The latest Senior News for you

Senior Program Opportunities

May-August 2021 (207) 892-1905

Town Hall Hours 8 am - 4 pm 8 School Rd, Windham ME 04062

A Message from Windham Parks and Recreation:

It’s been a little over a year since things have changed in a big way, including the way Windham Parks & Rec delivers our Senior Programs. The seating capacity on our vehicles, along with keeping our destinations close to home, are the biggest challenges that have affected the program. We have been fortunate to have been able to continue offering safe, fun activities during these times.

Age Friendly Community information

It's Official - Windham is now Age-Friendly

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities is an international effort launched in 2006 to help cities prepare for rapid population aging and the parallel trend of urbanization. The program has participating communities in more than 20 nations, as well as 10 affiliates representing more than 1,000 communities. The town enrolled in AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities in January 2019. A committee formed and completed a public survey in October 2019. The committee is currently working to develop an action plan to make Windham a great place to live for people of all ages.

The Age-Friendly Windham Committee is dedicated to helping the town’s older residents remain independent and help them thrive while aging at home.

Their mission is to:

Partner with local and regional organizations and volunteer groups, to increase services and programs that make it possible for residents of all ages and abilities to live and thrive in Windham.

Provide activities geared to keeping people healthy, active, and engaged in our community.

Advise the Windham Town Council about infrastructure and policy that will make it easier and safer for Windham residents to live in our community.

Resources: The committee has compiled a list of local resources that are organized according to the following topics: housing, outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communications and community support, and health. This resource page is available on the Age-Friendly website or as a document that can be downloaded and printed for quick reference.

For more information:

Email committee—contact@agefriendlywindham.org

Voicemail — (207) 892 - 4649

Age Friendly Web Site:

Age Friendly Windham Web site

Age-Friendly Facebook page:

Age Friendly Windham Facebook page

Programs and Outings

We have found Pineland Farms to be a destination that keeps us close to home yet has so much to offer not only for this time of year, but all year long.

Lilac Garden at Pineland Farms

Wednesday, May 19

Immerse yourself in the scent of 34 different Lilac varieties. Most Lilacs have a short blooming period. The month of May will be the best time to see a wide range of lilacs in bloom. We will also visit the gift shop and Café when we finish.

Depart: 10:30 am-Return: Approx. 2:00pm

Fee: $12

Lunch on your own

To Register - Click here

Strawberry Picking at Pineland Farms:

Wednesday, June 30.

You can buy them at a roadside stand or a Farmer’s Market, or you can pick them yourself. Picking Strawberries has become a summer tradition for many Maine families. In addition to the opportunity to pick your own fresh vine ripe fruit, you will also be supporting local agriculture.

Depart: 9:00 am - Return: Approx. 11:30 pm

Fee: $10

To Register - Click here

Biddeford Pool:

Wednesday. July 28

“The Maine Coast’s Most Beautiful Beach is at Biddeford Pool.” – NY Magazine

This beachfront village wraps around Biddeford proper and converges in a vast marsh — “the Pool,” as the locals call it, and is surrounded by beach and small-town necessities. East Point Sanctuary is located at the tip of the peninsula and is a short but sensational stroll along a little-viewed stretch of the Maine coast. The trail offers views of Wood Island Lighthouse, Saco Bay, and the Gulf of Maine.

Depart 9:30 am - Return: Approx. 2:30 pm

Fee: $16

Lunch on your own

To Register - Click here

Lunch and Lighthouse Tour

Wednesday. Aug 11

First, we will stop and have lunch at the Lobster Shack at Two Lights State Park. From there we will take a short drive to visit Fort Williams and to explore the lighthouse.

Depart: 10:30 am - Return 3:30 pm

Fee: $16

Lunch on your own

To Register - Click here

Monthly Curbside Lunches

Summer Curbside Lunches continue

Local restaurants have been chosen to prepare lunches on one Friday/month. Registration and payment is required by 4:00 p.m. on the Wednesday before each lunch. Registration can be done with the registration form included in this newsletter; online at www.windhamrecreation.com or in person at the Parks and Recreation Dept.

Curbside Lunch at Town Hall: Pull up to the gym door at the end of the Town Hall and we will bring lunch to your car.

· May 21 Rose’s Italian Restaurant

· June 18 Applebee’s

Picnics at Dundee Park:

· July 16 Duck Pond Variety /Starlight Catering

· Aug 13 Mystery Lunch

Cost: $ 10.00 Pickup anytime between 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Picnics at Dundee start at 11:30. Entry to Dundee is free for Seniors on Picnic Days.

