Help when it’s needed most

Toward the end of March when the oil tank at my house was at 3/8 full, like lots of others, I had one of those famous choices to make. Should I take a chance on spring or spend around $350 for 100 gallons of oil? So far, the extra sweater or flannel shirt is working well and since my apartment is on the second floor (heat rises), it appears that we can get through until spring. Many of our Windham neighbors have struggled and are struggling with fuel expenses. Not everyone qualifies for heat assistance and everything changes – one year I received about $250 credit at my oil company – this year it was $38. In Windham, more than 20 Windham families received emergency oil deliveries, provided by Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors. This group of dedicated volunteers meets regularly, holds fundraisers and solicits donations to be able to purchase the fuel and help in a critical situation. To find out more, visit the website www.windhamneighbors.org. To make a donation, mail to Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors, c/o Norma Rogers, Treasurer, 250 Windham Center Road, Windham, ME 04062.

Freedom is not free

Bob Akins, commander of VFW Post 10643, has a message for the military: You served or are serving the people of Maine and your nation, now how do you know if you are eligible for Veterans of Foreign Wars membership? The VFW began on Sept. 29, 1899 and there is a Post right here in Windham. The Windham VFW Post 10643 meets every second Wednesday at the Windham Veterans Center with a 5 p.m. social hour, and a meeting at 6 p.m. We need you as a member, so here is how you know whether to visit a meeting to see if you want to join us in our important service to local Veterans and their families. If you are honorably discharged, or on active duty, are a U.S. citizen who served overseas in a combat zone and been awarded a campaign medal or service medal, served at any time in Korea or received Imminent Danger pay/Hostile Fire Pay, you qualify. Come to a meeting, enjoy the camaraderie, or call 892-1159, leave a message, we will call you back. Should you want to talk to the Commander directly, call Bob at 627-6013 and leave a message. Either way we could use your membership and help right now with our Buddy Poppy campaign coming up on the Memorial Day weekend.

Line dancing

On Tuesdays through May 3 (no class on April 19) from 6:30-7:30 p.m., you can have fun (and exercise) doing The Good Time, The Electric Slide and more! Join others at Manchester School Cafe? as instructors Flamin’ Raymin’ and Sizzlin’ Suzzin’ teach some new line dance moves – so bring your dancin’ shoes and a smile! Fee is $24 per person. Register through Windham-Raymond Adult Education by calling 892-1819, stopping in at the WRAE office at Windham High School or by going to: www.windham.maineadulted.org.

Help needed

On Memorial Day, the American Legion would like to recognize all the veterans that passed away this past year and read their names at the Memorial Day observance at the High School. It would be a great help if readers of this column who know of a late veteran with a Windham connection, or who is buried in Windham, from June 1, 2010 forward, would contact David Tanguay at 892-1306 or via email at dtanguay46@aol.com.

Babysitting course

Windham Parks and Recreation will hold an American Red Cross Babysitting course on Saturday, April 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Windham Public Library. This is for ages 11 to 14, and cost is $60 for a resident, $70 for non-resident. Participants will learn how to act in an emergency, play with children of different ages, supervise children, diaper and feed babies, and more. A manual will be provided. An ARC babysitter’s training and first aid certification will be awarded on successful completion. Sign up now. Payment deadline is April 26. Class size is limited to 14. For more information, call 892-1905. First paid, first served.

Thrift Shop

Savings galore at North Windham Union Church Thrift Shop, Wednesday and Thursday, 1-3 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon. Bargains for you on a variety of items. Check it out!

Having a party?

For years, it was nearly impossible to find a good hall to rent in Windham, when functions such as parties, showers or other events were planned. Residents are fortunate now to have a beautiful space at the Windham Veterans Center. There’s no need to go out of town. If you or someone you know needs a place to hold a function, give Don Swander a call at 838-1455. He reports that as of now, April dates are plentiful!

Supper’s free ?on Mondays

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.

Windham Barn Tour

A barn tour is one of the many events planned by Windham Historical Society for this season. The guided tour of some Windham barns will take place on Saturday, June 11 (rain date, June 12) beginning at 1 p.m. Reservations are required by calling Linda at 650-7484. Featured barns cover a wide array of time periods and styles from early English-influenced hand-hewn timber frames to modern 20th century structures. Don Perkins, an expert on barns will provide information. Those attending will meet at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 11 at the Windham Historical Society, 234 Windham Center Road. Donation is $10 for non-Society members, $8 for members. The Society is a non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.

Need information about Medicare?

On Tuesday, April 19, 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 or 1-800-427-7411. 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.