Windham Hill United Church of Christ hosts third annual Festival of Trees

The third annual Christmas Festival of Trees will be held at Fellowship Hall, Windham Hill United Church of Christ, 140 Windham Center Road in Windham from December 6 to December 8. 

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. The festival hours on December 6 are 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. Hours on Saturday, December 7 are 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 8 from noon until 4 p.m. The grand drawing of winners will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Fellowship Hall will be decorated for the Holiday season and refreshments will be available. There will be over 20 decorated Christmas trees with lights, each one donated by one of our local businesses or individuals. The donor 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 of the gifts on the tree, and all of the gifts under the tree.

Last year the winners took home everything from toys and gift items to kitchen supplies and jewelry. There was great excitement at the Grand Drawing. This year there will be several new trees added to popular donors from last year.

Admission to the Festival of Trees is free, everyone is welcome to visit to see these beautiful trees and the products from our local restaurants, gift stores, specialty companies, automotive businesses and construction companies. There will be tickets on sale for 50 cent each or 10 for $5. A bucket will be in front of each display. One ticket will be drawn for each tree at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The winners will need to claim their tree and gifts by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10^th.

Robert Turner, chair of the Festival of Trees stated, “raffle tickets will be available for sale so that the viewers may enter their tickets in the hopes of winning a beautiful tree. Each tree's winner gets to

take it home, fully decorated and already for the holidays.”

This event is a fund-raising activity of Windham Hill United Church of Christ to benefit their mission program: local, national and international missions including: Heifer International, the Root Cellar, Windham Food Pantry, Church World Service, SERRV, and many other organizations. Funds will also benefit continued maintenance and programming for this church which hosts Food and Fellowship’s Monday Meals, Boy Scout Troop 51, Windham Lion’s Club, and other civic events. 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 Lions Club’s “Stuff the Bus” event celebrates 20 years of feeding families in need

Keeping their tradition of helping families in need during the holiday season, the Windham Lions Club will be in front of Windham Hannaford Supermarket from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. collecting food donations to stuff the bus on Saturday, December 7. 

The program “Stuff the Bus” was started here in Windham Maine in cooperation with the Windham

School system 20 years ago. Today we still have support from RSU 14. In the past, Windham Lions have donated approximately 850 pounds worth of food.

Lion Club member, Anthony Ackerman, heard about the program similarly done in Massachusetts and brought the idea to Windham’s club.  “Through the years we have stood outside at the Hannaford store at the Windham Shopping Mall collecting nonperishable food, money donations, gift cards, and small gifts to support the community,” stated Bob Simmons, who organizes the “Stuff the Bus” event since Ackerman passed away.

All donations go to the social services on Gray Road in Windham, Maine where they will build Holiday Baskets for families in need. All monetary donations will purchase turkeys and hams at Hannaford to be put in the baskets.  Gift cards, small toys, hats, coats, and gloves/ mittens will be
given to children and young adults for holiday gifts.

The Windham Lions, RSU 14 and Hannaford are always pleased that they can support the community with your donations. However, they can only support families with your help. Help them fill every seat and aisle on the bus with bags of non- perishable food.

“We wish to thank everyone who has given in the past,” began Simmons. “And we especially want to give a big thank you to Hannaford’s for allowing us to have this event in their parking lot for the past 20 years. We couldn’t do it without them.”

For those who wish to help the Windham Lions Club and their Windham Food Pantry donations but will be away on December 7th, send inquiries and monetary donations to: The Windham Lions Club, P.O. Box 448, Windham, 04062.

Raymond Beautification Committee wins Spirit of America Award

Members of the Raymond Beautification Committee.
From top left going clockwise, Shirley Bloom,
Sharon Dodson, Jan Miller, Susan Adams

By Briana Bizier

If you’ve been impressed by the efforts made to beautify Route 302 in Raymond, you’re not alone. Those colorful flower beds in the summer and festive wreaths in the winter have also caught the eyes of the town of Raymond’s Select Board. On November 12th, in a ceremony with the Cumberland County Commissioners, Raymond’s Beautification Committee was chosen by the Select Board and the Spirit of America committee to receive the Town of Raymond’s 2019 Spirit of America Award.

Based in Augusta, the Spirit of America Foundation is a public charity that honors volunteerism and commendable community service. Every year, over one hundred Maine municipalities present the Spirit of America Foundation Tribute. The recipients are typically chosen by a town’s Board of Selectmen.

“[The Beautification] committee does excellent work in insuring that our 302 corridor and other areas in town look their best,” Raymond Select Board member Marshall Bullock said in the write-up he presented to the Spirit of America committee. “Spring cleaning and plantings require a lot of dedicated volunteers who gladly put in many hours. Cleanups through the summer and fall are followed by a drive to place Christmas wreaths on each of our streetlights. These efforts are appreciated by community members and visitors alike.”

