A couple of reminders during this busy time may make your “to do” list a little shorter.

Free gift wrapping for veterans – this was something Windham’s American Legion Auxiliary tried last year and it was so popular, they decided to do it again. Local veterans can bring their gifts to the Windham Veterans Center on Sunday, Dec. 18, from 2-4 p.m. The ladies of the Auxiliary will provide paper and all the wrapping materials, bows, ribbons, cards, etc., and while the vets enjoy a snack (also provided) their gifts will be wrapped. Veterans of any age are welcome.

Volunteers are needed at Unity Gardens senior housing, Route 115, Windham, on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays to assemble Meals on Wheels meals for delivery. This is a 1- to 1½ hour task. Drivers to deliver the meals are also needed; mileage is paid. If interested or for more information, call Virginia or Andi at 892-3891.

Weekly shopping trips through Windham Parks and Recreation to North Windham are usually available on Wednesday mornings. However, the trip the week after Thanksgiving will be on Monday, Nov. 28. To make a reservation, call 892-1905. You will be picked up and go to whatever store in North Windham you need to go to – and delivered home after all the shopping is done. This is very convenient and a good group to visit with – make some new friends!

A catered pot roast dinner will be served at Unity Gardens on Route 115 on Thursday, Dec. 8, at noon. If you or someone you know is 60 or over, this delicious meal is available for $5 – plus music by Bob Gendreau will be provided following the luncheon. If you are interested, call 892-3891 and make your reservation. You might see a neighbor, friend or someone new.

Don’t be scammed

Holiday time is the perfect time for scammers to target trusting citizens – especially senior citizens. From Maine Sen. Susan Collins’ latest newsletter, we glean the following anti-scam tips as they apply to the IRS:

• The IRS will never call a taxpayer to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed a letter to the taxpayer.

• The IRS will never demand that a taxpayer pay taxes without giving him or her the opportunity to question or appeal the amount claimed to be owed.

• The IRS will never ask for a credit, debit or gift card number over the phone.

• The IRS will never threaten to send local police or other law enforcement to have a taxpayer arrested.

• The IRS will never require a taxpayer to use a specific payment method for taxes, such as a prepaid debit card or gift card.