We’re fortunate in Windham to have a larger-than-usual percentage of older citizens, who for the most part are active (or were active) in helping make the community one which is enjoyed by so many. When we visit Dundee Park, the library, go to the schools and events held at schools, feel secure with our public safety personnel – we should give a thanks to all those volunteers of days gone by, who sat so many hours in meetings and on committees and who continue to serve in advisory capacities. Without their generosity we would have little. We’re proud to highlight the birthdays and special events of our older citizens! This week, we honor two special people – Julia Reeves and Ralph Johnston.

Julia Reeves reaches 100

Lifelong Windham Center resident Julia Reeves had a wonderful 100th birthday celebration on Oct. 10 at Birchwoods Assisted Living in Portland, attended by family and friends. The family is so pleased with the help from Birchwoods, especially the activity director, Dawn. Close to 100 folks attended. Mrs. Reeves received many cards from neighbors and friends and will continue to enjoy them. Entertainment was provided by a pianist and vocalist.

Ralph Johnston turns 90

Windhamite Ralph Johnston’s 90th birthday will be celebrated at the Windham Veterans Center on Sunday, Oct. 24, from 2-5 p.m. He has worked (volunteered) on numerous committees in town for decades and has especially been active in environmental efforts. Join friends and family at this happy occasion. For more information, contact Sally Breen at 892-8391 or sallybreen@roadrunner.com.

Speak out Oct. 28

One wonders what could actually be accomplished if there was a reduction in the number of days Meals on Wheels are provided to the elderly in our community. Find out how and why this has happened. Sen. Bill Diamond’s monthly local cable channel 7’s “Speak Out” will feature this issue on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. Be sure to watch! Call in your comments and questions during this live production.

Coat collection, distribution

Keep ME Warm Coat Drive is under way. Gently used or new winter coats are being collected from 3:30-5:30 p.m. the weeks of Oct. 18-22, Oct. 25-29 and Nov. 1-5 and will be distributed, free of charge, on Friday, Nov. 12, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon at A Joyful Noise, 679 Roosevelt Trail, Windham. For information, call 712-7371. This community service project is sponsored by Global Harvest Outreach. A free coat can be picked up in exchange for any nonperishable food item for Windham Food Pantry.

Special visitor

Lane and Susan Hiltunen were visited by Gerd Tocker of Groton, Conn., for several days this month. Gerd and Lane were both in the U.S. Army and stationed at the American Embassy in Bonn, West Germany, during the early 1980s where they became good friends. Lane says their attempt to party like 30 years ago failed miserably!

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. The next program will be on Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. Please call Barbara at 892-1908 for more information and/or to sign up for this free series.

Halloween adventure

Windham Parks & Recreation is hosting a Halloween Adventure for children through grade 3 at Manchester School cafeteria Friday, Oct. 29, from 7-8 p.m. The event will feature candy hunts, kids pop music and refreshments. You must register by calling 892-1905 by Oct. 27. Each child should bring a nonperishable food item for the Food Pantry.

Veterans and dependents’ help

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 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. If you have questions of a military nature, stop in and get some answers. The Veterans Center is off Route 302, on Memorial Drive, between Evergreen Credit Union and Friendly’s. Follow Memorial Drive all the way to the Veterans Center.

Baked bean supper

The United Methodist Church on Tuttle Road in nearby Cumberland will hold its 5th Saturday baked bean supper on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 4:30-6 p.m. at the handicapped-accessible church. Menu includes baked beans, cole slaw, rolls, red hot dogs, American chop suey, homemade pies and beverages. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for 12 and under.

Small business expo

The Little Meeting House, Route 302, North Windham, will host a small business expo on Saturday, Oct. 30, fro 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. See what folks are doing and get ideas for yourself. Many different products will be available. A few tables still available. All proceeds go to the continuing renovation of the historic building. Call Karen at 892-1663 or Phyllis at 892-3059.

Holiday food baskets

Thanksgiving and Christmas food basket request forms are available at the Windham Food Pantry at 377 Gray Road (next to the Public Safety Building). If you are in need, please stop and complete an application. Due to the ever-increasing request for help during the holidays, deadlines must be strictly adhered to. If you are not a current client you must provide proof of residency (only utility bills accepted).

Auction to benefit Windham Primary 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 or e-mail auction5@roadrunner.com.

Chowder and chili

Saturday, Oct. 23, from 5-6:30 p.m., a chowder and chili supper will be served at Fellowship Hall at Windham Hill UCC. Cornbread, crackers, tossed salad and assorted pie will be included with several kinds of chowder and chili. Adults $8, children $5.

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 as soon as possible if you can help.

You’re invited

Food & Fellowship Inc. provides hot meals to people living in Windham and surrounding communities in the Lakes Region on Monday nights. Free “Monday Meals” are served to anyone who would like a hot, nutritious meal. On the first and second Mondays, the site is Windham Assembly of God, 1051 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302); on the third and fourth Mondays, meals are served at Windham Hill United Church of Christ, 140 Windham Center Road; and on the occasional fifth Monday, the table is set at Standish Congregational Church, 25 Oak Hill Road in Standish.

Joint fundraiser

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. Learn more at www.windhamneighbors.org.

Senior shopping van

The Parks & Recreation Department provides a weekly “Senior Shopping” trip to North Windham for senior citizens. The trip is scheduled on Wednesdays, for a $3 fee. Please call 24 hours ahead of time to reserve a seat. Call 892-1905 for reservations and more information.

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.

Holiday fairs

Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 13-14, Windham Historical Society on Windham Center Road will hold its Old Fashioned Christmas Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Windham Hill United Church of Christ will hold its holiday fair featuring wreaths, cemetery boxes, baskets, crafts, toys, and lunch, too.

Five generations of the Reeves family celebrated the 100th birthday of family matriarch Julia Reeves on Oct. 10 at Birchwoods Assisted Living in Portland, attended by family and friends. The above photo shows her children, Roger and Betty, and grandchildren, great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. (Courtesy photo)