Blessing of the Backpacks

School-aged children, college students and teachers are all welcome to the first annual “Blessing of the Backpacks” happening at North Windham Union Church, 723 Roosevelt Trail, on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 10 a.m. Bring your backpacks.

Senior Day at food pantry

Since the first Monday in September is Labor Day, the Windham Food Pantry will be closed on that day. Seniors may pick up groceries on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at their usual time.

Legion meets

American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Windham Veterans Center, Memorial Drive, North Windham. A social hour and supper will be at 5 p.m. followed by a 6 p.m. business meeting.

Windham Auto Show

On Sunday, Sept. 13, the Windham-Raymond Athletic Boosters Club will hold the Windham Auto Show at the Windham Mall, behind Hannaford. Show entry, 7-11 a.m., Spectators 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission for show cars is $5 donation, adult entry is $5, seniors/students $3 and children 5 and under, free. Rain or shine. More information, windhamboosters@yahoo.com.

Democrats caucus

The Windham Dems, “WDTC,” will be holding its annual Municipal Caucus on Monday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. at Windham Public Library. They will be taking nominations for two Town Council seats (at large and west), two RSU 14 School Committee seats and the Town Clerk seat. A regular Windham Dems meeting will be held directly after the caucus. All Democrats are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Senior shopping

Windham Parks & Rec provides 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 to reserve your seat. Call 892-1905. There is a small fee.

Veterans support

Veterans Support Officer Matt Haley will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesdays, Sept. 9 and 23, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. If you have questions about benefits and are a veteran or dependent of a veteran, stop by. No appointment is needed. Haley is available on the second and fourth Wednesdays each month. He can also be reached at his new office location near the Portland Airport, 151 Jetport Blvd., Room 138W. Phone 822-2391 or Portland.MaineBVS@maine.gov for more information.

Bean supper

The American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 will hold a bean supper at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, at the Windham Veterans Center located in the back of the Hannaford’s Mall complex, North Windham. Proceeds from the event will go to the Post scholarship fund for local high school graduates. Tickets are $8, under age 12, free. For more information, call 892-1306.

Band concert

On Saturday, Sept. 19, The Wicked Good Band will be in concert, 7 p.m., North Windham Union Church, Route 302, Windham. Tickets $12/$10. Box office opens 6:15 p.m. See www.mwamconcerts.com for more information.

At the Library

Monday, Aug. 31, 10:30 a.m., Story Time & simple craft*, 7 p.m., Children’s Summer Reading Program deadlines*

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 10:15 a.m., Books & Babies; 6 p.m., Fiction Writing Workshop

Saturday, Sept. 5 – Closed for Labor Day Weekend

Part of our 2015 Summer Reading Program. See www.windham.lib.me.us/summer-reading-programs

For more info about any of these or other events at the library, contact the library (892-1908) or go to http://www.windham.lib.me.us/calendar.

Grief support

Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Home Health Hospice offers an open grief support meeting the first Tuesday of the month, at North Windham Union Church. The service is provided by the church, and will be from 6-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8. For more information, contact Linda Hopkins, bereavement support coordinator for VNA Home Health Hospice at 400-8714. This is a free community outreach service; VNA would like to help as many people as they can.

Driver safety

The AARP Smart Driver course will be held on Friday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Windham Public Library. Advance registration by Sept. 4 is requested. Class size is limited. Call John Hammon, volunteer instructor, at 655-4943. Fee is $15 for AARP members, $20 for others.

This four-hour driver safety refresher course is for experienced drivers 50 years of age and older. Topics include safe driving strategies, defensive driving techniques, new traffic laws and rules of the road. The class helps drivers adjust to age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. Drivers in Maine 55 years of age and older are entitled to discounts on their insurance premiums for three years after taking or re-taking this course.