The Beautification Committee’s work began in 2003, when the state did an overlay of Route 302
through Raymond, the Portland Water District installed waterlines, and the Town of Raymond put in sidewalks, decorative light poles, and over 70 planted areas along the business corridor and at the Raymond Beach parking lot. Although the newly installed gardens were intended to be hardy and maintenance free, the first year was a bit of a struggle.

“Nathan White, Raymond Public Works Director, managed to keep most of the perennials and trees alive by watering the best he could that first hot summer,” wrote Sharon Dodson, who co-chairs the Beautification Committee along with Elissa Gifford. “But the weeds grew taller than most of the plants!”

Raymond’s Beautification Committee was formed the following winter and, that spring, they began their work in the gardens by pulling those weeds, replacing plants that hadn’t survived the first year, and attracting volunteers to maintain the flower beds. These volunteers, now known as the Walk & Weeders, meet every Friday morning from May through October to weed and neaten the gardens.

“For the past few years the Walk & Weeders have had regular maintenance help from Public Works, which allows them to focus more on making the public areas look beautiful, rather than merely struggling to stay ahead of the weeds,” Sharon explains. The Walk & Weeders also plant flowering bulbs to usher in springtime, and annuals to highlight Vacationland’s beautiful summer.

“Volunteers make sure the Veterans Memorial is decked out with red, white and blue by Memorial Day and keep our Pink Garden for Maine Women’s Cancer research full of pink tulips in spring and pink geraniums in summer,” Sharon continued. “This year volunteers planted 425 daffodils to support the Maine Suffrage Centennial, so next spring they should put on beautiful golden display along 302 and at the Veterans Memorial Park.”

Those readers who have gardens of their own will recognize the tremendous effort that goes into creating and maintaining the beautiful flowers beds that brighten Route 302, Veteran’s Park, the Raymond Town Hall, and the Raymond Village Library. For Beautification Committee co-chair Sharon Dodson, the benefits of these flower beds extend even beyond the visual cohesion they bring to Raymond’s business district and the good impression this beautiful landscaping makes on potential customers and visitors.

“In addition to the immediate gratification we volunteers get from making a messy garden look nice or an empty barrel come to life, we really thrive on the camaraderie of working together to do good
work and get some exercise,” Sharon told me. “We have made lifelong friends while doing this and have improved our own lives in the process.”

The Beautification Committee’s efforts continue through the dark, cold days of December when 70 cheerful holiday wreaths are placed on the streetlights lining Route 302 to keep Raymond shining through the shortest days of the year. These wreaths are provided at cost by Jessica Fay, the owner of Maine Lakes Wedding Event Florist, who also provides the bows for the wreaths.

"Maine Lakes Wedding and Event Florist is happy to contribute annually to this effort,” Jessica Fay said. “Decorating Raymond's public space for the holidays is a way for us to celebrate the ways our town can come together. It also shows visitors and people passing through town that we are a welcoming community."

To purchase these wreaths, members of the Beautification Committee collect donations from local businesses in November. To make a tax-deductible individual donation and help Raymond sparkle through the holidays or shine through the summer, please write a check to the Town of Raymond and note it is “for the Beautification Committee.” Checks can be hand-delivered to the Raymond Town Hall or mailed to 401 Webb’s Mills Road, Raymond ME, 04071.

Finally, Raymond’s Walk & Weed group is always looking for volunteers. Anyone interested in helping to maintain these beautiful flower gardens should contact Sue Look at the Raymond Town Office.

After record online vote, Town & Country FCU Awards $25,000 area non-profits including MSSPA

At a special reception held at Town & Country Federal Credit Union’s Operations Center in Scarborough, the credit union awarded $25,000 in grants to non-profits serving Cumberland and/or York counties through its 2019 Better Neighbor Fund. The grant recipients were determined through a month-long vote during October which resulted in nearly 13,000 votes cast through the Town & Country FCU Facebook page, a new record.

Erin Ludwig of the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals of Windham, accepts a $2,000 grant on behalf of her organization from David Libby, President and CEO of Town & Country FCU. 

In his opening remarks to attendees, David Libby, President and CEO of Town & Country FCU, explained the purpose of the Better Neighbor Fund and the uniqueness of the Reception event.  “The Better Neighbor Fund honors and celebrates some of the wonderful work and services provided a special group of non-profits to communities throughout Cumberland and York Counties. Tonight is about people and the spirit of coming together to support and help others, whether it’s providing help to animals, educational opportunities for children or assistance to people in recovery, and a variety of other worthwhile causes and initiatives. You all make our communities better places to live because of your mission and commitment to being better neighbors. Our Reception is designed to bring organizations that make a difference together, and to allow them to have an opportunity to speak with your fellow non-profits and to reinforce the fact that we all contribute and care about our community. 

