shortfall in the school supplies budget, a live auction and rummage sale, as well as a bake sale, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 10 a.m. at the Windham Primary School gym. To make a donation to the effort, contact Kelly Keenan at 894-5523, e-mail auction5@roadrunner.com, or drop off your item on Sept. 25 or Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at the gym.

Driver safety ?for 50+

An AARP driver safety class for drivers age 50 and older will be presented from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Windham Public Library at 217 Windham Center Road on Saturday, Oct. 9. The registration fee is $12 for AARP members, $14 for others. Advance registration is required as class size is limited. To register, phone John Hammon, volunteer instructor, at 655-4943.

Thrift shop

North Windham Union Church Thrift Shop is open 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.