In the public eye: New WPD patrol officer grateful for opportunity to serve and protect

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

By Ed Pierce

Every day that Windham Police Officer Hannah Gower puts on her uniform, she’s aware of how tough it is to maintain public safety and hold accountable those who break the law.

Hannah Gower has joined the Windham
Police Department as a patrol officer.
She is a 2024 graduate of Saint Joseph's
College of Maine and earned a Bachelor
of Science degree while majoring in
criminal justice. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

As a new patrol officer for the Windham Police Department, Gower’s specific duties and responsibilities are making sure the community is safe, helping ensure that people’s rights are protected, and that community members are following the laws.

She just started working for the Windham police and currently is in the process of field training for the department. But before landing the position as a patrol officer for the town, Gower served as an intern for nine months at the Windham Police Department during her senior year of college, getting to know the officers and staff before being sworn in for duty.

“In my opinion, one of the best parts about being a law enforcement officer is being able to help the community in many ways and being able to be interact with the community as well,” Gower said. “One of the most challenging aspects of being a law enforcement officer is the high stress associated with some of the calls that we need to handle and also not being able to see our families sometimes.”

Originally from Scarborough, Gower has recently moved to Standish and graduated in May from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Once she completes field training, she will help enforce motor vehicle laws, regulate traffic, check vehicle speeds, and issue warnings, citations, and summons to violators. She will investigate traffic accidents to determine the cause, respond to emergencies such as distress calls, accidents, stranded motorists or during adverse weather conditions. Gower will investigate reports of suspicious activity, crimes, and accidents, interview witnesses and suspects, detain suspects until first responders arrive, search vehicles for drugs or paraphernalia, make arrests, prepare written reports and field notes of investigations and patrol activities, and then testify in court.

According to Gower, she’s settling in at her new job and takes her work seriously.

“My most memorable moment of working as a police officer in Windham so far has been being able to learn the job and gain a better understanding of the community and being able to interact with the community,” she said. “One of the first reasons as to why I wanted to apply to the Windham Police Department was because I was able to really get to know everyone within the department and I felt very welcome with not only the department, but also from the community when I started my internship. I also really like the area of Windham.”

She says she’s appreciative for the chance to prove herself as a skilled and capable law enforcement officer.

"I am beyond grateful for all the family members that have pointed me in the right direction and helped me along this journey of following my dream to become a law enforcement officer,” Gower said. “And I am very thankful for the Windham Police Department for all the opportunities that I have been given and welcoming me into their family."

Gower said that her family approves of her career choice of working in law enforcement and is extremely proud of her.

“My family has been very supportive of my career choice,” she said. “I have had many other family members that have worked within fire departments, police departments, fire marshals and the U.S. marshals. Overall, my family is very excited that I have followed my dream of being a law enforcement officer.”

Of everything Gower has learned about her profession so far, one thing stands out.

“Something that the public might not know about law enforcement is the stress level that police officers go through and never knowing what the day is going to bring,” she said. “One aspect of the job that I think that I am good at is being able to talk and communicate with the community and adapt and learn to become a better law enforcement officer. <

Windham Town Clerk job to remain an elected position

By Ed Pierce

For the foreseeable future, the Windham Town Clerk job will remain an elected position.

Linda Morrell has served as Windham Town
Clerk for more than two decades and has
indicated that she will be retiring in the
near future. A vote by the Windham Town
Council failed to place a referendum on
the November ballot to change the town clerk
position from elected to one that is 
appointed by town councilors.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

During the Windham Town Council meeting on Aug. 20, comments were received from the public and a motion was discussed by councilors to place a referendum on General Election ballot for Nov. 5 to change the town clerk position from elected to an appointed position by town councilors. A portion of the proposed referendum would have included language to amend the Windham Town Charter to grant councilors the ability to appoint and remove the Town Clerk on a vote of five members and to remove the Town Clerk position from provisions related to elected officials, essentially making the position by appointment of the council.

In a memo in the council agenda from Windham Town Clerk Linda Morrell, who has served in the position as Town Clerk for more than two decades and was deputy clerk for seven years before that, listed her thoughts regarding the issue.

“The Town Clerk’s position should have someone who has clerk experience and who can be dedicated to this full-time position, including night meetings, and working evenings and weekends during election time. As an appointed position you can advertise and have the ability to choose the best qualified candidate,” Morrell wrote. “If the clerk is elected, anyone in town is able to run and you may only have one person running who could absolutely have no experience or have any idea of what goes on in the clerk’s office. You cannot require qualifications when electing a clerk. This position has many responsibilities and involves several different jobs, most of which are state-mandated. Learning these jobs requires going to classes and workshops and repeating those classes due to laws and regulations continually changing. It takes two to three years to feel comfortable and knowledgeable in this position because there are so many things to learn and become familiar with. Elections are one of the most important things a clerk has to oversee, and you need to know what you are doing.”

Windham Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said the issue has arisen because Morrell has indicated she plans to retire at some point in the future and many of the surrounding towns have appointed town clerks. Rather than disrupt and delay services until an election could be held for a new town clerk who would appoint staff, converting the job to an appointed one would make deputy clerks hired town employees, ensuring continuity of services if the town clerk suddenly resigned or leaves the position.      
In Windham, the elected town clerk position oversees Dog Licensing; Hunting/Fishing Licensing; Business Licenses and Permits; and Notary and Dedimus Service. The clerk’s office assists in Tax Collection/Auto Registration in collecting property taxes; assist in Tax Collection/Auto Registration in registering Autos, Boats, and ATVs; issues marriage licenses and has Welcome Packets available for new residents. The Town Clerk also ensures that excellent customer service is provided to the public in a courteous and friendly manner and supervises all elections conducted in the Town of Windham. The town clerk ensures all voter registration is handled in accordance with Maine Law and the Windham Town Charter.

Speakers attending the meeting advocated for moving the item forward as a referendum item for the General Election on Nov. 5 and allowing the voters to decide the question. All of the emails reviewed by the council suggested for integrity and accountability purposes that there isn’t a great reason for the town to make the position an appointed one and hoped the council would keep it as an elected position.

Councilor Bill Reiner said he thought if the position was converted to an appointed job that a qualification should be imposed that the town clerk must be a resident of Windham for at least two years.

Councilor John Henry questioned why the discussion was even taking place to begin with.

“I think we’re trying to fix a problem that hasn’t happened yet,” Henry said. “It’s good to be proactive but it’s at the expense of disenfranchising the voters.”

Council Nick Kalogerakis agreed with Henry and said he supported leaving things as they currently are.

“I put more faith in the people, I don’t know why this has to be changed,” Kalogerakis said. “Let the process play out as it should.”

Council Chair Mark Morrison said he understood concerns about election integrity but thought residents of the town needed to decide what’s best for them though a referendum.

With discussion closed, the six councilors in attendance took a vote about whether to create a referendum for the fall election.

Councilors Brett Jones, Mark Morrison and David Nadeau voted for the motion to create the referendum, while Councilors Bill Reiner, John Henry and Nick Kalogerakis voted against the motion. With a 3-3 vote and Councilor Jarrod Maxfield not in attendance at the meeting to vote, the motion failed and the Windham Town Clerk position will remain an elected one. <

Babb's Bridge remains closed following truck crash

By Ed Pierce

One of New England’s last covered bridges remains closed after a truck exceeding the bridge weight limit crashed through its wooden floor last Friday.

