Thanksgiving baskets

The Windham Food Pantry is taking requests for Thanksgiving baskets until Nov. 3. That’s the last day for sign-up, which is at the pantry. The food pantry is the building next door to the Public Safety building and across the street from the Friends Meeting House. Sign-ups cannot be done by phone and proof of residency is required.

Primary school Fall Fest

Windham Primary School parents and staff, with the support of the PTA, will hold a Fall Festival from 1-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, on the school grounds.  Activities, all free, wll include a dunk tank, face painting, pumpkin decorating, field games, a scavenger hunt, photo booths, story times, arts and crafts, a scarecrow contest and pumpkin and apple games.  Logan Burns will provide music during the event, which will be held rain or shine.

VFW meets

Windham VFW Post 10643 will meet at the Veterans Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12. A social hour and supper will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the 6 p.m. regular meeting.

At the Library

• Monday, Oct. 10, Closed – Columbus Day

• Tuesday, Oct. 11, 10:15-10:35 a.m., Books & Babies; 1-3 p.m., Knitters ‘N More

• Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6-7 p.m., Author Talk: Vaughn C. Hardacker

• Thursday, Oct. 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Fire Prevention Week Story Time. Children up to age 5 and their parents/caregivers are invited to join us for this special Story Time event, which will include two stories and several songs, to be followed (if possible) by a visit from the Windham Fire Department with an emergency vehicle in the parking lot.

• Saturday, Oct.15, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Saturday Family Story Time.

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

Author Talk: Vaughn C. Hardacker

Come to Windham Public Library from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, and listen to  author Vaughn C. Hardacker discuss his craft and his books. Hardacker is a veteran of the U.S. Marines and served in Vietnam. He is a member of the New England Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, and his short stories have been published in several anthologies. He is the author of five novels, including “The Fisherman” and “Sniper,” which was selected as a finalist for a 2015 Maine Literary Award in the crime fiction category. He resides in Stockholm, Maine. Books will be on hand for purchase and signing will be available. Space is limited. Please register with Barbara: 892-1908.

Electronics recycling

TV’s all sizes, computers, monitors, hard drives, laptops, printers, cordless and cell phones, VCRs, DVDs, audio equipment, stereos and speakers can be dropped off for recycling from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Windham Mall. Enter at Veterans Memorial Drivw off Route 302 next to Friendly’s. This recycling event is a fundraiser for Windham Hill United Church of Christ and is sponsored by the church and EWASTE Recycling Solutions. Monetary donations will go to cover the cost of the event and toward the support of local missions for the community. No household appliances – stoves, microwaves, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners – will be accepted. If you have questions, call Phyllis at 232-8291 or Judy at 653-5989.

Can you help?

Visiting Nurse Association will train you to be part of the VNA Home Health Hospice team, bringing comfort to individuals and families facing a terminal illness. The gift of your presence for companionship, caregiver respite and practical non-medical help will be treasured by those you support during this difficult time. The next training will be on three Tuesdays: Oct 11, 18 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To learn more about this opportunity, call Beth Simmons, 400-8852.

Kids’ rock on at library

Visit Amelia and Lucas Peterson’s unique rock display at the Windham Public Library through the month of October. At a young age, Amelia Peterson started collecting rocks that caught her attention in the family garden or along beaches. Her brother Lucas recently started gathering rocks, too, and many of his have been donated or traded from friends and family. Within five years of collecting, the two children have amassed more than 200 rocks. One of the most interesting pieces on display is the Himalayan salt rock lamp, which has been known to reduce allergens, purify the air, and reduce stress—and it’s an excellent nightlight. The family took a trip to Mount Apatite Park in Auburn and found some garnet and fluorite by using a mining hammer that Amelia received for Christmas. They are hoping to find tourmaline on their next trip. Stop by the library to see this exhibit. For more information, library hours, or directions, please call the library at 892-1908.

Senior trip

Oct. 14 is the deadline to register for a road trip to Litchfield Sportsman’s Club on Sunday, Oct. 16, to take in another Sunday afternoon of live county music from the members of the Down East Country Music Association. Old country, new country, classics and a bit of good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll will fill the afternoon. Fee: $7 for transportation, $5 at the door. Depart at 10:30 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m. Call Parks & Recreation, 892-1905, to register and for more details.

Little Red Wagon raffle

A “little red wagon” is being raffled off by Windham Historical Society to help the society continue its mission of developing the Village Green and providing school children with Windham history tours and lessons. Raffle tickets are available at the museum, 234 Windham Center Road, Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to noon; at the Nov. 8 election; and at the Christmas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 12. The cost of tickets is 6 for $5 or $1 each. The winner will be drawn on Nov. 12.

Halloween?

The North Windham Union Church Thrift Shop will be having a half-price sale on anything orange throughout the month of October. Come on by on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m., Thursdays 1-3 p.m., or Saturdays from 10 a.m. until noon. You might find a great Halloween costume! The Thrift Shop sells clothing, children’s items, household goods, books, craft items and more and is located at the church, near the corner of Route 302 and 115.

Veterans Coffee Break

Every Wednesday, a Veterans Coffee Break is held from 9-11 a.m. at Windham Veterans Center. All veterans welcome to stop by and take a break from the day’s routine, visit with old or new friends and find out what’s new!

Veterans benefits

Got question about benefits? Veteran Service Officer Jerry Smith from the Lewiston VA Office will be at Windham Veterans Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, and on the second Wednesday each month. No appointment is necessary, but you can contact Smith at 783-5306.

Medicare open enrollment

One-on-one counseling with volunteer Medicare advocates is available from 9 a.m. to noon on each Tuesday from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 919 Roosevelt Trail. This is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, and it’s your chance to find out about the lowest cost options for 2017. To register for the upcoming seminar or to make one-on-one appointments with Medicare Advocates, call the Southern Maine Agency on Aging at 396-6500 or 1-800-427-7411. Visit the website at www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available.

Country-western concert

A country-western concert featuring Lou and Maureen Mathieu will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Windham Veterans Center. A bean supper will be served from 5-6:30 p.m. with the concert at 7 p.m. Admission will be $8 for the supper,  $10 for the concert or $15 for both. Proceeds will benefit the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame and Windham Veterans Center. For more information, call Dick at 310-0390

Author Vaughn C. Hardacker will be at the Windham Public Library from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12.

Part of Amelia and Lucas Peterson’s unique rock collection will be display at the Windham Public Library through the month of October.