In the public eye: WMS Altitude teacher a positive role model for students

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

By Ed Pierce

Lisa Anderson never forgot how instrumental that teachers were in her life and that from an early age, her mother thought her daughter should try and become an educator. Now more than three decades into her teaching career at Windham Middle School, Anderson strives to let her students know she believes in them and their potential in life.

Lisa Anderson has taught at Windham 
Middle School for more than three
decades and now teaches seventh-
and eighth-grade students at WMS in 
an alternative pathway program
called Altitude.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

Anderson is one of three teachers working with seventh- and eighth-grade students at WMS in an alternative pathway program called Altitude. Its daily focus is to help students by building strong supportive relationships to foster confidence and trust.

“We utilize community resources and community members to provide engaging opportunities inside and out,” Anderson said. “We also partner with Rippleffect which promotes youth development and leadership through adventure.”

She said the goal of this partnership is to challenge students in ways they may not be challenged in their daily lives within the traditional school setting.

“Learning is a lifestyle, not a class,” Anderson said. “Rippleffect programs help youth build confidence, develop critical leadership skills, strengthen relationships, and grow their appreciation for the outdoors through exploration of Cow Island, the waters of Casco Bay, and the wilderness of New England.”

Prior to joining the WMS Altitude Program when it launched in the fall of 2022, Anderson taught Language Arts and Social Studies at the school.

“I have worked for 30 years at Windham Middle School, and this has been my second home and family,” she said. “The best thing about my job is the kids. They bring such energy and laughter to every day that I just want to keep coming back. I am given the opportunity to be a caring adult, make them feel important, and to help them see themselves as confident young adults. Middle school is hard, and some kids just need to know there is someone in their corner. Connecting with families is so important.”

Originally from Madison, Maine, she attended college at the University of Southern Maine where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and graduated with a Coaching Certificate.

“I played soccer and softball in college and often held jobs in the summer working in recreation,” Anderson said. “My mom had always told me I should be a teacher. After graduating, I decided to volunteer in a middle school classroom, just to see what it was like. I loved it and knew immediately that's where I wanted to spend my days.”

She went on to obtain a master’s degree in education from the University of New England and worked for four years in special education teaching reading before moving to Windham and applying for a job at WMS.

“I had four people at my interview and when they asked why I should be hired I told them I had important people during my years in school and it was my turn to give back,” Anderson said. “I was hired, and WMS has been my home and family for 30 years. I guess moms really do know best.”

Of everything she’s accomplished in her time as a teacher at Windham Middle School, Anderson says recalls several meaningful things to her.

“When I look back over the years, there's a couple. One memorable time for me was when my own sons went to Windham Primary School and my middle school students connected with their classrooms for a buddy program,” she said. “We partnered with them all year to foster a positive relationship in the community with our youth. The seventh graders naturally learned to be leaders. This was so special. Another was when I was part of a looping team with Ms. Mallard, we had our students for two years and we all became such a family. Learning was a lifestyle, not a class. These students have returned year after year, and it is so rewarding to have watched them all grow.”

At WMS, Anderson has always taught sixth- to eighth-grade students.

“I love this age group. However, I have also been a coach for over 30 years and have worked with 4-year-olds to 18-year-olds coaching soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, and swimming,” she said. “It's so rewarding to teach kids that they can be strong, and that success comes with hard work.”

According to Anderson, the public needs to know that the work of teachers is about more than just academics and even she continues to learn new things every day.

“The WMS community has taught me that when kids know what to expect, they can make good decisions,” she said. <

Voters elect legislators, town councilors, RSU 14 board members and settle charter amendment

By Ed Pierce

With the campaign season having come to an end, questions about local races have been answered and issues settled that were on the ballot in Raymond and Windham on Election Day, Nov. 5.

