Candidate’s night ?on Speakout
On Thursday, Oct. 27, Bill Diamond will host Candidate’s Night on Speakout, broadcast live on Windham’s local Channel 7 at 7 p.m. Viewers may call in questions during the show (892-0546) or attend at the Council Chambers and be part of the audience. Candidates this year include Patrick Corey and Tom Gleason for Town Council at large, 3-year terms; Town Council, East, David Nadeau and write-in candidate Ryan McDonald (3-year term); Town Council, one year term, Dennis Welch and write-in candidate John Carlberg Jr.; School Committee, 3-year term, Kate Brix, Bethany Ann Davis and Dawn Perkins; Town Clerk, 2-year term, Linda Morrell.
Voice of McDonald’s update
As reported a few weeks ago, local singer, Anthony Dighello of Raymond, is competing in a worldwide talent search to find the Voice of McDonald’s. Voting was supposed to run through October, but has been delayed so the contestants can participate in an exciting new opportunity. Dighello is one of 22 U.S. semifinalists in the competition, a contest to find the best singer among over 1 million McDonald’s employees worldwide. Instead of making a home video recording, Dighello will be flying to Chicago to record a professional submission video for the second round of the competition. If he is voted into the top three, he earns a trip to Florida and a chance to win $25,000. Starting Nov. 1, you will be able to see the new video and vote for Anthony in the contest by going to vom.mcdonalds.com. You can hear some of Anthony’s original songs right now by going to facebook.com/reinventingalive.
Cancer support group
Windham Cancer Support Group meeting is scheduled a week early this month, due to Halloween. It will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Windham Public Library on Monday, Oct. 24. This special meeting is for caregivers only, who have requested such a meeting – cancer is not just about survivors, but caregivers. Any caregiver is welcome to attend. Please call 892-7750 for directions or with questions or visit Facebook, or the website at http://windhamcancersupport.webs.com.
Food Mobile at Pantry
On Monday, Oct. 31, a Food Mobile will be at the Windham Food Pantry, 377 Gray Road for Windham residents. The Food Mobile will be set up Farmer’s Market style with fresh vegetables and fruits along with meats and non-perishables. Please contact Madeline at 892-1931 if you would like to take advantage of this offering.
Thanksgiving basket sign-up time
The deadline is Nov. 4, if you want to sign up for a Thanksgiving basket from Windham Food Pantry; forms are available at the Food Pantry. This deadline must be adhered to, due to the increased use of the food pantry. You must be a Windham resident and if you are not a current client of the Pantry, you must provide proof of residence in the form of a utility bill in your name. Questions may be directed to Madeline Roberts, 892-1931.
Senior drop-in
The Lakes Region Senior Center, at the old 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. Recently, officers were elected and include Glenn Lynds, president; Avis Fleck, vice president; Blanche Alexander, secretary and Dan Lakeman, treasurer. A survey has been taken to find out what activities may be planned for members and a calendar will be compiled. There are many organizations interested in this vibrant group – new members are always welcome.
Electronic Recycling
On Saturday, Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Windham Mall, you can bring the following items for recycling: TVs of all sizes, computer monitors, hard drives, laptops, printers, cordless phones, cell phones, VCR, DVD audio equipment, scanners, modems, fax machines, stereos and speakers. No household appliances (stoves, refrigerators, microwaves, etc.) This event is hosted by the Windham Hill United Church of Christ and donations will be accepted to continue the church preservation.
Benefit dinner
A benefit dinner and silent auction is being planned to benefit Bob Roy, co-owner of Frank’s Truck-Kaps on Route 302. He is being treated for cancer of the colon, liver and lungs and is recovering from surgery and ready to begin chemotherapy. He has no health insurance and enormous medical bills. The benefit Italian dinner will be held at Valhalla Golf & Recreation Center on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 4-7 p.m. and will include lasagna, chop suey, meatballs, pasta and sauce – all made by his friends and business associates. Dessert donations would be appreciated. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and available in Windham at Corsetti’s and Windham Automotive. Donations for the silent auction are welcome; call Joe Mains at 892-3130.
Harvest dinner ?and Cabaret
On Saturday, Oct. 22, Faith Lutheran Church, Route 302 in North Windham, will hold a candlelight harvest dinner at 5 p.m. with live entertainment. The menu includes Ratatouille with nouilles, autumn salad of fresh greens, apple slices and walnuts; homemade apple or pumpkin pie with whipped cream and beverages including hot spiced cider. Tickets are $15 per person, with a free will donation for children under 12. Limited seating. For tickets, call 892-9158 or 415-9742.
