This is Your Column

This is not my news! This is your space – send me information/photos to let readers know what’s happening in Windham. We’d love to see some race car pictures, wedding pictures, baby pictures and also what your nonprofit organization or house of worship is doing this summer! Please send via email to kso48@aol.com.

Democrats Elect

Windham Democratic Town Committee will hold a special meeting to fill three WDTC officer vacancies: Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary, followed by a regular WDTC meeting at 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 6, 2012 at the Windham Public Library.

VFW Meets

Windham Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643 will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 8. Supper starts at 5 p.m. and the meeting will be at 6 p.m. The Veterans Center is behind Hannaford and Windham Mall. At Friendly’s, take the Veterans Memorial Drive to the end.

Veteran Services

On Wednesday, Aug. 1, Dr. Clifford Trott, clinical psychologist and combat veteran, from the Portland Vet Center, will offer mental health services to area veterans 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.

Thrift Shop Sale

The Thrift Shop at the North Windham UCC will hold a Bag Sale from Aug. 1-11. Shoppers may fill a standard sized shopping bag with as many items of clothing and shoes as will fit – all for just $5 per bag. Open from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday or 10 a.m. until noon Saturdays. Check out the bargains!

Food Drive

On Friday, July 27, at Shaw’s Supermarket in North Windham, Sebago Lake Rotary Club will hold a food drive from 4-8 p.m. to benefit the Windham Food Pantry. George Bartlett of Busy Bee Laundry will donate a bus to hold the collection and drive it to the food pantry after it’s full!

The Food Pantry is focused on nourishing and healthy food that a child can prepare, if necessary. Suggestions for items to contribute include: Peanut butter, jelly, tuna, bread, milk, juice, eggs, cheese, pasta, spaghetti sauce, macaroni & cheese, canned fruit, applesauce, crackers, non-sugar cereals, healthy snacks. Cash contributions are also accepted and will be split between the Food Pantry and other Sebago Lake Rotary Club charitable programs.

Benefits for Seniors and Low Income

On Tuesdays, Aug. 7 and 21, 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, 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 will help sort through Medicare options, answer questions – and to help you 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 September and October. Visit the website at www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available.

Activities for Area Senior Citizens

Seniors from Windham, Gorham and other Lakes Region towns are welcome to visit the Lakes Region Senior Center, 40 Acorn St., Gorham, from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. New members are always welcome and the public may “drop in” to see what it’s about. During the month of August, the public may participate in Pickleball on Tuesdays and Thursdays, around 10 a.m. $2 donation for nonmembers; Thursdays, Bingo at 10 a.m., six cards for $1. Members are reminded to bring a pre-school and present day photos to enter the membership contest on Aug. 13. LRSC members enjoy cards, board games, puzzles, cribbage, needlework, socializing and many special events.

American Legion meets

Windham American Legion Post 148 will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 1, at the Veterans Center. Social hour is at 5 p.m. followed at 6 p.m. by a business meeting to discuss and plan the third annual pig roast to be held in September.

Bingo every Monday

For the summer, American Legion Bingo will be held at Windham Veterans Center in North Windham behind Big Lots. Doors open at 4 p.m.; Bingo begins at 6:30 p.m. Hot food, cold drinks and other goodies available. This is sponsored by Standish Memorial Post 128; proceeds help veterans and their families. For more information, call 642-5583 or visit www.facebook.com/standishpost128.

Music on the Hill

Music by the Denny Breau Trio at “Music on the Hill,” Saturday, July 26, 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.

Veterans benefits

Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesday morning, Aug. 8, 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.

Jo Ann McPhee, manager of the Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program, left, presents Virginia Billings, of Windham, with the first Virginia Billings Inspiration Award. Billings has been the site coordinator for the Windham area for 29 years, which includes Gray, Standish and Raymond. The award will be given annually to a Meals on Wheels staff member for a specific accomplishment during the previous year. Courtesy photo