Democratic Town Committee Elects

At a recent meeting of the Windham Democratic Town Committee, more than two dozen attendees heard campaign updates from Maine House candidates Ralph Johnston and Jane Pringle. Sen. Bill Diamond, Rep. Mark Bryant and outgoing WDTC Chair Beth Quate received congratulations for their years of service. Diane Bryant was reelected to the Board of Voter Registration Appeals Board with Pat McKeen as alternate. Mark Bryant was elected as the new chair, Pat McKeen as vice chair and Diane Bryant as secretary. Bob Wake will continue as treasurer.

The WDTC Municipal Caucus will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. at Windham Public Library. Nominations are sought for three seats on the Windham Town Council (North, a one-year term; West, a three-year term and at-large, a three-year term. Also, two seats on the Regional School Union 14 Board of Directors.

Holiday hours at Food Pantry

Since Monday, Sept. 3, is Labor Day, the food pantry will be closed. (It is usually open the first Monday monthly for seniors only.) It will be open the second Monday, Sept. 10, from 10:30 a.m. until noon for seniors only. It will be open on Sept. 4-6 for all other clients by appointment.

Pet Appreciation Week

Tractor Supply Company, Windham, is hosting its annual P.A.W. (Pet Appreciation Week) event through Aug. 19 with the main event on Saturday, Aug. 18, when local pet service groups, pet adoption groups and 4H groups will hold demonstrations and displays. Also featured will be a farm and agricultural swap and a farmers market. All activities start at 9 a.m. at the site on Roosevelt Trail (near Varney Mill Road entrance).

Bean Supper

A baked bean supper will be held at Cornerstone Assembly of God, Cottage Road, Windham, on Saturday, Aug. 18, from 5-6:30 p.m. On the menu, a variety of beans, salads, casseroles, bread and rolls and plenty of homemade desserts. Adults $6, children 6-12, $3 and under age six, free.

AARP Driver Safety

Register by Sept. 1 for the AARP Driver Safety Class to be held for age 50 and older on Thursday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 1685 Congress Street, Portland. $12 for AARP members, $14 for others. Call John Hammon, volunteer instructor, at 655-4943. Class size is limited. Insurance companies in Maine give discounts to drivers age 55 and older who complete the AARP Driver Safety course. Additional classes at this location in Portland will be presented on Oct. 5 and Nov. 9. More information may be found on the Internet at www.home.earthlink.net/~drivesafe-me.

Are you a veteran?

Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 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.

Quilt Exhibit

Jeanne Wright will present a quilt exhibit at the North Windham Union Church sanctuary and foyer on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 80 quilts, including antique (1835) and contemporary will be exhibited. No quilts are for sale. A $3 donation will be appreciated to benefit the church’s discretionary fund.

Little Sebago Lake program

On Tuesday, Aug. 21, the Windham Historical Society will present a program about Little Sebago Lake. Once this lake’s boundaries were quite different than they are today and the PowerPoint presentation will explore how the lake changed over the years, both in use and configuration. The program will be held at 7 p.m. at Windham Veterans Center on Memorial Drive, in back of Windham Mall. Maps of the lake will be available. There is no fee, but donations are welcome to help the society further its education programs and development of the living history center called Village Green. For more information, call 892-1433 or 892-1306.

School supplies

The Food Pantry/Clothes Closet is seeking donations of gently used/clean clothing for schoolchildren all ages, as well as backpacks and contents to give to schoolchildren of all ages. They have received a large donation of spiral notebooks but need glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils and regular pencils, rulers, pens and along with three-ring binders. The Pantry is open for donations Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Call 892-1931 for more information.

Thrift Shop

The Thrift Shop at the North Windham UCC is open from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday or 10 a.m. until noon Saturdays. The Thrift Shop is in the lower level of the church.

Vets to host fall suppers

Windham VFW Commander Roger Timmons recently announced that two special public baked bean suppers are being planned for Friday, Sept. 28, and Friday, Oct. 12. Both events are from 5-7 p.m. and all veterans eligible for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and their immediate families will be admitted free of charge. There will be a nominal cost for others. So mark your calendars and watch this column for further details as the time nears.

Library Gallery

Artwork by Windham resident Karen Ogg is currently on exhibit at the Windham Public Library. The mixed media works on display give the audience plenty to browse and consider. Karen’s artwork will be on display through Oct. 31. For more information, library hours or directions, call 892-1908.

Benefits for seniors and low income

On Tuesday, Aug. 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. 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.

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.

Veteran services

On Wednesday, Aug. 29, 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.