Presumpscot River Revival Race returns for second year

By Ed Pierce

A day of friendly paddle competition and a celebration of healthy waters are nearing as Dundee Park in Windham will be the site of the second Presumpscot River Revival Race.

The Second Presumpscot River Revival Race will be held 
Saturday, Oct. 17 at Dundee Park in Windham and features
canoe, kayak and Standup Paddle Board racing during a
day of friendly paddle competition. COURTESY PHOTO

Sponsored by the Friends of Presumpscot River, the family friendly event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, and is intended for all ages.

After an absence of three decades, the canoe races returned in 2025 to promote the river’s resilience, ongoing work for its revival and the communities it continues to sustain. With paddling, food, foliage, and family-friendly fun, the Presumpscot River Revival Race combines a recognition of the past, exemplifies tributes to ongoing water quality and habitat improvements, and is a rallying point for the future of the river and a community celebration with the Presumpscot River at the heart of it all.

The Friends of the Presumpscot River (FOPR) was established in 1992 to advocate for the remediation and protection of the Presumpscot River waters and fisheries. The organization aims to reconnect and protect the river that sustained the region’s First Peoples and gave rise to settler colonies along its winding banks.

In reestablishing the canoe races last year, members of the Friends of the Presumpscot River say that the driving force behind the races and competition is a goal to bring the community together to the river once again, to cheer on competing loved ones, to stoke the flame of excitement for the return of native fisheries, to celebrate the ongoing restoration of the ancient and beloved river and to focus more on community outreach.

FOPR Board Member Stephanie Noyes said last year that some of the proceeds from the races will be used for the organization’s school outreach program, which is designed to get students in Gorham, Westbrook, Windham, Raymond, Portland, and Falmouth out on the water, and introduces children to the river. Students are taught paddling techniques and learn about the Wabanaki and industrial history of the waterway, while also discussing the future of the river.

If you are not an avid paddler and prefer to watch the races, bring your lawn chair, sit on the beach, and join in on the fun.

For those looking to compete, pre-registration on Eventbrite is encouraged. However, you can also register at Dundee Park starting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 17.

It costs $25 per boat, and you can choose to canoe, kayak, or compete in stand-up paddleboard. There will be a 2.5-mile Mass Start circuit for paddle craft and multiple divisions with winners in all three categories including canoe (solo and tandem), kayak (under 14 feet and over 14 feet) and Standup Paddle Boards (inflatable, hard board and race board).

Salmon Stew Outdoors, a paddle-powered recreation company, is sponsoring the safety crew and providing the equipment needed to patrol the river. Certified Maine Guides make up the volunteer crew. Other partners for the event include the Town of Windham.

At the event, you can browse the FOPR information table where you can learn more about Dundee Park, the river, and the organization. Merchandise such as t-shirts, dry bags, books, and more will be available for purchase.

Races start at noon with a rain date of Sunday, Oct. 18 if needed. Awards will be presented after 2 p.m.

Canoes will be available to rent in person only on a first-come, first-served basis for $25. Personal Flotation Devices and paddles will be included with this rental. Rentals are only available in person and not reservable online. Equipment is being donated by Maine Path & Paddle Guides and Salmon Stew Outdoors.

All racers are required to wear Personal Flotation Devices with a whistle attached during the races.

River enthusiasts are encouraged to connect with FOPR at this event. You can chat with volunteers at the FOPR table about ways to get involved such as assisting with in water quality monitoring, advocating for dam removal, helping school groups on the river, or joining a committee.

Fish biologists are particularly wanted as well as those with expertise on rivers, ecology, and history. However, “any skills can be put to use,” Noyes said.

The public can stay informed about opportunities to get involved with FOPR, sign up for an email newsletter, and learn more about FOPR by visiting www.presumpscotriver.org. <

Open House event connects public to Raymond Fire & Rescue

By Ed Pierce

It’s not often that members of the public get to see up close how Raymond Fire & Rescue personnel prepare to save lives, protect property and train for emergencies. But that’s exactly what will be happening during the fire department’s Annual Open House this coming week.

The Raymond Fire & Rescue Department's Annual Open
House will be conducted from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday,
Oct. 14 at the Raymond Public Safety Building, 1443
Roosevelt Trail in Raymond and is a free family
friendly event with food and demonstrations.
PHOTO BY JENNY MCCARTHY  

The Raymond Fire & Rescue Annual Open House will be conducted from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the Raymond Public Safety Building, 1443 Roosevelt Trail in Raymond.

