Around Windham: Fall is the new New Year

Hello Windham Family! Post-Labor Day in Bomber Country always seems to be a turning point or symbolic start of a new year. September has a back-to-school/new year vibe that is hard for me to ignore. Author Gretchen Rubin first remarked that “September is the other January” in her book “Happier at Home.” Gretchen noted that “Each year, Labor Day was a milestone that provoked self-evaluation and reflection.”

That happens for me, just like it does at the beginning of the new year. I find September to be a great time to reflect on my year so far, to commit to (and sometimes to even remind myself of) goals and intentions I set for myself back in January, and maybe even to set some new intentions for the remainder of the year before the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Take this month to reflect on your year so far and enjoy the many exciting things happening this month in our small town.

WINDHAM BOMBER HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES

The Windham Bombers’ Homecoming game will kick off at 7 p.m. TONIGHT against Middlefield Cardinal High School.

The annual Homecoming Parade will line up at the Renaissance Family Center (RFC) and head down East Center Street at 5:15 p.m., ending at the high school. If you’re interested in having a float in the parade, line-up will be before the parade steps off. Be there to cheer on our sports teams, band and Homecoming Court members. Don’t forget to bring a bag for candy.

Following the parade, the Homecoming Court and their families will be presented at about 5:30 p.m. on the football field. Crowning of Homecoming King and Queen will be at halftime of the football game.

The Homecoming Dance will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 in the junior high gym. No tickets will be sold the day of the dance. Prior to the dance, our long-honored tradition of photos will be at the Township Green Gazebo on North Main Street.

CAMP FITCH FOR WINDHAM SIXTH-GRADERS

Every year, our sixth-grade Bombers take the three-day trip to North Springfield, Pennsylvania, to Camp Fitch. Camp Fitch YMCA offers year-round outdoor education programs for schools in the Erie, Youngstown, Cleveland and Pittsburgh areas. The camp provides experiential learning in a nature-based environment, supporting emotional, behavioral and intellectual development.

This trip is chaperoned by sixth-grade staff and volunteer Windham High School juniors and seniors; this has been a fun and educational tradition for many years. Often, this could be the first experience our students have of being away from home for several nights.

Last year, thanks to the incredible generosity of Windham alumni, local organizations, churches and community members, every single student was able to attend at no cost. We cannot thank you enough for giving our students the chance to experience the outdoor education program at Camp Fitch – it was truly unforgettable.

This year, the cost is $90 per student. (Through concession stand fundraising, we’ve already lowered the price by $25 for each student.) If you would like to help support our Camp Fitch Fund and ensure every student has the chance to attend, donations can be made by dropping off a check at the school or mailing it to: Windham Junior High, 9530 Bauer Ave., Windham, OH 44288, Attn: Sherri Harrah.

You can message Mrs. Harrah on Facebook if you need more information. Thank you for continuing to invest in our kids and their experiences. Every donation makes a difference.

PTO PIE FUNDRAISER

The Windham Bombers PTO will be hosting its Fall Pie Fundraiser. Order forms will be sent home with all Windham students. All profits from the fundraiser will go toward Windham PTO, giving back to our school district. All pies will be $13.

Orders need to be in by Nov. 3, and pie pickup day will be Friday, Nov. 21 – just in time for Thanksgiving. All pies are 10-inch and serve six to eight people. Baking, serving and storage instructions are included in each order.

NEW SIDEWALK LIBRARY DONATION

Shannan Jursa, a State Farm agent, and Casey Timmons of Timmons Tax & Accounting have generously donated a sidewalk library for the Windham community. You’ll find the library outside the Windham Police Department – it is a red box that says “Take a Book – Leave a Book.” Thank you to these two amazing ladies doing great things for our community.

RALLY FOR A REASON FOR KAYTE MILLER

The Windham volleyball team is hosting a benefit game vs. Cortland Maplewood on Sept. 25. All proceeds will go to Kayte Tutor Miller. Junior varsity starts at 5:30 p.m., varsity to follow. The event will include raffle baskets, 50/50 tickets and bake sale. Please contact Bombers volleyball coach Lauryn Gintert with donations.

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The following excerpt is a firsthand account of the life of Windham graduate Kayte Tutor Miller since January of this year. Kayte is a 2008 graduate and a lifelong Windham resident:

“This journey all began on Thursday, Jan. 30. I noticed a lump in my left armpit. I decided to make an appointment to see my primary ‘just in case.’ She sent me for a same-day ultrasound to rule out anything significant. The results came back that night: “Abnormal examination with ill-defined abnormality. Referral to breast center advised for appropriate workup as mass not excluded.”