Babb's Bridge, a wooden covered bridge
over the Presumpscot River, will be closed
until at least next spring after a truck
weighing six times more than the 3-ton
limit attempted to cross into Windham
from Gorham on Aug. 23 and crashed
through the floor in to the river below. 
COURTESY OF GORHAM POLICE  

Gorham Police Deputy Chief Michael Nault said a Ford F750 truck loaded with 36,000 pounds of crushed gravel attempted to cross Babbs Bridge about 12:45 p.m. Aug. 23 from Gorham east into Windham on Hurricane Road. Nault said the truck’s excessive weight caused the wooden bridge floor to suddenly collapse, sending the truck crashing into the Presumpscot River below.

The posted weight limit for traveling across the Babbs Bridge span is 3 tons, or 6,000 pounds, and Nault said the truck weighed roughly six times the legal limit for crossing the bridge.

The truck is owned by The Driveway Guys Company of Biddeford and was driven by Joshua Polewarzyk of Limington, 37, who was able to free himself from the truck in the water and sustained minor injuries in the crash. He was cited for excessive truck weight in crossing the bridge and was fined $2,500.

Engineers from the Maine Department of Transportation were tasked with evaluating the structural status of the bridge, which remains closed at this time to the public.

A previous wooden covered bridge at the site stood for more than 100 years and was listed in 1972 on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge is said to have been originally named for a family living on property nearby and before its destruction was the oldest covered bridge in Maine.

The original Babbs Bridge was burned by arsonists in 1973. Using donated lumber milled exclusively in Gorham and with work performed by community volunteers, the bridge span was rebuilt as an exact replica of the original Babbs Bridge and reopened to the public in conjunction with America’s Bicentennial 1976.

It is a single-span queenspost-style truss bridge, with a total structure length of 79 feet and a width of 13 feet, 9 inches. The bridge end portals have a posted height limit of 10 feet and the bridge is covered by a gabled roof, with its side and end walls finished in vertical board siding.

Vandals cut a hole in the bridge’s roof in 2014 which was subsequently repaired, but damages that were caused by a snowplow truck in 2015 required the bridge to be closed again temporarily.

Again in 2016, MDOT authorized a near-total $160,000 makeover of Babbs Bridge based upon its original design. Work performed at that time included the installation of cement stone blocks for the bridge abutment. Other renovations in 2016 featured stripping off the bridge’s roof and replacing it with rough cut boards and plywood before topping it with cedar shingles. Work was also completed on the bridge’s sides and entrances at that time.

MDOT estimates that about 360 vehicles use the bridge every day. During the summer months, the property surrounding the bridge is popular with swimmers but the water level for the Presumpscot River there this year has been much lower than in the past because of issues connected to the Dundee Pond gate malfunction in May.

The owner of The Driveway Guys has apologized for the incident and has pledged to assist in community efforts to repair or replace the bridge.

MDOT issued a press release Tuesday saying the bridge can be repaired but that work isn’t expected to be finished there until next spring and the bridge will remain closed until then.

Information in the press release said that Babb's Bridge is inspected at least every two years and that the last inspection of the bridge for safety took place at the end of July. <

Classes will resume next week for Windham and Raymond students

By Ed Pierce

Precious days are left in summer vacation as the calendar is speeding by as students in Windham and Raymond are gearing up to return to classes next week.

Public school students in Windham and Raymond will return
to the classroom next week as school resumes after the
summer vacation break. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE   

All RSU 14 schools, teachers, staff members and administrators have been back to work getting ready to welcome students for the 2024-2025 school year and remind the community that with children out and about on their way to classes, motorists need to be careful and pay attention in school zones and around school buses transporting students to and from school.

After registering their children for another year of school, purchasing new clothing and footwear, gathering school supplies, planning lunches for school, coordinating after-school care, and arranging for transportation, parents are celebrating that the official start of the school year is finally here.

In Raymond, elementary and middle school students will attend either Raymond Elementary School or Jordan-Small Middle School. Raymond students in Grade 1 to Grade 4 attend Raymond Elementary, while students in Grade 5 through Grade 8 attend Jordan-Small Middle School.

Beth Peavey is entering her fifth year as the principal at Raymond Elementary School and was the school’s assistant principal for three years prior to becoming principal.

Jordan-Small Middle School is led by Michelle Brann, who is entering her third year as the school’s principal. Brann formerly served as the assistant principal at Lake Region Middle School.

The first day of school for Grades 1 to 4 at Raymond Elementary School is Tuesday, Sept. 3. Half of Raymond Elementary kindergarten students start classes on Thursday, Sept. 5, while the remaining half of RES kindergarten students will start school on Friday, Sept. 6.

In Windham, students in kindergarten through Grade 3 attend Windham Primary School. Grade 4 and Grade 5 Windham students attend Manchester School, while students in Grade 6 to Grade 8 attend Windham Middle School. High school students in Grade 9 to Grade 12 in both Raymond and Windham attend Windham High School.

Dr. Kyle Rhoads leads Windham Primary School as principal and has served in that role there for 17 years. Danielle Donnini is entering her 28th year of working at Manchester School and she has led the school as its principal since 2015.

Windham Middle School Principal Greg Applestein is entering his second year leading WMS. He formerly spent three years as the principal at Bonny Eagle High School.

Ryan Caron is entering his seventh year as the principal at Windham High School and formerly served as the principal at South Portland High School.

Christopher Howell has led RSU 14 as Superintendent of Schools since 2019. Christine Frost-Bertinent is the RSU 14 assistant superintendent and Christine Hesler is RSU 14’s Director of Curriculum.

The first day of school for Windham Primary School students in Grades 1 to 3 will be Tuesday, Sept. 3. Half of WPS kindergarten students begin school on Thursday, Sept. 5 and the remaining half of Windham kindergarten students start school on Friday, Sept. 6.

Windham Middle School classes will begin Tuesday, Sept 3. The first day of instruction for Windham High School Grade 9 students is Tuesday, Sept. 3. Grades 10 to 12 at Windham High School will start classes on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

For parents, RSU 14 uses Parent Square for school-to-home communications including mass notifications and urgent alerts, language translation for multilingual families, and to schedule parent-teacher conferences. The district also uses the Ride 360 app to view a student’s transportation assignment or to request changes to a student’s scheduled transportation. The Ride 360 app may be downloaded by visiting https://MERSU14.myridek12.tylerapp.com/.

Aaron Gant and Sharon Leeman serve as co-directors of transportation for RSU 14, while Jeanne Reilly is the RSU 14 Director of School Nutrition.

Windham Christian Academy

All students attending Windham Christian Academy in kindergarten through Grade 12 will return to classes on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The first day of school for students in WCA’s PreK3 is Tuesday, Sept. 3 while the first day for students in WCA’s PreK4 will be Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Jackie Sands is now in her 12th year of working for Windham Christian Academy and has served as the school’s principal since 2018. <

Windham starts rolling out new recycling carts

The Town of Windham has started to roll out new recycling carts for residents to increase the volume of single-stream collection efforts.

