We do it every year – cram many events and meetings into the first few weeks of summer, so we can enjoy the approximately 45 days of good weather without having to do much work! All our volunteer activities can eat up a lot of time, but what a good time it is visiting with friends we haven’t seen in years! Beginning with alumni banquet, which this year seemed to attract more of the “younger” grads than ever, to Memorial Day, the Historical Society plant sale and open house and visits from relatives – the summer has started with just the right combination of good weather and good friends. Send us your news and vacation photos – we’d love to share the season!

Reunion

Windham High School Class of 1971 will hold their 40th reunion on Saturday, July 9 beginning at 10 a.m. with coffee, refreshments and pontoon boat ride on Little Sebago. In the afternoon, golf is planned – contact Dave Rogers, 892-4295 or Rogd@aol.com. In the evening, meet at Fireside Inn (formerly Holiday Inn West), Riverside Street, Portland from 6-11 p.m., cash bar, buffet with prime rib, salmon and roast turkey – and dance to the Class of 71’s own band, to music of the 60s and 70s. A 50/50 raffle will be held. The evening cost is $35 per person. For more information, contact Barbara Bowden Graves, 892-6033 or Susan Lunt Simonson, ssimons1@rr.com. Special note to the classes of 1970 and 1972 – you are invited, also!!

Tour Windham barns

The Historical Society hosts a tour of Windham barns on Saturday, June 11 from 1-3:30 p.m. with Don Perkins, who is THE expert on barn history, construction and use. Call Linda at 650-7484 and make a reservation and we’ll all meet at the historical society, 234 Windham Center Road, at 1 p.m. to begin. Donation is $10.

Graduation

The public is invited to attend the Windham/Raymond Adult Education graduation on Thursday, June 16 at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, Windham High School. Summer course and program listing is available at the website, www.windhammaineadulted.org or by calling 892-1819.

Help for veterans

Recently, we wrote a column about veterans’ benefits and many letters, calls and emails followed. Here’s an opportunity to find out all about help that is available. Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay is available on the second and fourth Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Windham Veterans Center. Look for her next on June 22. She can assist widows of veterans, dependents and of course, veterans. 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.

Art display

Artwork by John R. Sell will be on exhibit at the Windham Public Library now through July 30. He is a Maine artist whose works depict Maine subjects. Paintings of the lakes, trails, and Maine’s spectacular coast are rendered in oil on canvas. If you enjoy fine art of Maine land and seascapes, don’t miss this opportunity. The Windham Public Library is located at 217 Windham Center Road in Windham. For more information, library hours, or directions, please call the library at 892-1908.

Poker tournament

Saturday, June 11 is the date for Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament, which are sponsored by Windham Veterans Association and held at the Veterans Center monthly. Registration begins at noon, play begins at 1 p.m. $50 buy in plus $2. chair fee. Players limited to first 100 to register. Pot consists of 75 percent of total buy-in registration All players making the final eight table will share in the pot. Food, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks available, reasonably priced. 50/50 tickets available throughout the game ($5 each or five for $20). Proceeds support Windham Veterans Center.

Bingo

Bingo games are held on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center, hosted by American Legion Post 128 of Standish. Bingo games pay out up to the state maximum of $1,400, depending on attendance. A winner-take-all game, as well as pull-tabs and a 50/50 drawing will be offered. Food and beverages provided by the Legion Auxiliary will be sold. Proceeds from the games will go towards the building fund for a future home for Post 128 which currently meets at the Kiwanis Building, Route 25 in Standish.

Directors needed

Windham School Age Child Care Board of Directors seeks two people to serve on the board. WSACC serves school age children in Windham and Raymond, operating programs at four school sites. Meetings are held four to six times a year to oversee management of the non profit organization. For more information, call Donna Cobb at 892-2002.

Free Medicare seminars

If you’re retiring soon (within a year), and will be signing up for Medicare insurance, you may want to attend a free Medicare seminar to find out what it’s all about. Even if you are receiving Medicare, this is a good opportunity to learn more. Call Southern Maine Agency on Aging, 396-6500, and make an appointment. SMAA will host Welcome to Medicare from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, June 21 and One-on-One Appointments are available on the same date, from noon to 3 p.m. All are held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham. Six trained volunteers, four of them from Windham, make these appointments possible. Bring your Medicare card, Social Security number, list of drugs and quantities you take, your income and asset information (you may qualify for reduced costs) and current health insurance information.

Leaf and brush disposal

Public Works will be open until 4 p.m. on Monday, June 13, for residents to drop off leaves and brush. Separate your leaves from the brush. There is an area for each and is marked with signs. If you bring leaves bagged up, dump the leaves and take the bags with you. Public Works is on Windham Center Road not far from the library and town hall.

Thrift Shop

North Windham Union Church Thrift Shop is open Wednesday and Thursday, 1-3 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon. At the church on Route 302 near Boody’s Corner. Bargains for you on a variety of items. Check it out!

Book sale

For those readers who don’t mind going out of town to find something to read, the Friends of Feral Felines will benefit from the annual used book sale on Saturday, June 18 at Williston West Church, Portland.

Vets at Summerfest

Summerfest is coming right up on Saturday, June 18, following town meeting. Among the many organizations participating in Summerfest are Windham’s veterans – in the parade and with their booth offering pulled pork sandwich dinners, kettle corn, maple corn, cold bottled water, military tee shirts, membership info for joining the local VFW or AL and a silent auction. Support your local veterans.

Jerry and Penny Seavey were among at least 300 people who attended the 100th Windham High School Alumni Banquet held at Windham Middle School in May. The earliest class represented was 1934, with one member in attendance (Marion Sylvester Crommie). Attendees enjoyed a chicken dinner, raffles and several hours of visiting with former classmates who attended from all over the country. Sam Simonson was re-elected president of the group. (Photo courtesy of Norma Rogers)