It was great to see such a high level of engagement with the online voting.”

In 2010, Town & Country introduced the Better Neighbor Fund to celebrate the ideal of neighbors helping neighbors, a concept that has a long and rich tradition in Maine.  The credit union has awarded $250,000 to 80 charitable initiatives, to date.

Eight charitable organizations from an original finalist list of 25 nominees were awarded a share of $25,000 from the 2019 Better Neighbor Fund - three received $5,000 grants and five received $2,000 grants. 

The 25 finalists were nominated in September through the credit union’s Facebook page, and during October, the public voted online for the project they felt was most deserving to receive one of the eight grants. 

The winners of the 2019 Better Neighbor Fund grants include (all serve Cumberland and/or York Counties):

$5,000 Grant—Learn Around the World Network, Inc. (Portland) – support the GEOshow Maine program, which will introduce K-5 students across Southern Maine to new places through virtual field trips.

$5,000 Grant—The Center for Wildlife (Cape Neddick) – support the Connecting Neighbors and Nature environmental education program.

$5,000 Grant—Friendship House (South Portland) – provide funding to help with its bathroom renovation project.

$2,000 Grant—Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (Windham) – to help promote and expand the Maine Horse Matchmaker program.

$2,000 Grant—Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum (Portland) – will be used to help build a new station for the Narrow-Gauge Railroad and Museum at Ocean Gateway in Portland.

$2,000 Grant—Standish Parent Teacher Organization (Standish) – will help purchase and install new soccer goals and basketball hoops on the playgrounds of the Edna Libby and George E. Jack Elementary Schools in Standish.

$2,000 Grant—Royal River Community Players (Yarmouth) – support renovations of the Yarmouth Playhouse, the new theatre and performance center of the Royal River Community Players.

$2,000 Grant—Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland (Westbrook) – will be used to allow for the presentation of the Toddler Storytime program, which offers a hands-on, exploration of the shelter.

About Town & Country Federal Credit Union

As Maine’s second largest credit union with nearly 40,000 members, Town & Country is a full-service financial institution offering a wide range of financial products and services to people who live, work, go to school or worship in Cumberland and York Counties. Designated as one of Maine’s ‘Best Places to Work’ for the past eight years, the credit union has $405 million in assets, and is part of the second largest branch network in the country. To learn more, visit www.tcfcu.com.

The Windham Eagle presents check to Windham Veterans Association

In honor of Veterans Day, The Windham Eagle newspaper put together fundraising pages to raise money to help fun the new roof needed at the Windham Veterans Center. Through the generosity of contributing advertisers, $275 was raised. Pictured here is Melissa Carter, Sales Manager with Lorraine Glowczak, editor and Dave Tanguay of the American Legion. If you missed it, view the pages at www.thewindhameagle.com/online/2019/20191108

Windham Town Council considers proposed town hall office and marijuana licensing ordinance

By Lorraine Glowczak

The Windham Town Council held a workshop on Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall in the Council Chambers room. The workshop began with a proposal sponsored by Councilor Clayton Haskell regarding the expansion of Smith Cemetery.

For a portion of that expansion, Haskell is recommending a veteran, fire and police memorial be placed near Route 202 in the southwest portion of the cemetery. “With the exception of a memorial at the veterans center and the high school, there is no town sponsored dedicated space for our veterans, police and fire personnel,” explained Haskell.

Councilor Haskell also proposed a new town hall building, to be constructed in the same portion as the memorial. “The current town hall is getting cramped,” Haskell stated, explaining that Smith cemetery is the only space the town has to expand and to build new property. He mentioned that a new town facility in this location would not change the flow of or increase traffic along Route 202. “We would simply be moving the Town Hall from one side of the road to the other.”

Haskell recommended that the current town hall be used by the Parks and Recreation Department. He suggested that if a new town hall is built, Windham contractors should be hired for the construction.

All councilors concurred that a veterans and police/fire memorial is long overdue and agreed to look into placing one in or near the suggested area.

Regarding the new town hall proposal, Councilors Nadeau, Douglass, Cummings and Maxfield suggested and recommended creating a space needs analysis prior to moving forward on any new construction. Maxfield suggested adding this topic as an agenda item at the Council’s December 7, 2019 goal setting session. All Councilors agreed.

Also discussed at Tuesday evening’s workshop was the Marijuana Licensing Ordinance Proposal. Town Planner Amanda Lessard and Town Attorney Kristen Collins spoke to the Council about the revised ordinance proposal based upon the feedback received from the Council’s October 22, 2019 meeting on this subject.

Lessard spoke briefly regarding the draft changes requested by the Council. These changes included but were not limited to the following: 1) Changes in the ordinance language specifically in terms of the denial of a license and 2) Adding a grace period of 60 days for a marijuana business operating on the effective date of the ordinance.