The Town of Windham has begun
distribution of 64-gallon recycling
carts to residents for use along with
new trash carts when the new trash
collection system launches Sept. 9.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Town officials say with these new larger recycling carts, residents will be able to place all recyclable items directly into their recycling container. The 64-gallon carts along with new trash carts have begun arriving at residents’ homes this week and will continue until all pick-up locations are covered.

The new carts will replace the smaller bins currently used for Windham residential recycling and come with wheels for easy maneuvering and attached lids to keep recyclables dry and secure.

The Recycling Partnership, a national nonprofit promoting a better recycling system in U.S. communities and states, has awarded Windham a grant support because of its dedication to advancing recycling in the community. The generous grant from The Recycling Partnership, with support from GlobalGiving, made in partnership with L'Oréal, will provide 1,600 new recycling carts to the town and includes funding for education and outreach about the new collection process.

Windham officials ask that residents continue to do their part by placing only recyclable materials in their recycling carts, including glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, food and beverage cartons, paper products (including newspapers and flattened cardboard), and empty plastic bottles and containers. To help limit contamination, give food and drink containers a quick rinse and then place them directly into the recycling cart with no sorting needed.

Some items that cannot be recycled include plastic bags, styrofoam, paper towels, electrical equipment, batteries, and clothing. These items often get mixed into recycling carts because of “wish recycling,” or the hope that they can be recycled. While well-intentioned, non-recyclable items can cause serious issues when placed in recycling carts for proper disposal.

For further information about what can and can’t go into the cart, visit https://windhammaine.us/202/Windham-Curbside-Trash-Recycling-Program or https://www.casella.com/services/recycling

Residents of Windham can begin using their new trash and recycling carts beginning the week of Sept. 9. Your collection day may have changed, so residents are advised to please check the town website for your collection day.

To find your recycling day and answers to other Frequently Asked Questions about trash and recycling, visit https://windhammaine.us/202/Windham-Curbside-Trash-Recycling-Program or https://www.ecomaine.org/what-can-be-recycled/recyclopedia/ or call the Windham Public Works Department during business hours at 207-892-1909. <

WPS event kicks off new school year for students and families

By Kaysa Jalbert

If you walk through any store this time of year, its almost guaranteed the pool floats are replaced with erasers shaped like hamburgers and where you once grabbed beach bags, it’s an array of school backpacks because the time has come to turn off the sprinklers and get the kids ready to go back to school.

Windham Primary School is hosting its annual 'Popsicles
on the Playground with Principals' for students and families
from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28 and prior to that
WPS teacher will hold a classroom open house from 4:30
to 5:30 p.m. COURTESY PHOTO

Windham Primary School is hosting its annual “Popsicles on the Playground with Principals” event as a way to draw kids back into school mode, getting them excited and ready for a great year of learning, and reminding them that while summer may be over, the fun doesn’t have to end. The whole community is welcome to attend the event, which has been held every year at WPS since 2008.

“Popsicles on the Playground with Principals” will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28 and teachers will hold a classroom open house from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

“It always has a positive showing,” says Dr. Kyle Rhoads, Windham Primary School principal. “Parents and students attend the open house then come outside, grab a popsicle, and have a chance to connect with anyone they haven’t seen all summer. Its also a great opportunity for kindergarteners who will be new to the school to get a tour of the building to feel more comfortable and to make connections with kids as they take off on their educational journey.”

There will be more than just popsicles and time on the playground at the event. There’s also music with DJ Dave, tours of the main areas of the school guided by staff members, pickup cards for student dismissal, and informational booths for parents.

One of the booths will have directions for the Parents Square App, a communication platform that was adopted by the school last year. This year they are offering training for families on how to use the app to make it easier and more effective for parents.

Another booth will display information about the Odyssey of the Mind program. Odyssey of the Mind is a program in which students are presented with a problem that requires an original solution. Students team up and work with an adult coach over some months of the school year to showcase their innovative solutions at the state competition in March.

WPS typically has around 50 to 75 students participate in Odyssey of the Mind each year and faces the challenge of having enough volunteers to coach the school’s teams. Any parents and community members available to volunteer their time to help coach kids through their creative problem-solving experience are needed. Odyssey of the Mind meets for about one hour every week from late fall until the competition in March.

Also continuing this year at WPS is the Foster Grandparent Program offered by the Opportunity of Alliance organization. Opportunity Alliance hires and trains seniors looking to volunteer at local schools to provide emotional and educational support to children in their classrooms. WPS usually has six to eight foster grandparents each year.

“They can be helpful to classroom teachers, also great role models for kids,” said Rhoads. “It provides a real positive opportunity and they’re all really fun.”

This fall, Rhoads said that Windham Primary School is welcoming back Trish Haffner, who used to teach at WPS until moving north with her family for some time. Now she is back in Windham and is teaching at WPS. In addition, Joycelyn Coffin will be a new kindergarten teacher at the school after serving as an intern for the past two years.

Going into this new academic year, Rhoads says he plans to bring back popular activities from last year, including the fun Family Nights and the big hit, Glow Night.

“The glow night was a huge success, with many students leaving asking if the event could happen every year,” Rhoads said. “Thinking about how we ended on such a great note last year, we are looking forward to a great start this year.”

Rhoads has served as WPS principal for 17 years and is the co-chairperson of the national organization called The Collaborative for Customized Learning.

Prior to joining WPS, he was principal of Acton Elementary School. He also worked as an assistant principal and co-director of early childhood in Auburn, as well as working as a kindergarten teacher and elementary curriculum coordinator. <

New RTP ride program to serve Windham area

By Ed Pierce

The Regional Transportation Program is expanding its service area in Windham through a new program called QuickRide.

A new specially equipped passenger van operated by RTP is
providing rides in Windham through a new program called
QuickRide. The service connects riders to destinations in
Windham, North Windham and Saint Joseph's College
in Standish. COURTESY PHOTO

This new on-demand micro-transit service is meant for anyone within Windham or at Saint Joseph’s College. It connects riders in Windham, North Windham and Saint Joseph’s College in Standish between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is also a new weekday convenient evening stop that runs from Portland to Saint Joseph's College.

QuickRide participants will be able to use the service for a ride to appointments, work, shopping, and other destinations within these areas. Rides may be paid for and scheduled using the RTP smartphone app and cost $3 for one way.

RTP officials say that rides will be offered in a new specially equipped RTP passenger van and will be available to be scheduled in advance. The RTP app also offers real-time updates as to where the van is at any time during the day.

“We are bringing this to the Windham area with the prospect and hope that we can get additional funding to expand this micro service in many areas of northern Cumberland County,” said Jack DeBeradinis, Executive Director of RTP. “We are looking to really make this something special as we expand the Lakes Region service.”

This new micro-transit service was created to make public transit easier to use and to offer more frequent connections, advancing two of the goals of the Transit Tomorrow plan formulated by the Greater Portland Council of Governments.