According to John Facella, who works in Fire Prevention for Raymond Fire & Rescue, the public is welcome to visit the free, family friendly event, meet Raymond firefighters and emergency medical technicians, check out Raymond Fire & Rescue vehicles and emergency equipment and learn more about safety skills.

“This is a fun and educational experience for the entire family,” Facella said. “Come join us and learn.”

Free food including hot dogs, chips, and sodas will be available, and children will be able to squirt water from a fire hose.

“There will be a Touch a Truck for all of our fire engines, CPR and fire extinguisher demonstrations and a fire truck response demonstration,” Facella said.

Among an array of home safety demonstrations, there will also be a residential home sprinkler demonstration and safety tables with resources and helpful information about lithium-ion battery safety, home escape ladders, and smoke alarms

Facella said that participants can view a Fire Truck Push In, a firehouse tradition, and fire extinguisher demonstrations will offer hands-on experience in using a fire extinguisher.

Raymond firefighters will also showcase a Live Fire Engine Demonstration for the public to watch firefighters drive in, connect to a hydrant, and flow water just like they do during real emergencies.

“This event is a great opportunity for residents of all ages to get to know their fire and rescue teams, see the equipment we use, and pick up critical safety tips,” Facella said. “Fire Prevention is a team effort, and the more our community learns, the safer we all are.”

He said the Open House bridges the gap between residents and local firefighters, explains department operations and humanizes the fire department.

Facella said it’s an opportunity for the department to demonstrate capabilities, showcases specialized Raymond Fire & Rescue apparatus, heavy rescue tools, and provide tactical demonstrations such as vehicle extrications and water and rope rescue techniques.

It also inspires public interest in volunteer, part-time, or career firefighter and emergency medical technician roles.

The Annual Open House is always held in conjunction with the Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 4 to October 10 across the nation. 

Raymond Fire & Rescue Chief Bruce Tupper says the Annual Open House event is about building strong connections for firefighters with the community while sharing valuable safety knowledge.

“It’s a chance for families to see our work up close, learn life-saving skills, and enjoy a fun evening together,” Tupper said. “Join us for an evening of education, demonstrations, and community spirit.”

Tupper leads the department, which includes full-time, part-time, and on-call staff. Fighting fires is only a small part of what the Raymond Fire & Rescue Department does for the town of Raymond every day. They provide education, review plans for subdivisions and commercial buildings, and run programs like risk mitigation and the department also serves as Raymond’s ambulance service.

The Open House is free and open to the public and convenient parking will be available at the Raymond Public Safety Building.

For more details about the Raymond Fire & Rescue Annual Open House, call 207-655-1187. <

Cumberland County candidates rely upon experience

By Ed Pierce

Four Cumberland County candidates will be on the ballot in Windham and Raymond next month but only one is a contested race.

Cumberland County candidates on the ballot in Windham and
Raymond are, from left, incumbent Probate Court Judge Paul
Aranson, incumbent Sheriff Kevin Joyce, incumbent District
Attorney Jackie Sartoris, and District Attorney challenger
Stephanie Anderson.  COURTESY PHOTOS

During the Maine Primary on June 9, incumbent Democrat Jacqueline “Jackie” Sartoris defeated challenger Valerie Adams and advanced to the general election on Nov. 3 seeking re-election as Maine’s 2nd Prosecutorial District Attorney.

Sartoris is a veteran candidate, having served four terms on the Brunswick Town council. She was elected as District Attorney in Cumberland County in 2022.

This year, Sartoris will face a familiar name in the election for District Attorney in Stephanie Anderson, an unenrolled independent candidate from Cape Elizabeth. Anderson previously served as Maine’s 2nd Prosecutorial District Attorney from 1991 to 2018.

While serving as Maine’s 2nd Prosecutorial District Attorney, Anderson created Maine's first Juvenile Unit, focusing on rehabilitation and preventing future offenses. She also founded Maine's first Domestic Violence Unit, providing dedicated resources to protect vulnerable victims, took a strong stance against human trafficking exploitation and established Maine's first Drug Court, prioritizing treatment over incarceration for non-violent offenders.

During her time in office as Maine’s 2nd Prosecutorial District Attorney, Sartoris created a Sex Crimes Prosecution Team to prioritize frequently under-prosecuted cases, take them to trial, and give victims the justice they deserve. She also secured a $2.5 million federal grant to collect, test, and investigate hundreds of stored rape kits, some almost four decades old to investigate and prosecute where possible. Under Sartoris, the Victim & Witness Advocate (VWA) program has been expanded to give victims information and confidence to navigate the judicial process, and she also created the “Lois Galgay Reckitt Room” where victims and witnesses can wait to appear in court without encountering perpetrators at the courthouse.

