The future

of Windham

It is unusual, but Windham is actually looking to the future. Many of us have complained about the lack of planning in the past, which has created issues over the years. For example, if the town continues to grow, without a plan, what might it look like 50 years from now? The town of Windham and 21st Century Downtown Plan Advisory Committee has a draft of the 21st Century Downtown Plan that can be downloaded at www.windhamweb.com/planning_department. The plan is a vision for enhancing the commercial district’s sense of place through transportation and land use improvements. Town staff and the advisory committee seek the public’s comments to help develop this vision for Windham’s commercial center. Opportunities for public comment include an online survey on the 21st Century Downtown Plan web page at www.windhamweb.com/planning_department, and upcoming public meetings. Further notices will be posted when meeting dates and locations are established. (Tentatively, meetings are planned for Sept. 6 and 17.) For additional information, please visit the Plan’s web page or contact Brooks More in the Planning Department at 894-5960, ext. 2.

Cancer support meeting

Windham Cancer Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 27 at the Windham Public Library. For more information, call 892-7750.

Medicare help

On Tuesdays, Sept. 4 and 18, 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.-4 p.m. The seminar and counseling are intended to help you sort through your 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 Southern Maine Agency on Aging to register for the upcoming seminar or to make a one-on-one appointment with a Medicare Advocate at 207-396-6500 or 1-800-427-7411. Walk-ins can usually be accommodated. Further opportunities for these services will occur at the same times and location weekly from Oct. 9 through Dec. 4. Visit www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available.

Happy anniversary!

Miranda Logan and Willie wish a happy 41st anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Al Baxter!

Reunion

The Windham High School Class of 1952 held their 60th class reunion recently. Nearly two dozen attended the gathering that was held at Raymond Eastup’s Little Sebago cottage. Folks came from Georgia, Canada, Rangeley Lakes and other Maine places. Everyone enjoyed a meal of lobster, clams and steak. Some brought photos and items from their old high school days and everyone had a great time. The 65th reunion is already being planned!

Help the horses!

It’s Cumberland Fair time and here’s a chance to smell the cotton candy and visit the midway and all it includes – for free! The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals is recruiting volunteers to help staff its booth, under cover, in the Exhibit Hall. Shifts are available beginning Sept. 23 through Sept. 29. Free admission and parking are provided for volunteers. The society is New England’s largest horse rehab farm, right in Windham on River Road. Call 892-3040 or email info@msspa.org for more information.

Take charge,

feel better

Living Well for Better Health, for adults of all ages who have on-going health problems (or care for someone who does) is a program that will result in less pain, more energy and fewer hospitalizations. This nationally recognized and award-winning program will be presented at Pineland YMCA in New Gloucester, Sept. 13-Oct. 25 from 1-3:30 p.m. For more information or to register, call 688-2255.

Democratic Town Committee meets

The Windham Democratic Town Committee 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 are up for grabs.

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.

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.

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.-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.

Thrift Shop

The Thrift Shop at the North Windham UCC is open from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday or 10 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.

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, Sept. 5, 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.

Library news

There will be a Tea for You at the library on Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 1:30 p.m. in the meeting room. Join others for tea and tasty treats. For more information, call Laurel or Barbara at 892-1908.

The Book Group will meet Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 6:15 p.m. to discuss “A River Runs Through It” by Norman Maclean. Call Barbara at 892-1908 for more information.

A colorful exhibit of metal toy automobiles, from the collection of Raymond Philpot of Windham, is on display at Windham Public Library through October. Items in the collection are made of various types of metal such as cast iron, pressed metal, tin lithograph, and die cast metal alloy. When asked what got him interested in collecting these metal toys, Philpot explained, “Someone brought to my attention that the metal toy trucks I played with as a child were no longer available in the stores. I had thought they would be around forever. Today they are made of plastic … Many (of the metal toys) have hazardous details and are today considered not ‘child safe.’” For 25 years, he has been finding and restoring these old toys. He further explained that these toys “were not purchased as collectibles. They were rescued from Mother Nature and passionately restored.” Stop by the library for a look at these beautifully crafted toys from past years. Call the library for more information, hours, or for directions (892-1908). The Windham Public Library is located at 217 Windham Center Road. (Courtesy photo)