Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing continues to assist local residents in need

By Masha Yurkevich

We’ve all heard that giving is better than receiving, but do we actually practice what we preach? Since 2019, the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing People has been serving our community and asking nothing in return.

Since its inception in 2019, the Sebago Lakes Region
Fuller Center for Housing has completed 45 projects and
currently has 14 ongoing projects for those in need in the
area. All of the labor is performed by volunteers who 
want to give back to the community.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Jim McBride and Diane Dunton Bruni are founding members of the Fuller Center, which started in 2019 with five participating churches and Saint Joseph's College. The goal was: to repair homes for senior, veterans, and people with disabilities so that they can remain in their homes safely.

McBride is a board member and treasurer for Sebago Fuller Housing, and he coordinates the project work and work with the families that they help.

Bruni is the chair and board president, and she is responsible to pull all the pieces together, family committee, volunteer committee, executive committee, public relations and marketing. Her role is to make sure that all of the pieces are working well together as well as speaking and telling the story and responding to requests of anyone who needs their assistance. Each day is new and very different and comes with its own challenges.

Since their start in 2019, the Fuller Center has completed 45 projects and currently has 14 ongoing projects. Their biggest project is to help a family whose 19-year-old son was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down and he has no way to get in and out of the house.

“There had to be a ramp put on, but before a ramp could be put on, the deck of the house had to be raised seven inches,” says Bruni. “So, we tore the old deck down, built a new deck that was raised seven inches, and then worked with Alpha One to get the ramp. We then put the railings back on and painted the deck for them, but there is still some work left to be done on this project.”

They’ve also been doing lots of roof repairs as well as inside work.

More and more people are finding out what the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing People is doing for our community.

“As we are getting our name out there, we are receiving more and more requests from people every day,” says Bruni. “The awareness continues to build; more people are telling others about who we are and what we do.”

As the Fuller Center receives more applications, they work to prioritize which projects need to be done first.

“The young man who needed the ramp was in Boston Hospital and coming home, so that project moved up on our priority list because of the immediacy,” says Bruni.

All of the labor for all of the projects is free, unless there is a contractor or special expertise needed.

“The families that we support give back to the community by contributing what they are able to contribute to the cost of material,” Bruni says. “It’s called a greater blessing; it’s not a hand-out, it’s a hand up. They are paying it forward to help with another project.”

There are many ways that the community can help.

“We are currently raising funds for a $20,000 community campaign to raise funds for materials,” says Bruni. “We also have a gala celebrating our fifth anniversary on Oct. 1, and we are looking for action items for that gala, as well as advertisers for our program and donations. We are always in need of volunteers and someone who can refer a contractor to us; there are many needs and many ways that the community can help out.”

Bruni says that she is very proud of the team that has been working together since 2019 and is thankful for everyone who has helped.

“We are continuing to build the organization, continuing to raise awareness, and we are truly making an impact in the Windham, Raymond, and Standish communities,” says Bruni. “I feel so blessed to be a part of this.” <

Raymond-Casco Historical Society to present rattlesnake lore event

By Kendra Raymond

When you think of rattlesnakes, the mind wanders to southwestern areas, deserts, but mostly how to avoid them. Believe it or not, the term “rattlesnake” holds a significant piece of lore in the Town of Raymond history. Timber rattlers presumably inhabited the area in abundance prior to 1900 and one could even say the area was infested with the reptiles.

A presentation at the Raymond-Casco
Historical Society at 6:30 p.m. July 8
will discuss rattlesnakes and their
relevance to Maine's past.
COURTESY OF NEILY RAYMOND

The Raymond-Casco Historical Society will showcase that connection in an upcoming event entitled, “Rattlesnake: A Western Maine Story” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 8. The free event will feature guest speaker Mike Davis, Assistant Director of the Bridgton Historical Society, who will tell stories of the past and chronicle the eradication of the timber rattler (Crotalus Horridus) in Maine.

RCHS president Frank McDermott says that Raymond had a large number of rattlesnakes in the past, so many that businesses were built around it.

“Most of the rattlesnakes were on Rattlesnake Mountain,” McDermott said. “The timber rattlers were so abundant that people actively trapped and milked them. They made medicines from it and ran entire businesses selling the products.”

He explained that so many people were actively selling things made from rattlesnakes that the practice eventually killed them off and they disappeared. The last known capture was in 1870. The decline is attributed to trapping practices, forest fires, and timber harvesting.

Local historian the late Ernest H. Knight chronicles several such stories in his book, “Historical Gems of Raymond and Casco.” Knight provides the history of the mountain and delves into the local fascination and use of rattlesnake oil. He wrote that Casco and Raymond were once a prime habitat for the critter.

Passages from the book explain: “At the time of the first pioneer settlers it was infested with this feared reptile and was the home base of those inhibiting the surrounding area. Some of the early citizens, notably “Rattlesnake Ben” Smith and John Cash who both lived on Raymond Hill, became proficient in the capture and usage. Ben Smith liked them and kept them as pets to carry about with him to show anyone who was interested, while John Cash caught them for their oil which he rendered from their carcasses and peddled to those needing a palliative care for rheumatism. Ben claimed to have found the way to remove the fangs to render them harmless. He removed fangs with the pincers he used in repairing his shoes and tested his protective theories on small animals, while peddling his snake oil liniment for rheumatism and other ailments of the hard-working settlers throughout the local area and at militia musters.”

Smith eventually married and raised a family on Raymond Hill. His children were adept rattler hunters and often kept pets in their bedrooms and used the skins as toys. Granddaughter Margaret Pummer actually had her own crotched snake pole and joined her grandfather on trips up the mountain. Despite his propensity toward herpetology, Smith eventually perished one night in the bed he shared with his beloved pets.

McDermott shared that Crescent Lake was originally called “Great Rattlesnake Pond” and Raymond Pond was referred to as, “Little Rattlesnake Pond.” He also shared the fact that Ben Smith, an original Raymondtown settler, ran a business selling rattlesnake oil, presumed to provide cures for medical ailments. Smith sourced his oil from rattlesnakes on the mountain near his farm, which he later named “Rattlesnake Mountain.”

As development progressed, the names of the lake and pond were changed as lots weren’t selling well on water bodies with such “unwelcoming” names.

McDermott said that event guests should plan to arrive early as a large turnout is expected and seating is limited.

“It should be a fascinating lecture lasting about 30 to 45 minutes,” he said.

RCHS offers an exciting visit including local history exhibits, demonstrations in the Watkins Blacksmith Shop, tours of the one room schoolhouse, and views of the classic vehicles collection.

The Raymond-Casco Historical Society is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. and admission is free. Donations are always welcomed.

The RCHS is located at 1 Shadow Lane in Casco, just off Route 302.

Check out the Raymond-Casco Historical Society and the Watkins Blacksmith Shop on Facebook or on their website at: https://raymondcascohistoricalsociety.org <

Raymond Waterways Protective Association conducts annual meeting

By Nancy Crilly-Kirk
Special to The Windham Eagle

The annual meeting of Raymond Waterways Protective Association was held at the Hawthorne House in Raymond on June 22 and the organization’s president summed up the accomplishments of the past year and challenges ahead, while the main speaker outlined an effective program to help lakes in Maine, and new board members were formally elected.