Two other Cumberland County candidates who appear on the ballot are unopposed and will be re-elected on Nov. 3.

Sheriff Kevin Joyce, a Democrat, does not have a challenger this year. He was first elected as Cumberland County Sheriff in November 2010. He has worked for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office for more than 37 years and was the recipient of the Presidential Valor Award, presented by the Maine Sheriff’s Association in 1995, and has received many commendations and leadership awards during his career.

Paul Aranson of Scarborough is unopposed for the position of Cumberland County Probate Court Judge. Aranson, a Democrat, was first elected as Cumberland County Probate Court Judge in 2018. He previously served two terms as Maine’s 2nd Prosecutorial District Attorney in Cumberland County from 1982 to 1986. In his private law practice, Aranson was a successful attorney and specialized in criminal law, family law, civil litigation and Social Security disability claims.

No other Cumberland County offices representing Windham and Raymond are up for election in November. <

In the public eye: Operations Manager keeps Windham Parks and Rec running smoothly

Editor’s note: This is another in an ongoing series of Windham and Raymond town employee profiles.

By Ed Pierce

Jason Hanken is a problem solver and a big part of the continued success of the Windham Parks and Recreation Department.

Jason Hanken has served for nearly
two years as the Operations Manager
for Windham's Parks and Recreation
Department. In that role, he is the
department's administrative hub
and a primary point of contact
for Windham Parks and Rec
helping residents navigate 
program registrations among
many other duties.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

As the department’s Operations Manager, Hanken serves as the administrative hub and primary point of contact for Windham Parks and Rec.

“On any given day, I’m working directly with Windham residents to help them navigate program registrations, set up payment plans or scholarships, and answer questions about upcoming community activities,” Hanken said. “Behind the scenes, I provide daily operational support to our director and team. That includes handling requisitions, department billing, and financial recordkeeping, as well as ordering supply inventory and managing our registration database.”

He also coordinates reservations for the Windham Town Hall gym, meeting spaces, and park pavilions, while assisting with Dundee Park operations, department staffing, and community events.

Hanken says the best thing about what he does in his job is helping solve problems for people directly, whether that’s at the front counter or over the phone.

“Residents often reach out when they're confused about a program, need help, or just have a lot of questions,” he said. “Being able to take the time to walk them through the process so they leave or hang up feeling totally confident and satisfied makes the job worthwhile.

The most challenging aspect of his job is wearing multiple hats and balancing two distinct speeds of the work.

“I’m juggling immediate, front-line customer service, answering phones, helping residents at the counter, and resolving day-of program questions, with focused administrative tasks like budgeting, purchasing, and facility scheduling,” Hanken said. “Learning to switch gears instantly so our residents get the attention they deserve without letting the behind-the-scenes operations slip is a continuous challenge, but it's what keeps the job interesting.”

In his second year as Operations Manager, Hanken says the biggest misconception people may have about those who work for Parks and Recreation is that staff members just plan games and hang out at events.

“Behind the scenes, our office operates like a full-scale business,” he said. “The community sees the fun end result but they often don't see the operational planning required to make it happen safely and smoothly: budgeting, purchasing, contracts, facility permits, staff training, and daily customer service. It’s a ton of logistics and coordination designed specifically so residents can show up, participate, and have fun without having to think about how it all came together.”

Hanken grew up in South Hiram and graduated from Sacopee Valley High School. He attended Daniel Webster College in Nashua, New Hampshire, earning a degree in sport management. He completed his final credits at Saint Joseph’s College while completing an internship in the athletic department.

His career in recreation started under Linda Brooks years ago as a Summer Camp Director in Standish. From there, he spent several years in New Hampshire as the Assistant Recreation Director for Ossipee and then for Barrington, before returning home to Maine to work for the City of Lewiston.

 

“When I came back to Maine, I landed in Windham and got involved locally by volunteering on the town's Recreation Advisory Board,” Hanken said. “That gave me the opportunity to reconnect with Linda and support the department from the community side. In Lewiston, I worked my way through multiple roles, ultimately becoming the Recreation Superintendent, before taking a brief hiatus to manage a health care practice. When I saw the opening to work alongside Linda again, it was an easy decision. I was already very familiar with Windham, had great respect for the department, and knew firsthand how strongly this community supports its parks and recreation programs.”