Lessard and Collins also sought guidance from the Council regarding marijuana cultivation facilities which include size limitations/square footage of those facilities and the district locations in which they are allowed.

The following is what was determined by the Council:

For the ED District (Enterprise Drive): A 20,000 square foot cultivation facility allowed.

For the C1 Zone – No facility allowed

In the Farm Zone – No facility allowed

In the Industrial Zone – A 7,000 square foot cultivation facility allowed.

Marijuana adult use store frontage was also discussed with Lessard asking the Council if the Council has changed opinion on this subject since its October 22nd meeting. The consensus was that they want to explore adult use in subsequent meetings. The topics will include limitations on the number of licenses as well as regulations on how to operate those storefronts.

All town council meetings are televised on public access television, Channel 7 and are posted live on Facebook. For a full detail of this meeting, please visit the town website at www.windhammaine.us

Student of the Week: Jaylin Leng

Jaylin Leng, a third-grade student at Windham Primary School, is The Windham Eagle’s Student of the Week. Leng, who is nine years old, states that he enjoys playing on his iPad, watching funny videos, playing pretend and playing with his stuffies.

“I selected Jaylin because he has worked hard to improve his academics and following directions,” stated Principal, Dr. Karl Rhoads. “He has made tremendous growth as a learner!”

Leng said his greatest accomplishment is being a good swimmer. The people who have  meant the most to his education are his friend, Matthew, his teachers and his family What makes learning fun for Leng is recess and playtime because they “make everything fun.”

Leng lives at home with his mommy, Shawna, his daddy, Geno along with his brother, Leelin and two pit bulls, Navi and Champ.

Favorite subject: PE which Physical Education

Favorite movie:  SpongeBob Movie

Favorite holiday:  Christmas

Sebago Lake Rotary club to host another speaker event

Many people underestimate how much money they will spend on healthcare during their retirement. Taking the time now to budget for healthcare costs can help you maintain the lifestyle you want in retirement. Join the Sebago Lake Rotary Club and Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Mark Morrison as they host a workshop luncheon on Tuesday, November 19^th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Memorial Drive in Windham.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to estimate your future healthcare costs and create income to help you cover some of these expenses. Other discussion topics will include the rising cost of healthcare and its impact on retirement savings, ways to estimate your future healthcare costs in retirement Medicare Parts A, B, C and D coverage and costs as well as creating income to help cover some healthcare costs during retirement.

Seating is limited so register today at margebarker173@gmail.com. A $10 must be ordered when registering and paid at the door on the day of the event. Deadline is Saturday, November 16^th.

A special thanks to the following sponsors: Prudential, Edward Jones, First Light Home Care, Olsen Insurance and

RAA discovers the very best of how art networking in the community creates the sharing of talent for all to enjoy

By Mary-Therese Duffy

The Raymond Arts Alliance (RAA) is completing its second year as an organization and entering its third. We couldn’t be more grateful to the community for helping us close these last months with the realization of what has been the primary goal of the RAA:  someone in the community knows somebody else in the community, who knows another somebody, who will be visiting the community and thinks:  wouldn’t it be great if we could share them with our friends and neighbors?  This has been an RAA goal, a vision, a plea in our advertising and signup sheets and now, it’s a wonderful reality!

Joni and Olivia Harms with Don Roy and
Jay Young of the Don Roy Ensemble

It went like this:  Selectman Marshall Bullock, husband to Rhonda Bullock learned the marvelous Country Music duo, Joni and Olivia Harms, were visiting the area and spoke of it with an RAA volunteer and member. 

“Do you think we could have a show here, ummm - on a Thursday [October 24, 2019]?”  Not the best of nights to ask people to come out for an event, but given it was a community member’s idea, it was as they say, a no brainer. Then RAA learned who the Harms’ were. The duo are a seriously talented and deep hearted pair whose originals and covers have been bringing them to enthusiastic audiences, literally, all around the world. Joni, is a rancher, still devotedly homesteading her great, great grandfather’s Oregon land, and credits this as the source of her inspiration.  Indeed, it has also brought her to the Grand Ole Opry and to Carnegie Hall. 

A full discography of some 13 CD’s her work has been hailed by Country Music People Magazine as “some of the very best country songs of recent years” and Joni herself as “one of country music’s most underrated writers." 

Her daughter, Olivia, has been honing her own musical craft, with a deftness and talent that is clearly gaining traction. RAA were by turn, delighted, amused, introspective, and moved by their incredible harmonies, heartfelt lyrics, and true to the bone, authenticity. And honestly, Joni’s tribute to Merle Haggard, brought his presence right into the room.