Guest speaker Susan Gallo, the executive director of 
Maine Lakes, told those attending the Raymond
Waterways Protective Association's annual meeting
that heathy lakes contribute between $4.2 billion and
$14 billion to the Maine economy each year.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

RWPA President Wayne Eckerson said some of RWPA’s work this year began in March with planning and hiring for the summer. That includes hiring a Courtesy Boat Inspector Manager, Sarah Henderson, who is a Raymond resident and an adjunct faculty member in environmental studies at the University of Southern Maine.

Eckerson said Raymond Waterways oversees four boat launches throughout Raymond ponds and lakes, where paid and volunteer inspectors check boats for invasive species before they are launched to prevent the spread of invasives. As Raymond waterways are severally connected, the Courtesy Boat Inspection program is crucial to keeping all the town’s lakes and ponds healthy.

He also introduced board member Steve Craine, who will be managing the LakeSmart Program to control erosion for Raymond shoreland property owners.

According to Eckerson, a new emphasis will be placed on public education and he said efforts will be made to provide the public with readable, portable literature on how to preserve lake health. Sabre Yachts, of Raymond, for instance, will fund the printing of 2,000 cards, distributed at various local businesses this summer, that help new and returning visitors with information on how to keep the lakes healthy. Juliet Kirk, Raymond Waterways system expert, opened Raymond Waterways’ Facebook page on June 23.

Acknowledgements and gratitude were expressed by Eckerson to Peggy and Neil Jensen, long-time RWPA volunteers; State Representative and director Jess Fay, for organizing the meeting; Marie Connolly for her long-time service as treasurer and plant patroller on Panther Pond; Sibyl French and Bunny Wescott for their several years’ service patrolling and organizing the 66 volunteers who survey Raymond waterways for invasive plants, and a remembrance of Woody Beach, a Raymond Waterways board member and coordinator of the Audubon Society’s loon count for many years, who died late this spring.

During the meeting Neil Jensen said that it is not a question of “if” with invasive weeds and species spoiling our waterways, but “when,” and urged the RWPA to continue the CBI and invasive plant patrol programs.

Bob French, another longtime RWPA volunteer, pointed out the economic benefit of healthy lakes to all property and businesses owners in Raymond, even those who are not on the shoreline. A recent University of Maine study reinforced this idea:

As the guest speaker Susan Gallo, executive director of Maine Lakes, said healthy lakes in Maine contribute from $4.2 billion to $14 billion, to the Maine economy each year.

Gallo also presented information about the LakeSmart Program, which Raymond Waterways has adopted this year. Her points included praise for Raymond Waterways for existing out of 2300 Great Ponds over 10 acres in Maine, only 100 have lake associations for lake health—and for RW’s commitment to lake health.

She also said that erosion, even more than invasive species, is the biggest threat to Raymond lakes and ponds. It encourages algae, which not only clouds lake health, but can be dangerous to animals, and humans.

Raymond Waterways will send experts to your Raymond lakefront property to evaluate and advise you how to decrease erosion in a non-regulatory, non-enforcing way. Every consultation is free and non-binding, and no reports by the volunteers in LakeSmart will be sent to any regulatory agencies. As one of the LakeSmart experts said, “What Have You Got to Lose?”

LakeSmart seeks to discourage the “suburban norm of lawns to lakefront”—the idea that lakefront properties have to look like owners’ other houses in the suburbs. That lawn culture increased with the influx of new lakefront owners during the pandemic. Lawns, more than native forest and shrubs, add considerably more phosphates and other chemicals to lake water.

Some residents of Turtle Cove on Sebago Lake brought up the continuing issue of invasive Asian Milfoil in their part of the lake. The Town of Raymond has taken over that work and hired a private contractor but the problem seems to persist.

Jennifer Danzig, of the Thomas Pond Association, urged Raymond registered voters to attend the Tuesday, Aug. 13 Raymond Select Board meeting at 5:30 p.m. to vote to change the solar ordinance to limit large-scale commercial solar projects on Raymond shorelines. For more info, contact Laurie Wallace at rwallac23@gmail.com.

RWPA members in attendance also unanimously elected:

· Angelo Conti, a graduate of Unity College with a degree in Environmental Studies, and an avid angler, who oversees the CBI program,

· Juliet Kirk, a Columbia graduate and mechanical engineer with a specialty in systems and part of a family that has owned camps on Panther for more than 100 years

· Peter Rowland, a Tufts graduate and Sebago Lake resident, who has agreed to be Treasurer for the board.

See the raymondwaterways.org site for more information on the LakeSmart program and other information about Raymond lakes and ponds.

Raymond Waterways is hiring Courtesy Boat Inspectors.to check boats entering Raymond lakes and ponds at public boat launches on Panther Pond, Crescent Lake, Thomas Pond and the Raymond part of Sebago Lake for invasive species, and to help educate the public about the importance of safe practices to keep the lakes healthy. Inspectors must be 16 or older and enjoy spending time outdoors and meeting people. Part-time with some flexibility in hours. Inspection shifts are mostly (but not entirely) on weekends and holidays throughout the summer. The pay is $18/hour. If interested, please contact cbi@raymondwaterways.org

A non-profit association dedicated to protecting and improving the water quality of Raymond's lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams and fostering watershed stewardship for the benefit of residents and visitors to the area, visit the Raymond waterways website at raymondwaterways.org <

Volunteers sought for Annual Loon Count on Sebago Lake

At 7 a.m. Saturday, July 20, for just 30 minutes, 1,600 of your Maine neighbors will quietly arrive on lakes and ponds throughout the state to count Maine’s loons.

Maine Audubon is actively seeking 50 volunteers to help
count loons and loon chicks on Sebago Lake during the
state's official loon count on July 20. COURTESY PHOTO

The single, largest contingent of Maine’s counters, about 50 volunteers, will be counting one of New England’s largest and most popular bodies of water – Sebago Lake. Want to be a part of this year’s count? Organizers are actively looking for help.

For 38 years, counting Sebago Lake’s 100-plus miles of shorefront, nearly one trillion gallons of fresh water, and 49 separate survey areas represented a huge challenge to Maine Audubon. Despite the efforts of many, the entire lake was never fully counted.

That meant that the work of volunteer counters around the lake who had faithfully counted loons in their neighborhoods over the years was never eligible to appear in the ‘official’ records.

In 2022, Sebago Lake resident Brad McCurtain was intrigued by the challenge. McCurtain had never participated in any of the prior Maine Audubon counts. Maine Audubon gave him a list of six other lake residents with counting experience and asked him to become the lake’s coordinator.

He invited each of those six individuals to a ZOOM meeting asking for their ideas. They quickly became inspired and determined to create a plan to cover all of Sebago Lake that year.

It was apparent that counting a body of water as massive as Sebago Lake clearly is not the work of just a handful of people. It would take a village -- seven villages in fact.

Counters were recruited from each of the seven communities that border on Sebago Lake. The counters soon grew beyond lake residents. A number of them don’t live on or even near Sebago Lake. But they all love the lake, are enchanted by the loons, and want to be a part of the count.

The result was Sebago’s first-ever, full count in 2022 with some 50 volunteers appearing at 7 a.m. sharp on the day of the event to quietly count loons on 30,000 acres of water over the next hour. That year they observed 32 adult loons and a single chick.

Last year in 2023, the group returned with more volunteers and observed 44 adult loons on Sebago Lake.

“It is pretty incredible to look out over Sebago and view dozens and dozens of watercraft slowly, quietly, and methodically trolling the entire lake early on a July morning for one purpose: to observe and to count the lake’s loons,” McCurtain said. "No other count in Maine is quite like Sebago’s.”