High turnout kept election supervisors busy counting ballots
during Tuesday's General Election in Windham and
Raymond. Voters elected candidates for four state legislative
races, two RSU 14 Board of Director positions, two Windham
Town Council seats and approved a Windham Charter
Amendment converting the Town Clerk job from elected to
one that is appointed by the town council.
COURTESY PHOTO   

These results are unofficial and were submitted to the newspaper by Town Clerk offices in Windham and Raymond.

In Windham, there were three candidates on the ballot running for two Windham Town Council non-partisan seats. Incumbent William D. Reiner was unopposed in seeking a three-year term representing the town’s West District. He received 8,237 votes to return to the council.

Competing for an At-Large council seat for a three-year term were incumbent David Nadeau and former town council chair Clayton Haskell. Nadeau received 5,180 votes to Haskell’s 4,510 to return for another term on the council.

A controversial Windham charter amendment proposing to convert the Town Clerk’s position to one appointed by the Windham Town Council instead of one elected by town residents passed, 4,743 votes in favor of the measure to 4,705 opposed. The amendment eliminates residency in Windham as a requirement for qualified candidates seeking the job of the Town Clerk when the position becomes vacant. Current Town Clerk Linda Morrell has served in the position for more than two decades as an elected official.

The town clerk position in Windham oversees Dog Licensing; Hunting/Fishing Licensing; Business Licenses and Permits; and Notary and Dedimus Service. The clerk’s office assists in Tax Collection/Auto Registration in collecting property taxes; assists in Tax Collection/Auto Registration in registering Autos, Boats, and ATVs; issues marriage licenses and has Welcome Packets available for new residents. The Town Clerk also ensures that customer service is provided to the public in a courteous and friendly manner and supervises all elections conducted in the Town of Windham. The town clerk also is tasked with ensuring that all voter registration for Windham is handled in accordance with Maine Law and the Windham Town Charter.

Three candidates were vying for two non-partisan seats in Windham on the RSU 14 Board of Directors for three-year terms in Tuesday’s election. Incumbent Jessica Bridges received 4,675 votes to return to the school board for another three-year term. She was first elected to the position which represents Windham in 2021.

For the other vacancy on the RSU 14 Board of Directors, Ginny Woodman received 3,864 votes to Frances Etheridge’s 3,857 votes. Woodman will be sworn in for a three-year term on the school board representing Windham.

For Maine State Senate District 26 representing Windham, part of Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and part of Westbrook, incumbent Tim Nangle of Windham, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger Kenneth J. Cianchette of Windham. With 95 percent of precincts reporting, Nangle received 12,018 votes to Cianchette’s 11,123 votes.

Cianchette received more votes, 7,325, than Nangle’s 6,991 when votes from Windham and Raymond were combined, but Nangle’s turnout in Westbrook secured the election victory for him. In Westbrook, Nangle tallied 5,027 votes to Cianchette’s 3,798.

Republican Incumbent Barbara Bagshaw won re-election to the Maine House of Representatives District 106 seat representing part of Windham over Democrat challenger Doris Poland. Bagshaw received 3,037 votes to Poland’s 2,645 votes.

Three candidates were vying for the Maine House of Representatives District 107 seat representing part of Windham. Republican Mark Cooper won the seat with 2,427 votes to Incumbent Democrat Jane Pringle’s 2,283 votes and Independent challenger Patrick Corey’s 819 votes.

In Raymond, Republican Rolf A. Olsen, a member of the Town of Raymond Select Board, defeated Democrat Craig Messigner. Olsen received 1,584 votes to Messigner’s 1,544 votes. Olsen will replace longtime incumbent Jessica Fay, a Democrat, who was term-limited.

Former state legislator Tom Tyler of Windham, an unenrolled candidate, ran unopposed and was elected to the Cumberland County Commissioner Board representing District 2.

Of the five statewide referendum questions in the election, four passed and one was defeated.

QUESTION 1: An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures. Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office? Approved statewide, 460,549 votes to 159.494 votes.

