Downeasters Entertain

On Saturday, Feb. 28, Downeasters Barbershop Chorus will present a lively concert at 7 p.m. at the North Windham Union Church. This is another in the series offered by Music with a Mission, a wonderful organization that helps support community organizations. Tickets at the door; $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors. For information, go to www.mwamconcerts.com or call 892-7149. Concerts benefit local community organizations.

Medicare Help

On Tuesdays, March 3 and 17, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) will offer a Medicare help at 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.-noon. In addition to the seminar, there will be one-on-one counseling with volunteer Medicare advocates available from 9 a.m. to noon. Call the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to register for a seminar or to make a one-on-one appointment with a Medicare Advocate at 396-6500 or 1-800-427-7411. Seminar walk-ins can usually be accommodated. Further opportunities for these services will occur at the same location in April. Visit the website at www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available.

American Legion Meets

American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 4, at the Windham Veterans Center. There will be a social at 5 p.m. followed by a 6 p.m. business meeting. Agenda items include: Memorial Day planning, St Patrick’s Day Dinner, and Post officer nominations.

Bean Supper

A baked bean supper will be held on Saturday, March 7, at the White Rock Community Club, Wilson Road, Gorham, from 4:30-6 p.m. The menu includes two kinds of baked beans, hot dogs, coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, homemade biscuits and pies, punch and coffee. $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-12; free for children 5 and under.

Wednesday Shopping

Windham Parks & Recreation has a bus on Wednesday mornings that goes to North Windham for seniors who need to get groceries, go to the bank, get prescriptions filled, or pick up a few things. Please call the office 24 hours ahead of time, at 892-1905 to reserve your seat.

Library Outreach

Windham Public Library delivers an assortment of books and movies on the first Tuesday of each month to Little Falls Landing, Ledgewood Manor, Unity Gardens and New Marblehead Manor. The next scheduled delivery date is March 3. For more information call Sally at 892-1908.

Texas Hold ’Em Poker

Like to play poker? At Dena’s Restaurant, Windham Veterans Association hosts Texas Hold ’Em Poker on the first and third Wednesdays each month, starting at 7 p.m. Sign up is at 6:30 p.m. and anyone signed up by 6:45 gets a free $1,000 chip. Proceeds benefit the veterans center building and operations. Dena’s Restaurant is next to Windham Post Office – great food and drinks available. Next date is March 4.

VFW Chili Cook-off

On Saturday, March 7, Windham VFW Post 10643 will hold an End-of-Winter Chili Cook-off at the Windham Veterans Center. First Place wins $100, with second-place winner receiving $50. The menu includes chili, cornbread, rice, salad, dessert and non-chili children’s food. Admission for all non-entrants is $7 for the general public; family, $12; children under 12, free. Chili entrants should call Willie at 228-4329 by March 1 for an anonymous entry number and bring their favorite chili in a slow cooker to the veterans center between 4:45-5 p.m. on Saturday. Judging will be done by Chef Jeff Gambardella of Applebee’s in Windham. Entertainment, a silent auction and 50/50 drawing will also be featured. The event supports veterans and their families.

Democrats Meet

Windham Democrats will hold their regular meeting from 7-8 p.m. on Monday, March 9, at the library. All Democrats are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Senior Center News

A St. Patrick’s Day luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 9. Enjoy a meal cooked in the Irish tradition with dessert and beverage for a $5 donation per person. Lakes Region Senior Center is located during the winter at the North Gorham United Church of Christ, Standish Neck Road.

St. Patrick’s Day Lunch

Windham Community Cafe? at Unity Gardens, 124 Tandberg Trail, Windham will host its St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon on Thursday, March 12, at noon. The menu will be lasagna, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Donation is $5. For reservations please call Virginia at 892-3891 by Monday, March 9. If you have a reservation currently for the canceled luncheon on Feb. 12 you need not reserve again. If you are unable to honor your reservation please call Virginia at 892-3891 to cancel by Tuesday, March 10.

Windham Veterans Association Wants You!

The traditional avenue to membership in the Windham Veterans Center is by becoming a member of either the American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 or the VFW Post 10643 in Windham. Post members automatically become members of the WVA. Recently, the WVA changed its charter to become more inclusive. Those individuals – reservists, veterans or non-veterans – who would like to affiliate with the Windham Veterans Association and become more involved in veterans’ issues may now do so. Membership dues are nominal. For more information please contact Dick McKeen at 892-7704 or Dick Small at 310-0390.

Toby’s Dream

The late Toby Pennels was adamant about paving the parking lot and driveway to Windham Veterans Center. A major fund-raising drive is under way to accomplish this. Early donations have been made by several anonymous donors and Brenda M. Pennels, Deborah D. Pennels, Taylor Pennels, Kenneth Murch, Marilyn Murch, David Tanguay, Shelter Man Inc., Ronald Perreault, Patman’s, Gary Plummer, Harold Ware and Standish Memorial Post 128, Willie and Jan Goodman, Jeff Smith, Doris Gresik in memory of Bob Dunham, Theresa Brinkman, Don and Judith Reinhard, Kaile Warren, George and Jennifer Weber, VFW Post 10643, Jane and James Pringle, Andrew and Elise Cristie, George and Phyllis Hall, Emily Wainwright, Salvatore and Donna Costanza, Allan Strout, Leeann Sanborn, Melissa P. Best, Marsha and Peter Morgan, Roger and Denise Varney, Alice Cobb in memory of brother James Allen and husband Lewis H. Cobb, Francis and Jo Ann Griffin, and Colin Robinson. Recent donations made in memory of Eugene (Gene) Hawkes have been received from Patricia A. Kelley, George and Phyllis Hall, Deanna L. Valente, Sandra and Ronald Wain, Carolyn and Richard Schmigle, Harry and Theresa Labrecque, Edison and Jean Bennett, EAA Chapter 1210 Inc., Westbrook Police Association, Sylvia Sampson Sullivan and Jane Sampson.

Contributions may be made to the Windham Veterans Association, P.O. Box 1776, Windham, ME 04062 and marked “Toby’s Dream.” The goal is to raise $50,000. To date, nearly $19,000 has been donated.

‘Blue Lights and Funny Cider’

On Saturday, March 21, at 9 a.m., retired Maine game warden John Ford and Mark Nickerson, a retired state trooper, will present “Blue Lights and Funny Cider,” a humorous look at their experiences in the woods and on the roads of Maine. Each has written about their law enforcement experiences, and books will be available at this special Windham Historical Society program at the public meeting room of Windham Public Library. Refreshments will be available. A $5 donation is suggested to help further the educational and public programs of the society. For directions and more information, call Dave at 892-1306.