The Transit Tomorrow public transportation plan was devised to meet the growing demands placed on local transportation networks, help reduce traffic congestion and to give residents from all walks of life reliable access to transportation and is part of a 30-year strategic plan for enhancing public transportation in the region.

The plan’s ultimate vision is to create a regional public transportation system that stimulates economic development, enhances great places, reduces climate pollution, expands mobility, and elevates the customer experience.

“Our vision is that by 2050 using our region’s public transportation is faster and more affordable than driving a car,” according to the plan’s mission statement posted online. “Our system is funded sustainably and provides reliable and seamless transportation for our community, including commuters, mainland and island residents, and people with mobility challenges. Our communities support the long-term viability of public transportation by focusing on new homes and jobs where people already live and work.”

To its vision, the Transit Tomorrow plan proposes a four-part strategy that includes the goals of making transit easier, creating more frequent connections throughout the region, improving rapid transit opportunities to connect the region’s major market centers, and implementing transit-friendly land use policies that support more development in villages and downtowns already served by transit.

The plan was developed by the Greater Portland Council of Government’s Transportation and Community Network, a regional, multi-sector mobility management network that meets regularly to engage stakeholders in transportation planning and decision-making. Network members include representatives from organizations focused on aging, disability, health care, housing, public health, economic development, bicycle pedestrian advocacy, and transportation.

The network membership includes individuals who have experience with transportation barriers, such as older adults, people with disabilities, and communities of color that are underserved by transit. The project team for QuickRide met with the Transportation and Community Network on two separate occasions to seek input on the plan’s draft recommendations.

Those seeking rides between Windham and Bridgton or to Portland are encouraged to use RTP’s Lakes Region Explorer service which provides bus service six days a week running along Route 302 between Bridgton and Portland. <

Elmira College recognizes Key Award recipients from Windham

ELMIRA, NEW YORK – Elmira College recently announced this year's recipients of its annual Key Awards which were presented to 831 students in 17 different states. It’s a tradition that goes back to 1935 and the Key Award is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school.

Students recognized this year include Luke Cunniffe and Brianne Johnsen of Windham High School.

Cunniffe and Johnsen will receive an $88,000 scholarship over a four-year period, or $22,000 per year, upon their enrolling at Elmira College.

"This award is given to students with the potential to excel academically, serve as leaders, and go on to enjoy success in life," said Charles Lindsay, president of Elmira College. "We hope they will choose to make Elmira College their place."

Sponsored by the EC Alumni Association, the Key Award recognizes students for high scholastic achievement, leadership, citizenship, and participation in extracurricular activities.

Founded in 1855, Elmira College is a private, residential, liberal arts college offering 30-plus majors, an honors program, 17 academic societies, and an NCAA Division III member with 18 intercollegiate teams. Located in the Southern Finger Lakes Region of New York, Elmira's undergraduate and graduate student population hails from more than 20 states and nine countries. <

Local Cub Scouts preparing for registration event at Windham Middle School

By Ed Pierce

The Cub Scout experience in Windham is about children and families having fun times together and guiding boys in kindergarten to Grade 5 to become leaders and outstanding members of the community when they grow up.

Windham's Cub Scout Pack 805 gathers before presenting the
colors at a Maine Mainers hockey game in Portland earlier
this year. New scouts and parents looking to become pack
volunteers are asked to attend Cub Scout registration at
6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9 in the Windham Middle School
cafeteria. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

As school is about to resume after the summer break, Windham’s Cub Scout Pack 805 will welcome new scouts and parents looking to become Cub Scout pack volunteers. At 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, Windham Pack 805 will sign up new members at a special Cub Scout Registration and a Question-and-Answer Night in the Windham Middle School Cafeteria.

During this gathering, many of the older scouts will present fun and interesting activities to keep the scouts entertained while the pack leaders talk with the parents of both returning and interested scouts.

According to the outgoing CubMaster for Windham Pack 805 Casey Melanson, scouting teaches children positive character traits, helps foster relationships, and that they are part of the community.

This fall Melanson is stepping down from her leadership role and Kayla Desmond will serve as Pack 805’s new CubMaster and Josh Smeltzer is the new Pack 805 Committee Chair.

Windham Pack 805 dens meet once a week and then the entire Pack 805 meets once a month for a special meeting, such as a Halloween party, a Christmas holiday dinner, Pinewood Derby model car racing, and an array of other events.

Desmond said that Pack 805’s dues are highly affordable and goes toward national Cub Scout registrations, insurance, and other expenses. The pack also conducts a variety of fundraising activities to offset the costs of awards and activities throughout the year.

Windham parents should consider having their sons join Cub Scout Pack 805 because it helps them to work on self-growth, and to not be afraid to try new things, she said.

Joining the Cub Scouts is the first step in a young man’s journey to become a responsible citizen who cares about his neighbors and the community.

“We want our scouts to learn what it means to be part of something important, what it means to help their community, make new friends, build relationships, and to have fun,” Desmond said. “The scout motto is ‘Do Your Best’ and that’s what the kids learn.” Melanson said.

Each year Windham Pack 805 scouts have more than three dozen scouts who volunteer to work on meaningful and relevant community projects.

Some of those activities include picking up trash after Windham Summerfest or hosting a toy collection drive for a local family in need for Christmas. The Cub Scouts also participate in Scouting for Food program each November to collect non-perishable food for the Windham Food Pantry.

The Cub Scout uniforms consist of a shirt, a rank neckerchief, and a rank slide. Pants and rank hats are optional. Scouts are encouraged to have a belt (not necessarily a scout belt) to be able to display their beltloop achievements. Each scout is issued a handbook for each rank so they will be able to learn, perform, and complete each achievement and scout activities emphasize having fun and learning useful life skills.

“Cub Scouts can do anything they put their minds to. We have gone winter camping, hiking, ice fishing, and built lean-tos in the winter woods,” Melanson said. “We also have our annual Pinewood Derby where the boys design and build their own cars and then compete against one another. As a pack we have had beach outings, cookouts, movie nights, and EVO Rock Gym overnights.”

She said that local Cub Scout activities and adventures are centered around earning merit badges that are specific to each school grade level. Each badge represents a rank and advancement and refers to the progress a Cub Scout makes toward their badge of rank.

For Pack 805’s registration night on Sept. 9, registration will be staffed by Windham Cub Scout leaders who will be available to answer any specific questions that parents of children interested in participating in scouting may have.

“New potential scouts who are interested in joining are encouraged to attend the registration with a parent,” Desmond said. “If someone is interested in joining but is unable to make the registration event, they can reach out to us through Facebook or email.”

For more information about Cub Scout Pack 805, visit their Pack 805 Windham Maine Facebook page or send an email to scoutpack805me@gmail.com <

In the public eye: Administrative Assistant at heart of Windham Police Department success

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

By Ed Pierce

The backbone of the Windham Police Department is made up of an administrative professional who keeps the office running smoothly through her expertise and efficiency. Randi Lemieux serves as the Records Administrative Assistant for the department and her job is not only complex, but also helps ensure compliance with all applicable laws and record keeping for the court process of law enforcement for Windham police officers.