The group will be back on Sebago Lake counting again at 7 a.m. sharp on Saturday, July 20. A few of Sebago Lake’s survey areas are expected to open up for new counters.

Anyone with a motorboat, canoe, kayak, or SUP has an opportunity to join in the experience including individuals, families, neighbors, and friends.

To sign up to participate, send an email to SebagoLoons@gmail.com

"The loons are counting on us," McCurtain said. "We’re going to be counting them.” <

Windham’s fireworks ordinance requires users to obtain burn permit

By Ed Pierce

Since 2016, the Town of Windham has had a fireworks ordinance in place, and it mandates rules to be followed for both commercial and residential use of fireworks.

Windham's fireworks ordinance requires users to obtain a
burn permit and lists the only days this summer, July 3
and July 4, that consumer fireworks may be discharged 
within the town. COURTESY PHOTO   

Under provisions of the fireworks ordinance, a burn permit must be obtained from the Windham Fire-Rescue Department for anyone wishing to use, display, or discharge consumer fireworks. An individual may use consumer fireworks only on their own property or on the property of a person in Windham who has consented, in writing, to the use of consumer fireworks there.

Members of the Windham Town Council enacted the ordinance citing fire safety protection and to prohibit fireworks use at all hours of the day and night while also standardizing which types of fireworks can be used in the town.

Using fireworks is very dangerous, there are no specifics based on the ordinance,” said Chief Brent Libby of the Windham Fire-Rescue Department. “Over the years Windham has had injuries and fires on decks, structures and woods as a result of the use of fireworks.”

Libby said the ordinance lists the days and times when fireworks may be set off in Windham.

“It is important to note that fireworks require a burn permit and is contingent on the fire danger,” Libby said. A permit can be obtained by going to https://www.windhammaine.us/193/Open-BurningBurnFireworks-Permits

He said that when completing the burn permit indicate a residential permit, in the “burn location on the property field” and to indicate specifically it’s for fireworks and where they will be set off from. In the “type of items to burn” indicate “grass less than one acre.”

According to Libby, the Windham Fireworks Ordinance requires that fireworks are to be used between noon and 10 p.m. July 3 and until 11 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks that are discharged must be a minimum of 150 feet from a building or structure and may only be used on property owned or with consent in writing from the owner.

Violations of the ordinance can result in a civil fine of not less than $200 nor more than $400, plus public safety response costs.

The town’s fireworks ordinance was created based upon recommendations from the Office of State Fire Marshal, the Maine Forest Service, and the Town of Windham.

Under the ordinance, Helicopters, Aerial Spinners, Skyrockets, Bottle Rockets, and Missile-Type Rockets are prohibited by a State Fire Marshal rule and all users, and those in possession of consumer fireworks must be 21 years of age.

Recommended practices for fireworks outlined in the ordinance include:

• Setting off fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from houses, dry leaves, or grass and other flammable materials.

• Keeping a bucket of water nearby for emergencies, do not handle fireworks that fail to go off. Using a long-handled shovel to scoop up the firework and immerse it in a bucket of water.

• Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.

• Be sure other people, children and pets are out of range before lighting fireworks.

• Never light fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.

• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.

• Always use fireworks according to the manufacturer’s directions and guidelines.

• Always use eye, ear, and hand personal protective equipment when discharging fireworks.

• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting it.

• When the use of fireworks is over, continue to watch the area of use to be sure that all fireworks debris is out and not smoldering or hot.

• Search all areas adjacent to and downwind of the fireworks ignition site looking for hot or smoldering debris. Scan the tree canopy, as well as the ground. If a wildfire occurs as a result of negligence, then you may be responsible for fire suppression costs.

• In case of an emergency, dial 911. <

Raymond approves new tennis and pickleball courts for Sheri Gagnon Memorial Park

By Joanne Terrasi

When it’s time to get to the courts, where do you go to play tennis or pickleball? It won’t be far for residents of Raymond when the Sheri Gagnon Memorial Park expansion becomes reality.

Plans are under way to install two tennis and two
pickleball courts at Sheri Gagnon Memorial Park
in Raymond. A meeting of the town's Planning
Board will further discuss the project on July 10.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Last year, the members of Raymond’s Budget-Finance Committee and Planning Board approved two tennis and two pickleball courts for Sheri Gagnon Memorial Park, according to Raymond Parks and Recreation Director Joe Crocker. Crocker said the town was granted a $500,000 bond to fund the capital improvement project.

“We did it, but the tough part is the implementation,” he said. “That’s what we’ve been working on for about year.”

Pickleball has grown in popularity as a racket sport, and so too has the town’s Parks and Recreation Department program. The sport’s outdoor program has been using the park’s basketball court to line for pickleball and players are bringing their own nets.

“I’ve never seen a sport grow so fast,” he said.

It may have a funny name, but pickleball is a serious sport and Raymond Town Clerk Sue Look said she had no idea it was that popular.

“When they told me how many people were playing pickleball, I couldn’t believe it,” Look said.

The site plan for the new courts was submitted on behalf of Raymond Parks and Recreation last March, by Sebago Technics of South Portland. The project was scheduled to appear before the Planning Board on June 12 but was postponed until July 10.

Crocker said there was “some confusion,” when exterior lighting was excluded from the building plans.

“We’re putting it in, but we need to make sure we have enough funds for the courts first,” he said.

The two 78-by-36-foot tennis courts and two 44-by-20-foot pickleball courts will be built on the southwest side of the basketball court. A connecting foot path from the parking lot will extend the existing basketball court path to the new fenced-in courts.

One of the park’s existing baseball fields will be removed to accommodate the design, but there’s no chance of a turf war, according to Crocker. He said the baseball field was used by middle schoolers and the numbers have “dwindled” in size recently. But apparently, the field always has had some issues with drainage.

“It’s a swamp,” Crocker said. “Last November the adults played flag football there and it was a mud pit.”

A neighbor of the park, Jennifer McCarthy, said she had heard about the new tennis and pickleball courts and she thinks “it’s great.” McCarthy frequents the new playground that the park installed last month with her young girls, Sloan, 2, and Lettie, 1.

“We love the playground,” she said.

Raymond resident Isaac Ormberg, 17, works in the park’s neighborhood at The Good Life Market. The new courts sound “awesome” to Ormberg.

“I might go to check it out,” he said. “I played pickleball before and it’s fun, it’s like tennis and Ping Pong.”

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, Ping-Pong and badminton. The nets are lower than tennis and the courts are about one-fourth the size. And, with less sprinting involved, it has become a favorite among adults. In 2023, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association deemed pickleball the fastest growing sport in America for the third consecutive year.

The project will be going out to bid soon, but Crocker said they have a local contractor in mind for the job who has built most of the courts in the area.

“Once the courts are put in, youth tennis will be the big new addition,” he said.

Crocker belongs to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) for the Tennis in the Parks Program, a foundation known for its dedication to player development. He said he would like to see youth players in Grades 1 through 8 become involved and have a chance to compete for a national tennis championship.

“That’s my next project,” he said.

Beginner/intermediate and intermediate/advanced outdoor pickleball runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and is for adult players only. Sessions for first-time players resume in the fall. Adult basketball runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and all players must register.

To register for any of the programs offered by Raymond Parks and Recreation, visit https://raymond.recdesk.com/Community/Home <

In the public eye: Windham’s new Communications Director settling into new role

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

By Ed Pierce

Roger Cropley II is new to his role as the Communications Director for the Town of Windham, but integral to how the public perceives town activities, services and events.