But, of course, true to Country Music, this is not where the richness ends. Bringing it all back home: Rhonda Bullock, while visiting this mother/daughter dynamo some time ago, shared a tribute she had written to her own grandfather with them. Imagine if someone puts the most thoughtful, loving words about the enormous impact on themselves, family and community by a dearly missed and true giant of a man, then puts it to the simplest and sweetest melody, and gifts it to the most skilled harmonizers, who can not only deliver tenderness, but raise it unequivocally in an audience’s experience. Well, if you can imagine all of that, you have a taste of the sincerity, beauty and sweet joy that visibly moved our local audience.

All because, somebody knew someone who knew somebody else, who - and there it goes; and lucky for Raymond, right to the RVCC stage.

High School student explores the medical field

By Lanet Hane

Maine is in need of an increasing number of medical professionals at all levels, and Maine Medical is hoping to interest more high school students in the profession through its Medical Explorer’s program.

Abigail Nelson and others learning about the
role of an EMT

The Medical Explorer’s program is a free, 8-week program hosted by Maine Medical as part of their overall pipeline program. It is an opportunity for high school students interested in a variety of medical careers to learn more about a wide range of opportunities and what is involved in the day-to-day life of those occupations.

Abbey Nelson is a Windham High School student who made it into this program this fall, “I talked to a lot of seniors who had shadow experiences doing their Capstone projects and realized they weren’t interested in the field,” she said. “This class has been a chance for me to access professional information about the field and connect with the right people to understand whether it is for me.”

The professional information Nelson talks about is the result of a variety of guest speakers, including doctors and other health professionals who come into the 90-minute weekly classes to share about their experience in the profession. The class had also included trips to a simulation lab at a college and the fire department.

Alongside clear information about the life of individuals in health occupations, participants have the chance to hear from college staff who explain the process of getting into medical school and help students understand the steps they need to take to be prepared and get into the programs of their choice.

“The chance to network in this program has been so valuable,” Nelson stated. “Because of new connections, I am now considering attending USM, which wasn’t even on my radar before.”

Because of how interactive and helpful it is, the program fills up quickly each session. Luckily for Abbey, once she was accepted into the fall session, she now has the choice to return in the spring session. She plans to do so; “An extra 90-minute class once a week doesn’t sound exciting, but once you get into the program, you’ll understand. This class has helped me see what a rewarding career I can have in the medical field, and I am excited to dive even deeper this spring.”

Hundreds of “Superheroes” gather at RTT benefit

Last month, over 400 people attended the 12th Annual Triple B ~ Boots, Band & BBQ and grossed over $200,000 to benefit the clients, horses and programs of Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center (RTT).

This year’s events paid homage to the many “RTT Superheroes” - riders, horses, volunteers, longtime supporters and the evening’s guests and sponsors. Superheroes like Denny of DennyMike’s BBQ who served another delicious and abundant barbeque to the hungry crowd. This was his 10^th year and many said the food was the “best ever”! Other superheroes of the night included popular local band Under The Covers, auctioneer Elizabeth Holmstrom (dressed in a wonder woman costume) and emcee Michelle Taylor of 99.9 The Wolf, all who donated their time, talent and superpowers to the evening.

Saint Joseph's baseball team volunteers

However, the crowd soon learned the most powerful superheroes at RTT are the courageous clients and the horses they team up with at the center. Scott Wentzell, parent of a longtime RTT rider shared his family’s story and the role RTT horses have provided in their son’s journey. Wentzell noted, “It’s about a connection to these amazing horses. A connection is that based in science, but also seems to have equal parts spiritual and emotional thrown in as well. It’s a connection that is so easy to see, even if it is hard to really understand”.

RTT Executive Director, Sarah Bronson, thanked the many sponsors and volunteers that make the event such a success sharing that “This event is all about community – we receive tremendous support from start to finish, but especially in the days immediately surrounding the event, to transform the riding arena for this “party with a purpose.” This year IDEXX and Martin’s Point Health Care employees joined RTT volunteers to help with set up and then again with post event “take-down.” During the event, the Volunteers in Police Services of Gorham helped direct traffic and park cars while the Saint Joseph’s College baseball team members (40 of them!) helped with food service, the auction and recycling efforts. In total, 115 volunteers contributed nearly 1,000 hours in the various stages of the event (pre-event planning, set up, night of and cleanup days post-event).

The Triple B is RTT’s largest and most important fundraiser of the year, funding over a third of annual program expenses. To date, the event has raised over $1.2 million dollars and introduced the healing power of horses to thousands of community members.

Essay competition winners and Teacher of the Year award announced at Veterans Day Ceremony

By Lorraine Glowczak

It is an annual event to honor our veterans, both past and present, who put their lives on the line so that we, as Americans, can lead the life we want with freedom and the choice of happiness. In the greater Windham area, veterans are honored every year with a Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by the Windham’s Veterans of Foreign War (VFW).