Randi Lemieux has worked for the
Windham Police Department for 30
years as a part-time dispatcher, a
full-time dispatcher, and since 2010
she has served as WPD's
Administrative Assistant.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Her duties include processing records requests from officersssditant, the public and other agencies and preparing police cases for court and uploading them for the court process, including the report itself, peripheral paperwork, videos and other items. She also greets the public at the front window at Windham’s Public Safety Building, answers incoming calls to the police department, seeing that Windham officers comply with federal regulations regarding criminal justice information security, and she acts in a support role for Windham Patrol Captain Jason Burke and department officers.

She’s been a full-time Windham Police Department employee for 28 years but worked part-time for two years prior to that.

“I started as a part-time dispatcher and records clerk, became a fulltime dispatcher in April 1996, and then became Administrative Assistant in August 2010,” Lemieux said. “I like that I am able to work behind the scenes to help our officers, even in a small way, in whatever capacity that I am able and that no matter how long I am here, I always learn something new.”

According to Lemieux, the most challenging aspect of her work is balancing her daily duties with prioritizing requests from the officers, other agencies and the public, especially during busy times.

“But it is very satisfying when everything is complete, so I can be prepared for the next round,” she said.

Originally from South Florida, she had several other jobs before landing her job with the Windham Police Department.

“After marrying my husband who was in the Coast Guard, we moved around a bit, and settled in Virginia for 10 years,” Lemieux said. “I worked in the banking industry for several years and, during that time, I became a volunteer with a local rescue squad and I earned my EMT license. A fellow rescue squad member worked full-time as a police dispatcher which sounded interesting. Her department was hiring, so I applied for a dispatch position and was hired as a full-time dispatcher for the Hampton Police Department in 1993. I worked there for about year when my husband received orders to transfer to Maine in the summer of 1994.”

Wanting to continue her career as a public safety dispatcher, she called to ask about open dispatch positions when she moved to Windham.

“At that time, Windham had four full-time dispatch positions, so I was hired as a reserve dispatcher and would fill in occasionally,” she said. “A fifth position was added in 1996, and I was hired full-time. In August 2010, when our dispatch services were moved to Cumberland County Communications, I transferred from dispatcher to my current Administrative Assistant position.”

She says she’s been amazed at how much the Windham Police Department has grown over the years and how meaningful her duties are to the community.

“When records or other items are requested from us, it is not as simple as printing a document and sharing with someone,” Lemieux said. “There are laws that govern what we can or can't provide. Sometimes we can’t release information at all. Each request has to be reviewed to ensure that we stay within the guidelines of that law. We do our best to reply as quickly as possible.”

Lemieux says that the most important thing she’s learned while working for the Windham Police Department is something that is often overlooked or taken for granted.

“Our officers are men and women that chose a tough and often thankless, career,” she said. “They have families and experience emotion just like we do. They not only respond to emergencies, investigate crimes and deal with people under some very stressful circumstances, they also serve our community in so many ways, some that you might never expect. I appreciate and respect each of them.” <

Windham Police Department receives grant to enforce underage drinking laws

By Masha Yurkevich

Underage drinking is a problem all over the United States, and the quiet, peaceful state of Maine is no exception. To help fight against this problem, the Windham Police Department has recently received a grant to reduce underage drinking.

An $8,000 grant will be used by the
Windham Police Department to enforce
underage drinking laws including
compliance checks at licensed 
establishments throughout Windham.
FILE PHOTO

The Windham Police Department has partnered with Dirigo Safety LLC in Auburn. Dirigo is the controller of grant funding to enforce underage drinking laws and alcohol laws in Maine. This money is divided up between agencies in the state that apply for the grant and enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to spend it in accordance with the guidelines that are set forth in the grant.

“We applied for this grant in 2023 and received $8,000,” says Windham Police Sgt. Ernest MacVane, who has been with the Windham Police Department for 25 years.

He says this grant will be used to enforce underage drinking laws including compliance checks with our licensed establishments through the town of Windham and other towns.

“The Windham Police Department also has an MOU with Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations (BABLO). All the police officers that participate in the special operations fall under an agreement with BABLO which gives our officers the authority to enforce liquor laws and certain administrative laws that the Bureau of Liquor Enforcement would otherwise enforce,” MacVane said. “So basically, our officers have the authority of liquor inspectors.”

The State of Maine has strict, zero-tolerance laws for underage drinking. The legal drinking age in Maine is 21, and minors are prohibited from purchasing or possessing alcohol. This includes imitation liquor and equipment used to make alcohol. Minors are also not allowed to have alcohol in their possession at bars, restaurants, or other premises that sell liquor for consumption on-site.

A violator cannot knowingly allow a person under the age of 21, other than your own child, to remain in your home or on your property while consuming or possessing alcohol. If you break the law and are apprehended, you can face a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.

Sergeant MacVane is the executor of the grant in Windham and builds the operations to enforce compliance with these laws.

“What I have been doing is putting officers in plain clothes and these officers are conducting surveillance of certain areas in town where we believe underage drinking is occurring, including our licensed liquor establishments throughout the town,” said MacVane.

What should citizens do if they encounter an officer who is dressed in plain clothes? There is a chance that if you are visiting Windham and you are at a licensed establishment or participating in an activity that is being watched by the police department that you may have contact with a police officer who is dressed in plain clothes. These officers will have their badge, their identification, and any other tools that they may need for the job, all of which will be neatly concealed on their person.

“One of the things that I do is I have uniformed contact officers that watch and support our plain clothes operators who are working in the field,” MacVane said. “This is important because it gives protection to our police officers, but it also can give citizens some comfort if they are uncomfortable dealing with a plain clothes police officer, they should immediately request a uniformed police officer, and one will come to the scene and verify who they are and what they are doing.”

These officers are trained and have practiced working undercover and typically will call out violations to officers who are working in uniform.

“The other beauty of this is that officers are in a position to observe other crimes that are occurring. Recently, a plain clothes operation revealed some drug trafficking in one of our North Windham business parking lots where a vehicle was searched and we found drugs and a loaded firearm,” said MacVane. “This grant targets parking lot surveillances where we do Cops in Shops, which is when we put officers in businesses to see if there are minors attempting to purchase alcohol or, more importantly, finding adults that are purchasing the alcohol for the children, because when we find them and identify them, they are going to jail.”

There is also a response group ready to go for people that host underage drinking parties. They can expect a visit from the police department where the danger with the juveniles drinking alcohol will be assessed and people who provide a place for minors to consume alcohol, whether it is a private residence or a commercial business, will be charged.

“We encourage any citizen or business that has information about underage drinking to contact the Windham Police Department,” MacVane said. “We have an anonymous tip line where you can send a text message to 847411, then type the keyword WPDTIPS, add a space, type your tip info, and hit send, or you can do it directly by calling the 207-892-2525 non-emergency number.” <

Maine group honors WHS Kitchen Manager as ‘School Nutrition Manager of the Year’

By Masha Yurkevich

It takes a lot of devotion, passion, and patience to work in one place for 24 years. Jackie Rallis, Manager of the Windham High School Kitchen, certainly has that and has been recognized as Maine’s 2024 School Nutrition Manager of the Year by the Maine School Nutrition Association.

