Mel Winslow

Mel Winslow died on Dec. 22, just before Christmas. He was 85 years old. Newcomers to Windham probably don’t recognize his name, but many will remember he filled the woods around his house with stuffed animals – sure to catch the attention of River Road travelers. This bit of whimsy was offset by serious insight into the town’s business and future of our children, by his voice of reason and concern, as he served many, many years on the school board and in other municipal committees and organizations. We remember he visited every school and classroom while he never missed a Wednesday meeting at town hall. He was one who loved this town and devoted himself to making it better. Mel was in the Navy during World War II and worked at Southworth Machine for many years. He was an outspoken proponent of vocational education – more of his common sense speaking. He and his late wife were seen daily on their long walks near their North Windham home – everyone knew Mel and his passing is a loss to all of us and especially to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

History calendars

Start the year right with a historic Windham wall calendar. See what our town looked like 100 years ago from rare postcard photos. Calendars are $10 each or $12 if it is to be mailed. Call Kay at 892-5381 or email kso48aol.com for information – or mail your order to Kay Soldier, 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062. A percentage of profits will be shared with the Windham Historical Society, earmarked for the Village Green Living History Center project.

Bean supper

On Saturday, Dec. 31, a baked bean supper will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Tuttle Road United Methodist Church in Cumberland. The church is handicapped accessible. There will be continuous seating and take-out is available. The menu includes three kinds of beans, hot dogs, chop suey, mac and cheese, coleslaw, homemade rolls and pies and beverages. Adults $8; under 12, $5.

New Year’s activities

Unity of Greater Portland, located on lower River Road, will hold a World Peace Meditation at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31 and at 7 p.m. the same day, the Burning Bowl Ceremony is held. The public is welcome.

American Legion meetings changed

A reminder to American Legion Post 148 members that the Post will be meeting year round on the first Wednesday of each month. This is a change from the prior schedule. The next meeting is Jan. 4, 2012 at the Windham Veterans Center. Social at 5 p.m. followed by business meeting, 6-7 p.m.

Concert at high school

On Saturday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m., the Richard Nickerson Scholarship Concert will be held at Windham Performing Arts Center, 406 Gray Road. The concert features Windham High School alumni performers. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors/students.

Bean supper

On Saturday, Jan. 7, a baked bean supper will be held at White Rock Community Club, Wilson Road in Gorham. The public is invited to these “first Saturday” suppers held January through June, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. 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.

Veterans help available

Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesday morning, Jan. 4, 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. No appointment is needed.

Family researchers

Interested in Genealogy? Come to the library and access thousands of vital records online through Ancestry Library Edition. This is an “in-Library use only” database. FMI, call Barbara at 892-1908.

Social worker ?for seniors

Are you aware that Windham and Westbrook now have a Southern Maine Agency on Aging social worker available for individual appointments in the towns one day a week? For more information or to set up an appointment, call Owen O’Donnell at 396-6500. His presence is made possible by a Community Development Block Grant from Cumberland County.

Dancing ?with the Staff

The 2012 edition of “Dancing with the Staff” will happen on Thursdays, Jan. 12 and 26, at Windham High School auditorium. This event is presented by Windham/Raymond Project Graduation 2012. Ten couples (all teachers or staff members representing each school in the two towns) will compete for Champion. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for students. Available at the schools or call Sandie at 892-9463.

Free music

Does your church or charitable organization need an organ – free? If so, call Debbie at 893-1587 or 894-7095. She would like to donate this item from her mother’s estate to a group that could use it.

Senior Center activities

Lakes Region Senior Center, 40 Acorn St., Gorham provides activities for seniors Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A blood pressure clinic is scheduled on Jan. 12, at 10 a.m. Interested seniors can stop in at the Center at check the calendar of events – and enjoy a cup of coffee. For more information, email lakesregion50@gmail.com or call Glenn at 893-9088.

Living Well workshops

Two workshops designed to improve the way you feel will be held at the Southern Maine Agency on Aging in Scarborough, over the next few weeks. Living Well for Better Health runs for six weeks starting Jan. 19, 2012 from 1-3:30 p.m. Matter of Balance, a program especially to combat the fear of falling, runs for eight weeks starting Jan. 18, from 1-3 pm. Call Jessica LeBlanc at 1-800-400-6325, ext. 583 to register or for more information.

Making sense ?of the Civil War

Beginning Jan. 31, at 6:15 p.m., “Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the Civil War”, a free reading and discussion group will be held at Windham Public Library. Copies of books are available through the library. The program is provided by the Maine Humanities Council’s Maine Center for the Book in cooperation with the Maine State Library. There will be five sessions. The program is free, but registration is required and a limit of 25 participants. Call Barbara at the library, 892-1908, for more information.

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!

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.

Trip to Ireland

Windham-Raymond Adult Educational trip to Ireland will be April 14-22. 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.