To Register - Click here

Summer Fitness, Fun & Flowers

The Park Challenge June 1– Sept 1

Now that everyone has worked on increasing your endurance, we’re going to put it to the test!! The last and final chapter of the Fitness Challenge will be The Park Challenge: To visit, explore and hopefully enjoy your time while at town parks and trails. This will run from June 1 – Sept 1. You can visit in any order you’d like, as many times as you’d like. Please be prepared to take some photos to share with us. This is a free activity, but registration is required to be included in the drawing for winners at the Challenge's conclusion.

Lippman Park – off 302 before the driveway to Sherwin Williams paint store.

Dundee Park – River Road to Presumpscot Rd. Follow Presumpscot road, through the open gate to Dundee Park entrance.

Mtn. Division Trail – River Rd to Gambo Rd. Mtn. Division Trail parking starts before the soccer fields.

Black Brook Preserve – Off Windham Center Rd, ¼ mi. from Corsetti’s Store.

To Register - Click here

Transportation to

Concerts in the Park at Dundee

Windham Senior Citizens Only

Need a ride to the concert? We will pick you up for any of the concerts you wish to attend—registration and payment will be required in advance so we can plan accordingly.

Fee: $5.00/per concert

July 7: American Ride

July 14: The Renovators

July 21: World Famous Grassholes

July 28: Country Roads

All concerts are from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Free admission to Dundee Park after 5 pm

To Register - Click here

NEW

“Adopt-A-Park “ Program

Creating a Sense of Community

If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer outdoors, Adopt-a-Park might be a perfect match for you, as it allows Windham Seniors a way to show pride in their community by working to beautify our most popular outdoor spaces in Windham. Work with Windham Parks and Recreation to keep our community’s parks and trails welcoming and attractive. We will supply everything you need, including transportation if you can’t get there. We know we have some amazing gardeners in our community, so we want your expertise!!

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. Volunteer time spent mulching, weeding, watering, and planting flowers helps provide a more beautiful park experience for the entire community.

If you are interested in participating, please register for this free program—more information regarding dates, times, and locations will be provided by late May.

Weekly Shopping in North Windham—Thursday mornings

The shopping trip stays concentrated in North Windham.

Stops include:

Hannaford Dollar Tree

Shaw’s CVS or other Pharmacies

Wal-Mart Goodwill

Banks Bull Moose

Post Office Pet Store / Vet (No. Windham area only)

* Our regular scheduled shopping day is Thursday, although factors that could require us to adjust this may include: inclement weather, transportation conflicts with Parks & Recreation programs, or driver availability. We will try, to the best of our ability, to let participants know of any schedule change as far in advance as possible.

* We are not able to accommodate individual appointments for services other than shopping. Since we never know in advance how many passengers we have for the day, your pickup time could also vary each week.

* Due to the limited number of people that can be on the bus at one time, you will be required to call in and reserve your spot between Monday—Wednesday of each week. The route will vary from week to week. You will receive a phone call with your pick-up time Wednesday afternoon. The time that you may have to remain at a given store may vary slightly each week based upon the number of participants involved. Call us at 892-1905 to reserve your spot.

Some Recommendations:

· If you have prescriptions to fill, call ahead to have the prescription ready for pick up using the drive-thru window.

· If you have a question about the possibility of a stop out of the normal destinations or have a special request, please call the Parks & Rec Office 892-1905.

The Senior Voucher Program is for anyone looking to

participate in Windham Parks & Recreation programs and activities but could use a little help with the finances.

Senior Voucher Program

Windham residents ages 55+ are eligible for funding based on income and need. To maximize the number of seniors we can assist, partial subsidy vouchers will be awarded for 50% or 75% off the program fee. The fee will be adjusted at the time of registration.

To be eligible for this ongoing scholarship program, you must complete an application and meet with Windham Social Services to be approved. Applying does not guarantee that you will be awarded financial assistance; however, if you are awarded financial assistance, it will apply for a full year for participation in any Windham Parks and Recreation senior trips or activities.

To complete your application, you will need to schedule a meeting with Windham Social Services by calling 892-1906. If you have no means of transportation, this interview can be an ADA phone interview with the General Assistance Manager, Rene’ Daniels. You will need to bring with you:

Proof of residency (utility bill or lease or mortgage statement)

Proof of Income (Avesta Housing residents automatically qualify, so you’ll only have to indicate the Avesta Housing Complex in which you reside.)

Application and more information may be found online at windhamrecreation.com, you may pick one up in the Parks & Recreation office, or you may call us at 892-1905 and we will mail one to you.

Windham Parks & Recreation | 8 School Rd | 892-1905