Remembering ?Ruth Grant

Most of our readers probably never knew Ruth Grant, an old (100 years old!) former co-worker of mine. It’s their loss! Ruth and I worked together at L. C. Andrew for many years. She was the voice of that huge lumber and building materials giant, as she answered every call, wrote down every message! No recorded voice in those days.

All salespeople and department heads at the 300-employee South Windham mill, checked in and out with Ruthie as they left their post. She always knew where everyone was – and when they’d be back. She had a wonderful voice and never lost her patience or sense of humor, even when a contractor asked her, jokingly, how many nails in a pound. He was surprised to hear a woman’s voice answering the phone at a lumberyard and thought he’d have some fun! She gave him the answer, too!

When the switchboard system changed, she mastered the 30 pushbuttons on the “new” phone in short order. She was definitely the most independent woman I ever knew and a wonderful role model. Neat as a pin, she lived in Windham Center almost all her long productive life. I remember she called me once after we both had retired, just to talk, and lamented she was so upset she couldn’t climb a ladder to fix her storm windows! In the summertime, when she wasn’t at work at the mill, she helped at Hawkes farmstand on Route 302. All that hard work and independent living must have worked in her favor, for she would have been 101 next month – but she quietly left us on Sept. 2, 2012.

Candidates Night ?on Channel 7

“Speakout” on Windham cable station 7 will resume on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m., hosted by Bill Diamond. Guests include State Senate candidates Martin Shuer and Gary Plummer. You are encouraged to call Bill Diamond with any questions before the show at 892-8941. You may also call with questions during the show at 892-0546 or you may be a guest in the audience at the Windham Town Hall chambers. Beginning in October, Speakout will move back to the regular night of the fourth Thursday of the month.

Marriage intentions

Recent marriage intentions filed with Windham Town Clerk include Ryan C. Beane and Nicole J. McDonald, both from Windham; Matthew P. Mingo and Kelley A. Gellerson, both of Windham; Jeffrey A. Warner II of South Portland and Nicole M. James of Windham.

Roast beef supper

On Saturday, Sept. 15, an old-fashioned roast beef supper will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Raymond Village Community Church, Route 121 just off Route 302. The menu includes pot roast, gravy, mashed potato, veggies, rolls, beverages and a selection of homemade pie. $8 per person, $5 for children under 12. Take out orders welcome. If the weather is nice, diners can sit outside!

Pig roast

American Legion Post 148 will hold a pig roast from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Veterans Center. This is a Post fundraiser and an opportunity for vets to get together after a busy summer. Public is welcome. Cost is $10 each or $30 for family of three or more. On the Pig Roast menu is pulled pork, coleslaw, potato salad, and beanhole baked beans plus a variety of beverages and desserts. For those who prefer, hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available. The Veterans Center is off Route 302 on Memorial Drive, behind Windham Mall. Call Dave at 892-1306 for more information.

Shrine celebrates

Lake Region Shrine Club is holding a Potentate’s Reception at its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 18, beginning at 5 p.m. at Club 302, Roosevelt Trail, Windham. For more information, call Jim Hanson at 892-7187.

Food stamps? Fuel assistance?

On Tuesday, Sept. 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. to 4 p.m. Also, counseling on tax and rent rebate, food stamps, and fuel assistance can be arranged. Call SMAA 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.

Veteran help

On Wednesday, Sept. 19, 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.

Chicken parmesan dinner

On Saturday, Sept. 22, from 5-7 p.m., a public chicken Parmesan dinner will be served at Faith Lutheran Church, 988 Roosevelt Trail, North Windham. The menu includes Italian wedding soup, fresh garden salad, chicken Parmesan with spaghetti, Italian bread, spumoni ice cream and cookies. A free will donation will be asked. Entertainment by pianist Dave Hansen and the Yellow Bottom Warblers and vocals by Shelly Thorp.

September at the Senior Center

Lakes Region Senior Center resumes winter hours in September, open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 40 Acorn Street in Gorham. This is a drop-in center and daily activities are flexible for members. The coffee/tea pots are always on and members supply refreshments, some homemade. Donations are greatly appreciated and help provide activities and events. Thursday at 10 a.m. the Bingo games are open to the public. Is anyone interested in playing or learning Bridge? For more info, contact Avis at 892-0298. Daily activities for members include cribbage on Mondays at 9:30 a.m. and all levels are welcome to play. On Wednesdays, the poker players start gathering about 10 a.m. Pickleball is available in the gym on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Everyday activities of card games, board games, puzzles, Wii, needlework and socializing are taking place and all members are invited to join in. If you haven’t joined yet, drop in and find out more!

Senior Center elects

On Sept. 4, Lakes Region Senior Center elected officers for the coming year including Glenn Lynds, president; Gerry Day, vice president; Blanche Alexander, secretary and Rocky Clark, treasurer. Directors include Clarence Wisecup, Marge Doyon, Avis Fleck and Cheryl Robbins. At the meeting, Liz Weaver of Southern Maine Agency on Aging explained the program, “A Matter of Balance,” that helps participants improve balance and prevent falls. Preparations are being made for the Anniversary Celebration on Sept. 26 at Cressey Road United Methodist Church, Gorham. A catered meal and entertainment by the Bellamy Jazz Band will be featured. Paid reservations of $8 for each member and guest must be made by Sept. 14. Call Marge at 892-4955 or Blanche at 892-5604. The LRSC Center on Acorn Street, Gorham, will be closed on Sept. 26 due to the celebration.

Are You a Veteran?

Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesday morning, Sept. 26, 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.

Free Meal

An invitation to the surrounding communities has arrived from Christ Chapel, 37 Northern Pines Road, Raymond. A free community meal will be served, buffet-style, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29. All ages are welcome to enjoy the menu which includes casseroles, salads, shrimp scampi, chicken noodle soup and desserts!

Free Recycling

The sixth annual Open House at ecomaine will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22, featuring free recycling for old TVs, small motors, computers, game consoles, cell phones, and other electronics of any kind. Thanks to the volunteers of Women Out Working, there will also be free recycling of old towels, linens, blankets, sneakers, trophies, eyeglasses, hearing aids, crutches, ink/toner cartridges, and gently-used clothing. It’s all handled at a drive-thru drop off. ecomaine will also be providing free breakfast sandwiches, a free raffle for a tent and two sleeping bags made from recycled material, free recycling bins, free paper shredding (unlimited), activities for kids, and tours of its recycling and waste-to-energy facilities. ecomaine is a nonprofit municipally owned and operated recycling and waste management organization located at 64 Blueberry Road in Portland. The 21 owner communities include: Windham, Casco, Gray, Harrison, North Yarmouth, and Bridgton.

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.

Steamboats on Sebago Lake

Learn about the days when steamboats carried both passengers and freight on Sebago Lake! Windham Historical Society will present a free public program about this part of our history on Monday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. at the Society’s museum, 234 Windham Center Road. Refreshments follow the program. If you are not a member, you may want to join and receive newsletters and a discount on items from the gift shop, including maps, books, T-shirts and more. For more information visit the website, windhamhistorical.org. Questions about genealogy can be sent to info@windhamhistorical.org or kso48@aol.com.

Read about Windham

Still taking orders for “Days Gone By,” featuring vignettes of Windham people, histories of houses and more. Contact author Kay Soldier at kso48@aol.com.