Roger Cropley II is the Town of Windham's
Communications Director and has extensive
experience in videography. He has launched
a monthly town newsletter and is responsible
for developing a cohesive multi-channel
communications strategy for the town.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

He has extensive experience in videography and applied for the communications position when it was created by Windham Town Council members less than a year ago.

“I’ve worked for the town since 2018. I started as a custodian as a way to supplement my freelance video editorial income, and then transitioned to this position when it was created in 2023,” Cropley said. “I had been exclusively a freelancer since 2004, and as my contacts within the area’s advertising community moved on or aged out, I was left with a dwindling amount of work. I still loved and still love editing but it was beginning to become harder to make a living with that alone.”

In his new role, Cropley will be tasked with developing a cohesive multi-channel communications strategy for the town, preparing all communications materials and creating a trustworthy voice while maintaining integrity across all town platforms.

“This is a new position within the town, so my duties are evolving, but they include gathering relevant information from other departments and posting that info to the town’s website and social media accounts,” he said. “I shoot video and stills for town events or other newsworthy happenings within the town and then either create pieces for the new monthly newsletter or for the town’s YouTube channel. I also create promotional material for the town to attract tourism and create business interest in Windham.”

Being a video guy, Cropley says he loves making videos for the town, but creating magazine ads and improving his writing skills due to the demands of a monthly newsletter are certainly highlights of his new job because he enjoys the creative challenges involved with those.

“The most challenging part of the job is two-fold,” he said. “One is staying on top of all the goings on within the town and second is combating the misinformation that always seem to permeate the social media platforms.”

Originally from Lincoln, Maine, Cropley became familiar with the area when he attended Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in 1985.

“I didn’t finish my school there, I transferred to UMaine and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Production,” he said.

During his professional career, he’s edited hundreds of local, regional and national commercials including ads for Maine Tourism, Hardy, Wolf and Downing, and Sylvania.

“I’ve edited a television show for TLC with Maine-based organic gardeners called ‘Gardening Naturally’ and recently, while working as a custodian for the town, two feature films. One was shot here in Maine starring Tom Berenger called ‘Blood and Money’ and another called ‘Dangerous Waters’ was Ray Liotta’s last performance.”

According to Cropley, learning that he had landed this new position has been his most memorable moment in working for the town to this point and what he likes the most about his new job is getting to be creative while learning and disseminating information to the public.

“Since this is a position that hasn’t even been around for a year, I’m not sure people even realize my position exists,” he said. “I hope though that they have noticed an increase in the amount of information that is being put out by the town. I hope that they realize that I am just trying to give them the facts about things happening within this community.”

He said he now has a clearer picture of what it takes to operate a municipality of this size and to keep it running efficiently no matter what the circumstance.

“I guess the most important thing I’ve learned is that running a town is a very complicated endeavor,” Cropley said. “It requires a large and qualified group of individuals using their expertise not only to perform the duties that keep the town moving but also to make decisions that will impact the town for years to come, and that all decisions are made with the intent of adding to the quality of life of Windham’s residents.” <

Windham residents approve 2024-2025 municipal budget

By Ed Pierce

Windham voters approved a municipal budget of $34,922,971 for 2024-2025 and other associated warrant articles during the annual town meeting on June 15 at the Windham Town Hall Auditorium.

Windham Town Councilors vote for a warrant article during
the Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, June 15 at Windham
Town Hall. From left are Councilors John Henry, Bill
Reiner, David Nadeau, Jarrod Maxfield, and Nick
Kalogerakis. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

Warrant articles also approved during the meeting authorized the issuance of general obligation bonds up to $13 million to finance the design, engineering, construction and an analysis of operations and assessments for a sewer system to serve RSU 14’s campus including Windham High School, Windham Middle School and Windham Primary School. Another warrant article that voters supported is the execution of agreements with the Portland Water District in connection with the financing, constriction, ownership, operation and maintenance of the RSU 14 campus sewer system.

Windham Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said these actions are part of Phase 2 of Windham’s installation of sewers as approved by voters during a referendum in June 2022.

He said this new system will result in the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant at Windham High School being closed and the new plant at Windham Middle School will be used to pump wastewater to the new treatment facility at Manchester School in North Windham.

According to Tibbetts, Phase 1 of the sewer installation has about a $4 million shortfall because of construction cost and materials increases, but a warrant article approved by voters at this meeting allows the town to issue a bond of $4 million through the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund. In doing that, the shortfall will have no impact for taxpayers.

Tibbetts said the new municipal budget will also allow the town to add four new firefighter/emergency medical technicians, two of them funded in the budget and two funded by grant.

“The intent is to reduce overtime and per diem costs of firefighters and EMTs,” he said.

Other town personnel actions approved in this new budget include hiring a Public Works Operational Manager to offer more efficiency for that department and making the Windham Police Department’s Community Resource Liaison a full-time position. The Community Resource Liaison position provides additional support to individuals struggling with mental health or substance use and up to now has been a shared position between the Windham and Gorham Police Departments.

Funding approved in the budget also will allow the Windham Fire/Rescue Department to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatus and equipment for $535,000 and to acquire land located at Cherry Lane adjacent to Gambo Soccer Fields for $750,000. The new budget also includes up to $750,000 for the paving and repair of 10 local roads.

The budget also awards $850,000 to the Windham Fire/Rescue Department to purchase a new fire engine, up to $400,000 for adding additional space and making improvements at Smith Cemetery. Funding included in the budget also will allow the town to complete work on the heating and cooling systems at Windham Town Hall, create new additional trails at the East Windham Conservation Area, award town employees a 4 percent wage increase and to finish sidewalk projects under way in South Windham along Gray Road.

Approval of the budget also authorizes $3.5 million to create a sidewalk on Windham Center Road from Windham High School extending to the site of the new Windham Middle School. Tibbetts said $1.2 million of that cost will come from grants, so that expense will be reduced when completed.

After the meeting, Tibbetts said work on formulating the annual town budget began in December and proceeded to a goal-setting session with Windham Town Council members in January. In February, Tibbetts met with town department heads to streamline budget requests before the Windham Finance Committee reviewed the preliminary budget before it was formally presented at a Town Council meeting in April and a Public Hearing was conducted at a town council meeting in May.

“Now that the budget has been approved by voters, we have to get to work,” Tibbetts said. “There’s a lot of nice things in this budget but there’s a lot of work left to be done.”

He said among things still to be decided in the future are choosing the best location for a new fire station and what to do with the current Windham Middle School building once the new Windham Middle School building opens.

At the start of the town meeting, Windham resident and former Windham Town Council member Tim Nangle, who currently serves as a Maine State Senator, was elected as moderator to preside over the gathering. <

Book Awards pay tribute to outstanding WHS juniors

By Ed Pierce

Before the 2023-2024 school year ended at Windham High School, a schoolwide assembly on June 5 paid tribute to outstanding students for their emphasis on academics and deep commitment to community involvement.

Windham High School's Ahlam Nure is the 
recipient of this year's University of Rochester
Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award
which was presented during the school's
University Book Awards assembly earlier
this month. COURTESY PHOTO 

According to Phil Rossetti, Windham High School assistant principal, the University Book Awards are presented at the conclusion of each school year to top students in the junior class.

