As a result of Windham’s efforts to solve its financial woes in the current economic situation, the senior citizen newsletter will no longer be mailed to residents.

This newsletter was one of the outcomes of a gathering of people about 10 years ago, when Town Manager Tony Plante raised the issue of improving communications with the town’s senior citizens. The newsletter, called the Windham Senior Voice, was produced and mailed to any Windham senior who requested it, with funds for postage and production borne by the town. The current mailing list is now over 370. As the town’s population of seniors has grown, so has the mailing list. It has been very successful, and other municipalities have copied our effort.

Basically, the Voice keeps seniors up to date on resources available in the town, such as workshops, trips, and services, as well as any other news which may be of interest, such as deadlines for filing tax refund applications. As editor and keeper of the mailing list, this effort has kept me in touch with a wide variety of issues affecting seniors, particularly those who live in Windham, such as housing, transportation, food pantry hours and retirement.

The letter was enthusiastically welcomed, so much so that when people have moved away to another town to an assisted living facility or nursing home, they ask to continue to receive it. Some have even mailed stamps to cover the postage.

About a year ago, to hold down costs, the letter changed from a monthly format to an every-other-month mailing. This mailing has now been suspended.

For now, until another solution is found or the economy picks up, I understand the newsletter will be printed and distributed for general pick up at town hall, the library and other places seniors frequent. Distribution in this manner will cut down on postage costs and save the town, and its taxpayers, money.

I don’t know whether the senior citizen news about local resources will be listed on local cable or not, as some have asked me. This newspaper has a weekly senior news column, but it’s not just for one town, however many of the issues which affect us all are covered.

I know many who received the newsletter in the past also read this paper and this column, and I hope to reach as many of you as possible. I have received quite a number of phone calls asking about this. If I can come up with a solution and we can begin to receive the Windham Senior News via mailbox again, I will let you know.

Meanwhile, please drop me a card or e-mail me if you change your address so I can keep this list correct. I can be reached at: Kay Soldier, 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062 or kso48@aol.com.)

No doubt, things will get better. We’ve all been through these ups and downs before, and we have survived worse situations. Personally, I think 2009 is going to be a great year, and I look forward to improved communication and an early, warm, sunny spring!

Take care on the ice and we’ll see you next week.