Whitney Thornton, past president and communications chair
of the Maine School Nutrition Association, presents
Windham High School's Jackie Rallis with the '2024
Maine School Nutrition Manager of the Year Award.'  
SUBMITTED PHOTO

In being chosen for this honor, Rallis was presented with a plaque and a bouquet of flowers, as well as a certificate. As the WHS Kitchen Manager, Rallis manages the eight women that work for her including a cook, a baker, and six assistant cooks.

Rallis started her career from the ground up. She began in the cafeteria at Windham Primary School, then took a position at the Windham Middle School cafeteria, and then when a position opened up at Windham High School, Rallis says that she leaped at the opportunity.

“While I was working at the high school, the kitchen manager retired and I took her job,” Rallis says.

Born and raised in Maine, Rallis has been living in Windham since 1999.

“We lived in Windham and my children were attending Windham schools and I thought that a job like this would be the best to have the same schedule as my children,” says Rallis. “Even though my kids are not in school anymore, I’ve still kept going at it.”

Rallis says that working in school food service is a great job and she loves it.

“It is rewarding to make the students healthy and nutritious meals, and the fact that they actually like them,” she says. “The children get excited and like to talk about food; they tell us whether they like it or don’t like it, and sometimes we do food tastings to get the opinion of the students on whether they like it or not. Sometimes we have kids specifically ask for certain things to be put on the menu that they like that we have not had in a while. They feel free asking us questions, we feel free asking them questions, and we have a great time all around.”

Rallis was pleasingly shocked when she was announced as the recipient of the 2024 Maine School Nutrition Manager of the Year Award.

“Every year, there is the Maine School Nutrition Association conference, which took place in Sugarloaf this year,”, says Rallis. “I had no idea that I had been nominated, so it was a shock when I found out I got it,” she says. “My boss, Jeanne Reilly, who is the Director of School Nutrition at RSU 14’s Windham Raymond School District, had filled out whatever necessary paperwork had to be filled out, nominated me, and I got it.”

This award is presented annually by the association, whose goal is to provide healthy meals and promote nutrition education to Maine's school children. Dedicated to its mission of making sure that no Maine child goes hungry, the association is fortunate to have universal feeding at no cost in Maine and proud that Maine is one of the first states in the nation to provide statewide free meals for all children.

Rallis received the award for her tireless dedication to providing exceptional meals to students attending WHS and for her leadership and support of the kitchen staff there.

She is a mother of three, as well as a grandmother, and said that she enjoys being outdoors and kayaking, hiking, and walking when not working in the WHS kitchen.

“I love my job,” she says. “It is hard work, but it is rewarding.” <

Hops for Heat Charity Golf Tournament nearing

By Kaysa Jalbert

The 3rd Annual Hops for Heat Charity Golf Tournament will take place at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19 with a shotgun start at Nonesuch River Golf Club in Scarborough as an effort to raise funds for the KeepMEWarm program that provides heat to families all winter long.

“We hope you will consider joining us as we bring our community together to support a very worthy cause,” says Abby Cross, Director of Operations at Landing Real Estate.

Keep ME Warm provides emergency heating assistance to financially struggling families in Maine through a statewide partnership of Maine’s United Ways and Community Action Agencies. It is the only statewide fuel assistance fundraising effort in the state of Maine.

The 2024 Hops for Heat Golf Tournament gold sponsor so far is Two Lights settlement services. Silver sponsors include SMHP, People’s Choice Credit Union, Time4Printing Commercial Printing, and Sam Strumph Builders. Bronze sponsors are All Dry Restoration and Cleanup Services, and Treworgy & Baldacci Real Estate Closing Services. Golf Carts are sponsored by North Star Mortgage, and Julie Francis from State Farm Insurance is sponsoring the beverage cart.

Thanks to last year’s fundraising efforts, the 2022 Hops for Heat charity golf tournament raised $20,000 for the KeepMEWarm program though corporate sponsorships, raffle tickets, and proceeds from sales of beer brewed specifically for the cause.

Donations are distributed through a formula based on federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program percentages and population, and are used to assist individuals directly, or designated to local organizations that provide emergency fuel assistance, including faith-based programs and nonprofit agencies.

The tournament also provides sponsorship opportunities for local businesses. Being a sponsor of Hops for Heat means benefiting the KeepMEWarm program, while receiving company exposure.

There is usually around 100 participants, according to Cross. There are games to participate in such as closest to the pin or longest drive, and players may receive prizes from the games and raffles. Lunch is later provided and at the end of the tournament, winners are announced, and prizes are handed out.

Additional sponsorship opportunities include sponsoring specific parts of the event, such as the Lunch, Breakfast, Bar and Drink and Golf Carts with prices ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. Raffle sponsors range from $300 to $500 and raffle items will be provided.

There is a range of sponsorship levels, each with its own benefits. Gold sponsors, for $2,500, receive perks of registration for a four-person team, a prominent logo display on the Landing Real Estate website and a large banner at the event, recognition on the Facebook event page and opportunities to promote at the banquet.

Silver sponsorship is $1,500 and includes registration for a four-person team, a logo display on the website and a large banner at the event, and recognition on the Facebook event page.

For $1,000 a bronze sponsor receives registration for a four-person team, a logo display on the website and recognition on the Facebook event page. There are two spots available for gold sponsors, and unlimited space for silver and bronze.

The Hops for Heat project was started in 2017 by Landing Real Estate to raise funds directly for the KeepMEWarm program through the United Way of Southern Maine. When it began, they would hold raffles at a local brewery, but later decided to come up with a new, more interactive way to raise money for the program.

Donations are accepted in the forms of cash, checks made payable to Landing Real Estate, or Venmo username @landingrealestate. Raffle donations are also accepted as well as any gift cards, prize baskets, or golf-related items.

Anyone interested can sign up by downloading the registration form from the website at landinghomesmaine.com and sending it to the email abby@landinghomesmaine.com <

Pringle law to remove barriers to patient care goes into effect

AUGUSTA – A bill sponsored by State Rep. Jane Pringle, D-Windham, that will work to ease the administrative burden on healthcare providers has gone into effect.

State Representative Jane Pringle 

Pringle’s bill, LD 796 was signed into law by Maine Gov. Janet Mills and directs the Maine Bureau of Insurance to gather data from insurers on the approval and denial rates of prior authorization requests, as well as the outcomes of any appeals to those decisions. 

This data, covering 2021 to 2023, will be compiled and reported to the Maine Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee in early January 2025.

In a medical setting, prior authorization refers to the process where a healthcare provider contacts a patient’s insurance company to inquire whether the prescribed treatment will be covered under the patient’s policy. If the request for authorization is denied, it can result in a significant administrative burden and delay or disrupt care.

“It is imperative that doctors are able to deliver medically appropriate treatment to patients without unnecessary administrative delay,” said Pringle. “This bill will ease the administrative burden that has been created by prior authorization by helping to hold insurance companies accountable for the percentage of claims that are denied, upheld and overturned. When doctors are allowed to deliver treatment without the impediment of an administrative bureaucracy, the cost of care drops while patient satisfaction and health outcomes improve.”

