It’s time to take a break. This has been the busiest summer of my life, or so it seems. Kicking off spring with eye cataract surgery, moving residences in mid-summer and ending the season with major surgery meant a lot of time away from my favorite pastime – the Historical Society and finishing my newest book, The Good Old Days.
I also missed out on other non-work related activities like cemetery tours and even Heritage Day here in town. You can bet that my New Year’s wish will be for a better 2007.
Among other organizations, I belong to Maine Old Cemetery Association. As the name implies, MOCA is dedicated to finding and preserving old cemeteries in the state. If any readers are interested in learning more about this organization and its activities, they may contact me. Most recently, MOCA’s legislative liaison is seeking comment from citizens regarding threatened graveyards and names of those who may be interested in being on an e-mail list. To find out more, e-mail stocker7@fairpoint.net.
Christmas shopping is in full swing out here in the Lakes Region. Already I’ve been asked about my shopping status and am always impressed by those souls who have “everything done” before the aisles are filled. The Windham Historical Society participated in several local holiday fairs over the past few weeks and reports a good crowd at the events. The Society has a number of items which would make unique gifts for folks with an interest in Windham. Included are Windham coverlets, featuring drawings of landmark buildings, and in a choice of three colors; pictorial histories of Windham as well as the hard-covered history book by Samuel Dole; maps of the town in 1853 showing every house and structure with names of owners; sets of commemorative coins (silver, pewter and brass) and many other items. Contact me if you’d like to receive a list of all items and their prices. I can be reached at kso48@aol.com or by writing me at 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062.
Although I am working on my second book about the town, I still have about a dozen copies of Memories of Windham, for those who didn’t get a copy five years ago when it was first published. This book includes many of my previously published stories, maps and pictures about the town and its people.
There are probably several organizations in town, like the Historical Society, which offer items for sale to help keep their group going. I’ll bet a lot of residents and readers are not even aware of this. I think of the cookbook put out by the church at Windham Hill and at one time the Little Meeting House Committee had a kind of tote bag with a picture of the old church on it – haven’t seen these for awhile so I don’t know if there are any still available. It would be a great thing if plans for a summer town-wide event actually materialized and next year, all of these nonprofit town-oriented groups could have an opportunity to “show their wares” and make people aware of their activities. Meanwhile, if your nonprofit church or organization has cookbooks or T-shirts or other items for sale, let me know. Maybe we can get a little publicity!
Fundraising for these Windham-oriented nonprofits is ongoing and absolutely vital to the future of the town in many ways. Right now, for example, a group of very concerned and committed people is trying to secure funding to purchase the Parson Smith House, built in 1764 on River Road. They hope to preserve one of the most important buildings in town and assure future generations of school children of the opportunity to visit this historic building and learn from a living history museum. If efforts are successful, field trips to other places in Maine will be unnecessary and local Maine history can be learned right here in Windham.
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