Ribbon Cutting Notice

Congratulations to Maggie Terry and Joanne Mattiace, owners of their new business, LEGAL LEAF, LLC at 4 Whites Bridge Road in Windham.

They were welcomed to the Windham business community with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, May 11. The ceremony was attended by several Sebago Lakes Region Directors. 

Upcoming events with Presumpscot Regional Land Trust

Join the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT) this Saturday, May 19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a five-mile round trip, guided bicycle tour along the Sebago to the Sea Trail. The tour destination will be Orchard Ridge Farm, a family owned farm along the Sebago to the Sea Trail. Steven and Amy Bibula will guide us on a farm tour and provide a free tasting of cider and donuts from their market. This event is free, but registration is required due to limited space. Register online at www.prlt.org/event-signup-s2s

For the youngest nature enthusiasts, PRLT will hold a Family Fish Migration Program as part of their new family friendly programs initiative at Mill Brook Preserve in Westbrook. This program is designed for kids 4-12 years old, although families with kids of all ages are welcome. The program will be 90 minutes and will involve about one mile of walking with several stops for exploration. This event is free, but registration is required due to limited space. Register online for this event at www.prlt.org/event-signup-family-alewives

Denny Breau and Bruce Marshall to headline benefit concert for Loon Echo Land Trust

Enjoy the soulful harmonies of Denny Breau and Bruce Marshall as they support Loon Echo Land Trust’s local conservation efforts with a benefit concert at the Hayloft at Dragonfly Barn at 95 Sanborns Grove Road in Bridgton on Sunday, May 20^th. 

A tireless performer, Bruce Marshall is armed with great originals, an expressive, soulful voice and a

commanding guitar style, both on electric acoustic and steel Dobro. He’s earned a reputation as one of New England’s best.

Denny Breau is a triple treat: a consummate picker, evocative songwriter, and a singer with a voice that is warm and inviting but completely unpretentious, much like the singer himself. 

The Hayloft’s renovated space, nestled on the beautiful historic Ingalls Farm, evokes a feeling of times gone by; this is a musical event not to be missed. 

Seating is limited with tickets for $15 in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com or $20 at the door. Seats can also be reserved by calling the Dragonfly at 207-749-6160 or emailing events@dragonflybarnmaine.com. 

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. A portion of proceeds from Marshall's CD
sales and 20 percent of Padruig Designs jewelry sales, the evening of the show, will be donated to Loon Echo and their conservation and stewardship efforts.

Loon Echo protects nearly 6,700 acres of land and manages 31 miles of multi-use trails in the northern Sebago Lake Region. Its mission is to work with the local residents to conserve the region’s natural resources and character for current and future generations. Loon Echo serves seven towns including Bridgton, Casco, Denmark, Harrison, Naples, Raymond and Sebago, with an area of 320 square miles located directly north of Sebago Lake.  

Loon Echo works within its service area to safeguard water quality, preserve scenic gems such as Bald Pate Mountain, and provide outreach and fun educational programs to the public.  Loon Echo
assists landowners to take steps to ensure future generations will benefit from the preservation of their lands.  Member support is what enables Loon Echo to carry out their mission and provides funding for their land conservation and stewardship endeavors. 

For more information about upcoming events or ways you can support Loon Echo Land Trust, go to their website www.lelt.org or call 207-647-4352.

Evergreen adds hires as market expands to York County

Evergreen Credit Union is pleased to announce three new hires, effective immediately and sine its expansion into York County.

Jennifer Chamberlin is the new Commercial Portfolio Manager.  Previously, she worked at Boston Private Bank & Trust and American State Bank in Texas. 

Julie Littell, a new Commercial Loan Officer, brings with her experience at both Key Bank and Kennebunk Savings. 

Rebecca Lanefski is the new Mortgage Servicing Specialist. Most recently she worked at Birchwood Credit Services in Conway, NH.

Evergreen Credit Union is one of Maine’s largest credit unions, offering mortgage, consumer, and business services, with branches in Portland, South Portland, Windham and Naples.

Jennifer Chamberlin

Julie Littell

 

Rebecca Lanefski

Raymond Annual Town Meeting is scheduled by Lorraine Glowczak

The Raymond Annual Town Meeting will occur on Tuesday, June 5 at the Jordan-Small Middle School gym at 6 p.m. The meeting will consist of a 48-article warrant that includes, but is not limited to, business and dog barking ordinance changes, as well as budget, finance and cemetery ordinance revisions. The meeting will begin with the election of the town moderator.

The Town Meeting serves the same functions as the Legislature in Augusta and the Congress in Washington, passing laws and adopting budgets. Instead of elected officials acting in the legislative role, it is the Raymond residents themselves that are the legislative body, making decisions and voting upon important issues and needs facing the town.

“It is the purest form of democracy,” stated Town Manager Don Willard, “Anyone who lives in Raymond and is registered to vote gets a say in annual budgets, ordinances issues, etc.”

Continuing the Town Annual Meeting, a bifurcated meeting will take place a week later, on Tuesday, June 12 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location of Jordan-Small Middle School gym. This will be the location, time and place to participate in State and Municipal Elections. It is during this day-long election event that the Ranked-Choice Voting System will be implemented for the first time since the process was ruled a lawful voting method in April.

