White night

The Rebekahs will meet Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Odd Fellows Hall. This will be obligation and roll call night . All members will wear white gowns. Brenda Collett is in charge of refreshments.

Library Reminder

Works by Windham resident Elizabeth Wisecup are currently on display at the Windham Public Library. Elizabeth’s paintings were done over the last 18 months. She started her very first painting class in January 2007, a class that was taught by Pat Riley through Windham’s Adult Education program. Elizabeth says she was immediately hooked on the classes and continued to enroll in Pat’s classes through the Windham Adult Education program.

“It is a great way to meet new people and learn a new hobby” she said.

Stop by the library for a look at these paintings, which are on display through Jan. 31. The Windham Public Library is located at 217 Windham Center Rd. For more information, library hours, or directions, please call the library at 892-1908.

Time to Shrine

The Lakes Region Shriners will meet Monday, Jan. 19 at the North Deering Congregational Church. This is a joint meeting with the Kora Shrine Club of Greater Portland. A social hour will be held at 5 p.m. and dinner will follow at 6:30. This is also their installation of officers, and they are as follow: President Wayne Whitney; 1st Vice President Bob Miele; Secretary Ernie Allen; Treasurer Dave Genz; Chaplain Bill Crane and Scribe Gene Sturgeon.

Digging the ‘big ditch’

It took men three years to dig Maine’s “big ditch”, through roughly 18 miles of primitive Maine terrain. The digging began in 1829. When the Canal was completed, it was in use for almost 40 years as a major transportation route from Portland to Sebago Lake.

The Windham Historical Society will present a program on the Cumberland & Oxford Canal at the Windham Public Library Saturday, Jan. 24 at 9:30 a.m. The public is invited. Society member Ray Philpot will be the tour guide on a trip down the old Cumberland & Oxford Canal.

Beginning at the headgate on Sebago Lake and proceeding through Standish, Windham, and Westbrook to the Fore River in Portland, Philpot will present slides of the “big ditch” as it appeared long ago and today. Old photographs of the last days of the canal and more recent ones taken during the drainages at Dundee Dam and Gambo bridge reveal 19th century commerce, industry, and the engineering genius behind a lock system that guided canal boats from Portland to Harrison.

Attendees will also be treated to the story of the Wolfman of the Cumberland-Oxford Canal, a true tale of compassion and tragedy.

Improve your health

The Taoist Tai Chi Society USA (a charitable organization) is starting beginner classes Monday, Jan. 19, 6-7 p.m., at the Windham Veterans Center. Tai Chi, the internal art and method, is a set of movements which incorporates stretching and turning that improve the health of mind body and spirit. The movements reduce tension, improve circulation and balance, and increase strength and flexibility. It is suitable for all ages. For more

information, call 591-5332.

Going to the Chapel

Marriage intentions on file in the Town Clerks Office:

Ralph Kent Sr. and Dorothy Brown, Windham.

Glenn Seavey, Windham and Angela Brown, Denmark, Maine.

Thought of the Week:

There is always an open door. Walk through it!