Lend a hand for Mother Earth

Earth Day is celebrated in April every year, and this year the Windham Parks & Recreation department is challenging Windham residents to participate in earth-friendly efforts by taking part in its Take 5 Windham! initiative. Visit a local park or preserve and pick up five pieces of trash to help make our shared outdoor spaces all the more beautiful as we spend time in them during the warmer weather months.

Some things to remember during your visit are:

• All facilities are “carry in, carry out,” meaning you should take your trash with you when you leave.
• Pets are welcome in most places, but if you bring them along, please be courteous to others and pick up their waste.
• All Windham facilities are smoke-free, so no lighting up on your visit.
• You should bring a mask along, but please be sure not to leave it behind. Dispose of masks and PPE at home. Do not leave them at the park.

Here in Windham, we are lucky to have so many outdoor spaces to explore all around town. Take 5 Windham! is a wonderful opportunity to show your appreciation for those spaces and for Mother Earth herself.

Tennis, anyone?

If you’re a Windham adult who enjoys playing tennis, you may want to consider Tennis in the Parks for Adults being offered by Windham Parks & Recreation. Led by a USTA coach, participants will have fun, get some good exercise and also hone their skills in serving, rallying and the game of tennis as a whole.

All players in their first session will receive a new tennis racket to use while learning. The class meets on Sundays, beginning May 2 and ending June 13. Meet at the Windham High School tennis courts from 3-4:30 p.m. The fee is $81/person. For more information, call the Windham Parks & Recreation department at 892-1905.

Shredding event

The Windham/Raymond School Age Child Program, a local nonprofit before and after school program, is sponsoring a shredding event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 1, in the Windham Home Depot parking lot. The event will run with all current COVID guidelines in place. All containers filled with papers for shredding should be placed in the trunk and masked volunteers will unload the material. Volunteers will be walking to each vehicle as it is being emptied for those who would like to make a donation to show their appreciation for this service. Business owners who would like to be an event sponsor can call 892-2002 for further information or can send a check to SACP, P.O. Box 839, Windham, ME 04062.

Day of Abundant Hope

Religious leaders in our community will share messages of hope, unity and resilience at a Day of Abundant Hope from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16 at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, located off the rotary on Windham Center Road.

It will include a wellness fair with interactive games; yoga, reiki and mindfulness demonstrations; substance prevention and recovery service vendors; swag bags and more. Visitors will be able to add a personalized puzzle piece to Glenn Simpson’s new art puzzle project, and all who participate will be entered into a drawing to win a one-night stay at Portland’s Hampton Inn. Those who bring an item to donate to St. Ann’s Essential Pantry will get another entry to the drawing.

To learn more about this day of hope and celebration, contact htidirector@windhamme.us.

Haley Pal can be contacted at haleypal@aol.com.