Rossetti said that each year universities and colleges in America partner with secondary schools such as Windham High School to recognize exceptional high school juniors. Each University Book Award focuses on a specific area of academic achievement and excellence, such as service to the community, music and the arts, distinction for academics and community advocacy.

“The awards honor distinguished juniors at Windham High, giving them a chance to gain a wider look at the world they live in, and to connect outstanding students with schools of higher learning,” Rossetti said. “Collegiate Book Awards are given annually to top-achieving students in the junior class. Each college or university establishes rigorous criteria and seeks feedback from high school faculty and administration to identify the worthy recipient of each award.”

Here are this year’s Windham, High School 2024 University Book Award recipients:

Hannah Bowker and Jordyn Davis-Belanger, Suffolk Book Award. This award is presented to a student who shows dedication to learning in the classroom as well as to their school community through extracurricular involvement and volunteer positions.

Bella Bragdon, St. Michael's Book Award. This award recognizes a National Honor Society member who shows a sustained and sincere commitment to community service, issues of peace and justice, and concern for others.

Noah Campbell, St. Anselm College Book Award. This distinction is presented to a student that demonstrates academic success and exceptional leadership qualities in the area of civic engagement.

Ethan Chen, Harvard Book Prize and the University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology. The Harvard Book Prize is awarded to a student with excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievement in other fields. The University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology is presented to a student with a strong interest in innovation and/or information technology and a high level of achievement in this area.

Luke Cunniffe, Elmira College Key Award. This award is given to a student who demonstrates outstanding school and community leadership.

Joseph Donnelly, Rochester Institute of Technology Business and Leadership Award. This is presented to a student with high academic achievement who is involved in the school and community and demonstrates innovation, leadership, and success in business-related classes.

Abigail Dumont, University of Vermont Citizen Scholar Award. This award recognizes a student with high achievement in a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and who has made a contribution to their school or community.

Carter Engelman, Renssalaer Medal. This honor is awarded to a student who has excelled in advanced math and science courses, demonstrates potential for success in a challenging academic setting, and exhibits significant involvement in extracurricular activities.

Ethan Fletcher, Clarkson University Leadership Award. This distinction is presented to a student with an interest in Engineering, Business, Science, or Liberal Arts who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and is a positive contributor to the school and community.

Braycen Freese, Rochester Institute of Technology Science and Math Award. This is awarded to a student with high academic achievement who is involved in the school and community and demonstrates success and interest in the STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Math) field.

Lukas Hammond and Hannah Lee, Russell Sage College Student Sage Award. This award recognizes a student who makes school an exciting, creative, and engaging place of learning, possesses powerful communication skills, is actively involved in the community, and inspires others to develop and grow.

Levi Hayman and Tayla Pelletier, University of Southern Maine Book Award. This award is presented to a student who has demonstrated great determination and persistence in the accomplishment of goals in academics, leadership, community and/or extracurricular activities.

Brianne Johnsen, Elmira College Key Award. This honor is given to a student who demonstrates outstanding school and community leadership.

Zocia LaWind, Bowdoin Book Award. This award recognizes a junior who demonstrates extraordinary service to the common good, a commitment to the study of the environment and lives life with compassion and integrity.

Francesca Lomonte, Rochester Institute of Technology Women in STEM Award. This is presented to a female student with high academic achievement who is involved in the school and community and is pursuing a degree in STEM.

Ahlam Nure, University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award. This honor is awarded to a student with high achievement and rigor in science classes and who has made positive contributions to their school and community.

Molly Plati, University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award. This award is presented to a student with strong leadership experience at school and in the community, high grades and challenging courses, and extensive involvement in extracurricular activities.

Addison Profenno, Brandeis Book Award. This distinction recognizes a member of the junior class who demonstrates a commitment to civic engagement, community service, political activism, social justice, or volunteer work.

Talia Salazar, MECA Book Award. This award recognizes a student for outstanding visual artwork.

Dakota Small, University of Rochester Fredrick Douglas Award. This honor is given to a student who has demonstrated commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues, leadership and dedication to community action, and academic strength in humanities and social sciences.

Bryce Smith, Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Award. This distinction recognizes a student with high academic achievement who is involved in the school and community and demonstrates interest and ability in computing.

Sierra Sparrow, College of the Atlantic Book Award. This award is presented to an adventurous junior who is invested in creating positive change in the world and is engaged in their learning and their community.

Nathan Strout, Rochester Institute of Technology Humanities Award. This award is presented to a student with high academic achievement who is involved in the school and community and demonstrates an interest in humanities and social science.

Emily Talbot, Clarkson Achievement Award. This honor recognizes a student with an interest in Engineering, Business, Science, or Liberal Arts who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and is a positive contributor to the school and community.

Ava Wardwell, Endicott College Junior Book Award. This distinction honors a student who exhibits strong leadership skills inside and outside the classroom.

Riley Yates, Smith College Book Award. This award is given to a junior girl who is an example of scholarship and community service and exemplifies academic achievement, leadership qualities, and concern for others. <

Windham opens Dundee Park but swimming not allowed

Because of unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the Town of Windham, Dundee Park will be closed for swimming from now until water levels return to normal.

A malfunction of the Dundee Hydroelectric Dam gate has
caused a swimming ban at Dundee Park until further
notice. COURTESY PHOTO

In a press release, Windham officials say that the park will remain open for all other activities including picnicking, basketball, volleyball, and lawn games. All scheduled events including concerts and movies in the park will continue as scheduled, and the concession stand will remain open.

According to the town, the reason for the loss of water level is because of a malfunctioning gate at the Dundee Hydroelectric Dam. The repair, as it currently stands, is scheduled to last through July.

After the repairs are complete and the refilling of the body of water starts, water levels will gradually return to normal. Unfortunately, this will probably mean a lost swimming season at Windham’s only point of public water access.

“We realize this is a major inconvenience to our residents and visitors,” Windham officials said in the press release. “Therefore, anyone who has purchased a season pass, can have the cost for those passes fully refunded and daily visitors to the park will not be charged an entrance fee.”

The cost of renting picnic pavilions at Dundee Park will also be reduced for this summer to $25 per reservation.

“The town is in contact with the dam’s owner and operator, and we will provide updates as repairs continue,” town officials said in the press release. “We remain hopeful that the repairs will progress quickly, and we may be able to salvage a little bit of the season in late August.” <

Poland announces candidacy for District 106 State Representative

Doris Poland, a Democrat from Windham, has announced her candidacy for the Maine House of Representatives District 106, which includes North Windham and Windham generally east of Route 302.

Doris Poland of Windham, a
Democrat, is running for State
Representative for Windham's 
District 106 in the Maine House
of Representatives. She has lived
in Windham since 1970.
COURTESY PHOTO 

“My interest in politics started when I was very young–my mom and dad were part of the group that did a Bean supper to launch Ed Muskie’s campaign for governor,” Poland said. “Since then, I’ve watched working families have to work harder and harder to stay afloat. My husband and I raised four kids here in Windham and now I wonder how my grandkids will get by. Augusta needs to do more to support Windham families, from fully funding the state’s share of our school budgets, to sending back more money to the municipalities to keep our property taxes in check. We have to do better.”

She moved to Windham on Independence Day, 1970 and then spent 20 years working for the Windham School District driving students to and from school, games, and outings as a bus driver. Poland also worked in the Windham High School library as a technician before retiring.