Essay winners: Brianna Johnson, Lillia Freeman and
Isabella Johnson with VFW Commander Willie Goodman

What is included in the annual event are announcements of winners to an essay contest written by local students as well as an award of a local teacher who supports veterans by educating their students on the lives of those who have served in the military.

There are two essay competitions; The Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy. Both needed to include the theme, “What makes America Great.” The Patriot’s Pen competition is open to middle school students, including home schoolers, in grades six to eight in the Windham area who are required to write a 300 to 400-word essay. The winners for this year were:

Second runner up: Isabella Johnson of Windham Christian Academy who won a $100 cash award.

Winner: Lillia Freeman of Windham Christian Academy who won $150 cash award and will go on to the district competitions.

The Voice of Democracy competition is open to the high school students, grades nine through twelve, include those home schooled, in the Windham area. Students are to write and record a three to five-minute essay (on an audio CD).

The winner for this year was Brianna Johnson of Windham Christian Academy. She also won a $150 cash price and will go on to the district competitions.

Emily Stokes, sixth grade teacher at Windham Middle School won the Teacher of the Year.

The event also included guest speaker retired Navy Seal Commander Mike Wisecup who started SEALs for Sunshine to raise awareness of what Camp Sunshine can offer to military families with children facing life threatening diseases. Guest musicians were the Windham Chamber Singers. Boy Scout Troup 805 assisted the VFW with the event and refreshment preparations. 

Below is an excerpt from Brianna Johnson’s winning essay:

“Two syllables. Six letters. One word. A revolution is like a body, spiraling, forming, surging in unison, with one brain. But bodies are not all air, they have substance, they are made up of many small, immensely important, cells. People are the cells of revolution; it lacks purpose without people to push it along and yearn for it. Since there will always be people there will always be revolution. A scientist who finds a new vaccine, a child learns to walk, a program is started to feed the hungry, a student graduates college, a new discovery in medicine allows the deaf to hear, someone speaks against a norm, a soldier saves another despite the barrage of terror around them, someone stands alone on a stage with hands shaking but with a will to speak. A revolution is within the eyes of the beholder. In an army or alone, quiet or loud, long or short. Each individual person begins their own revolution, many, daily, but never ceasing. 

Nine syllables. Twenty-seven letters. Six words. This is what makes America great. People, and their individual views and determination in their own revolutions. None are ever too little, ever too big, all pushing us as a people to be, in its best sense, great. Or should I say it will always be, in its best sense, America.”

Saint Joseph’s College Student Chapter of Doctors Without Borders to host “Hope to Help” auction to fund volunteer trip to Uganda

The Saint Joseph’s College student chapter of Doctors Without Borders will hold the “Hope to Help” Auction on Friday, November 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Xavier Hall lounge. Charcuterie platters and complimentary beverages, as well as a cash bar for alcoholic drinks, will be available. Tickets are $20 per person.

This auction is part of the chapter’s fundraising effort to support a volunteer trip to Uganda through the Partners for World Health (PWH), a non-profit organization based in Portland that collects medical supplies and equipment and distributes them to those in need around the world. Since 2009, PWH has collected more than two million pounds of medical supplies that would have otherwise been destined for local landfills. Elizabeth McLellan, the founder of PWH, will be the guest speaker at the auction.

While in Uganda, Saint Joseph’s College students would work primarily at a hospital in the city of Kampala where they would deliver supplies. They would also assist at a clinic that specializes in ensuring women have the supplies necessary to have a sterile birth and keep their newborn safe.

The trip is scheduled for January 2020 and the chapter’s auction goal of $6,000 would cover all expenses for the trip. Any funds raised past that goal would be donated to PWH.

The event will feature both a live and silent auction. Items include a hand-carved, Westminster chime grandmother clock; weekend getaways; a variety of gift baskets; handmade items; and special opportunities like a guided bird tour and a scenic ride on a personal plane.

To RSVP for the auction, visit http://hopetohelp.rsvpify.com.

If you can’t attend the auction but would like to support the cause, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/adrienne039s-campaign-for-partners-for-world-health.

For more information about the auction, visit www.sjcme.edu/highlights/student-chapter-doctors-without-borders-hosts-auction-benefiting-uganda-women-infants.

Raymond Village Library host annual craft fair

Now that November has arrived, are you looking for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts? What about shopping for those gifts while also supporting your local community?

You can do both on November 16 as the Raymond Village Library hosts its annual Holiday Craft Fair. Local artists, crafters, and bakers will fill the library with their beautiful, useful and whimsical creations. You’ll be sure to find something that will appeal to everyone on your list!

In addition to the Holiday Craft Fair, the Raymond Village Library’s basket sale will also begin on November 16. These baskets, which are created by volunteers and stocked with a wide variety of generously donated items, make excellent holiday treats. They tend to be themed, with baskets for children, teenagers, pet lovers, book lovers, coffee and hot chocolate lovers, and more. This year, several of the baskets include gift cards from local businesses.

