Community carol sing

Gather with your friends and neighbors for an old-fashioned community carol sing on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. at Windham Hill United Church of Christ. Bring a lantern if you have one – barn lanterns are perfect – and dress for the outdoors.  Song sheets will be provided. Park and meet at the church. Cookies and hot cocoa will be served in Fellowship Hall following the caroling.

Shopping time

It’s time to shop for some Christmas items at the North Windham Union Church UCC on 723 Roosevelt Trail. The Christmas room has some great decorations, ornaments and stocking stuffers. Thanks to a generous donation of gently used children’s clothing, there also are great bargains on those items along with toys.  The thrift shop is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon.

At the Library

• Monday, Dec. 12: 10:30-11 a.m., Story Time

• Tuesday, Dec. 13: 10:15-10:35 a.m., Books & Babies; 1-3 p.m., Knitters ‘n More; 1:30-2:30 p.m., Tea for You at the Library

• Wednesday, Dec. 14: 6-7 p.m., Author Talk, Jennifer Dupree

• Thursday, Dec. 15: 10:30-11 a.m., Story Time

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

Tea time

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., it will be “Tea for You” at the library.

The informal tea is open to all ages, from kids to adults. Drop by and share conversation, tea and goodies. Contact the library for more information, 892-1908.

Blood donors needed

Donors of all blood types are needed this holiday season to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients.

The American Red Cross will be at Smitty’s Cinema, 795 Roosevelt Trail, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, and at the North Windham Union Church, 723 Roosevelt Trail, from 1-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29. Each donor will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.

Author talk
Jennifer Dupree will speak at the Windham Public Library on Wednesday, Dec. 14. A former bookstore owner, a current librarian and writing teacher, and a lover of words, Dupree was a finalist for the 2016 Maine Literary Award. Her work has appeared in The Masters Review, On the Rusk and Front Porch Review, among other publications, and her short story “Butterflies” was highlighted in NPR’s “Three-minute Fiction” contest. Space is limited. Register at 892-1908. For more information, call or go to www.windham.lib.me.us/calendar.

Grief support meeting
The VNA Home Health Hospice is offering an open grief support meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at North Windham Union Church, 723 Roosevelt Trail. This free community outreach service is sponsored by the church’s UCC Mission Committee. For more information, contact Linda Hopkins, VNA bereavement support coordinator, at 400-8714.

VFW meets
The Windham Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 14. A 5 p.m. supper will be followed by a business meeting at 6 p.m.

Veterans Social/Mixer

American Legion Post Service Officer Chuck Whynot has started a Veterans Social-Mixer from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Windham Veterans Center. Vets can drop in for coffee and to play cards and cribbage and, when the weather is better, horseshoes.

Benefits for veterans
Got questions about benefits? Veteran Service Officer Jerry Smith will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the Veterans Center. No appointment is necessary.

Essentials Pantry at St. Ann’s
St. Ann’s Essentials Pantry will be open on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Stop by for “essential” non-food items like paper products, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene articles. This date is early due to Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve being on Saturdays. 

Free gift wrapping
A reminder to local veterans that the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 148 will be providing free gift wrapping to all veterans on Sunday, Dec. 18, from 2-4 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center, behind Hannaford in Windham. This is a free service to veterans only. The auxiliary will provide all gift wrap, ribbons, bows and boxes – and refreshments, too.

Medicare help?

On Tuesday, Dec. 20, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging will offer a “Welcome to Medicare” seminar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 919 Roosevelt Trail from 10 a.m. to noon. In addition to the Medicare seminar, there will be one-on-one Medicare counseling with SHIP volunteers from 9 a.m. to noon. The one-on-one counseling with SHIP volunteers will be available from 9 a.m. to noon. The seminar and counseling are intended to help you sort through Medicare options, answer questions and help you enroll. In addition to Medicare assistance, counseling on tax and rent rebates, food stamps and fuel assistance can be arranged. Call SMAA to register or to make a one-on-one appointment with a SHIP councilor at 396-6500 or 1-800-427-7411. Seminar walk-ins can usually be accommodated. Further opportunities for these services will occur monthly on the first and third Tuesdays at the same times and location. Go to www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available.

Jennifer Dupree