Music on the Hill opens

Big Ben Hillman kicks off the annual July concert series, “Music on the Hill”, Saturday, July 7, at 7 p.m. at Windham Hill UCC Church, 140 Windham Center Road. Tickets at the door, $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and age 12 and under. Call 892-2154 or 892-4217 or go to www.windhamhillucc.org.

Senior Luncheon

at Windham Cafe?

On Thursday, July 12, a special lunch and raffle will be held at noon, Unity Gardens, 124 Tandberg Trail (Route 115). Sponsored by Southern Maine Agency on Aging, the menu includes baked lasagna, tossed salad, garlic bread, fruit, dessert and beverages. Donation is $5. Call Virginia at 892-3891 to make a reservation 48 hours in advance. A 50/50 raffle and special raffle will also be held.

Scholarship winner

Michelle Kus, a 2012 graduate of Windham High School, was one of three 2012 Maine seniors to receive a Mainely Character scholarship, an organization that awards scholarships based on character: integrity, courage, responsibility and concern for others. She received a $5,000 scholarship, sponsored by R.M. Davis, Inc., for helping a friend seen as a lost cause by many get back on his feet, graduate from high school, and begin college. In her application she said, I am his crutches so to speak. I brought life and light to the situation and as simple as it is all I really did was care ? I took interest in helping a person realize there is more to life, and that one can be happy and live a good life after a rough start.

Kus called the young man daily to wake him for school, regularly gave him rides, and provided financial support for clothing, food and even rent. Kus plans to attend St. Joseph’s College to study nursing. Mainely Character received 300 applications this year. For more on the organization, visit www.MainelyCharacter.org.

Civil War book talk

“Billy Boy: The Sunday Soldier of the 17th Maine” is the title of a book written by Jean Flahive and it’s based on a true event. On Monday, July 23, the author will discuss and sign the book, at 7 p.m. at Windham Historical Society, 234 Windham Center Road. Refreshments will be served and donations accepted.

Cupboards

getting bare?

If you find yourself in need of food, even if you have a temporary shortage, call the Windham Food Pantry, 892-1931, Monday through Thursday. Open by appointment, 8 to 4:30, the resource is for all Windham residents who qualify. Also check out The Clothes Closet, open at the same time where free, clean, excellent condition clothing is available along with children’s books, some toys and other items. There are special hours just for senior citizens, as well.

Veterans Benefits

Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesday morning, July 11, from 9 a.m. until noon, 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. No appointment is needed. To get to the Windham Veterans Center, enter Veterans Memorial Drive off Route 302 between Evergreen Credit Union and Friendly’s and follow to the end.

Tea for You

Tea for You @ the Library is held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, and is free for anyone. No reservations necessary. Enjoy homemade goodies and tea while meeting new friends.

What the Food Pantry needs

The Food Pantry is providing extra bags to families during the school summer recess consisting of breakfast and luncheon items. Items such as peanut butter, jelly, Pop Tarts, cereal, fruit, and juice along with snacks are needed and can be dropped off at the pantry, 377 Gray Road Monday thru Thursday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. It is appreciated.

Need Help Sorting through Medicare?

On Tuesday, July 17, 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 are intended to help sort through Medicare options, answer questions – and to help people enroll. In addition to Medicare assistance, counseling on tax and rent rebate, food stamps, and fuel assistance can be arranged. Please call the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to register for the upcoming seminar or to make a one-on-one appointment with a Medicare Advocate at 396-6500 or 1-800-427-7411. Walk-ins can usually be accommodated. Further opportunities for these services will occur at the same times and location in August and September. Visit the website at www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available.

Help for veterans

On Wednesday, July 18, Dr. Clifford Trott, Clinical Psychologist and combat veteran, from the Portland Vet Center, will offer mental health services to area veterans on at Windham Veterans Center. These sessions are one-on-one and strictly confidential. Drop-ins are welcome but appointments are recommended. Call 780-3584. He is available on the first and third Wednesdays. To get to the Windham Veterans Center, enter Veterans Memorial Drive off Route 302 between Evergreen Credit Union and Friendly’s and follow to the end.

Church Thrift Shop

At North Windham Union Church Thrift Shop, in the basement of the church on Route 302, near the corner of Route 115 is open from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday or 10 a.m. until noon Saturdays. Check out the bargains!

Senior Center activities

Lakes Region Senior Center, 40 Acorn Street, Gorham, welcomes the public to the following: Bingo every Thursday, 10 a.m. and pickleball at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Lakes Region Senior Center summer hours are Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a drop-in center and daily activities are flexible for members. The coffee/tea pot is always on.

Boston Post Cane

The town clerk is looking for the oldest Windham native living in Windham – if you think someone you know (or you) would qualify, call Linda Morrell at the town office and that person may receive the Boston Post Cane! It pays to be an oldster sometimes!

Historical Society hours

Windham Historical Society is open from 9 a.m. to noon or thereabouts on Thursdays and Saturdays during the summer. Dave Tanguay is on hand Thursdays and Kay Soldier is the Saturday morning volunteer. Many who visited the recent Civil War encampment had never been in the historic building which contains dozens of displays of historic items, old maps, photographs and much more. If you are doing family research, there are many books and genealogical files available to help. The Society is operated by volunteers and membership is open to all for a small cost. All donations, even membership fees, are tax deductible because the Society is an educational, non-profit organization. Newly published books, extra copies of high school yearbooks, T-shirts and other items are available for purchase. The Society is working toward developing a living history park that will be available for public use. For more information, visit www.windhamhistorical.org or email kso48@aol.com, or call 892-1433.