Many years ago, I was in the reading mood for books by and about Maine. At the time, I read almost everything written by Ruth Moore, one of many excellent Maine writers – and now that I think about it, I might get out of the mystery/investigative reporting arena and go back to reading Maine authors again. Windham Public Library will be featuring Moore’s book “The Weir” on Dec. 28 in its continuing program about the Maine community. In January, the book will be about the 1947 forest fires, “Wildfire Loose” by Joyce Butler. The library received a grant from the Maine Humanities Council to support a “Let’s Talk About It” program with the theme “The Mirror of Maine: the Maine Community in myth and reality.” There are five sessions for this free program which will be led by Ted Williams, an instructor at the University of Southern Maine. Registration is required and space is limited. For more information and registration, call Barbara at 892-1908.

Cribbage donation

The Cumberland County Cribbage Club donated $155 earlier this week to the Windham Food Pantry. The money will help the pantry buy hams for Christmas.

Fabulous 50s

A Christmas brunch was held recently at the home of Carlene and Chris Crandall. The Fabulous 50s Gals were the guests including Jeanne Allen Stiles, Cecelia Chandler Termini, Ellen Kelley Jordan, Donna Beal Jasper, Betty Reynolds Roberts, Janet Ridlon Elliott, Pat Winslow Babyock and Carlene Batchelder Crandall. Unable to attend, Joan Brown Kirk, Sandra Peavey Chute and Stella Elliott Mitchell. Everyone had a wonderful time, reminiscing about their days at Windham High School and making crafts! Thanks go to Chris Crandall, who did the decorating and food preparation with the “girls” bringing a special treat for the table.

Kindle, InfoNet ?and tea

Windham Public Library has a Kindle if you are interested in taking a look. A staff member will be glad to show you how this e-reader works. Please ask at the circulation desk. Download audiobooks for free through Maine InfoNet’s Download Library. The library also has a Sony MP3 player and an Ipod if you would like to stop by and get some hands-on experience with the download process. Every six weeks the library hosts an informal tea in the meeting room. Folks are encouraged to drop in, share conversation, tea, and goodies. The tea is open to anyone who would like to stop by that afternoon. The next tea date is Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Monday meals

Food & Fellowship Inc. began in 1999 with a mission to provide hot meals to people living in Windham and surrounding communities in the Lakes Region. On Monday nights, free “Monday Meals” are served to anyone who would like a hot, nutritious meal. On the first and second Mondays, the site is Windham Assembly of God, 1051 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302); on the third and fourth Mondays, meals are served at Windham Hill United Church of Christ, 140 Windham Center Road and on the occasional fifth Monday, the table is set at Standish Congregational Church, 25 Oak Hill Road in Standish.

Veterans help

Wednesday, Dec. 22, from 9 a.m. noon, Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be available to assist veterans, widows of veterans and dependents with questions about benefits and other information at Windham Veterans Center. She will be on hand on the second and fourth Wednesdays each month. If you have questions of a military nature, stop in and get some answers. The Veterans Center is off Route 302, on Memorial Drive, between Evergreen Credit Union and Friendly’s. Follow Memorial Drive all the way to the Veterans Center.

For seniors only

The Windham Food Pantry is open on the first Monday each month for senior citizens from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Madeline Roberts changed the day this year so seniors can receive fresh fruit and produce, which is available only on Mondays. If seniors cannot make it on Monday morning, they can continue to come in the evening.

The Parks and Recreation Department provides a weekly “Senior Shopping” trip to North Windham for senior citizens. The trip is on Wednesdays, for a $3 fee. Please call 24 hours ahead of time to reserve a seat. Call 892-1905 for reservations and more information.

What’s up with Medicare?

If you have questions about Medicare options, call Southern Maine Agency on Aging to make an appointment at one of its clinics held in major areas throughout Cumberland and York counties. Open enrollment runs until Dec. 31 and because of high interest in the program, appointments are required – call 1-800-427-7411, ext. 524.

Clinics are scheduled to be held on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 21 and 28 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Roosevelt Trail in North Windham.

Got news?

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