Honor all veterans ?on Nov. 11
Windham schools and the Windham Chamber Singers will join with Windham VFW Post 10643 to make this year’s Veterans Day special. At 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, a “Freedom is not Free” presentation will be given for 250 fourth graders at Manchester School. On Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., the commemoration will be at Windham Veterans Center, leading off with Dr. Richard Nickerson directing the Windham Chamber Singers. Students will read papers about their voice in our Democracy. Keynote speaker will be Maine’s Attorney General William J. Schneider. Everyone is invited, and children are especially welcome. This date, 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month, 2011 – will not occur again for 100 years.
Historic fair
Members of the Windham Historical Society, including Norma Rogers, Izzy Gilman, Nancy Bowden, Linda Tetrault, Ellen Jordan and Caroline Rowe, have been working all year on new handmade items for the perfect holiday gift. The Society’s annual Old-Fashioned Fair will be held at the Society, 234 Windham Center Road, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 and 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some wooden items have been added this year, crafted from centuries-old boards from an old Windham barn. Homemade goodies for sale, too.
Church Fair
The annual fair at Windham’s oldest church, Windham Hill UCC, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fellowship Hall in back of the church; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; traditional soup and sandwiches at lunchtime. All natural wreaths and cemetery baskets; crafts, baked goods, SERRV products, unique hand-made gifts, cookbooks, silent auction, attic treasures and more. Always a wonderful place to find something unique and different.
Holiday Craft Fair ?at the High School
Windham Athletic Boosters 18th annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held at the high school, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dozens of participants offer an early shopping opportunity that supports many school activities.
Historic birthday
Ruth N. Grant celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday, Oct. 26, surrounded by family, friends and staff at Ledgewood Manor where she resides. Ruth was born in Portland and moved to Windham at the age of 5 with her parents and younger sister, Marjorie. She lived on the Windham Center Road for 95 years until her recent move to Ledgewood Manor in May of this year. Ruth has seen much during her century! She grew up on the Hawkes Family Farm – Alley Hawkes was her uncle. In the spring, she worked at the Hawkes Greenhouse and also helped out at the Hawkes’ Farm Stand, on Route 302 in the fall.
One of her hobbies was growing gladiolas, which take a lot of patience to grow and therefore one does not see them as much any more. Ruth would raise these and sell them in jars on her front steps, leaving an empty jar for folks to leave their money in – “the honor system.” She was a longtime member of the Eastern Star and the Helping Hands Club. She graduated from Windham High School and business school in Portland. Ruth was Windham’s first town switchboard telephone operator, when the phone office was located in a small addition that was built on to the old Hawkes grocery store (now Corsetti’s) and the system used party lines. She then worked for L.C. Andrew Lumber Co. for many years and retired from there.
Food Pantry ?changes hours
The Windham Food Pantry/Clothes Closet, in order to better meet the needs of its clients, is changing hours effective immediately. There will no longer be any evening hours. Instead, the pantry will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Please call 892-1931 for an appointment.
Road race rescheduled
Rescheduled because of SNOW – on Sunday, Nov. 6, Windham Lions Club is sponsoring the 7th annual 5K Charity Road Race and Walk beginning at Windham High School where registration will be held from 8-9 a.m. You also can register online at: www.active.com. Another link is located at www.windhamlionsme.lionwap.org. The run begins at 9:30 a.m.; the walk starts at 9:45 a.m. Participants are encouraged to collect pledges, due on the day of the run. Any participant who collects $100 or more, receives free registration. The registration fee is $15 on race day. Children under the age of 12 are free. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life of Sebago Lakes Region and Windham Lions charities.
Literacy Fun Day
On Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., join the Friends of the Windham Public Library, some Windham Primary School teachers, Windham-Raymond Adult Education and other supporters for a free family fun day at the Primary School. Events include craft activities, door prizes, book swap, games and resources for families; children’s author and illustrator Matt Tavares (creator of Zachary’s Ball, and Henry Aaron’s Dream) will read from his books at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Books will be available to purchase (checks or cash) and he will sign his books, which visitors may bring. His visit is courtesy of the Richard Clark Library Fund.
Cyber Citizenship
On Wednesday, Nov. 16, a Cyber Citizenship Parent Workshop will be held from 7:30-8:30 p.m. following high school parent/teacher conferences. It will be hosted by the PTA and the Windham High School and will be in the auditorium. Learn about the good and bad of technology and how it affects your children. Get information about cyber-bullying, sex-ting, social media and more. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. For more information, call Karen, 831-4531. There is no charge. Refreshments will be available.
Pancakes for technology
Manchester School is holding a pancake breakfast at Applebee’s on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $5. Proceeds will be used to purchase more technology for Manchester School. Tickets available at the door or at the school. Contact dmorton@rsu14.org or call 892-1830 for more information.
Kiwanis elects
The Kiwanis Club of Windham held an Installation of Officers at Gilbert’s Chowder House on Oct. 27. The following were installed as officers for the administrative year 2011-2012: President, Lou Dapas; Vice President, Dave Rogers; Secretary, Phil Moody; Treasurer, Justin Sharaf; Immediate Past President, Allen Libby; Directors, Jerry Black, Don Hall, Ralph Johnston and Glenn Libby.
Remember to vote
Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Windham High School in the Auxiliary Gym from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can register to vote right at the polls.
Holiday Help
Applications for Thanksgiving Baskets close on Monday, Nov. 7. If you wish to apply please do so at 377 Gray Road or call 892-1931. Applications are also out for the Christmas Basket and The Toy Workshop. Anyone wishing to help with the Toy Workshop by donating gifts, adopting a family or gift cards for teens may call Madeline for more information at the number listed.
Concerned about the town’s future?
Windham needs citizen-volunteers to serve on several Council-appointed boards and committees. If you would like to serve your town by volunteering, consider the Ethics Board, which needs three volunteers; five are needed on the Natural Resources Advisory Committee; one volunteer is currently needed on Windham Economic Development Corporation and one is needed by the Assessment Review Board. Applications will be accepted in the Town Manager’s office until all positions are filled. Forms can be downloaded by clicking this link, or call 892-1907 to have one faxed, e-mailed or mailed to you.
Senior drop-in
The Lakes Region Senior Center, at the old Little Falls School, 40 Acorn Street, Gorham is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, email lakesregion50@gmail.com or call Glenn at 893-9088, or drop in to see what it’s all about. New members are always welcome. Bingo will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 14, 24, and 28. First card is free, additional cards 25 cents.
Veterans help available
Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesday, Nov. 9, to assist veterans, widows of veterans and dependents with questions about benefits and other information. 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 is needed.
Thrift shop
North Windham Union Church Thrift Shop is located in the basement of the church, on Route 302 near Boody’s Corner, regular hours are 1-3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday.
Winter’s coming – help is needed
Last year Windham Food Pantry helped an average of 160 families per month. This year, the first three weeks of September showed 195 families. Donations of food and funds are needed more and more. Whether it’s a bag of canned goods, a carton of paper towels or a check – it all helps. Call Madeline at 892-1931 for more information.
Many volunteers of all ages have come together to complete
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