Please also note that there will be a public vote on the RSU14 Proposed Budget in a combined Windham and Raymond Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, May 23^rd at 6:30 p.m. at the Windham High School Auditorium.

For more information, contact either the Town of Raymond at 655-4742 or the Town of Windham at 894-5960.

Raymond Fire and Rescue Awards recognitions

Glen Gisel (L) with Chief Tupper

The Raymond Fire and Recuse Department is pleased to announce the individuals who have been recognized for the exceptional contributions to the community and to the department in a recent annual awards banquet.

This year’s Chief’s Award has been awarded to Firefighter Wayne Jones. The award is presented to a member who demonstrates continuous excellence in service and support of the department in emergency and non-emergency function. Firefighter Jones was selected because of his dedication to the service, his professionalism and integrity.

Jones mentors others in the department and working to improve efficiency assuring equipment is always in order, ready to go and that members are challenged and armed with proper information. He does so with a unique ability and style.

The EMT of the Year Award was proudly presented to Taylor Duncanson, for her dedication to improve EMS services in Raymond. Exemplifying a “get it done attitude” and leadership qualities even through some of the most challenging situations.

The Firefighter of the Year Award was presented to Paramedic Firefighter Brian Pond, who also serves as a member of the department’s training team. Pond focuses on improving the department through modern methods of instruction, implementing training programs and furthering his own education so as to help others become better providers.

 Recognized with a Community Service Award for support of the department were Glen and Judy Gisel of Downeast Sharpening in Raymond, who often take in fire department equipment for repairs and parts.

The Chief Reginald Brown Community Service Award was presented to Great Northern Docks for their generous donation of a new dock for the fire rescue boat slip on Sebago Lake.

The Jane Jordan Community Service Award is presented to a citizen annually who exemplifies the spirit of Lt. Jane Jordan, in the spirit of her dedication in volunteering to make our community a better place for all. This year the award was presented to the Betty McDermott family for all their years of dedicated volunteerism in and with the town.

Thank you to all this year’s recipients and all who support the Raymond Fire and Rescue Department.

Making a bold difference with the third annual PowerServe Event by Lorraine Glowczak

One of the PowerServe projects from last year

Windham and Gorham high school students and faculty, as well as area community members will participate and volunteer in the third annual PowerServe Event, serving area organizations and individuals who need assistance with various tasks. The event will take place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28 with the hands-on projects beginning at 1 p.m. and ending 5 p.m. alongside a BBQ for all involved.

The first PowerServe Event began initially as a one-time occurrence in the spring of 2016 to honor a high school student who had passed away. In a previous interview Genevieve Delano, student director of PowerServe and who is now a senior at Windham High School, said that there were many requests for the event to happen on an ongoing basis. “One hundred percent of the people we got survey results from [in the first year], wanted to do it again,” Delano said in that interview.

PowerServe is not a fundraising event. “It is not about raising funds,” Delano stated recently. “It is a tangible way to bring students and the community together. In 2016 we had 292 volunteers and 18 projects; in 2017 we exceeded our goals with 21 project teams serving the community.”

Last year, those who participated in PowerServe provided yard work, painting, cleaning, small scale buildings projects, as well as lawn upkeep at area parks and at community schools. The following individuals and organizations were recipients of the PowerServe efforts: Windham Library, Windham Historical Society, the Karsten family, the Dickinson family, the Boucher family, Village Green, Windham Police Station, the Gregoire family, the Levigne family, Manchester School, Black Brook Preserve and local cemeteries.

Presently, PowerServe is no longer accepting additional projects for this year but they need more volunteers to complete all the tasks they have planned. “The more volunteers we have, means the more of a difference that we can make,” Delano said. “And the first 200 people, who sign up, get a free PowerServe T-shirt.” 

Not only will an individual experience the positive feelings that come from serving others but they will have the opportunity to make connections with others in the community. “One of the most amazing things to witness is how the students interact with community members,” stated Windham High math teacher and one of the founding members of PowerServe, Erin Abbott. “I love watching how everyone in the community comes together to do good. Everyone seems to find a connection in some way – with people they don’t know. It’s the coming together of a small-town community that makes PowerServe so special. Even spring sports teams like to take part. It is an amazing experience.”

Abbott appreciates the students’ efforts and their level of responsibility. “It’s cool to see the students accept this level of commitment and leadership in a cause that is greater than themselves,” she stated.

Although PowerServe has served the Windham High as well as the Windham Middle and Manchester School campuses, Raymond Elementary and Jordan-Small Middle School grounds are on the list in the future. “It is our goal to offer and expand services to the Raymond school campuses next year,” stated Abbott.

But, perhaps above all else, it is important to mention that one of the student co-founders of PowerServe, Delano, will be stepping down as student director. As a senior at Windham High, she must move on to greater and grander things.

“She has worked really hard with the help of her friends,” Abbott said of Delano’s PowerServe efforts. “She has reached out to local business, [to] recruit club members and other organizations to make PowerServe a success.”

PowerServe is sponsored by Young Life Sebago; a Christian based outreach to teenagers. To be a sponsor of this event or to volunteer for PowerServe and make a difference in the community, sign up at no cost at www.sebago.younglife.org.

As the PowerServe mission suggests: “Care boldly. Serve strong.”