Wow! The Windham area was hit by a violent storm/tornado! I am very blessed; my houses and buildings are fine. The trees by the house are ancient but intact. The railroad bed (which we own) is covered in downed trees. Our fields had lots of strange things dropped in them, such as a life vest, half a sandbox, metal roofing and thick pieces of tree bark. The pole to the high tension line that runs near my buildings is leaning. The storm took down many trees and many electric lines.
If anyone needs assistance, a command center has been set up at the town hall. A Portage County team is on site along with the Red Cross and a few others.
Offers of help are appreciated. The Salvation Army offered lunch at the Renaissance Family Center. Cal’s Pizza Express will bring a free pizza to families impacted by the storm. I love how many residents have expressed concern about fellow residents. Non-Windham residents have done this, too. I greatly appreciate all the people who made sure that I was safe.
Windham Bombers Youth Baseball and Softball recently hosted a scotch doubles event that featured a Chinese auction offering a grill-and-chill basket with a large cooler and grill, a Mother’s Day at the ballpark basket with a Stanley cup and all things mom needs, and an authenticated Jim Thome signed baseball.
Congratulations to Windham High School senior Anthony Paolella, who received the silver medal in the state SkillsUSA competition in welding. Anthony is also a great student and athlete. Wishing you ongoing excellence.
Windham Junior High and Senior High School students recently participated in the annual Portage County Art Show along with other Portage County schools such as Rootstown, Waterloo, Field, James A. Garfield, Crestwood, Ravenna and more.
In the junior high section, Windham took home 14 awards, with Windham eighth-grader Lily Pesa-Garrett receiving the Best of Show award for her acrylic piece, “Opa and Me.”
In the high school section, Windham received eight awards, with standouts being Lorena De Oliveira with a first place in Digital Photography and Alex Yusty with first place in Digital Illustration, and second and third in Watercolor.
Friday, May 3 is prom night. It’s theme is “A Night In Disguise.” It will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at DiVieste’s Banquet Centre in Warren.
The Windham Lions Club is opening its sausage and steak trailer. The trailer will be in the parking lot on State Route 303 and Circle K. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 3, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4.
The Lions will also be collecting light plastic from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 4. Thanks to those who bring their plastic, and thanks to those who sort and weigh it. The Lions also recently ordered their sixth bench for our community. Their new project is collecting solar glasses, which can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to noon.
American Legion Post No. 674, located at 9960 E. Center St., will end its dinners soon, stopping for the summer at the end of April. The dinners are either eat-in or carry-out. Serving is available from 4 to 7 p.m. You can get fish, shrimp or chicken, baked potatoes and French fries, and two side dishes are included. Cost is $14. The post’s phone number is 330-326-3188.
Windham Spring Cleanup is Friday, April 26 through Sunday, April 28.
Amanda Williams is asking for sponsors for her daughter at a national dance competition. She has been competing well in local competitions. Money is due by April 30. Amanda has Venmo and PayPal accounts.
The Portage Animal Protective League is having some spay and neuter clinics. You can sign up now to have your pets neutered in May. This is for the whole county, but we are included and there are many who need to take advantage of the program. It costs $85 for females and includes a rabies vaccination. Males cost $55 and also includes the rabies vaccination. If the animal has already been vaccinated, you can save $15 but will have to provide proof of vaccination. The APL is in need of sheets and blankets and would appreciate donations of them.
The Windham Alumni Banquet will be held Saturday, May 18 at the Renaissance Family Center at 9905 Wilverne Dr. Cost is $35 per person. Registration forms have been mailed to members. Others may send checks to: Windham Alumni Association, P.O. Box 333, Windham, OH 44288. Note the class year and email address.
Honorees are the class of 1974 (50-year) and 1999 (25-year). The class of 2024 will also be honored. Tables for these groups will be reserved.
There will be a 50/50 drawing, and a basket raffle will be held. Proceeds from these will go to the group’s scholarship fund.
The next free God Provides Meals at the Windham United Methodist Church will be April 26. This month’s menu includes hot dogs and macaroni & cheese. Meals can be picked up between 4 and 5 p.m. at the church, located at 9051 N. Main St. Meals must be reserved ahead of time. If you wish to have a meal, call 330-245-6889. You will need to provide your name, address, amount of people in your household and birthdays of all members in the household. Do not forget the church’s personal-needs pantry each Wednesday.
The Windham/Nelson couples night out group meets at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays at Cal’s.
New Hope Baptist Church has opened a new food pantry. The church is located at 9809 E. Center St. in Windham. Phone number is 330-326-3777.
Contact Ann Taft at 330-259-5596 or [email protected] with your Windham news.