He says the most important thing he’s learned while working for Windham Parks and Recreation is that relationships and follow-through are everything.

“Beautiful parks and organized leagues are essential, but the real backbone of recreation is the trust you build across the community,” he said. “Whether it's working alongside other town departments, supporting staff and volunteers, or helping a parent over the phone, consistent and transparent communication is what makes a department succeed.”

According to Hanken, his most memorable moment working for the Windham Parks and Recreation was when the department dedicated the basketball courts at Windham Community Park to Pat Moody.

“Seeing him there, surrounded by what felt like the entire town turning out to support him and play basketball on those courts, completely confirmed I had made the right decision to come back to Windham,” he said. “It showed me firsthand the kind of community pride and heart this town has.” <

Maine environment inspires artist’s imagination

By Erin Rose

Inspired by his grandmother’s passion to create, Irish-born artist Christopher O’Connor explores the natural world through his art.

Irish-born artist Christopher O'Connor, a former Windham
resident, captures the beauty of Maine's environment,
including a series highlighting the state's rugged coastline
called 'Coastal Waters' and 'River Reflections' which shows
scenes along rivers and waterways. He displays his
artwork exhibitions at the Portland Art Gallery and the
Artemis Gallery in Northeast Harbor.
SUBMITTED PHOTO    

A former Windham resident, the artist’s work captures the beauty of Maine’s environment, including a series highlighting the state’s rugged coastline called “Coastal Waters” and “River Reflections” which shows scenes along rivers and waterways. The “Artifacts & Curios” series features ordinary objects in colorful scenes.

Some of the pieces in the “Coastal Waters” series are clear enough to be mistaken for photographs, but as a viewer approaches the work, the perspective shifts and more details expose that it’s created by a human hand.

“From a certain distance it does look photographic, but the closer you get, all of the sudden it starts to break down to just paint,” O’Connor explained. “Before you know it, if you’re up next to it, it’s just scribbles. It looks like nonsense.”

“I love that juxtaposition,” he added.

Working on one piece in the continuing series over the summer was a rare chance for the artist to devote time solely to one work until it was complete.

“I had that wonderful experience where I had the time to pour myself into it until it was finished,” he said. “That was lovely but doesn’t happen all the time.”

O’Connor, who has exhibitions at the Portland Art Gallery and the Artemis Gallery in Northeast Harbor, looks for opportunities to display his work in ways that allows for the change in perspective.

“I love if I can have my piece hung in such a way that you can see it from a distance and you have that first experience,” he said. “Then as you progressively get closer, it’s confounding you because it keeps breaking down.”

Another series focuses on magnolia trees and their large while flowers. The composition appears layered and graphic, reaching from the canvas to show the individual blooms. The artist used lower quality brushes to help force himself to slow down to develop the intricate details.

“Because I am very detail oriented and process oriented, I try to find the quickest way to something sometimes,” O’Connor explained. “Ruining your brush to a degree, buying cheaper brushes so you can’t get the detail you want straight away slowed me down.”

“You have to build it up slowly, and I’ve been enjoying that,” he continued. “It pulls you out of yourself.”

The self-taught artist tends to focus on one subject for a period, creating eight to 10 works to add to a series solely relating to that subject.

“Then I get too familiar with it and need to break off and do something else,” he explained.

O’Connor’s love of creating began through experiences with his grandmother, Margaret Moran, in Dingle, County Kerry, who made dolls from her home, later selling those dolls to tourists passing by when the movie industry blossomed in the area.

“My grandma was wonderful, and she was always creative,” he said. “She had a beautiful, old yellow cottage outside of town. Inside, she painted it all different colors.”

“She was jolly and fun to hang out with, and part of my job as a kid was to hang out with her so she didn’t fall,” O’Connor continued. “We would go to the beach a lot and collect shells, and she would make dolls from the shells.” 

In 1970, the area around the Irish town was used to shoot David Lean’s “Ryan’s Daughter,” and tourists began to explore, which gave Moran the opportunity to offer her creations.

“She spun up a little stall to sell her little shell dolls,” O’Connor said. “Every morning she would bring them out, and after a few hours they would all be sold out.”

“She had a joy in making things,” he continued. “Being around that gave me a different perspective on what you could do.”

While O’Connor’s preferred medium is oil, the complicated process related to curing and allowing the piece to fully harden means that acrylics have been his most frequent medium due to their convenience.

