In the summer of 1976, just 38 years ago, the nation celebrated its 200th birthday. Windham joined in and one of the results of that event was a booklet describing the history of many of the clubs, organizations and community volunteer groups that were active in town. For example:

In 1976, Windham-Raymond Senior Citizens club had more than 300 members, met twice a month, had a newsletter and ran a shop for crafts made by seniors.

In 1976, Windham Historical Society was nine years old; they had raised $15,000 to restore an old house, met every month and had begun to catalog and preserve the town’s historic documents.

In 1976, the Windham Drifters Snowmobile Club was five years old. They met twice a month from September through April and built bridges, built trails and cleaned up the trail system.

In 1976, the North Windham Business Association was 12 years old and had 69 members. It was dedicated to improving business relations and opportunities for the betterment of North Windham.

In 1976, Windham Health Council was 31 years old, started in 1945 by the superintendent of schools, school nurse and town health officer. They saw the need for more complete health program in the schools. Together, they spearheaded the Loan Closet, the Well Baby Health Clinic held monthly, Adult Health Screening Clinic (also monthly) and assisted at many functions in town. They oversaw the polio vaccine, and many hundreds of vaccinations over the years.

The Helping Hand Club was founded in 1911 by a group of neighbors in the Friends section of town, also called Popeville. The purpose was to help each other with quilting, mending and sewing. In 1976, the club was 64 years old and still held meetings. Its purpose had shifted over time, to lending a helping hand to other groups and included an annual award to a high school senior.

Garden clubs were active in 1976. Windham had three of them. The Rockameecook Garden Club had organized in 1958 and in 1976 they were working with the other two clubs in town to build the park beside the library. Membership stood at 18. The Land O’ Lakes Garden Club had organized in 1949 and met once a month, held flower shows and grew flowers for public buildings. The third and nearly oldest garden club was Cross Roads in Windham Center. It was originally founded by Asenath Dyer at her home at the crossroads of Albion and Windham Center Road. Albion Road was then called Albion Rangeway. Mrs. Dyer was known for her lovely landscaping and meetings were held at her home for years, before moving to the building across from Corsetti’s known to most as the “Old Grocery.” The Cross Roads Garden Club kept Smith Cemetery “tidied” up, and provided window boxes for the library, Friends Meeting House and other Windham Center buildings.

In 1976, Windham had Kiwanis, Key Club, Keyettes, Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce), Lions, the garden clubs, Campfire Girls, scouting, 4-H clubs, neighborhood groups like the Windham Hill Club, the Windham Hill Guild, Community Theater, Pleasant River Grange, and many others.

Some of the organizations active in 1976 have adjusted or evolved to meet the needs of a very different community. Some have ceased to exist and have been replaced by more contemporary groups. It’s all about community!