I have been asked to resume writing my “Around Windham” column for The Portager. I am a big fan of the Windham area and have lived here for 56 years. My mom grew up in Windham, and I visited here frequently. Windham is a very caring community. It is quick to assist people when they need it. There are many interesting happenings here that get overlooked. I enjoy promoting our community and its great activities. To promote Windham, I will need your help! Please let me know of any activities or events that will be taking place here! Keep in mind that the column will publish once per month. It is scheduled for the third Friday of each month. I will be submitting it the previous Monday. You may contact me at (330) 259-5596 or at [email protected].
Thanks to Portage County librarian Sarah McCoy, Windham has a seed library. Need seeds to plant? Go to the Windham library. You do not need to be a library card holder. Anyone can go and get seeds for free! You can get up to five types of seeds each visit. The seed library is modeled after one at the Kent Free Library, which has had one for several years. The library has info on how to grow a garden. If you do not have space for a garden, try growing in buckets or totes! It can be done. I garden in 18-gallon totes. It is much easier than in-the-ground gardening. Some people place their totes on old lawn chairs to make them easier to reach.
After 41 years of fire and EMS service for the Windham Volunteer Fire Department and the community, Chief Rich Gano has chosen to retire. The WVFD would like to honor Chief Gano for his dedication and commitment to the department and wish him well in his future endeavors. Rich’s retirement brings about some changes in the department. Assistant Chief Nick Bushek has been promoted to be the new chief. He has been a dedicated member of the WVFD for 15 years and has served as assistant chief for the past two years. Bushek has 20+ years of experience in EMS and fire. Captain Joe Veccia has been promoted to the position of assistant chief. He has 20 years of experience with the department.
The Lions Club trailer will be open again July 7 & 8 to sell its tasty sausage and steak sandwiches for only $6 each. On Friday, the trailer will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturday, it is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The trailer is on state Route 303 in the parking lot next to Circle K.
The Windham Lions also participate in the NexTrex Recycle Beyond the Bag program. The Lions collect household plastic bags and plastic wrap. They turn the plastic into Trex and earn lovely benches to be used in Windham. You can help with this project by saving plastic bags and wrap and taking it to the Lions each month. The two benches by the monument on the township green were earned this way. A bench at Katherine Thomas Elementary School was also earned through this program. It was given in honor of Chuck Apthorpe. Bench four has arrived. Bench five needs to be ordered. They are collecting for bench six. We can all help with this project without spending any money!
The CAC Summer Lunch Program at RFC started June 5. Free lunches are available from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for any child 1 to 18 years old. No registration necessary.
Congratulations to Windham track athletes Briah Daniel, who finished eighth in the shot put, and Devon Reagan, who placed seventh in the 100 seated division, in the Division III state competition!
One last update: Mac Cunningham is acting mayor. Mayor Scott Garrett is seriously ill.
Contact Ann Taft at (330) 259-5596 or [email protected] with your Windham news.
