Chili registration ?is Jan. 18

Chili makers must register by Jan. 18! The annual Chili Challenge Benefit for Windham Community Garden will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the North Windham Union Church, Route 302. Competitors must register by Jan. 18, at $15 per application. For information and rules, call 892-7192 or www.windhamcommunitygarden.org. For the tasters, adults $7, children under 12, $4. This is payable at the door. All proceeds benefit the Community Garden.

Different drummers

On Sunday, Jan. 15, a performance of the Different Drummers Joyful Hearts Club Band will be held at 12:30 p.m. at Unity of Greater Portland at 54 River Road, Windham. A $10 donation is requested, proceeds to benefit the church. For more information, call 893-1233 or visit www.unitygreaterportland.org.

Dodge ball

Haven’t heard about dodge ball since grade school but Parks & Recreation say it’s back in town as of Jan. 18 from 6-8 p.m. at Manchester School. It’s a 10-week program, $50 per eight-member team (over 21 years of age). This is a co-ed program and the “modern” dodge ball is rubber-coated foam – safe for all ages (we won’t miss that sting of the olden days!) Round up a team and send the roster to Windham Parks & Recreation, 8 School Road. Rules and rosters available at that department. Call 892-1905 for more information.

Living Well workshops

Two workshops designed to improve the way you feel will be held at the Southern Maine Agency on Aging in Scarborough over the next few weeks. Living Well for Better Health runs for six weeks starting Jan. 19 from 1-3:30 p.m. Matter of Balance, a program especially to combat the fear of falling, runs for eight weeks starting Jan. 18, 2012 from 1-3 pm. Call Jessica LeBlanc at 1-800-400-6325, ext. 583 to register or for more information.

History’s mysteries

On Saturday, Jan. 21, Windham Historical Society will present the first of two programs where the public and society members will “show” unusual or unidentified objects and “tell” about it – or receive information from others. The program will be held at the Windham Public Library meeting room downstairs. It begins at 9 a.m. and should last about an hour, followed by a break for refreshments, and a brief business meeting. Maps and other items will be available for purchase. This is a free program for the public, but donations are always welcome.

Veterans help available

Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesday morning, Jan. 25, 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, to the back of Hannaford and right of Lowe’s. No appointment is needed.

Donnabeth ?Lippman Park

Windham residents are invited to attend a public forum on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. at Windham Town Hall Council Chambers to discuss ideas for the new Donnabeth Lippman Park (formerly Chaffin Pond Preserve). Here’s your chance to have input into a great new park! For more information, contact Windham Parks and Recreation at 892-1905.

Thanks from the VFW

Members of VFW Post 10643 thanks all those who have supported their veterans during the last year. Commander Bob Akins said, “The Post was able to attain a 100% Plus rating for the year and that in no small part was due to the support of the Lakes Region Weekly and the general public. We look forward to a continued wonderful relationship with local businesses, the print staff, and general public. All Veterans please remember ‘you were there to support us and now we are here to support you.'” The VFW meets on the second Wednesday each month at the Veterans Center behind Hannaford. Social hour at 5 p.m. and short meeting at 6 p.m.

Making sense ?of the Civil War

Beginning Jan. 31, at 6:15 p.m., “Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the Civil War,” a free reading and discussion group will be held at Windham Public Library. Copies of books are available through the library. The program is provided by the Maine Humanities Council’s Maine Center for the Book in cooperation with the Maine State Library. There will be five sessions. The program is free, but registration is required and limited to 25 participants. Call Barbara at the library, 892-1908, for more information.

History calendars

Start the year right with a historic Windham wall calendar. See what our town looked like 100 years ago from rare postcard photos. Calendars are $10 each or $12 if it is to be mailed. Call Kay at 892-5381 or email kso48aol.com for information – or mail your order to Kay Soldier, 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062. A percentage of profits will be shared with the Windham Historical Society. They are going fast, so get your order in soon!

Bean supper

On Saturday, Feb. 4, a baked bean supper will be held at White Rock Community Club, Wilson Road in Gorham. The public is invited to these “first Saturday” suppers held January through June, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The menu includes two kinds of beans (pea and kidney), cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, home made biscuits and pies. Adults, $7; children under 12, $3.

Dancing with the Staff

The 2012 edition of “Dancing with the Staff” will happen on Thursday, Jan. 12 and 26 at Windham High School auditorium. This event is presented by Windham/Raymond Project Graduation 2012. Ten couples (all teachers or staff members representing each school in the two towns) will compete for Champion. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for students. Available at the schools or call Sandie at 892-9463.

Social worker for seniors

Are you aware that Windham and Westbrook now have a Southern Maine Agency on Aging social worker available for individual appointments in the towns one day a week? For more information or to set up an appointment, call Owen O’Donnell at 396-6500. His presence is made possible by a Community Development Block Grant from Cumberland County and he can address a variety of senior “issues” like Medicare, taxes, insurance, etc.

Senior Center activities

Lakes Region Senior Center, 40 Acorn St., Gorham provides activities for seniors Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Interested seniors can stop in at the Center and check the calendar of events – and enjoy a cup of coffee. For more information, email lakesregion50@gmail.com or call Glenn at 893-9088.

Mark your calendars

Windham High School Alumni Association annual meeting and dinner will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2012. This is a heads-up for those who may be planning ahead. More information will be provided as it becomes known.

Windham business website

Visit www.windhammarketplace.com to contact Windham businesses. This new venture aims to provide a current and easy-to-use way for customers and local businesses to find each other. Contact town hall with comments or suggestions.

Don Hill of Windham, a well-known craftsman, has presented
Windham Historical Society with its first lectern, hand-made and
engraved with the Society’s 250th anniversary logo showing Babb’s
Bridge, the Parson Smith House and the Inkhorn, a local icon. Hill
said he’d noticed at meetings he attended that something was
missing when the Society president ran a meeting, so he decided to
provide the custom-built addition, for which the Society is
extremely grateful. (Courtesy photo by P. Loura)