Historical Society news

The headquarters of the Windham Historical Society will be open by appointment only during the winter months, because of the expense of heating the building. For information or genealogical inquiries, email Kay Soldier at kso48@aol.com. And if visitors want to stop in, please call Linda at 650-7484. There are no meetings in December. The next program will be held at Windham Public Library’s meeting room on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon. Topic will be “What is this?” The public is invited. Mark your calendar for next June when the Society is planning a Civil War Re-enactor campout in conjunction with Windham Summerfest!

Toy workshop

The Toy Workshop will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Human Resources Building on Gray Road, across from the Friends Church on Route 202. For more information, please call Madeline at 892-1931.

Pet Care

Help the homeless animals this year. The annual giving tree of Responsible Pet Care is now at Shaw’s in North Windham. Choose an ornament from the tree and provide needed supplies for the animal shelter – place the purchase under the tree and they will be delivered in time for Christmas.

Christmas trees ?for sale

The Kiwanis Club of Windham Christmas tree sales are being held once more in front of Aubuchon Hardware. These locally grown, fresh cut trees are still $25; all proceeds support local youth projects.

Thrift shop

North Windham Union Church Thrift Shop is located in the basement of the church, on Route 302 near Boody’s Corner, regular hours are 1-3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

What’s in your tank?

On Thursday, Dec. 22, Bill Diamond will host “Speakout” on Windham’s local channel 7 at 7 p.m. This month’s topic is Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a local non-profit organization which helps provide Windham families one-time fuel assistance in an emergency situation. It is not provided again to the same client. More than $8,000 has been expended during the first two months of this heating season – which has been mild. Diamond and others will discuss the organization, its goals and fund-raising efforts. Viewers may come to the Windham town office, Council Chambers, and be part of the audience or call in questions at 892-0546 during the program.

Veterans help available

Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesday morning, Dec. 21, to assist veterans, widows of veterans and dependents with questions about benefits and other information. If you have questions of a military nature, stop in and get some answers. The Veterans Center is off Route 302, on Memorial Drive, to the back of Hannaford’s and right of Lowe’s. No appointment is needed.

Bean supper – Jan. 7

White Rock Community Club, Wilson Road in Gorham invites the public to a bean supper on the first Saturday of each month, January through June. The menu includes two kinds of beans (pea and kidney), cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, home made biscuits and pies. Adults, $7; children under 12, $3.

Trip to Ireland

Windham-Raymond Adult Educational trip to Ireland will be April 14-22, 2012. An information night will be held Thursday, Dec. 15 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Windham High School, Room 126. The community is welcome. For more information, call 892-1819 or visit the website, www.eftours.com/1065628.

Christmas in the Barn

On Sunday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church of North Windham presents Christmas in the Barn at Hartwell’s Shady Maple Farm, 443 Sebago Lake Road (Route 237) in Gorham. A Christmas pageant with live animals and caroling will be held. For more information, call 892-3769.

Senior Center activities

Lakes Region Senior Center has a variety of activities and programs scheduled for December. Please mark your calendars if you are interested. A special holiday celebration is planned on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. The Lakes Region Senior Center at the former Little Falls School, 40 Acorn Street, Gorham is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, email lakesregion50@gmail.com or call Glenn at 893-9088, or drop in to see what it’s all about. New members are always welcome. Events are subject to change due to weather, or other unforeseen issues. Other activities include scrapbooking, knitting, cards and more.

History calendars ?are here

Thanks to those who have already ordered the new 2012 Postcards from Windham calendar. These historic “Postcards from Windham” hanging wall calendars are available, while they last, at $10 each plus $2 if it will be mailed. Orders should go to Kay Soldier, 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062. If you have any questions, please email kso48@aol.com. A percentage of profits will be shared with the Windham Historical Society, earmarked for the Village Green Living History Center project.

On a cold, rainy Dec. 7 – the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor
Day – several members of American Legion Post 148 of Windham braved
the elements to place wreaths on the Veterans Memorial at the
Windham Veterans Center and the memorial in front of Windham High
School, seen above. Wreaths were donated this year by Mike and
Pamela Pattee of River Road from their holiday business. In
attendance were Post Vice Commander Mike Pattee, Post Americanism
Officer Ralph Johnston, Service Officer Dave Tanguay, and Post
members Walter Braley, Alie Davis and Dennis Marshall. (Photo
courtesy of David Tanguay)