Chutes gives to veterans
This summer, Chutes Family Restaurant in North Windham asked patrons to come together to “Dine For Vets” and help support Maine veterans, $1 a time. The “Dine for Vets” program spanned from June through August and shared stories of local military members and their families that were served by Easter Seals Maine and Veterans Count Maine. During the campaign, Chutes collected $1,350 for Maine’s veterans. A check will be presented by restaurant owners Malia and Bruce Stevens to Easter Seals Maine Veterans Count in time for Veterans Day.

Free horse supplies and new director
The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals is hosting “Take It Away Day” on Sunday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Available at no charge will be a large assortment of saddles, blankets, horse tack, barn supplies and more. Donations will be accepted, with proceeds going to support the horses at New England’s largest horse shelter. The MSSPA, a 501 (C) 3, is located at 279 River Road, and receives no municipal, state or federal funding.

The organization recently elected veterinarian David A. Jefferson to a three-year term as a director. To learn more about MSSPA, visit www.msspa.org.

Author talk
Author Joyce Lovely from Liverpool, England, author of the book, “Ice Cream, Gasmasks and God,” which recounts the bombings air raids from a child’s point of view during World War II, will share her experiences during this time from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Windham Public Library. Books will be on hand for purchase; signing will be available. Space is limited. Please register with Barbara at 892-1908.

Veterans Day in town
A Veterans Day ceremony and open house, hosted by the Windham Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643, will be held at the Windham Veterans Center on Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be provided. Korean War veteran and local resident Jerry Black will be the keynote speaker.

The Windham Chamber Singers will perform patriotic songs, and the winners of this year’s VFW sponsored essay competitions will be introduced and will read their essays. This year’s Patriot Pen theme for grades 6-8, was “The America I Believe In,” and for the Voice of Democracy theme for grades 9-12, “My Responsibility to America.” Boy Scout Troop 805 will attend and assist in the program. After, there will be a dedication of Veterans’ Pavers in the Memorial Garden. The Windham Veterans Center is located at 35 Veterans Memorial Drive. Turn right just before Friendly’s Restaurant and follow Memorial Drive to the end.

Triple B success
Riding to the Top’s ninth annual Triple B – Boots, Band and BBQ fundraiser on Oct. 15 netted nearly $125,000 for the center’s riders and horses. More than 350 guests enjoyed DennyMike’s barbecue and dancing to the live music of the band, Under The Covers. Auctioneer Elizabeth Holmstrom led the event’s mission-based auction, Riding To The Top is a community-based nonprofit, receives no federal or state funding and provides scholarships to over 60 percent of its clients. For more information about client services, volunteering, making a referral or a gift, go to www.ridingtothetop.org or call 892-2813.

Special memoir event
The Memoir Group at Lakes Region Senior Center, 40 Acorn St, Gorham, is hosting a special Veterans Week program on Wednesday, Nov 9, at 10 a.m., at the center. Dr. Robert Sanford, Univeristy of Southern Maine professor of environmental science, will tell of his experience meeting monthly with a local veteran. Susan Gold, coordinator of the Vet to Vet Program sponsored by Southern Maine Agency on Aging, will describe how this program helps area vets stay active and involved. Retired Army veteran Howard Rennie and his wife Elizabeth will discuss how he was encouraged to write his memoir, “All the Years are Golden.” Senior Center members who are veterans as well as all other veterans and their families are invited to stop by.

Holiday food baskets, toy workshop
The Windham Food Pantry will take signups for the Windham Toy Workshop and Christmas Dinner from Nov. 7 to Dec. 1. This is for Windham residents only. Signups cannot be done by phone and proof of residency is required. The food pantry is the building next door to the Public Safety building and across the street from the Friends Meeting House on Route 202. To sign up, you must come to the Windham Food Pantry Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to fill out an application.

New pastor at Faith Lutheran
Faith Lutheran Church in Windham is pleased to announce the arrival of their new pastor, the Rev. Jane Field. Field has family roots in Maine and previously served in Presbyterian, Methodist and Episcopalian churches, most recently in Connecticut. A graduate of Union Theological Seminary, she also attended Princeton University and Kalamazoo College and is the executive director of the Maine Council of Churches.

“I’m thrilled to be called to serve a congregation who has a longtime ministry of hospitality and music,” Field said in a prepared statement. “I’m looking forward to meeting new faces and visitors in Maine who seek a welcoming, inclusive place of community and faith in action.”  

Faith Lutheran will celebrate the new pastor’s installation with a special service on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m., and all are welcome. The Rev. Dr. William Barter will be preaching and the Rev. Rich Horner will preside.

From the Veterans Center
• Special meeting – A special meeting of the Windham Veterans Association will be held on Monday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Veterans Hall in North Windham.

• Veterans Coffee Break – Every Wednesday, a Veterans Coffee Break is held from 9-11 a.m. at Windham Veterans Center. All veterans welcome to stop by and take a break from the day’s routine, visit with old or new friends and find out what’s new.

• Veterans Service Officer Jerry Smith will hold office hours at the Veterans Center on Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cancer Support Group
Halloween canceled out the October meeting of Windham Cancer Support Group. The next meeting will be on Nov. 28, at Windham Public Library.

At the Library
Monday, Nov. 7, 10:30-11 a.m., Story Time

Tuesday, Nov. 8, 10:15-10:35 a.m., Books & Babies, 1-3 p.m., Knitters ‘N More

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 6-7 p.m., Author talk with Joyce M. Lovely

Thursday, Nov. 10, 10:30-11 a.m., Story Time

Friday, Nov. 11, Closed for Veterans Day

Saturday, Nov. 12, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Saturday Family Story Time

For more info about any of these or other events at the library, contact the library at 892-1908 or go to www.windham.lib.me.us/calendar.

VFW meets
On Wednesday, Nov. 9, Windham VFW Post 10643 will meet at the Veterans Center. A social hour and supper will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the 6 p.m. regular meeting.

Medicare changes?
On Tuesdays through Dec. 7, the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging offers one-on-one Medicare counseling with SHIP volunteers from 9 a.m. to noon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Windham. The Open Enrollment Period is your chance to find out about your lowest cost options for 2017 and perhaps change your Medicare Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan. Call the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to make one-on-one appointments with SHIP counselors, 396-6500 or 1-800-427-7411. Visit www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available.

Riding to the Top’s recent Triple B benefit raised neary $125,000 for the therapeutic riding center.

The 9th Annual Triple B – Boots, Band and BBQ to benefit Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center brought in nearly $125,000.