“My favorite is oil, but I’ve worked with acrylics for the last 14 years, because they dry fast,” he said. “With oil, each painting is six months before it dries fully so those considerations are challenging sometimes. It gets a skin in 7-10 days but takes six months to fully harden and then you can varnish it.”

“It’s lovely but a pain,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor left Ireland to pursue love across the ocean. He moved to Portland to join his now-wife, Sonia Cook-Broen, an engineer and artist, 14 years ago. After living in Westbrook, the family moved to Windham at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s really beautiful. I love Ireland very much, but the weather can get to you after a bit. The rain and the rain and the rain,” he said. “I was having memories of Ireland over the weekend with the nor’easter. The weather is hard, but the reason I came over 14 years ago was my fiancé.”

The family moved to Portland around Christmas last year, where O’Connor has a studio on the Eastern Promenade.

“I have no commute,” he said. “I can get up in the morning and just start painting if I feel like.”

O’Connor has two stepchildren, Matilda and Makai. Makai picked up art last year and O’Connor is excited to see his growth over time.

“He’s quite phenomenal and he’s working fast.,” he said.

Examples of O’Connor’s work can be seen at the Artemis Gallery or the Portland Art Gallery. More information can be found on his website https://www.christopheroconnorpainting.com/. <

From Caregiver to Author: Sherburne to share her story at Windham Library

By Masha Yurkevich

For more than 20 years, Dale Ruth Sherburne was a wife, mother and caregiver. When her husband, Russ, was diagnosed with early-onset dementia, her life gradually became centered around caring for him and supporting their family. Now, Sherburne is sharing that experience with others through her recently published book, “Neither Wife nor Widow,” and through speaking engagements focused on caregiving, loss and finding a new sense of identity.

Maine author Dale Ruth Sherburne will appear
at the Windham Public Library from 6 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7 to discuss her recently
published book 'Neither Wife nor Widow' 
about her experiences taking care of her
husband who had been diagnosed with early
onset dementia and how it led her to find a 
new sense of identity. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Sherburne will bring her message to the Windham community during an upcoming appearance and discussion at the Windham Public Library. The event will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. Attendees can participate in person at the library or by ZOOM.

A Maine native, Sherburne has spent much of her career working with children and families. She was a director of child psychology and special education before becoming a full-time caregiver. Sherburne says the experience of caring for a spouse with dementia brought a complicated mixture of emotions.

“There was this jumble of emotions,” she said.

One of the most difficult parts was watching her husband change while still feeling like his wife. The experience left her in a position that did not fit neatly into the traditional definitions of either wife or widow.

“I wanted my husband,” Sherburne said, as she described the emotional conflict she experienced during those years.

That experience became the foundation for “Neither Wife nor Widow,” which was published April 1, 2025, by Maine Authors Publishing. The 329-page paperback explores the caregiving journey and the challenges that Sherburne went through and that can come with losing parts of a relationship while the person you love is still physically present. The book contains 185 stories, each about one page long.

Each story begins with a quote and ends with an honest emotion, ranging from guilt and joy to frustration, anger and fear. The book is available in paperback and Kindle editions through the personal website of Sherburne, Amazon, Maine bookstores, and libraries.

Although the story is deeply personal, Sherburne hopes readers will see themselves in it, particularly people who have experienced the isolation that can accompany caregiving.

“Caregivers are isolated,” she said.

For Sherburne, writing became one way to make sense of her experience and to connect with people who may be going through something similar. She also wants to encourage caregivers to remember that their own lives and identities matter. One message she hopes people take away from her work is to “embrace yourself.”

Sherburne also speaks about the importance of continuing to live while caring for someone else. During her own experience, she received advice that stayed with her: “'You go live your life for you, and you go live your life for your husband.”

The author’s appearance in Windham will give community members an opportunity to hear Sherburne discuss her book, her experiences as a caregiver and the process of moving forward after years of caregiving.

Beyond her book and speaking engagements, Sherburne is also building an online presence. She has Instagram and Facebook pages where she shares her work and connects with readers. She also hopes to open a YouTube channel in the future, expanding the ways she can share her experiences and her message. When she is not writing or speaking, Sherburne enjoys a quieter Maine lifestyle. She lives with her pets and enjoys nature, books, crafts. Those interests provide a contrast to the many years when caregiving occupied so much of her daily life. 

For Sherburne, however, the end of her caregiving role did not mean the end of her story. Instead, it gave her an opportunity to reflect on what she had experienced and use those lessons to help others with her book “Through Neither Wife nor Widow,” her speaking engagements and her growing online presence, Sherburne is continuing a conversation about caregiving that can often be difficult to have.

