It took a long time and a lot of work by organizers, but a local senior center is now a big success and available to all seniors in the whole Lakes Region. I can remember back in the 1970s when a Raymond-Windham Senior Association had more than 100 members, so it is very pleasant to note that the Lakes Region Senior Center is having such good response.

Located in the former Little Falls School at 40 Acorn St. in Gorham, the drop-in center is open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Many activities take place – games, cards, needlecrafts, painting, puzzles and, of course, socializing with friends

On Thursday, Sept. 22, a flu clinic will be held at the center by Walgreens, from 8:30-10 a.m. – remember your Medicare or insurance card. No insurance? The charge is $32, or $60 for the high dose recommended for seniors. This is open to the public.

The Sept. 25 trip to Oxford Casino has been postponed, due to the fact that the casino is raffling off a house that day, and it will be mobbed. The Senior Center will get back to people and refund money or put it toward another date.

Windham Parks & Recreation has several trips planned for October. A trip to Castle in the Clouds will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20. Windham will pick up at the Senior Center at 8 a.m. and return about 3:30 p.m. The cost is $18 for the tour and bus ride – you’re on your own for lunch at Jake’s Seafood and Grill in Ossipee. A lot of walking, no wheelchairs, but lots of places to sit and rest. If you want to go, sign up at the center, put your money in an envelope, label it with your name and “Castle” on the outside. Place it in the lockbox in the center’s office or give to the daily hostess.

The center is collecting mittens, hats and scarves for grade-school students. Members, relatives and friends are invited to donate these needed warm items. They can be hand-knit or -crochet or purchased. Last year the goal was to collect 100 items, and members and friends donated a total of 138 items. These items were divided between Windham and Gorham primary schools to be distributed by the teachers where needed.

A Mitten Workshop will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Bring any patterns and ideas you wish to share; some free yarn is available for this project. The box for donations will be available until Nov. 4. For more information, call Kim at 892-6326.

There is also a pink scarf basket available for donations. These pink scarfs are donated to Mercy Breast Cancer Center, for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. There is an average of 20 new diagnosed patients monthly. For more information, call Cheryl at 892-9879.

Meanwhile, the Fall Senior Expo 2016 in Freeport is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a free event and you can get a flu shot, have an antique appraised and gather lots of senior-related information. Ample parking, free admission and no registration.

There is also a Fall Senior Expo 2016 scheduled for Kittery Community Center in Kittery on Wednesday, Oct. 26, with different vendors and activities. Representatives from senior communities, home health companies, pet care, estate management, hearing help and many more will showcase their services and be available for questions all day. Open enrollment for Medicare begins Nov. 1, and you’ll find several companies offering information on Medicare plans.

Kay Soldier welcomes reader ideas for column topics of interest to seniors. She can be reached by email at kso48@aol.com, or write to 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062.

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