In addition to making sure Windham’s kids got home safely, she raised four children, and continues to care for her one disabled child at home. She supported her late husband while he served as a proud postal worker for over 30 years, and advocates for working families as a member of various labor unions and auxiliary groups.

Poland works with area food pantries, has worked with the Wounded Warrior Program, advocates for disabled access and rights, and spends her free time chasing down legislators in Augusta and Washington, D.C. to make sure they hear from Maine families.

U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says that Poland is an excellent choice for State Representative in District 106.

“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Doris advocating for working families for many years now. Her dedication to Mainers has helped move the needle on healthcare, wages, housing, and many other issues that have an impact on our everyday lives,” Pingree said. “The deep understanding of the needs of working families that Doris has makes her uniquely situated to work for Windham in Augusta. Her ability to listen and take action on behalf of others will make her an excellent State Rep.” <

Raymond elects new selectman, RSU 14 budget passes district-wide

By Ed Pierce

Voters in Windham and Raymond cast ballots in Tuesday’s Primary Election and once the results were tabulated, several local issues and questions were decided.

In Raymond, voters rejected a referendum item creating an $8.1 million bond to construct a new Public Works Facility by a margin of 525-221. The issue caused friction earlier this year between Select Board members and Budget Finance Committee members as both groups agreed that a new facility is needed but they differed in opinion about the scope and size of the proposed project and selectmen then voting to nullify a Budget Finance Committee unanimous vote not to recommend the referendum item. All 35 other referendum items on the ballot were overwhelmingly approved by voters.

Incumbent Raymond Select Board Chair Joe Bruno lost in his bid for re-election for a three-year term to Raymond Budget Finance Committee member and former Raymond Fire Chief Denis Morse. Morse tallied 461 votes, while Bruno had 314 votes.

Three candidates were elected to serve three-year terms on the Raymond Budget Finance Committee. Christopher S. Hanson received 472 votes, former Raymond Town manager Don Willard received 455 votes and Clifford G. Small received 369 votes. Three seats on the committee were available.

Grace E.D. Leavitt of Raymond received 599 votes and was elected to a three-year term on the RSU 14 Board of Directors representing Raymond. She was the only candidate running for the seat in the election.

Raymond and Windham voters approved the RSU 14 budget proposal of $60,185,403 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025. In Raymond, 501 votes were cast to approve the budget, with 278 votes opposed. In Windham, 701 votes were cast in favor of approving the school budget with 431 votes in opposition.

Republicans in Windham cast 509 votes for U.S. Senate candidate Demi Kouzounas of Saco while two candidates vied for the nomination for U.S Representative, including Andrew Piantidosi of Cape Elizabeth (261 votes) and Ronald C. Russell of Kennebunkport (284 votes). Russell won the nomination by picking up 56 percent of the vote overall in the state to Piantidosi’s 44 percent and will face incumbent Democrat Chellie Pingree in the November General election.

Jerry Lynn Dewitt of New Gloucester received 503 votes in seeking the Republican nomination for Register of Probate in Windham.

Kenneth J. Cianchette of Windham was unopposed in seeking the Republican nomination for State Senator in District 26 and received 552 votes. Incumbent Barbara Bagshaw of Windham was unopposed in seeking the nomination for the Maine House District 106 seat representing part of Windham and received 296 votes. Mark Cooper of Windham was unopposed in seeking the Republican District 107 nomination to represent part of Windham in the Maine House and received 263 votes.

For Democrats in Windham, U.S. Senate candidate David Allen Costello of Brunswick received 375 votes and incumbent U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree of North Haven tallied 468 votes. In November, Costello will face Republican Kouszounas and Independent incumbent Angus King for the U.S. Senate seat.

Incumbent State Senator Tim Nangle of Windham was unopposed in seeking the District 26 nomination and received 458 votes. He will face Republican challenger Cianchette in the General Election this fall. In Raymond, Nangle received 294 votes and Cianchette received 326 votes.

Doris A. Poland of Windham was unopposed in seeking the Democratic nomination for State Representative in District 106 representing part of Windham. She tallied 229 votes and will face Republican incumbent Bagshaw in November’s General Election.

Susan G. Schwartz of Portland was unopposed in seeking the Democratic nomination for Register of Probate and received 444 votes.

Democrat incumbent Jane Pringle of Windham was unopposed in seeking the nomination for the District 107 Maine House seat, representing part of Windham. She received 229 votes and will face Republican challenger Cooper and independent challenger and former legislator Patrick Corey in the General Election.

In Raymond, Democrat Craig R. Messinger of Raymond was unopposed in seeking the nomination for State Representative in District 86 and received 298 votes, while Rolf A. Olsen, Jr. was unopposed for the Republican nomination for District 86 State Representative and received 332 votes. Messinger and Olsen will vie for the District 86 seat in the General Election.

Suzanne Carr served as the Raymond Town Meeting Warrant Moderator for the Primary Election in Raymond. <

Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce donates $20K to local food pantries

By Masha Yurkevich

Food pantries play a vital role in helping communities thrive, serving everyone from low-income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the pantry.

Checks were presented to several local food pantry directors
at the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce's
Business Break at the Roosevelt Trail Garden Center on
May 22. From left are Robins Mullins SLRCC
President/CEO, Gary Bibeau Raymond Food Pantry, Collette
Gagnon, Windham Food Pantry, Jonathan Priest SLRCC
Board Chair, Lisa Mokaba Standish Food Pantry, Debra
Howard Sebago Warming Hut, John Worrey Crosswalk
Community Outreach, and Donna Rand Gray Community
Food Pantry. SUBMITTED PHOTO   

On May 22, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce presented a check of $20,000 to several of the food pantry directors at the chamber's May Business Break at the Roosevelt Trail Garden Center.

The chamber's mission is “To foster economic growth and prosperity in our region,” says Robin Mullins, the President-CEO of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce (SLRCC). “Our region consists of Casco, Gray, Naples, New Gloucester, Raymond, Sebago, Standish and Windham.”

To that end, in 2016, the SLRCC created the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Charitable Trust, which oversees the Feed the Need initiative.

“The initiative was started because the chamber realized that food insecurity in the region was an issue and we wanted to help in any way we could,” says Mullins.

The chamber hosts fundraising events throughout the year and through the trust donates annually to the 12 food pantries in the eight towns the chamber supports. Fundraisers include the Sebago Lake Polar Dip held in February as part of the Sebago Lake Rotary Club's Annual Fishing Derby, the Golf Ball Drop which is part of Windham Summerfest, 50/50 drawings from some of the chamber's monthly Business Breaks, and donations made during the chamber's annual Bid of Christmas event each December.

“Private donations from individuals and other local businesses also help to fund the initiative,” says Mullins. “This year we donated $20,000 to those 12 food pantries in our region. The amount of each check is based on the number of individuals the pantry assists each month.”

To date, the Feed the Need initiative has donated more than $178,500 to the region's local food pantries. The chamber raises cash for the pantries, rather than doing food drives, as it allows the pantries to use the funds for items they need at their individual pantries. Sometimes the need is not food at all, but toiletries, personal items or diapers.

These are ways the community can help and contribute, too., Mullins said.

