Sometimes I think a little section called “What Windham Means to Me” would be revealing and sometimes heartwarming. To me, it means security, it means that when one needs help, there is someone there to help. Here’s an example of the Windham I know. Last week, a man fell in his driveway, and obscured by the high snowbanks, was not visible to his next-door neighbor. Then the neighbor saw two cars stop in front- one going south, one going north- and a woman got out of each car and started toward the driveway. That’s when the neighbor discovered his friend had fallen and the two women had helped him up and got him safely in his home. This potentially life-saving act of kindness will never be forgotten – we cannot direct the appreciation much further than this, for these winter helpers never left their name. Thank you for making us believe once again, there are truly good people in our corner of the world.

More good news

The Windham Food Pantry wishes to thank all the students at the Windham Primary School for the fantastic amount of food collected for the pantry during their recent food drive. In total, more than 1,000 pieces were collected by the students and delivered to the food pantry during the week of Feb. 14. Many Windham families will benefit from their collection and their dedication to help families in Windham. Thank you to Mrs. Gurney and her staff as well for recognizing the needs of the community.

Corned beef ?and cabbage

The first public supper of the year to be held at Windham Hill United Church of Christ, features corned beef and cabbage, as well as carrots, onions, turnip, potatoes and dessert. A real New England boiled dinner! Join other community members on Saturday, March 26 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the church on Windham Center Road, Windham Hill. $8 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under.

Cribbage challenge

The local VFW Post has challenged the American Legion Post 148 to a cribbage match on Wednesday the 16th of March. This will be a social atmosphere with food and good fellowship. Details to come.

New to Medicare?

On Tuesday, March 15, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) will offer a Medicare seminar and counseling for the Lakes Region at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham. A “Welcome to Medicare” seminar is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon. In addition to the Medicare Seminar, there will be one-on-one counseling with volunteer Medicare advocates available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seminar and counseling is intended to help you sort through your Medicare options – and to help you enroll. Please call the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to register for the upcoming Seminar or to make an appointment to meet one-on-one with a Medicare Advocate at 396-6500. Further opportunities for these services will occur at the same time and location on April 19. Visit the website at www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available.

American Legion update

Reminder to all American Legion Post 148 members. The next meeting of 2011 will be held on Wednesday, April 6 at the Windham Vets Center. Social hour (and food) begin at 5 p.m. Business meeting at 6 p.m. Any veterans from the Raymond and Windham area that would like to join the Legion are cordially invited to attend the meeting. To date, 11 new members have joined the Legion as a result of this year’s membership efforts.

Alumni Association meets March 9

This is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of Windham High School Alumni Association and this year’s banquet will be held on Saturday, May 14. Planning is underway for this special dinner and if you’re a WHS alum, your help is needed. Next meeting of the association is Wednesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. in the Alumni Room at the high school. This is also the 50th anniversary year for the Class of 1961- get involved!

Veterans and dependents’ help

Wednesday, March 9, from 9 a.m. noon, Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay, will be available to assist veterans, widows of veterans and dependents with questions about benefits and other information, at Windham Veterans Center. She is 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, on Memorial Drive, between Evergreen Credit Union and Friendly’s. Follow Memorial Drive all the way to the Veterans Center – to the right of Home Depot- a dirt, town road. No appointment necessary.

Wednesday Senior Shopping Van

The Parks & Recreation Department provides a popular weekly “Senior Shopping” trip to North Windham for senior citizens. This is a great help in a winter like this one has been. To reserve a place, you must call by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday for a ride on Wednesday. The new schedule is on Wednesdays, for a $3 fee. Call 892-1905 for reservations and more information.

Every Monday- Free community supper

Food & Fellowship, Inc. began in 1999 with a mission to provide 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 Church, 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.