Pringle is serving her second, non-consecutive term in the Maine House representing part of Windham and is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services. <

Study to assist MDOT in planning new sections of Rail Trail

By Kaysa Jalbert

The Mountain Division Rail Corridor’s upgrade to becoming 31 miles of recreational interim “trail until rail” is continuing with a new section from Standish to Fryeburg now in its final stages of planning. The Maine Department of Transportation is looking for public comments on the most recent feasibility study that depicts the plan and construction of the interim trail.

A completed five-mile section of the Mountain Division 
Trail in Windham is the most used trail west of Portland
and features a gentle grade, wide trail width and is paved.
A new study to extend the trail to run all the way from
Standish to Fryeburg will help MDOT plan for this
new section. COURTESY PHOTO 

The MDOT commissioned the consulting firm HNTB in South Portland to develop the feasibility study and a slide presentation overview. A draft version of the feasibility report is posted online for public comment through August 15.

“We need to hear from you, regarding what a trail will do for recreation, healthy lifestyles, and for the local economy,” says Doug Smith of Windham, President of the Mountain Division Alliance. “Your comments are important. Comments will be reviewed by the Maine Department of Transportation and potentially could be incorporated as changes to the feasibility study and plan.”

The study investigates converting a 31-mile section of the inactive Mountain Division Rail Corridor to a 10-foot wide “trail until rail” for use by pedestrians, cyclists, snowmobilers, and other non-motorized recreational users. The report covers the technical aspects of the trail design, conditions of the existing bridge structures along the section, trail alternatives through Portland Water District property and the evaluation of possible trail segments and sequence of construction.

The current study expands on previous feasibility studies that evaluated different uses of the rail corridor, including restoring train service and options for constructing a shared-use trail on the rail bed or adjacent to the rail bed, such as the current five-mile segment that runs through Windham, Gorham and Standish.

In 2007, HNTB Corporation wrote a report for the MDOT Office of Freight Transportation with the purpose to investigate potential uses of the rail corridor, including local freight service, commuter service to Portland, tourist and excursion service or a combination of some options. The rail options were not concluded as entirely feasible.

Then, in March 2021, a Rail Use Advisory Council was created to evaluate the feasibility of three other potential uses for the 31-miles of inactive rail corridor. These uses included rail only, trail only on the existing rail bed or rail with an adjacent trail.

In 2022, HNTB corporation conducted a feasibility study that resulted in the Rail Use Advisory Council voting for trail only on the existing rail bed, however, according to legislation 1133, any non-rail use of the Mountain Division corridor will be considered interim in nature and the corridor must be preserved for future rail use.

In July last summer, legislation 404 was passed by a super majority vote in the Maine Senate and House and was signed into law by Gov, Janet Mills, authorizing the removal of 31-miles of railroad track and the construction of an interim shared-use path from Standish to Fryeburg.

The 31-mile section in the Mountain Division Rail Corridor runs from Route 35 in Standish, through Baldwin, Hiram, Brownfield and ends at Route 113 in Fryeburg.

Smith, Vice President of the Mountain Trail Alliance, said that when all sections are completed, a rail trail will also run from Route 202 in Windham to Westbrook and is part of several active transportation projects and part of legislation sponsored for rail trails in other parts of the state.

A typical section of the shared-use path will be 10 feet wide, with 2 feet of grass on each side, and a fence or some sort of barrier in areas of steep side slopes. The path will be paved and constructed on the existing rail bed, with an exception for segments through Portland Water District property in Standish.

The path will also cross 25 roadways along the 31-mile corridor that will be evaluated for sight distance. Other technical aspects in the report includes bridge and culvert structures and repairs.

Most plans include challenges, in this case, the Mountain Division Rail Corridor passes through Portland Water District property along the south end of the project in Standish. PWD restricts recreational activity near Sebago Lake, and not only is the rail corridor too close to the lake to be a shared-use path, but MDOT does not have property rights for a trail in this section.

As a solution, MDOT proposes three alternative routes in the report, placing preference on alternative one, a three-and-a-half-mile route that is the most cost-effective option.

MDOT plans to complete the final report and study by September 2024, and to seek funding and have a potential engineering design of the first phase of interim trail in 2025 and beyond.

To help with the trail planning process, MDOT wants to hear from you on what you want to see when the Mountain Division Rail Trail is complete and how it can benefit you and your community. Comments can be submitted at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/dec4a29e8e5d44d6a08dcd21c18f5099 <

Eagle Choice Awards remain an honor to cherish

By Ed Pierce

For yet another year, The Windham Eagle newspaper has wrapped up the Eagle Choice Awards and what makes the contest so special is that the winners are chosen directly by readers of the newspaper and from the community.

Launched in 2015, the Eagle Choice Awards recognize local businesses in the area through popular votes. This shows that residents do take notice when they receive outstanding service and find superior products offered by local merchants.

There were 85 different categories to vote on in 2024 and enthusiasm for the awards demonstrated by area businesses was evident through social media posts encouraging community members to cast ballots for their favorite local companies.

“There are truly so many successful businesses in the Lakes Region of Maine,” said Melissa Carter, Advertising Director for The Windham Eagle. “These awards salute those whom the public think exceeded the norm for their products, services, and overall customer satisfaction. These votes are heartfelt and come directly from the people who use the goods and services provided by these outstanding local businesses.”

Kelly Mank, owner and publisher of The Windham Eagle newspaper, said that in addition to recognizing some of the top local businesses, the Eagle Choice Awards are an excellent way for the public to learn about a business or company they may not be familiar with and to discover the very best services, food and products available in this community.

“These awards give the community trusted options and a unique way to connect residents and visitors here with area businesses in meaningful ways,” Mank said. “Most importantly, every single Eagle Choice Award vote comes from the readers and is based upon how they feel about our local businesses.”

She said that that the ongoing popularity of the Eagle Choice Awards can be traced to the continuing support and encouragement from area business owners who live and work in the community. Many businesses take great pride in being honored with the Eagle Choice Award, several having won the title for 10 consecutive years and not wanting that streak to end.

The awards ceremony is held in conjunction with the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce’s business break.

Carter said if anyone has a suggestion for a category to send an email to: awards@thewindhameagle.com and the idea will be explored for 2025 voting.

The 2025 voting will open Saturday, June 30, 2025. Once again, Eagle Choice Award voters must cast ballots in at least 10 categories or more and must also include their email address when uploading or turning in a ballot for it to be valid and to ensure that only one vote is cast by an individual. Email addresses collected during the Eagle Choice Awards competition are not sold or distributed to a third party.

The Eagle Choice Award winners who place first and second in each category are featured in a special section, included in this week’s edition of the newspaper. If two businesses come within 10 votes of each other, a tie is called and both businesses are highlighted. For the first time in the contest’s 10-year history, there was a four-way tie in the take-out category with two businesses in first place and two in second.

The special section is saved by many residents and used all year to find the area businesses that have been singled out for recognition as being the ‘best of the best’ by residents, Carter said. The section is also posted to www.thewindhameagle.com/choice.pdf and available for easy reference year-round as well.

Mank said that residents and customers can recognize Eagle Choice Award winners by the decals on doors and vehicles and plaques on display at their business all year long.