The community can help out by checking out the Feed the Need section of our website at sebagolakeschamber.com/,” says Mullins. “There they can donate directly to Feed the Need or they can participate in any of our fundraisers. In fact, we have a fundraiser going on right now. I am throwing out a challenge to the residents of the eight towns we support. Please purchase a golf ball (or two or 10) for our annual Golf Ball Drop that is part of Windham Summerfest on June 22. Golf balls are $10 each (you do not get a physical golf ball, but a number). At 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 at the Windham Summerfest, all of the balls we have sold will be dropped from the top of a Windham fire truck ladder. The person whose ball falls closest to the pin will win 20 percent of what we raise. So, if we sell all 1,000 golf balls, the winner would receive $2,000. There are lots of other ancillary prizes as well.”

What makes this even more exciting is that their sponsor for the event, Modern Woodmen, has agreed to match the first $2,500 that Feed the Need raises from this event and all of this will go directly to the Feed the Need initiative.

“We ask that you please buy some golf balls and by this you will not only contribute to your community, but it will also give you a chance to win a wonderful prize,” says Mullins. “You can purchase them online at our website or come and see us at Summerfest on June 22. We also have a fun putting contest where you can win a $100 Hannaford Gift card.”

For more information about the Feed the Need initiative, please visit sebagolakeschamber.com/<

Alewife migration a fascinating natural phenomenon

By Kaysa Jalbert

It's late spring, and the waters of Mill Brook near South Windham are warming up. The brook, winding through a secluded, hilly forest, becomes the stage for an incredible natural spectacle. As you walk along the trails, you come upon a viewing pool near the southern trailhead. In the clear water, thousands of silver alewives, a type of river herring, are gathering. These fish, each about 11 inches long, shimmer in the sunlight as they move together in tight, swirling schools.

Alewives enter the Presumpscot River from Casco Bay then
swim up Mill Brook until they reach their native spawning
ground at Highland Lake. FILE PHOTO

The fish congregate at the base of a small set of rapids. Here, the water bubbles and churns, creating a white froth against the rocks. Despite the challenging current, the alewives begin their ascent. The fish move up the falls in a determined scramble, oftentimes flipping onto their sides and sliding back down; trying many times to push forward through the flow of water. Some make it on the first try, while others are pushed back by the force of the water, only to try again moments later.

This is how Brenna Crothers, Community Engagement Manager of the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust describes one of coastal Maines most fascinating phenomenon’s that is the alewife fish migration from Casco Bay to Highland Lake where they spawn, and you have a chance to witness it. Over the next few weeks, thousands of alewife fish will be swimming through Mill Brook Preserve.

Once in scarce numbers, the alewives have rebounded after Smelt Hill dam was removed in 2002, allowing migration numbers to reach over 70,000 in the past few years. This removal, along with other restoration efforts, like culvert replacements and fish ladder installations, has led to the significant return of alewife migrations.

“This is a species of fish that came back from almost a 250-year absence,” said Crothers. “Witnessing their journey, you can't help but cheer for these mighty fish. The schools of fish that make their way up rivers and brooks face many obstacles: shallow waters, fallen logs and trees, predators, swimming up seemingly impossible waterfalls without the grace of a salmon, but in a movement that can only be described as a determined scramble. These fish inspire.”

Each year, Alewives enter the Presumpscot River from Casco Bay, then swim up Mill Brook until they reach their native spawning ground at Highland Lake. This almost 11-mile-long journey typically takes two to three weeks. Adult alewives can make this round-trip about three to four times in their lives.

The migration will be visible from every one of the Mill Brook Preserve trailheads, the closet trailheads to the water being on Perry Court and north of 789 Methodist Road. The southern fish viewing pool is the most likely to spot fish, however the northern pool is more remote meaning at the right time you can see multiple fish ascend the waterfall.

The alewife migration is a family-friendly activity. Mill Brook has a two-mile hiking loop that crosses two bridges, includes nature scavenger hunt cards along the trail, and has a fairy and gnome village.

For the health of alewives during their migration, ropes have been placed around the viewing areas to ensure all people and pets stay out of the water, to stop soil from eroding into the stream and to make it clear fishing and collecting fish are not allowed.

The journey of migration is very stressful for Alewives. It begins in the ocean and estuaries, where they get eaten by larger fish and birds such as eagles, ospreys and cormorants. As they migrate into streams in the forest, new predators stand by such as raccoons and foxes.

Finally arriving at their spawning grounds, they must still be aware of larger fish like the freshwater bass. Survivors then find their way back into the ocean and their spawns follow some months later. The native range of the alewife stretches from the bottom of North Carolina up into New Brunswick, going up and around Nova Scotia as well.

Alewives have large eyes, a large black spot behind the gill cover, and their silver colors are darker on top, making for camouflage from water’s surface, and shinier from the bottom, giving them camouflage from below as well.

Another name for an alewife is “sawbelly” because of their narrow bodies that form jagged sharp scales along their stomachs. The alewife may also go as “Gaspereau” in Atlantic Canada, or “kayak fish” for its elongated shape.

To get more information or to download the alewife migration electronic guide, visit https://www.prlt.org/alewife-migration <

Messinger running for Maine House District 86 seat

Craig Messinger, a Democrat from Raymond, has announced his candidacy for Maine House of Representatives District 86, which includes Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and part of Poland.

Craig Messinger has announced his candidacy
as a Democrat for the Maine House of
Representatives District 86 seat, which
includes Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and 
part of Poland, He is a lifelong firefighter
and a longtime Raymond resident.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

“As a lifelong firefighter I know that when you’re fighting a fire there’s no time to stand around arguing, you have to work together to get people the help they need. There’s too much arguing and not enough working together,” Messinger said.” That’s why I’m running to bring teamwork to Augusta to solve the problems we’re facing as a state: out of control costs, ensuring our older residents can age with dignity, and equipping our youth to build successful lives here in Maine. I believe communication and listening is missing from our political environment today, which is why I always listen to both sides of a situation and don’t base my decisions on a political party or an agenda.”

Messinger is a longtime Raymond resident, where he and his wife raised their family. He is a deacon in his church, where he organizes community dinners, provides outreach to elderly congregants, and is a dedicated food pantry volunteer.

He’s also developed a strong understanding of local issues and needs. From delivering a baby in an apartment while serving as a firefighter/paramedic in Portland, to coaching softball and soccer when his daughter was in middle school, Messinger has spent his life quietly helping his community thrive. He now hopes to bring that track record of helping his community to Augusta.

“I’ve seen first-hand how hard it can be for our seniors to age in rural communities like ours, and we need to do more to support them. At the same time, we need to support our young adults as they seek to obtain an education and opportunities here in Maine. I’m lucky that my daughter has been able to get a great education here, and I want to make sure every Maine kid has the chance to be a lifelong Mainer.”

District 86 has been represented for the past four terms by Jessica Fay of Raymond.

As she terms out, Fay says Messinger will serve District 86 superbly if he is elected this fall.

“Craig is exactly the right person to represent us in Augusta,” Fay said. “He has always been an active member of our community. Craig has spent his professional career serving and caring for others. I believe that he will do the same for us in Augusta.” <

Voters head to polls in primary election June 11

By Ed Pierce

For Windham Town Clerk Linda Morrell, the upcoming primary voting on Tuesday, June 11 will be another election in her long career, but for her counterpart in Raymond, Melanie Fernald, it will the first time she has overseen an election as Raymond Town Clerk.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday for voters 
in Windham and Raymond casting ballots on Tuesday,
June 11. COURTESY PHOTO  

Sample ballots are available online and there are several contested races in the primary, but for the most part, voting will be for registered voters by party affiliation. The ballots will also contain 34 different referendum items in Raymond and for voters to approve or disapprove the RSU 14 annual budget in both Raymond and Windham.

