Happy birthday, Mrs. Cooper

When the first public library opened in Windham on Dec. 27, 1971, Myrle Cooper was the librarian. The Lions Club got the effort started with a financial donation and other community groups helped – the total cost was $31,000. Mrs. Cooper was assisted by several part-time workers and many volunteers. She guided the library for many years and is now a resident at Seaside Nursing Home in Portland where her family recently honored her on her 90th birthday! Eighteen family members attended.

Contest winners

Congratulations to Windham High School students who were the winners in the Windham Lions Club annual Speak Out Contest. Samiratu Karim won first place, Benedetto Robinson came in a close second and sharing third place were Logan Cummings and Elizabeth Silvius. All won cash prizes! Samiratu will represent the Windham Lions Club in March in the regional Speak Out Contest in Gray, which could result in her participating in a statewide contest. The Lions Club would like to thank Windham High School teacher Jeff Sanders for preparing his students for this year’s contest.

Elder Network date change

The March meeting of Lake Region Elders Network has been changed to Monday, March 22, from 9 to 10 a.m. Area seniors and those working with seniors are welcome to attend. For more information, call Dona Forke, 221-6508.

Crossroads Garden Club to meet

Founded in 1950, the Crossroads Garden Club will hold its annual meeting on March 16 at noon at the Stone Dog Cafe?, Roosevelt Trail in Windham. The club is a nonprofit organization that holds fund-raising events with proceeds going to local causes. The activity program includes visits to special gardens in the area during the gardening season and guest speakers during winter. The group meets monthly on the third Tuesday. New members are always welcome. For more information, call Sandy at 892-1127.

Charity bridge game

On Saturday, March 20, Windham Lions will hold a charity bridge game at the Windham Veterans Center to benefit the sight and hearing impaired. The time is 1 p.m. Contribution is $20 a pair with snacks, beverages and lots of door prizes. To register, e-mail snowwis1@roadrunner.com. For more information, call Bob Simmons, 892-5690.

Canal program

Windham Historical Society will present a program on the Cumberland & Oxford Canal on Saturday, March 20, at 9:30 a.m. at the Windham Public Library. The presentation is about two hours in length and there will be a brief intermission during the presentation with light refreshments available. Presenter David Tanguay has spent the last four years researching canal history and has been using satellite technologies and old maps to trace the current location of the canal. He has a wide variety of old photos of the canal and canal boats integrated into his presentation. Due to the limited seating in the library, an RSVP is suggested. Call Tanguay at 892-1306 or Linda Hanscom, 650-7484. A model of a canal boat will be available for viewing as well as old maps and documents dealing with the canal.

Planning an event?

The Windham Veterans Center (in back of the Windham Mall) has a beautiful facility available to rent for a variety of functions including parties, banquets, receptions, reunions, workshops, auctions and more. Space available for 200 people. For more information, call 892-1159 and leave a message, or Don Swander at 892-7242, cell 838-1455.

Boys’ clothes needed

The free Windham Clothes Closet is open each Friday from 10 a.m. until noon and is open to Windham residents as well as neighboring communities. They are in need of gently used boys clothing size 5-6 and boys pants sizes 7-16. The clothes closet is located on the lower level and is accessible through the back door. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the front door.

Cooking for one or two

Many people find it difficult to prepare meals for one or two people. Find out how easily this can be done at “Cooking for One or Two” on Thursday, March 25, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Unity Gardens, 124 Tandberg Trail (Route 115) in Windham. Robin Metcalf, UME Co-operative Extension Service, will present this program which is free of charge. Sponsored by Southern Maine Agency on Aging, call 1-800-427-7411, ext. 529 or drop in! Light refreshments will be served and there will be a door prize. Sign up for lunch, if you wish, by calling 892-3891, 48 hours ahead of the event.

Book group

Robert Goolrick’s “A Reliable Wife” will be the subject book for the March 30 Book Group at Windham Public Library. Everyone is welcome to this 6:15 p.m. gathering. For more information, call Barbara or Laurel at 892-1908.

Memorial Day parade

Windham will have a Memorial Day parade, at 9:15 a.m. on Monday, May 31. The parade will be followed by ceremonies at the high school and a public rededication of Field Allen school. Community members and organizations who wish to join Windham veterans and the town may contact Don McCormack (Myngame@aol.com) or Dave Tanguay (892-1306). Parade organizers are looking for military service members, veterans, individuals, groups, and organizations including scout groups, youth groups, civic and social groups and any others who would like to help celebrate Memorial Day.

Attention gardeners

The Community Garden Committee meets every Monday at 6 p.m. in the room behind the cafeteria at Windham High School to discuss start-up of this new group. Anyone interested in gardening is welcome. Plans are to start the garden in the spring on an acre of town land near the skate park on Route 202 (Gray Road). For more information, call Marge Govoni, cell 310-4117 or home 892-7192 or Paul Tringali, cell 831-1395 or home 892-2878.

Donations needed for yard sale

Madeline Roberts has started planning for the 4th Annual Yard Sale on May 8 to benefit the Food Pantry. Did you get a Christmas gift you did not necessarily want? Please don’t throw away the singing fish, dancing plant, or chia pet you may have received – bring it to the clothes closet and food pantry for their yard sale! They need small appliances, dish sets, knick-knacks, jewelry, lamps, sports equipment, small furniture or just about anything a family can pick up at little cost. The sale in 2009 made $1700 which was designated for Christmas. Thanks to that support, 326 children benefited. It appears 2010 will have more demand for services. Yard sale donations will be accepted now through April 30 for the May 8 sale.

Want to save money?

North Windham Union Church runs a thrift shop downstairs in the church building on Route 302, North Windham. Everything is very neatly organized and reasonably priced. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday and Thursday from 1-3 p.m.