Stories at the ?Little Meetinghouse
On Sunday, Oct. 23, storytellers Susan Dries and Bill Hinderer will present an evening of Tales for Families at the Little Meetinghouse, 716 Roosevelt Trail, North Windham. Stories begin at 7 p.m. and include stories filled with suspense and things that go bump in the night, and humor. Suitable for ages 7 and up. Donations of $3 per child; $5 adults $10 per family are appreciated. For more information, contact Susan Dries at 892-9346 or email at shdries@roadrunner.com.
Lions Club road race
On Sunday, Oct. 30, Windham Lions Club is sponsoring the 7th annual 5K Charity Road Race and Walk beginning at Windham High School where registration will be held from 8-9 a.m. You also can register online at: www.active.com. Another link is located at www.windhamlionsme.lionwap.org. The run begins at 9:30 a.m.; the walk starts at 9:45 a.m. Participants are encouraged to collect pledges, due on the day of the run. Any participant who collects $100 or more, receives free registration. The registration fee is $12 if registered by Oct. 21; $15 on race day. Children under the age of 12 are free. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life of Sebago Lakes Region and Windham Lions charities.
Grief Support meeting
VNA Home Health and Hospice holds a monthly open group meeting for anyone grieving the death of a loved one, on Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the North Windham Union Church, 723 Roosevelt Trail (near Boody’s Corner). This month the open discussion topic will be, “We gather together….. can we feel thankful while we grieve?” The group is sponsored by the church’s Mission Committee. For more information, call Linda Hopkins, Bereavement Support Coordinator for VNA Home Health & Hospice at 400-8714 or email hopkins1@vnahomehealth.org.
Library news
Interested in genealogy? Come to the library and access thousand of vital records online through Ancestry Library Edition http://ancestrylibrary.proquest.com. This is an “in-Library use only” database. Download FREF e-books and audiobooks with your Windham Public Library Card through download.maineinfonet.org. Recently, Amazon announced that its e-reader, the Kindle, had joined the line-up of downloadable devices. So grab your library card, visit the library’s “virtual branch” and get ready to enjoy an e-book. Questions? Please call the Windham Public Library at 892-1908.
Veterans help available
Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 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, between Evergreen Credit Union and Friendly’s. Follow Memorial Drive all the way to the Veterans Center – to the right of Home Depot – a dirt, town road. No appointment is needed.
Chili and Chowder
The weather is right for chili and chowder, and on Saturday, Oct. 29, Windham Hill UCC will be serving this delicious menu including several kinds of each. Also on the menu, tossed salad, cornbread, assorted pies and beverages. It all takes place from 5-6:30 p.m.; tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children.
Pancakes for technology
Manchester School is holding a pancake breakfast at Applebee’s on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $5. Proceeds will be used to purchase more technology for Manchester School. Tickets available at the door or at the school. Contact dmorton@rsu14.org or call 892-1830 for more information.
The good old days!
Windham Historical Society is open to the public this fall on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, through November. Visitors will have a glimpse of the way life used to be through many displays of Windham’s past; check out the many maps, books and even T-shirts in the gift shop and find out more about that elusive ancestor who lived here. For more information, visit the website, www.windhamhistorical.org or better yet, stop in and say hello. And don’t forget – the annual Old Fashioned Christmas Fair will be held on the second weekend of November offering a wide assortment of exquisite hand made gifts in a true holiday atmosphere.
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.
Toy Workshop
With only eight weeks until the Annual Toy Workshop to be held on Dec. 17 at the Windham Food Pantry applications are now being taken from clients. The steep increase in the number of families using the pantry, and other families in need, make it very important to provide help. If you would like to adopt a family for Thanksgiving and or Christmas please contact Madeline at 892-1931. She will provide you with a family of your choice. You decide the size of the family. Last year, 156 children under the age of 12 were provided gifts, and 67 teens were given approximately $65.00 in gift cards. If you are an organization, church, school, business or private citizen your help will be genuinely appreciated. Please do not hesitate to call with any questions.
Thanks from the Garden group
The Windham Community Garden wishes to thank all who helped make this a great year. At the end of this month the gardens will be put to bed for the winter and planning begun for 2012. Applications will not be taken until March 1, 2012. Remember to check out the website during the winter months for any garden updates www.windhamcommunitygarden.org. The WCG committee strives to make this garden a wonderful experience for all. It wouldn’t happen without everyone’s support.
Winter’s coming – help is needed
Last year Windham Food Pantry helped an average of 160 families per month. This year, the first three weeks of September showed 195 families. Donations of food and funds are needed more and more. Whether it’s a bag of canned goods, a carton of paper towels or a check – it all helps. Call Madeline at 892-1931 for more information.
The former Gertrude Strout property adjacent to the library on
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