One of these holiday baskets, a large Italian-dinner themed basket, will only be available as a raffle item. Tickets for the raffle go on sale on November 16, and the winner will be chosen in December. These holiday gift baskets go quickly, so be sure to visit the library during the Craft Fair for the best selection.

The winter holidays will be here before you know it! Visit the Raymond Village Library on Saturday, November 16th between nine in the morning and four in the afternoon to support your community library while shopping for your friends, your family, and possibly even yourself.

WHS students explore local business as future job potential

By Lanet Hane

Students at Windham High School recently took advantage of an opportunity to visit Sabre Yachts and learn about future job opportunities right here in Raymond.

The experience included a tour of the facility, with conversations about how everything worked and

Tucker Thompson of Sabre Yachts showing
freshman, Garan Laszok and others the
many steps in yacht production 

how the boats are eventually put together. “I liked that the trip was informal, and Sabre could possibly be a future career path for me,” says Sophomore Dillon Foley after the trip.

Though informal in nature, the students were still exposed to a wide variety of career options. Because Sabre Yachts is a production company, positions include everything from woodworking to customer service and engineering.

The company also has a number of employees who will be retiring in the next handful of years, providing fantastic opportunities for young adults in the area.

“It’s those soft skills that we really look for,” Don Wentworth, the Production Manager, told the students, “If you are willing to show up and put in an honest day’s work, we have a place for you at Sabre Yachts.”

Don shared this insight when explaining what a great place Sabre Yachts can be to work. Don himself started out elsewhere in the company and over the years moved into his position, “The majority of management positions are hired from within.”

This field trip is one of many opportunities Windham High School is providing students as they explore careers of interest right here in Maine.

Thank you to Sabre Yachts for having our students!

Hawthorne Halloween was an entertaining and successful fundraiser

By John Manoush

The Hawthorne Community Association (HCA) wishes to thank everyone who attended the first Annual Halloween Costume Party this past Friday, November 1^st, on Hawthorne Road in Raymond. The event was part of a fundraising effort for some much-needed structural repairs.

Long-time trustee, Abel Bates, l
ooking much like Hawthorne himself. 

Notable costumes included a deer, car with glowing headlights, plant pot, self portrait, brownie, Bob Ross, disco queen, rodeo clown, The Joker, a witch, sock hop sweetie, Hester Prynne, and even Nathaniel Hawthorne himself!  It was an exceptionally fun night and there are already some new ideas in the works to surprise folks for next year’s event.  After expenses, the event raised over $300 to kick-start the fundraising efforts ahead. More importantly, the HCA has gained some enthusiastic new members.

The association recently employed a structural engineer to take careful stock of the building and prepare a report explaining details of needed renovations. There are three major components to the work:

*Replacement of deteriorated wooden clapboards on at least one side due to recurrent mold and inability to hold paint. The cost estimates for this job are upwards of $8,000.

*Reinforcement or replacement of significant portions of the foundation. The structure of the floor has long been a concern for the association, greatly limiting the usefulness of the building for community sponsored events such as dances.  These repairs may cost $50,000 or more.

*Repair or replacement of sagging roof supports and the roof itself.  The approximate $10,000 dollars needed for this phase will be a priority due to the threat of a collapse during times of heavy snow loading.

Although the Town of Raymond generously provides a stipend of $1,000 per year and our members contribute regularly, the cost of repairs is far beyond HCA savings. The association intends to pursue both grants and community fundraising over the coming year. A GoFundME page has already been set up – search on Hawthorne Community Association.  

The Hawthorne House is on the National Register of Historic places and is one of the most important historic treasures in Raymond – please help us keep it standing!

The Hawthorne House will also be hosting its annual Christmas Party on the evening of Sunday, December 8^th.  Please check our website (www.hawthorneassoc.com) for more information or call John Manoush at 207-655-7660.

Maine Attorney General visits members of Age Friendly Raymond

By Lorraine Glowczak

The new Attorney General, Aaron Frey was invited to be the guest speak at the Age Friendly Raymond’s monthly meeting, Community Connections, on Monday, November 4 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Frey was unanimously selected on December 6, 2018 to succeed now governor and former Attorney General, Janet Mills.

The meeting was a relaxed presentation about the mission and job of the Attorney General’s office

Aaron Frey and Rep. Jess Fay

and the services it offers for the people of Maine. There were opportunities for questions and answers.

Rep. Jess Fay introduced Frey. “Aaron was born in Bangor and he lived there until third gradee where he and his family moved to Dixmont. He is a graduate of Nokomis High School in Newport, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, and he earned a Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law in Rhode Island.”