On the ballot for Democrats in Windham, is U.S. Senate candidate David Allen Costello of Brunswick, and incumbent U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree of North Haven. State Senator Tim Nangle of Windham is running for re-election in District 26 and Doris A. Poland of Windham is seeking the Democratic nomination for State Representative in District 106 representing part of Windham. Susan G. Schwartz of Portland is seeking the Democratic nomination for Register of Probate. Incumbent Jane Pringle of Windham is seeking re-election for her District 107 seat representing part of Windham.

The Republican ballot for Windham includes U.S. Senate candidate Demi Kouzounas of Saco and two candidates seeking the Republican nomination for U.S Representative, Andrew Piantidosi of Cape Elizabeth and Ronald C. Russell of Kennebunkport. Jerry Lynn Dewitt of New Gloucester is seeking the Republican nomination for Register of Probate and Kenneth J. Cianchette of Windham is unopposed in a bid to unseat Democratic incumbent Tim Nangle for State Senator in District 26. Incumbent Barbara Bagshaw of Windham is seeking re-election for her District 106 seat representing part of Windham in the Maine House of Representatives. Mark Cooper of Windham is seeking the Republican District 107 nomination to represent part of Windham in the legislature.

In Raymond, Democrat Craig R. Messinger of Raymond is on the ballot for State Representative in District 86, while Rolf A. Olsen, Jr. is on the ballot as the Republican candidate for District 86 in the Maine House of Representatives. Incumbent Democrat Jessica Fay currently holds that seat but is term-limited and cannot run for that position this fall.

Democrat candidates also on the primary ballot in Raymond are Tim Nangle (State Senate District 26), Chellie Pingree (U.S. Representative), Susan G. Schwartz (Register of Probate), and David Allen Costello (U.S. Senate). Republican candidates also appearing on the ballot in Raymond are Demi Kouzounas (U.S. Senate), Jerry Lynn Dewitt (Register of Probate), Kenneth J. Cianchette (State Senate District 26) and Andrew Piantidosi and Ronald C. Russell (U.S. Representative).

Three candidates are on the ballot to serve three-year terms on the Raymond Budget Finance Committee. They are Christopher S. Hansen, Clifford G. Small, and Donald L. Willard. Three seats on the committee are available.

Grace E.D. Leavitt of Raymond is the lone candidate seeking a three-year term on the RSU 14 Board of Directors representing Raymond.

Two candidates are vying for a three-year term on the Raymond Board of Selectmen. Incumbent Joseph Bruno is seeking re-election and is opposed by Raymond Budget Finance Committee member and former Raymond Fire Chief Denis Morse.

Raymond voters will also determine the fate of 34 different referendum items as part of a modified town meeting. The item labeled “X” on the ballot asks voters to approve a bond of $8.1 million to construct a new Public Works Facility. Select Board members and Budget Finance Committee members agree that a new facility is needed but differ in opinion about the scope and size of the proposed project. Select Board members recommend approval of the project, while Budget Finance Committee do not recommend voting for it. Getting that language on the ballot caused some friction between the Select Board and the Budget Finance Committee earlier this year when Raymond Selectmen voted to nullify a Budget Finance Committee unanimous vote to not recommend the referendum item. It does appear on the ballot though as recommended by Selectmen but not recommended by the town’s Budget Finance Committee.

Lastly, voters in Raymond and Windham will vote to approve the RSU 14 budget proposal.

During a meeting in May, the following budget proposal was put forward: To see what sum the Regional School Unit will authorize the School Board to expend for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025 from the Regional School Unit’s contribution to the total cost of funding public education from kindergarten to Grade 12 as described in the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act, local funds for non-state-funded school construction projects, additional local funds for school purposes under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15690, unexpended balances, tuition receipts, state subsidy and other receipts for the support of schools. The RSU 14 Board of Directors recommends $60,185,403.

Voting in Raymond will be at Jordan-Small Middle School and runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters can cast ballots in Windham at Windham High School between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. <

In the public eye: Technology Specialist wraps up 25-year career at WMS

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

By Ed Pierce

It’s been a wonderful ride for Peter Mullen, but after 25 years of working at Windham Middle School, he’s retiring at the end of this school year.

Peter Mullen, the Technology Specialist for Student Support
at Windham Middle School, will retire at the end of the
school year after 25 years of working with students and
staff there. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

Mullen is the Technology Specialist for Student Support for WMS, and his primary responsibility is to maintain the fleet of laptops that the school uses for both staff and students.

But as he explains it, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“We all work together in the IT Department so that devices in all buildings work as well, sharing our knowledge with each other and passing on tips and suggestions and having each other's back,” Mullen said. “Then there are all the side issues that contribute to how well the devices work including the network, the performance of websites and software not under our control, to printing and managing information. Teaching today involves technology at every level which provides a constant threat that something will go wrong. There is also a lot of bookkeeping involved to make sure everything is kept track of, and we know who has what device and where everything is.”

As a certified teacher, Mullen began working at WMS as a substitute in the spring of 1999. He agreed to serve as an Ed Tech in the fall of 1999 and went on to work as a long-term sub teaching computer technology. He then taught computer science through the 2003-2004 school year.

“In 2002, the first round of laptops from the MLTI program arrived in Windham and I guess it was natural for me to start managing them while I was still teaching,” Mullen said. “In the summer of 2004, a position was created to just deal with the laptops which I have now been in for 20 years. A new computer teacher was hired but it wasn't too long before that position was eliminated since the laptops sort of made the concept of a computer lab obsolete.

During his time at WMS, Mullen has witnessed the technology explosion in Windham and in virtually every school in the state.

“Maine is unique. It is the only state to ensure 1-1 access to technology,” he said. “There are smaller jurisdictions that have done this, but nothing on this scale. I have seen it grow from just seventh grade having devices in 2002, to every student and staff member in RSU 14 (PreK to Grade12) having their own device (iPads in PreK to Grade 2, laptops from Grades 3 to 12).

He grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire and he earned an Associate of Science degree in Computer Programming at night from Hesser College in Manchester. He went back to school and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science from The College for Lifelong Learning, a division of the University of New Hampshire, and earned his teaching certification at Franklin Pierce College.

His retirement wraps up a 44-year career in Information Technology.

“There were a couple of minor detours, but I consider my career to have started in 1980,” Mullen said. “I had moved to California and was lucky enough to start on the ground floor of a bank that was opening its own data center. I moved back east and managed a large financial data center in Boston in the 1980s. I started in IT in a large room with a large, noisy, mainframe computer with paper tape, keypunch cards, and other museum quality things.”

It was through a family connection that he ultimately landed at WMS.

“My cousin's wife is Marcia Mullen, who was the nurse at Windham Primary School for many years,” he said. “She suggested I come to Windham. It couldn't happen today, but within a day or two of her introducing me to former principal Donna Stephen, I was day-subbing. I wasn't a complete stranger to Windham as I had visited Marcia and her family many times over the preceding years.”

Of all the things he’s learned while working at WMS through the years, Mullen says one stands out above the others.

“Balance. I have never been accused of having too much empathy, but I have worked to try to find the right balance in that regard,” he said. “Part of growing up is the lessons of accountability and ownership. We hand out expensive tools to these children and things happen. My gut reaction is to hold them accountable which can include financial penalties among other repercussions that can affect a student's learning. But like I said earlier, it isn't always black and white, and I have gotten better at accepting that over the years.” <