Her story recognizes the complicated emotions that can come with caring for someone you love while also reminding caregivers that they should not lose sight of themselves. That idea has become an important part of the message she now shares with others.

For those interested in hearing Sherburne speak about her journey firsthand, her Oct. 7 author appearance at the Windham Public Library will offer an opportunity to learn more about her book and the experiences that inspired it. <

Deadline nears to participate in WindowDressers community build

By Ed Pierce

Colder weather is nearing and for many, staying warm in winter is a priority. An economical and helpful way to do that is to participate in the WindowDressers program.

The second WindowDressers Community Build will be held
Dec. 1 to Dec. 6 at the South Windham Fire Station. The
program offers low-cost or free insulated window inserts
placed in windows to keep heat in homes during winter. A
deadline of  Nov. 1 is nearing to measure windows and 
anyone interested in participating should sign up now. 
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

WindowDressers provide insulated window inserts to help keep heat in for free or at a low cost. It is a grassroots volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that trains, supplies, and supports teams of volunteers hosting community builds with the goal to create insulating window inserts for local residents.

The program brings together community volunteers of all economic and social situations together to improve the warmth and comfort of interior spaces, lower heating costs, and reduce emissions by producing low-cost insulating window inserts that function as custom, interior-mounted storm windows.

Camille Beaulieu, an AmeriCorps volunteer serving with the Town of Windham, is organizing the second Window Dressers Community Build from Dec. 1 to Dec. 6 at the South Windham Fire Station.

Beaulieu said insulated window inserts help prevent heat loss in homes, much of which occurs through windows with about 30 percent of an average home’s heat loss occurring through windows and doors.

“Our custom-built window inserts significantly reduce this heat loss by creating two additional sealed air spaces: one between the insert and window and another between the two plastic layers,” she said. “This effectively doubles window insulation, making homes more energy efficient and comfortable throughout the winter. Our research shows that, in a typical house, and one medium sized insert (30 inches by 52 inches) can save an average of 8.5 gallons of heating oil every year.”

The price of the inserts varies upon the size and complexity of the required insert.

“Inserts are free for those who cannot afford to pay, and low cost for middle- and high-income households,” Beaulieu said. “WindowDressers keeps their insert prices exceptionally low at about 50 to 75 percent cheaper than commercial products through their non-profit model of cooperative insert-building. This means that customers contribute time at our local Community Build.”

Last year was the first year that Age Friendly Windham (AFW) participated in the WindowDressers community build event.

Age Friendly Windham Coordinator Erica Bell-Watkins said the program aligns with the organization’s action plan to help facilitate weatherization programs for the community. It also aligns with the Town of Windham’s energy plan 2023 to educate and assist residents with utilizing energy efficiency programs.

“It was a wonderful community building event that brought people from the region of all ages, backgrounds and life experiences together,” Bell-Watkins said. “Students from Saint Joseph’s College hopped in to help along with volunteers from several organizations and the window receipts. We shared meals and stories."

Residents of the Sebago Lakes Region, which includes Windham, Raymond and Standish, can sign up now for inserts which will be built and distributed in January.

The inserts are built of attractive pine frames and wrapped drum-tight with two layers of durable plastic film. These layers create an insulating air space while letting in all the light and views. Foam weather stripping around the outer edges stops drafts and ensures the insert’s snug fit.

All inserts are built at the community build event, where volunteers and customers come together to assemble them. Each insert is made in a few simple steps with the help of custom jigs, which guide every step of assembly so that anyone, regardless of experience, can easily and consistently build inserts. 

“Customers install the window inserts themselves once they bring them home,” Beaulieu said. “The inserts are lightweight and designed to slide easily into the inside of the window. Each insert has a small pull tab at the bottom for removal at the end of the heating season.”

The WindowDressers program is supported through a diverse range of funding sources, including individual donations and grants from foundations across New England.

According to Beaulieu, WindowDressers is still actively accepting insert requests and actively measuring windows. The measuring deadline is Nov. 1 so all orders must be in and measured before then.

“Anyone who wants to request inserts should do so now, so volunteers have enough time to measure all windows by Nov. 1,” Beaulieu said. “We are also asking folks to volunteer to build window inserts with us Dec. 1 to 6 at this link: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/922215120126/false#/invitation. You can also sign up to provide food, if you're unable or not available for build shifts.” <