On Feb. 20, I saw the breast oncologist for a bilateral mammogram, ultrasound image and ultrasound guided biopsy at the Seidman Cancer Center. The results from the ultrasound were still uncertain, so we agreed to do a complete lumpectomy at the end of March for a definitive diagnosis. After sending my tissue sample for a second opinion, I was officially diagnosed on April 16 with a rare cancer that develops in your sweat glands: adnexal carcinoma.

I had three surgeries to remove the cancer and get clear margins: May 13, May 29 and June 24 with a skin graft. My case was presented to the tumor board multiple times to discuss follow-up and future treatment. Unfortunately, little is known about this cancer, so treatment outcomes are unpredictable. Radiation and hormonal therapy have been discussed, and while radiation may not significantly decrease my odds of eliminating any existing cancer cells or reoccurrence, it would be the first option.

I am a 2008 Windham graduate. I have resided in Windham since then with my husband and two sons: Kase (10) and Kohler (3), who both attend Katherine Thomas Elementary. Windham has always shown small-town pride and support whenever and wherever needed, especially to past, present and future Bombers.”

SENIOR PHOTOS OPPORTUNITY

To the Windham Class of 2026: Photographer Elena Sweet from Ever Sweet Photography is offering pay-what-you-can senior photo sessions again this year (truly pay what you can with no minimum) just for Windham seniors. Says Elena: “This is YOUR year, and I want every single one of you to have photos to celebrate it regardless of financial circumstances. I have done these for the past three years and am going to offer them again this year! This isn’t about money, it’s about making sure you feel seen, celebrated, and proud of how far you’ve come. Whether you can give a little, a lot, or nothing at all, you’ll still get a session that’s all about YOU. Please contact me directly at 330-206-8829.”

Graduation is such a special moment — you (your child) deserve to have it remembered.

She does senior sessions in other districts as well but charges $80 to $100 (dependent on location) for senior sessions. This specific deal she does just for her hometown kids.

WINDHAM ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS

Windham Bomber Athletic Hall of Fame nominations are due Sept. 30. You can pick up applications at the board office to nominate your favorite Bomber to be inducted this year.

WINDHAM ATHLETIC BOOSTERS SEEKING DONATIONS

The Windham Bomber Athletic Boosters are seeking donations for refrigerators/freezers or stand-up coolers for the boosters’ concession stand. Please contact Bobbie Petrich on Facebook or the school board office for any inquiries.

FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS AT THE RFC

The Renaissance Family Center offers free blood pressure screenings. Join us every second Tuesday of the month to have your BP checked while learning from the experts at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center in Ravenna. Annual physical exams and preventative screenings can keep you healthy by finding and addressing potential health issues before they become big problems. Upcoming dates: Oct. 14 and Nov. 11.

FINAL LIONS CLUB SAUSAGE AND STEAK BOOTH WEEKEND

Save the dates for the final upcoming Lions Club Sausage and Steak Booth weekend: Oct. 3 and 4. Just $6 will buy you the best sausage or steak sandwich in Portage County. The trailer will be located on state Route 303 in the parking lot next to Circle K. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The Windham Lions Club has been serving the Windham community since 1955. The Windham PTO will be holding a bake sale on Saturday next to the booth.

Don’t forget, we will be collecting soft plastics from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays at our drive-thru at Windham United Methodist Church, located at 9051 N. Main St. No need to get out of your car, we will do the heavy lifting. We will also take any used eyeglasses and hearing aids to be recycled and shared.

SECOND BLESSINGS THRIFT STORE SALE

The Second Blessings Thrift Store in the Renaissance Family Center is having its Fall Sale. Everything is 50% off for the month of September. Fill a cart for $20 in the overflow rooms.

WINDHAM VILLAGE PLAYGROUND CLOSURE

The Village of Windham Park playground is closed until spring 2026 (or until further notice) due to safety concerns. We understand how disappointing this news is, but necessary updates and repairs must be completed before we can safely reopen this area to the public. This closure only applies to the playground. The ballfields will remain open.

We are truly saddened to share this and apologize for the inconvenience, but we know this is the best decision for our community at this time. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

VILLAGE OF WINDHAM UPDATES:

*Windham Village Trick-or-Treat will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30.

*The Village of Windham’s next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 23. All public meetings are held in Council Chambers at 9083 N. Main St.

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I look forward to keeping our Windham community up to date with all the information I receive! Please contact me with anything you may like featured for the end of October/beginning of November. The Around Windham column runs the third Friday of each month, and I will need all the information the week prior. You may contact me via text/call at 330-283-2711 or via email at nks1024@icloud.com.

Thank you!