“That decal and plaque has really taken off as a symbol of trust and top-notch service for everyone who lives in this community,” Mank said. <

Annual Togue Fishing Derby nearing on Sebago Lake

The Sebago Lake Anglers’ Association is getting ready for its Fall Fishing Classic called the Annual Togue Fishing Derby on Sebago Lake.

Bruce Elliot won the prize for catching the largest togue,
weighing in at 13.67 pounds, at last year's Annual Togue
Fishing derby on Sebago Lake sponsored by the Sebago
Lake Anglers' Association. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

The derby will be conducted from the Port Sebago Resort’s Main Marina area on Saturday and Sunday Sept. 7 and Sept. 8, the week after Labor Day.

Fishing activity begins at 6 a.m. on both days with the official weigh-in station at the marina area closing at 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.n. Sunday. An awards ceremony will be held shortly thereafter.

Organizers says that this is a community-based derby focused on families and children but experienced fishermen and guides with clients are welcome to participate. 

Cash prizes will be paid to the top three places by weight in the event, as well as a prize for the biggest fish caught on Saturday, three prizes for any Togue submitted in the Togue lottery, and one prize for the smallest Togue, caught by hook and line.

All Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife rules for Sebago Lake apply. Only fish caught during the derby’s legal fishing hours will count toward prizes.

You do not have to fish both days, and you do not have to be present to win as long as your fish is legally entered and checked by staff within the time limits. Prizes for those not present can be picked up at Naples Bait and Tackle2 Shop on Route 35 in Naples for 30 days after the derby.

Fish that derby participants don’t want to take home can be donated to a church fish fry or a food pantry. Receptacles will be available to do that, and a fish-cleaning station will be provided.

Anyone interested in registering for the derby can do so by picking up a registration card at the following locations: Naples Bait and Tackle2, Route 35, Naples; Hilltop Mini Mart on Route 302 in Raymond; Jordan’s Store, Route 114 Sebago; or Dag’s Bait and Tackle on Minot Road in Auburn.

The cost to participate is $35 for adults and $15 for kids under the age of 16. All persons on board a boat in the derby must be registered.

Proceeds from the derby are used to pay out the prize money and buy Youth Lifetime Fishing Licenses for Maine children.

Questions about the derby can be answered by SLAA President Kevin Ronan at 207-838-4855 or 207-714-9075. <

Local legislator congratulates flag redesign contest winner

AUGUSTA – On Tuesday, State Sen. Tim Nangle, D-Windham, accompanied Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows as she unveiled the new State Flag.

State flag redesign contest winner Adam Lemire of
Gardiner, left, is joined by State Senator Tim Nangle
of Windham and Maine Secretary of State Shenna
Bellows in Augusta on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

The design process has been a topic of conversation since Secretary Bellows announced in June that she was calling for design entries from Mainers in a statewide design contest.

The original Maine flag featured a unique pine tree and star design and flew over Maine from 1901 to 1909. Starting in 1909, the Maine Legislature approved a flag redesign change with a dark blue flag featuring the state seal in 1909, and it remains in existence today.

The winning pine tree flag design proposal was submitted by Adam Lemire of Gardiner. During a referendum in November, voters will decide to either keep the current state flag or change it to the 1901 pine tree design.

According to Bellows, Lemire's design would serve as the model design, although other versions that meet the Maine Legislature’s statutory language would still be acceptable as the official Maine flag.

Nangle said he is grateful to play a role in the state flag process.

“I was honored to serve on the bipartisan advisory panel to select the final design,” said Sen. Nangle. “Our flag is something every Mainer should be proud of and I look forward to seeing what Mainers across our state choose on November 5. I congratulate and thank Adam Lemire of Gardiner for his design, innovative spirit, and dedication to Maine’s heritage.”

As a result of LD 86, “An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag,” passed in 2023; Maine voters will have a chance in November to vote for the flag of their choice.

Question 5 on the November ballot will allow registered voters to choose between the current Maine State Flag, or the new design. Lemire design showcases 16 different branches, representing the 16 different state counties. No branch is the same, and no branch represents a specific district. <

Eagle Choice winners to be unveiled next week

By Ed Pierce

The staff of The Windham Eagle newspaper have completed counting votes for the Eagle Choice Awards and once more the popularity of the annual competition is evident.

Launched in 2015, the Eagle Choice Awards recognize local businesses in the area through popular vote and shows that the community does take notice when it receives outstanding service and finds superior products offered by local merchants.

Melissa Carter, advertising manager of The Windham Eagle newspaper, said that the awards remain wildly popular and established a new record this year by receiving 9,250 ballots cast resulting in over 172,000 votes across 87 categories.

“These awards salute those who the public thinks exceed the norm for their products, services, and overall customer satisfaction,” Carter said. “These votes are heartfelt and come from the people who use the goods and services provided by these outstanding businesses.”

Kelly Mank, owner and publisher of The Windham Eagle newspaper, says that the Eagle Choice Awards are an outstanding way for the public to learn about a business they may not be familiar with and to discover the very best services, food and products that are available locally.

“The Eagle Choice Awards give the community trusted options and a unique way to connect residents and visitors here with area businesses in meaningful ways,” Mank said. “Every vote comes from the readers and is based upon how they feel about local businesses.”

The continuing popularity of the Eagle Choice Awards can be attributed to the ongoing support and encouragement of area business owners, who live and work in the community, have raised families here and have built a loyal following of customers, friends, and neighbors.

Eagle Choice Award voters must cast ballots in at least 10 categories or more and must also include their email address when uploading or turning in a ballot for their vote to be valid and to ensure that only one vote is cast by an individual. Email addresses collected during the Eagle Choice Awards competition are not sold or distributed to a third party.

The Eagle Choice Award winners who place first and second in each category will be featured in a special section of the newspaper which will be published next week.

According to Carter, if two local businesses come within 10 votes of each other, a tie is called and both businesses are recognized.

“The special section is saved by many residents and used all year long to find the area businesses that have been singled out for recognition as being the ‘best of the best’ by local residents,” Carter said.

The Eagle Choice Awards special section is also posted to the newspaper’s website for convenient and handy reference throughout the year. Residents and customers can recognize Eagle Choice Award winners by the decals on doors and vehicles and plaques on display at their business.

“That Eagle Choice decal and plaque has really taken off as a symbol of trust and top-notch service for everyone who lives in this community,” Mank said. “Business owners who display this are proud of this recognition.”

Suggestions for new categories are always welcome and the staff will try their best to accommodate these requests. While it is difficult to include every single business in a cateogory they try to include as many as possible. Every effort is made to include write ins with more than a certain number of votes from a previous year into the ballot for the following year. Feedback is welcome to be sent to awards@thewindhameagle.com

“Every business mentioned in the Eagle Choice special section is more than worthy and deserving of this recognition and we are so happy to be able to showcase their popularity with the Annual Eagle Choice Awards,” Carter said. “We can’t thank everyone enough who took the time to cast a ballot, to our readers for supporting these fine businesses and to the many companies that support our publication not just for Eagle Choice by on a weekly basis. We can’t wait to reveal the list of winners in the Aug. 9 edition.” <