Fay continued by explaining that Frey has been a member of the Maine House of Representatives, representing parts of Bangor and parts of Orono for three terms, and while there was a a member of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. She also shared with the group that he has worked in a private legal practice in Bangor, focusing on matters involving criminal defense and family law. Frey also worked in Washington D.C. for the National Court Reporters Association prior to attending law school.

Frey began by stating that Maine is unique in that it is the only state where the Attorney General (AG) is elected by the legislature. “The good thing about this is the focus is not about who you are getting money from,” he explained. “The Maine AG is not a political office and as a result, there are long-term dedicated staff since political party does not play a role, and thus resignations are not expected during a transition from one Attorney General to another.”

Frey explained that the job of the AG’s office includes a wide range of different activities. “We represent the State of Maine in both the State and Federal Courts,” He said.

The work of the office includes child protective efforts, criminal prosecution, child support enforcement and legal services for the elderly to name just a few. Frey also spoke about free consumer mediation services as it relates to “lemon laws” and scam victims.

He shared ways to avoid frauds, listing a few of the following:

1)     Talk to someone you know and trust before giving you money or personal information to someone over the phone.

2)     Be skeptical about free trail offers.

3)     Don’t deposit a check and wire money.

4)     If you didn’t initiate the call (i.e. from the bank, etc.) then you should be suspicious.

5)     Hang up on robo calls. If there is a recorded sales pitch, hang up immediately and report it to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1

Frey addressed the concern and highlighted the fact there are many construction and roofing contractors who are not required to be certified or insured, so he warned all present to do research and get references prior to hiring for home repairs.

For this or any other frauds or scams, Frey stated that one could also reach out to the AG’s office by calling 1-800-436-2131 or online at consumer.mediation@maine.gov.

“Please call us,” Frey reiterated. “If we can’t help you, then we will help you find the individual who or organization that can.” He reminded that everyone is susceptible to falling for scams and that age, profession or education level play no role in prevention. Everyone must be vigilant.”

Legislative Council accepts Sen. Diamond bill to clarify the language of Maine’s new “hands-free” distracted driving law

LR 2739 would make technical revisions to the language in Maine’s new “hands-free” distracted driving law.

AUGUSTA — The Legislative Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill from Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, to clarify the language in Maine’s new “hands-free” distracted driving law. 

The legislation — LR 2739, “An Act To Amend the Laws Prohibiting the Use of Handheld Phones and Devices While Driving” — would make technical revisions to Maine’s new “hands-free” distracted driving law, including clarifying the fine amount and the law’s applicability to parking lots, and exempting all two-way radios.

“Maine’s new ‘hands-free’ distracted driving law is a big change for drivers in the state, and it’s

already making our roads safer,” said Sen. Diamond. “But it’s important that everything in the law is consistent and clear, which is why these minor revisions are needed.”

The new “hands-free” distracted driving law, which took effect on September 19, prohibits the use of a handheld electronic device while driving. A discrepancy in the text of the law allowed the courts to charge violators more than was originally intended, but after a call between Sen. Diamond and Maine Supreme Court Chief Justice Saufley, the courts decided to keep the fine at its original intended amount until the law could be revised.

Recent reporting from the Press Herald indicates that police officers in Maine wrote 232 tickets under the new law in its first month. 

Bills submitted for consideration during the Second Regular Session, which begins January 8, must be approved by a majority of the 10-member Legislative Council. The Council consists of the 10 elected members of legislative leadership.

The bill was approved by the Legislative Council on October 23 to be considered as an emergency measure, and will be introduced in the 2020 session of the legislature.

Student of the Week: Elyse Silvia

Elyse Silvia, a second-grade student at Raymond Elementary School, is The Windham Eagle’s Student of the Week. Silvia, who is seven years old, states that she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

“Elyse is a kind, caring student who always works hard and tries her best,” stated Mrs. Pennington, her teacher.

Silvia said that her greatest accomplishment is reading the most minutes in her first-grade class. The one person that has meant the most to her education is her mother and hat makes learning fun for her is learning in cool ways. As for her future, Silvia would like to become a teacher someday.

Favorite movie: “Daddy Daycare”

Favorite music group:  Beatles

Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving  

Rep. Fay to hold local office hours

Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, will hold in-district “constituent office hours” in Casco, Poland and Raymond in November.

These meetings will be held at the following places and times:

Poland office hours: Monday, November 4 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ricker Memorial Library, 1211 Maine St.

Casco office hours: Tuesday, November 5 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Casco Town Office, 635 Meadow Rd.

Raymond office hours: Wednesday, November 6 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Raymond Village Library, 3 Meadow Rd.

The office hours will provide residents with an opportunity to hear updates from Augusta, ask questions about policy making and share opinions on state matters. Office hours also serve as an opportunity for residents navigating state agencies to voice their concerns.

Fay, who represents part of Casco, part of Poland and part of Raymond, is in her second term in the House.  She serves on the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee.