By Ed Pierce
For Richard Collins of Windham, grief is not something he’s been able to get over easily. It’s not something that he woke up one morning and said that it’s over, it’s something he carries with him every day. Yet he believes that if others experiencing grief can learn to manage it and honor the person they miss, it is something incredibly sad that can be turned into something positive.
Both of Collins sons were born in Washington state and were still in school when Collins relocated the family back to his home state of Maine. His oldest son, Kyle, was in high school while his youngest son Cody, was in middle school.
“Cody liked Washington state and didn’t like it here,” Collins said. “He missed his friends in Washington.”
But because his family was here, Cody adapted and graduated from Windham High School as a junior in the Class of 2009 with honors. He decided to attend college in Washington state and attended Bellevue Community College in Bellevue, Washington and then was accepted to transfer to the University of Washington.
Things were looking up for Cody when he called his father in Windham on Sept. 22, 2012, and said he wasn’t feeling well, he had been throwing up, had diarrhea and was dehydrated. He ended up going to a hospital and called his father back to tell him that he had been diagnosed with leukemia.
His father brought him back to Maine to be near family as he was going through treatment. Cody ended up having stem cell transplantation surgery and not long thereafter, he felt better and got the OK to return to college. But a month after returning to school in Washington state, his father received a phone call that Cody had been admitted to a hospital in Seattle and was suffering from Graft versus Host Disease, resulting from his previous stem cell transplant surgery.
“He had beaten cancer but now he needed a lung transplant,” Collins said. “Before that could happen, he died at the age of 23 on Nov. 18, 2015.”
Cody’s death sent his family into a tailspin. His older brother, Kyle, was so grief-stricken he couldn’t talk about his brother dying and to this day, finds it difficult to speak about it. He was supportive of his father but finds it painful to discuss.
As for his father, the loss of his youngest son was a devastating blow to Collins.
“Everybody grieves differently,” he said. “As a parent I felt like my heart was ripped out. I was shocked and overwhelmed.”
After Cody’s death, Collins had funeral services in Washington and here in Maine for Cody and heard about a grief support group at a local hospital. They offered a six-week course in dealing with grief and through that, Collins learned about a group called The Compassionate Friends who supported families after a child dies.
There was only one chapter of The Compassionate Friends in Maine and that was in the Lewiston-Auburn area. There Collins met other bereaved fathers like him and found it helped him process his son’s death.
“I was in a group where people understand,” he said.
The Compassionate Friends organization was originally started in 1969 by two couples who lost children in an automobile accident in England. Its first U.S. chapter was created in 1972.
Collins says he decided to help form a local chapter to support other families in Southern Maine who experience what he has been through.
“It hit me that this was a great way to honor my boy,” he said.
Launched on the fifth anniversary of Cody’s death, 19 individuals attended the Portland chapter’s first meeting, and it has grown over the years since. The support group meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at The Rise Church at 1047 Congress St. in Portland. There is no cost to participate, and all the group’s facilitators are bereaved themselves.
“The point is we want to let people know, especially during this time of year, that there is support for them and they are not alone,” Collins said. “We want people to know we’re there for them.”
If he had lived, Cody would be 32 today.
Collins said being part of The Compassionate Friends has helped him tremendously and thinks if Cody was still alive today he would say, “Way to go Dad.”
To learn more about The Compassionate Friends of Portland, call 207-200-3651 or visit them online at https://portlandcompassionatefriends.org/ or send an email to TCFofPortandME@gmail.com <
November 15, 2024
Windham father transforms loss of son into positive mission of helping others deal with grief
Windham Town Council elects Maxfield as council chair
By Ed Pierce
With two incumbent councilors, Bill Reiner and David Nadeau, sworn in to serve at the start of Tuesday night’s Windham Town Council meeting, councilors elected a new chairperson, leadership team and made committee assignments for the coming year.
Councilor Jarrod Maxfield was elected as the new Windham Town Council chair, succeeding Mark Morrison in that position. The council also nominated and elected Bill Reiner to serve as the council’s vice-chair and David Nadeau as the council’s parliamentarian.
Maxfield has lived in Windham since 2011 and owns a computer technology business. He has represented Windham’s North District since 2016.
The council also chose Nadeau to serve on the Finance Committee along with Councilors Reiner and Nicholas Kalogerakis. Elected to serve on the Appointments Committee for the coming year are Councilors John Henry, Reiner and Morrison.
Kalogerakis, who represents Windham’s South District, will join Maxfield in continuing to serve as the council’s delegates to the Windham Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
Councilor Brett Jones, who represents Windham’s East District, was elected as the council’s representative to the Natural Resources Advisory Committee and as the council’s representative to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
Council members Maxfield, Nadeau, and Henry were elected to serve on the Ordinance Committee.
Councilors Nadeau, Maxfield and Henry were chosen to serve on the Ordinance Committee, while Morrison was elected as the council’s lone representative to the Substance Prevention Grant Committee.
Reiner will serve as the council’s representative on the Energy Advisory Committee, while Maxfield will represent the town as Windham’s delegate to the Greater Portland Council of Governments General Assembly (GPCGGA). Assistant Windham Town Manager Bob Burns was appointed by the council as Alternate Delegate to the GPCGGA.
Burns was appointed by councilors to be Windham’s delegate to the ecoMaine Board of Directors. Council Nadeau will be the town’s Alternate Delegate to that board.
During the council meeting, councilors discussed adopting amended rules about how to handle a tie vote. Windham Town Manager Barry Tibbetts suggested that the council follow Planning Board rules where if a vote is tied as a result of an absence, the issue carries over to the next meeting when hopefully all seven council members will be there.
A question arose about what would happen if a councilor were to abstain from voting resulting in a tie vote. Tibbetts said the amended rules would be that the issue would be carried over to the next meeting if it was tied and if a councilor abstained again then the motion or issue would fail.
The councilors voted to table a vote about the amended rules until the next meeting.
In another action, the Windham Town Council appointed Brian Morin as Windham’s Public Works Director. Morin has spent the past three months as the town’s interim Public Works Director and formerly served as Windham’s Facilities and Grounds Director.
Morin said he was grateful for the appointment and for the support shown to him by the council, the town manager and residents in the community. <
With two incumbent councilors, Bill Reiner and David Nadeau, sworn in to serve at the start of Tuesday night’s Windham Town Council meeting, councilors elected a new chairperson, leadership team and made committee assignments for the coming year.
Councilor Jarrod Maxfield has been elected to serve as chair of the Windham Town Council for the coming year. He has represented Windham's North District on the council since 2016. FILE PHOTO |
Maxfield has lived in Windham since 2011 and owns a computer technology business. He has represented Windham’s North District since 2016.
The council also chose Nadeau to serve on the Finance Committee along with Councilors Reiner and Nicholas Kalogerakis. Elected to serve on the Appointments Committee for the coming year are Councilors John Henry, Reiner and Morrison.
Kalogerakis, who represents Windham’s South District, will join Maxfield in continuing to serve as the council’s delegates to the Windham Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
Councilor Brett Jones, who represents Windham’s East District, was elected as the council’s representative to the Natural Resources Advisory Committee and as the council’s representative to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
Council members Maxfield, Nadeau, and Henry were elected to serve on the Ordinance Committee.
Councilors Nadeau, Maxfield and Henry were chosen to serve on the Ordinance Committee, while Morrison was elected as the council’s lone representative to the Substance Prevention Grant Committee.
Reiner will serve as the council’s representative on the Energy Advisory Committee, while Maxfield will represent the town as Windham’s delegate to the Greater Portland Council of Governments General Assembly (GPCGGA). Assistant Windham Town Manager Bob Burns was appointed by the council as Alternate Delegate to the GPCGGA.
Burns was appointed by councilors to be Windham’s delegate to the ecoMaine Board of Directors. Council Nadeau will be the town’s Alternate Delegate to that board.
During the council meeting, councilors discussed adopting amended rules about how to handle a tie vote. Windham Town Manager Barry Tibbetts suggested that the council follow Planning Board rules where if a vote is tied as a result of an absence, the issue carries over to the next meeting when hopefully all seven council members will be there.
A question arose about what would happen if a councilor were to abstain from voting resulting in a tie vote. Tibbetts said the amended rules would be that the issue would be carried over to the next meeting if it was tied and if a councilor abstained again then the motion or issue would fail.
The councilors voted to table a vote about the amended rules until the next meeting.
In another action, the Windham Town Council appointed Brian Morin as Windham’s Public Works Director. Morin has spent the past three months as the town’s interim Public Works Director and formerly served as Windham’s Facilities and Grounds Director.
Morin said he was grateful for the appointment and for the support shown to him by the council, the town manager and residents in the community. <
Festival of Trees set for annual return to Windham Hill UCC
By Ed Pierce
Windham residents know that the holiday season has officially arrived each year when the popular Annual Christmas Festival of Trees makes its return to the Windham Hill United Church of Christ.
This much-anticipated event for the community of Windham is a showcase for local merchants and organizations as well as a fundraiser for Windham Hill United Church of Christ, the founding church of Windham and a historic landmark for the town.
Festival hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. On Sunday, Dec. 8, the festival will be open from noon to 4 p.m. with the Grand Drawing of Winners to be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.
There will be 20 decorated Christmas trees with lights, and each one will be donated by a local business or by individuals in Windham.
In keeping up a tradition, Windham Hill UCC will once again sponsor a special tree to honor the memory of the late Bob Turner, a Windham Hill UCC church member who came up with the idea to create this popular annual event. Turner, who died in January 2023, based his idea on an event that he participated in when he lived in Brewer.
The tree sponsor will decorate the tree and then put gifts on and around the tree, many from their store or organization. Winners will receive the tree itself, with its lights and ornaments, all the gifts hanging on the tree, and all the wrapped gifts placed under the tree.
At each of the previous Christmas Festival of Trees events, the drawing winners took home everything from toys and gift items to kitchen supplies and jewelry and there’s always great excitement and anticipation when each Grand Drawing is conducted.
Admission to the Christmas Festival of Trees is free and everyone is welcome to visit the church and take in the sights of these decorated Christmas trees with the colorfully wrapped gifts underneath from the event’s tree sponsors. There will be drawing tickets on sale for 50 cents each. A bucket will be in front of each tree display and one ticket will be drawn for each tree at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
The winners do not have to be present for the drawing but will need to claim their tree and gifts by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Along with the Christmas tree displays, visitors to the event will find refreshments available in the church’s cafĂ©. Available treats will include Macaroni and Cheese, Hot Dogs, Fish Chowder, Tacos, Whoopie Pies, and a variety of other sweet goodies.
Event officials say that by participating, not only do you have a chance to win big, but you'll also be helping to support the church budget and community mission projects, spreading joy where it's needed most. Some Windham UCC mission projects include donations to the Windham Food Pantry, helping the homeless, participating in the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing programs, and providing meals for local families in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The church’s charitable work also involves collecting donations for fire victims, hurricane victims and those affected by other natural disasters.
Windham Hill United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming church, welcoming all who would come.
The church was founded in 1743 and has been central to the life of Windham throughout Windham’s history as a town. <
Windham residents know that the holiday season has officially arrived each year when the popular Annual Christmas Festival of Trees makes its return to the Windham Hill United Church of Christ.
This much-anticipated event for the community of Windham is a showcase for local merchants and organizations as well as a fundraiser for Windham Hill United Church of Christ, the founding church of Windham and a historic landmark for the town.
Festival hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. On Sunday, Dec. 8, the festival will be open from noon to 4 p.m. with the Grand Drawing of Winners to be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.
The church’s Fellowship Hall will be decorated for the Holiday season and refreshments will be available.
There will be 20 decorated Christmas trees with lights, and each one will be donated by a local business or by individuals in Windham.
In keeping up a tradition, Windham Hill UCC will once again sponsor a special tree to honor the memory of the late Bob Turner, a Windham Hill UCC church member who came up with the idea to create this popular annual event. Turner, who died in January 2023, based his idea on an event that he participated in when he lived in Brewer.
The tree sponsor will decorate the tree and then put gifts on and around the tree, many from their store or organization. Winners will receive the tree itself, with its lights and ornaments, all the gifts hanging on the tree, and all the wrapped gifts placed under the tree.
At each of the previous Christmas Festival of Trees events, the drawing winners took home everything from toys and gift items to kitchen supplies and jewelry and there’s always great excitement and anticipation when each Grand Drawing is conducted.
Admission to the Christmas Festival of Trees is free and everyone is welcome to visit the church and take in the sights of these decorated Christmas trees with the colorfully wrapped gifts underneath from the event’s tree sponsors. There will be drawing tickets on sale for 50 cents each. A bucket will be in front of each tree display and one ticket will be drawn for each tree at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
The winners do not have to be present for the drawing but will need to claim their tree and gifts by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Along with the Christmas tree displays, visitors to the event will find refreshments available in the church’s cafĂ©. Available treats will include Macaroni and Cheese, Hot Dogs, Fish Chowder, Tacos, Whoopie Pies, and a variety of other sweet goodies.
Event officials say that by participating, not only do you have a chance to win big, but you'll also be helping to support the church budget and community mission projects, spreading joy where it's needed most. Some Windham UCC mission projects include donations to the Windham Food Pantry, helping the homeless, participating in the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing programs, and providing meals for local families in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The church’s charitable work also involves collecting donations for fire victims, hurricane victims and those affected by other natural disasters.
Windham Hill United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming church, welcoming all who would come.
The church was founded in 1743 and has been central to the life of Windham throughout Windham’s history as a town. <
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Tips to reduce Browntail Moth Hair exposure during fall outdoor activities
AUGUSTA – The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service (MFS), and 211 Maine remind residents and visitors to protect themselves from browntail moth hairs this fall.
The Maine Forest Service has found evidence of browntail moths in all Maine counties, with the majority of activity in southern and central Maine.
To reduce exposure to browntail moth hairs:
* Stay informed about browntail moth hotspots by visiting the Interactive Browntail Moth Dashboard to see where MFS notes high activity. Then, be proactive, know the risks, take steps to protect yourself, and monitor your surroundings.
* When performing outdoor activities that may stir up caterpillar hairs:
* Aim for damp days or spray vegetation with water. Moisture helps keep the hairs from becoming airborne.
* Cover your face and any exposed skin by wearing a long sleeve shirt, long pants, goggles, a respirator/dust mask, a hat, and a disposable coverall.
* Tightly secure clothing around the neck, wrists, and ankles.
* Avoid using leaf blowers in areas known to have infestations.
* Take cool showers and change clothes after outdoor activities in infested areas.
* Dry laundry inside to avoid getting hairs on clothing.
For more information:
* Contact 211 Maine for answers to frequently asked questions on browntail moths:
* Dial 211 or 1-866-811-5695
* Text your zip code to 898-211
* Maine CDC Browntail Moth website: www.maine.gov/dhhs//browntailmoth
* Maine Forest Service Browntail Moth website: www.maine.gov/dacf/knockoutbtm <
The Maine Forest Service has found evidence of browntail moths in all Maine counties, with the majority of activity in southern and central Maine.
Most people affected by the hairs develop a localized rash that lasts for a few hours up to several days. In more sensitive people, the rash can be severe and last for weeks. Hairs may also cause respiratory distress. Treatment for the rash or breathing problems caused by browntail moth hairs focuses on relieving symptoms and eliminating further exposure.
To reduce exposure to browntail moth hairs:
* Stay informed about browntail moth hotspots by visiting the Interactive Browntail Moth Dashboard to see where MFS notes high activity. Then, be proactive, know the risks, take steps to protect yourself, and monitor your surroundings.
* When performing outdoor activities that may stir up caterpillar hairs:
* Aim for damp days or spray vegetation with water. Moisture helps keep the hairs from becoming airborne.
* Cover your face and any exposed skin by wearing a long sleeve shirt, long pants, goggles, a respirator/dust mask, a hat, and a disposable coverall.
* Tightly secure clothing around the neck, wrists, and ankles.
* Avoid using leaf blowers in areas known to have infestations.
* Take cool showers and change clothes after outdoor activities in infested areas.
* Dry laundry inside to avoid getting hairs on clothing.
For more information:
* Contact 211 Maine for answers to frequently asked questions on browntail moths:
* Dial 211 or 1-866-811-5695
* Text your zip code to 898-211
* Maine CDC Browntail Moth website: www.maine.gov/dhhs//browntailmoth
* Maine Forest Service Browntail Moth website: www.maine.gov/dacf/knockoutbtm <
'Be A Santa To A Senior' program aims to brighten holidays for elderly
By Ed Pierce
Christmas wishes do indeed come true, and no matter how old you are, an annual program sponsored by Home Instead of Gorham intends to bring cheer and a smile to older residents in need this holiday season in Windham and Raymond.
The local tree location is at Blue Seal Feeds, 43 Main St. in Windham. All gifts need to be returned to the tree location or to Home Instead at 502 Main St. in Gorham no later than Wednesday, Dec. 4.
According to Kathy Damon, a home care consultant for Home Instead, the program annually serves more than 600 seniors across Cumberland County and has worked with more than 20 different nonprofits and senior agencies in developing a list of deserving seniors to be given gifts.
When volunteers pair up with police officers to deliver the gifts at Christmas that experience is incredibly moving and emotional, Damon said.
The Be A Santa To A Senior Program is evidence for many seniors that these simple gifts reminds them that they have been thought of during the holiday season.
Many of the recipients have no family or are financially strapped. What the recipients typically ask for ranges from food to a warm pair of socks to a winter coat or boots and the staff at Home Instead makes sure that all requests are fulfilled.
Each year after the gifts have been delivered, Home Instead receives thank you notes from recipients and senior caregivers who are grateful for the gifts.
In previous years, gift items have included everything from magnifying glasses to hand-held grabbers, warm socks, winter coats and boots, large Christmas bags and tissue paper, Christmas treats, lap blankets, puzzles of different strengths, large-print puzzle books, reading glasses, stamps, to gift cards from Hannaford, Bull Moose, Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop, Walmart and other stores, Damon said.
For those who cannot find an ornament, donated items can also be dropped off at the tree locations and program organizers say that some gifts are always needed by local seniors. Those items include knitted or crochet hats and scarves; plush throws; body cream for dry or sensitive skin; men’s and women’s hats and gloves; snacks both sugar and sugar-free; calendars; puzzle books; stationary; stamps; grocery gift certificates; and tissue paper and large sturdy Christmas bags.
The program is open to all seniors in Cumberland County, although they need to be referred through an agency such as Windham’s Ledgewood Manor.
Damon said the logistics of matching the right gifts to the right seniors can be challenging every year, but the Be A Santa To A Senior Program connects many isolated community members with those who want to help.
“I think everyone should take away from this and realize that there are seniors who can be overlooked at this time of year,” she said. “It can be very lonely for people. This program sends the message that there are people in the community who care about them and want to make their holidays brighter.”
For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 207-839-0441. <
Christmas wishes do indeed come true, and no matter how old you are, an annual program sponsored by Home Instead of Gorham intends to bring cheer and a smile to older residents in need this holiday season in Windham and Raymond.
The local tree location is at Blue Seal Feeds, 43 Main St. in Windham. All gifts need to be returned to the tree location or to Home Instead at 502 Main St. in Gorham no later than Wednesday, Dec. 4.
According to Kathy Damon, a home care consultant for Home Instead, the program annually serves more than 600 seniors across Cumberland County and has worked with more than 20 different nonprofits and senior agencies in developing a list of deserving seniors to be given gifts.
When volunteers pair up with police officers to deliver the gifts at Christmas that experience is incredibly moving and emotional, Damon said.
“For me, the best part of doing this comes in delivering the gifts,” Damon said. “To hear the appreciation is just wonderful.”
The Be A Santa To A Senior Program is evidence for many seniors that these simple gifts reminds them that they have been thought of during the holiday season.
Many of the recipients have no family or are financially strapped. What the recipients typically ask for ranges from food to a warm pair of socks to a winter coat or boots and the staff at Home Instead makes sure that all requests are fulfilled.
Each year after the gifts have been delivered, Home Instead receives thank you notes from recipients and senior caregivers who are grateful for the gifts.
In previous years, gift items have included everything from magnifying glasses to hand-held grabbers, warm socks, winter coats and boots, large Christmas bags and tissue paper, Christmas treats, lap blankets, puzzles of different strengths, large-print puzzle books, reading glasses, stamps, to gift cards from Hannaford, Bull Moose, Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop, Walmart and other stores, Damon said.
For those who cannot find an ornament, donated items can also be dropped off at the tree locations and program organizers say that some gifts are always needed by local seniors. Those items include knitted or crochet hats and scarves; plush throws; body cream for dry or sensitive skin; men’s and women’s hats and gloves; snacks both sugar and sugar-free; calendars; puzzle books; stationary; stamps; grocery gift certificates; and tissue paper and large sturdy Christmas bags.
The program is open to all seniors in Cumberland County, although they need to be referred through an agency such as Windham’s Ledgewood Manor.
Damon said the logistics of matching the right gifts to the right seniors can be challenging every year, but the Be A Santa To A Senior Program connects many isolated community members with those who want to help.
“I think everyone should take away from this and realize that there are seniors who can be overlooked at this time of year,” she said. “It can be very lonely for people. This program sends the message that there are people in the community who care about them and want to make their holidays brighter.”
For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 207-839-0441. <
November 8, 2024
In the public eye: WMS Altitude teacher a positive role model for students
Editor’s note: This is another in an ongoing series of Windham and Raymond two employee profiles.
By Ed Pierce
Lisa Anderson never forgot how instrumental that teachers were in her life and that from an early age, her mother thought her daughter should try and become an educator. Now more than three decades into her teaching career at Windham Middle School, Anderson strives to let her students know she believes in them and their potential in life.
“We utilize community resources and community members to provide engaging opportunities inside and out,” Anderson said. “We also partner with Rippleffect which promotes youth development and leadership through adventure.”
She said the goal of this partnership is to challenge students in ways they may not be challenged in their daily lives within the traditional school setting.
“Learning is a lifestyle, not a class,” Anderson said. “Rippleffect programs help youth build confidence, develop critical leadership skills, strengthen relationships, and grow their appreciation for the outdoors through exploration of Cow Island, the waters of Casco Bay, and the wilderness of New England.”
Prior to joining the WMS Altitude Program when it launched in the fall of 2022, Anderson taught Language Arts and Social Studies at the school.
Originally from Madison, Maine, she attended college at the University of Southern Maine where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and graduated with a Coaching Certificate.
“I played soccer and softball in college and often held jobs in the summer working in recreation,” Anderson said. “My mom had always told me I should be a teacher. After graduating, I decided to volunteer in a middle school classroom, just to see what it was like. I loved it and knew immediately that's where I wanted to spend my days.”
She went on to obtain a master’s degree in education from the University of New England and worked for four years in special education teaching reading before moving to Windham and applying for a job at WMS.
“I had four people at my interview and when they asked why I should be hired I told them I had important people during my years in school and it was my turn to give back,” Anderson said. “I was hired, and WMS has been my home and family for 30 years. I guess moms really do know best.”
Of everything she’s accomplished in her time as a teacher at Windham Middle School, Anderson says recalls several meaningful things to her.
“When I look back over the years, there's a couple. One memorable time for me was when my own sons went to Windham Primary School and my middle school students connected with their classrooms for a buddy program,” she said. “We partnered with them all year to foster a positive relationship in the community with our youth. The seventh graders naturally learned to be leaders. This was so special. Another was when I was part of a looping team with Ms. Mallard, we had our students for two years and we all became such a family. Learning was a lifestyle, not a class. These students have returned year after year, and it is so rewarding to have watched them all grow.”
At WMS, Anderson has always taught sixth- to eighth-grade students.
“I love this age group. However, I have also been a coach for over 30 years and have worked with 4-year-olds to 18-year-olds coaching soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, and swimming,” she said. “It's so rewarding to teach kids that they can be strong, and that success comes with hard work.”
According to Anderson, the public needs to know that the work of teachers is about more than just academics and even she continues to learn new things every day.
“The WMS community has taught me that when kids know what to expect, they can make good decisions,” she said. <
By Ed Pierce
Lisa Anderson never forgot how instrumental that teachers were in her life and that from an early age, her mother thought her daughter should try and become an educator. Now more than three decades into her teaching career at Windham Middle School, Anderson strives to let her students know she believes in them and their potential in life.
“We utilize community resources and community members to provide engaging opportunities inside and out,” Anderson said. “We also partner with Rippleffect which promotes youth development and leadership through adventure.”
She said the goal of this partnership is to challenge students in ways they may not be challenged in their daily lives within the traditional school setting.
“Learning is a lifestyle, not a class,” Anderson said. “Rippleffect programs help youth build confidence, develop critical leadership skills, strengthen relationships, and grow their appreciation for the outdoors through exploration of Cow Island, the waters of Casco Bay, and the wilderness of New England.”
Prior to joining the WMS Altitude Program when it launched in the fall of 2022, Anderson taught Language Arts and Social Studies at the school.
“I have worked for 30 years at Windham Middle School, and this has been my second home and family,” she said. “The best thing about my job is the kids. They bring such energy and laughter to every day that I just want to keep coming back. I am given the opportunity to be a caring adult, make them feel important, and to help them see themselves as confident young adults. Middle school is hard, and some kids just need to know there is someone in their corner. Connecting with families is so important.”
Originally from Madison, Maine, she attended college at the University of Southern Maine where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and graduated with a Coaching Certificate.
“I played soccer and softball in college and often held jobs in the summer working in recreation,” Anderson said. “My mom had always told me I should be a teacher. After graduating, I decided to volunteer in a middle school classroom, just to see what it was like. I loved it and knew immediately that's where I wanted to spend my days.”
She went on to obtain a master’s degree in education from the University of New England and worked for four years in special education teaching reading before moving to Windham and applying for a job at WMS.
“I had four people at my interview and when they asked why I should be hired I told them I had important people during my years in school and it was my turn to give back,” Anderson said. “I was hired, and WMS has been my home and family for 30 years. I guess moms really do know best.”
Of everything she’s accomplished in her time as a teacher at Windham Middle School, Anderson says recalls several meaningful things to her.
“When I look back over the years, there's a couple. One memorable time for me was when my own sons went to Windham Primary School and my middle school students connected with their classrooms for a buddy program,” she said. “We partnered with them all year to foster a positive relationship in the community with our youth. The seventh graders naturally learned to be leaders. This was so special. Another was when I was part of a looping team with Ms. Mallard, we had our students for two years and we all became such a family. Learning was a lifestyle, not a class. These students have returned year after year, and it is so rewarding to have watched them all grow.”
At WMS, Anderson has always taught sixth- to eighth-grade students.
“I love this age group. However, I have also been a coach for over 30 years and have worked with 4-year-olds to 18-year-olds coaching soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, and swimming,” she said. “It's so rewarding to teach kids that they can be strong, and that success comes with hard work.”
According to Anderson, the public needs to know that the work of teachers is about more than just academics and even she continues to learn new things every day.
“The WMS community has taught me that when kids know what to expect, they can make good decisions,” she said. <
Voters elect legislators, town councilors, RSU 14 board members and settle charter amendment
By Ed Pierce
With the campaign season having come to an end, questions about local races have been answered and issues settled that were on the ballot in Raymond and Windham on Election Day, Nov. 5.
In Windham, there were three candidates on the ballot running for two Windham Town Council non-partisan seats. Incumbent William D. Reiner was unopposed in seeking a three-year term representing the town’s West District. He received 8,237 votes to return to the council.
Competing for an At-Large council seat for a three-year term were incumbent David Nadeau and former town council chair Clayton Haskell. Nadeau received 5,180 votes to Haskell’s 4,510 to return for another term on the council.
A controversial Windham charter amendment proposing to convert the Town Clerk’s position to one appointed by the Windham Town Council instead of one elected by town residents passed, 4,743 votes in favor of the measure to 4,705 opposed. The amendment eliminates residency in Windham as a requirement for qualified candidates seeking the job of the Town Clerk when the position becomes vacant. Current Town Clerk Linda Morrell has served in the position for more than two decades as an elected official.
The town clerk position in Windham oversees Dog Licensing; Hunting/Fishing Licensing; Business Licenses and Permits; and Notary and Dedimus Service. The clerk’s office assists in Tax Collection/Auto Registration in collecting property taxes; assists in Tax Collection/Auto Registration in registering Autos, Boats, and ATVs; issues marriage licenses and has Welcome Packets available for new residents. The Town Clerk also ensures that customer service is provided to the public in a courteous and friendly manner and supervises all elections conducted in the Town of Windham. The town clerk also is tasked with ensuring that all voter registration for Windham is handled in accordance with Maine Law and the Windham Town Charter.
Three candidates were vying for two non-partisan seats in Windham on the RSU 14 Board of Directors for three-year terms in Tuesday’s election. Incumbent Jessica Bridges received 4,675 votes to return to the school board for another three-year term. She was first elected to the position which represents Windham in 2021.
For the other vacancy on the RSU 14 Board of Directors, Ginny Woodman received 3,864 votes to Frances Etheridge’s 3,857 votes. Woodman will be sworn in for a three-year term on the school board representing Windham.
For Maine State Senate District 26 representing Windham, part of Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and part of Westbrook, incumbent Tim Nangle of Windham, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger Kenneth J. Cianchette of Windham. With 95 percent of precincts reporting, Nangle received 12,018 votes to Cianchette’s 11,123 votes.
Cianchette received more votes, 7,325, than Nangle’s 6,991 when votes from Windham and Raymond were combined, but Nangle’s turnout in Westbrook secured the election victory for him. In Westbrook, Nangle tallied 5,027 votes to Cianchette’s 3,798.
Republican Incumbent Barbara Bagshaw won re-election to the Maine House of Representatives District 106 seat representing part of Windham over Democrat challenger Doris Poland. Bagshaw received 3,037 votes to Poland’s 2,645 votes.
Three candidates were vying for the Maine House of Representatives District 107 seat representing part of Windham. Republican Mark Cooper won the seat with 2,427 votes to Incumbent Democrat Jane Pringle’s 2,283 votes and Independent challenger Patrick Corey’s 819 votes.
In Raymond, Republican Rolf A. Olsen, a member of the Town of Raymond Select Board, defeated Democrat Craig Messigner. Olsen received 1,584 votes to Messigner’s 1,544 votes. Olsen will replace longtime incumbent Jessica Fay, a Democrat, who was term-limited.
Former state legislator Tom Tyler of Windham, an unenrolled candidate, ran unopposed and was elected to the Cumberland County Commissioner Board representing District 2.
Of the five statewide referendum questions in the election, four passed and one was defeated.
QUESTION 1: An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures. Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office? Approved statewide, 460,549 votes to 159.494 votes.
QUESTION 2: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization. Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing? Approved statewide, 338,218 votes to 279,606 votes.
QUESTION 3: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings. Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25 percent local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources? Approved statewide, 319,753 votes to 301,985.
QUESTION 4: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation. Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions? Approved statewide, 343,120 votes to 273,634 votes.
QUESTION 5: An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag. Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, as the official flag of the State? Failed statewide, 343,963 votes to 281,444 votes. <
With the campaign season having come to an end, questions about local races have been answered and issues settled that were on the ballot in Raymond and Windham on Election Day, Nov. 5.
In Windham, there were three candidates on the ballot running for two Windham Town Council non-partisan seats. Incumbent William D. Reiner was unopposed in seeking a three-year term representing the town’s West District. He received 8,237 votes to return to the council.
Competing for an At-Large council seat for a three-year term were incumbent David Nadeau and former town council chair Clayton Haskell. Nadeau received 5,180 votes to Haskell’s 4,510 to return for another term on the council.
A controversial Windham charter amendment proposing to convert the Town Clerk’s position to one appointed by the Windham Town Council instead of one elected by town residents passed, 4,743 votes in favor of the measure to 4,705 opposed. The amendment eliminates residency in Windham as a requirement for qualified candidates seeking the job of the Town Clerk when the position becomes vacant. Current Town Clerk Linda Morrell has served in the position for more than two decades as an elected official.
The town clerk position in Windham oversees Dog Licensing; Hunting/Fishing Licensing; Business Licenses and Permits; and Notary and Dedimus Service. The clerk’s office assists in Tax Collection/Auto Registration in collecting property taxes; assists in Tax Collection/Auto Registration in registering Autos, Boats, and ATVs; issues marriage licenses and has Welcome Packets available for new residents. The Town Clerk also ensures that customer service is provided to the public in a courteous and friendly manner and supervises all elections conducted in the Town of Windham. The town clerk also is tasked with ensuring that all voter registration for Windham is handled in accordance with Maine Law and the Windham Town Charter.
Three candidates were vying for two non-partisan seats in Windham on the RSU 14 Board of Directors for three-year terms in Tuesday’s election. Incumbent Jessica Bridges received 4,675 votes to return to the school board for another three-year term. She was first elected to the position which represents Windham in 2021.
For the other vacancy on the RSU 14 Board of Directors, Ginny Woodman received 3,864 votes to Frances Etheridge’s 3,857 votes. Woodman will be sworn in for a three-year term on the school board representing Windham.
For Maine State Senate District 26 representing Windham, part of Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and part of Westbrook, incumbent Tim Nangle of Windham, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger Kenneth J. Cianchette of Windham. With 95 percent of precincts reporting, Nangle received 12,018 votes to Cianchette’s 11,123 votes.
Cianchette received more votes, 7,325, than Nangle’s 6,991 when votes from Windham and Raymond were combined, but Nangle’s turnout in Westbrook secured the election victory for him. In Westbrook, Nangle tallied 5,027 votes to Cianchette’s 3,798.
Republican Incumbent Barbara Bagshaw won re-election to the Maine House of Representatives District 106 seat representing part of Windham over Democrat challenger Doris Poland. Bagshaw received 3,037 votes to Poland’s 2,645 votes.
Three candidates were vying for the Maine House of Representatives District 107 seat representing part of Windham. Republican Mark Cooper won the seat with 2,427 votes to Incumbent Democrat Jane Pringle’s 2,283 votes and Independent challenger Patrick Corey’s 819 votes.
In Raymond, Republican Rolf A. Olsen, a member of the Town of Raymond Select Board, defeated Democrat Craig Messigner. Olsen received 1,584 votes to Messigner’s 1,544 votes. Olsen will replace longtime incumbent Jessica Fay, a Democrat, who was term-limited.
Former state legislator Tom Tyler of Windham, an unenrolled candidate, ran unopposed and was elected to the Cumberland County Commissioner Board representing District 2.
Of the five statewide referendum questions in the election, four passed and one was defeated.
QUESTION 1: An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures. Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office? Approved statewide, 460,549 votes to 159.494 votes.
QUESTION 2: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization. Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing? Approved statewide, 338,218 votes to 279,606 votes.
QUESTION 3: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings. Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25 percent local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources? Approved statewide, 319,753 votes to 301,985.
QUESTION 4: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation. Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions? Approved statewide, 343,120 votes to 273,634 votes.
QUESTION 5: An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag. Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, as the official flag of the State? Failed statewide, 343,963 votes to 281,444 votes. <
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