QUESTION 2: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization. Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing? Approved statewide, 338,218 votes to 279,606 votes.

QUESTION 3: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings. Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25 percent local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources? Approved statewide, 319,753 votes to 301,985.

QUESTION 4: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation. Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions? Approved statewide, 343,120 votes to 273,634 votes.

QUESTION 5: An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag. Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, as the official flag of the State? Failed statewide, 343,963 votes to 281,444 votes. <

Two local churches take steps toward unification

By Ed Pierce

North Windham Union Church and Raymond Village Community Church have started the process of uniting and will be doing it under the leadership of a veteran pastor in the Lakes Region of Maine.

Rev. Brian Donovan will serve as the pastor of North
Windham Union Church and Raymond Village 
Community Church which are uniting.
COURTESY PHOTO 

Rev. Brian Donovan, 52, has led Raymond Village Community Church since last fall and now will administer and lead the spiritual life of both of the churches as pastor.

“The North Windham Union Church and the Raymond Village Community Church have decided to take a Faithful Journey together towards uniting as one Church,” Donovan said. “It is actually one of the core expressions of our denomination to both unite and be uniting, welcoming all people no matter who they are or where they are on their journey throughout life.”

He said that as his one-year designated term as pastor at Raymond Village Community Church was coming to an end, he began looking to find a settled position in the area.

“What I found is what most people probably know that the churches are getting smaller and smaller for so many reasons,” Donovan said. “Still, I found North Windham Union Church who was looking for a pastor and we discovered a new way forward together with Raymond Village Community Church since both of these wonderful communities could not support the full-time pastor they wanted, and I feel God is calling me to be.”

Serving as a shared pastor for smaller churches is not a new concept for Donovan.

“When I returned to Maine last year from serving a church in Salem, New Hampshire, I found two communities looking for a one-year designated term pastor,” he said. “The First Congregational Church of Gray was looking to finalize their Open and Affirming declaration and Raymond Village Community Church was looking to unite with another community, which we found in North Windham Union Church. It was wonderful to complete both of these designated terms successfully.”

According to Donovan, the Faithful Journey of uniting North Windham Union Church and Raymond Village Community Church together will now be his whole focus.

“I am no longer serving the people of the First Congregational Church of Gray, right now,” he said. “However, yes for Raymond as we are all together in this beautiful ministry being created.”

Raymond Village Community Church and North Windham Union Church worship under the Maine Conference, United Church of Christ which has 143 congregations across the state.

Donovan has more than a decade of church and pastoral leadership experience and obtained a master’s degree in divinity from Boston University’s School of Theology. Prior to serving at Raymond Village Community Church, Donovan led churches in Waban, Massachusetts; Boothbay Harbor, and Salem, New Hampshire. He also is the chaplain at the Greg Wing of St. Andrew’s Village Nursing Home in Boothbay Harbor.

Before being called to the ministry, Donovan worked as a ceramic tile installer and a contracting company owner and operator. In 2011, he made the decision to become a pastor and study at Boston University.

“I was called to be a pastor at 13. But I did not listen until many years later because I was brought up Roman Catholic, a wonderful religion and one I honor still,” he said. “Yet, that faith was not mine for a number of reasons. So, I started a spiritual journey. I walked with many different faiths and religions throughout the years, Christian and non- Christian at times. I knew I was searching for a place where everyone is welcome. I finally found it at the United Church of Christ in Boothbay Harbor.”

He says that at the United Church of Christ in Boothbay Harbor he saw their Open and Affirming statement and nearly wept as he knew that was the type of denomination that God wished him to lead.

“It’s a church where it doesn't matter who you are or love or look like or any other human identity, you are truly welcome and loved,” Donovan said. “So, in my early 40s I started pastoring to communities and went off to seminary. I started at Andover Newton Theological and graduated from Boston University School of Divinity. After the seminary, which is intense if anyone is wondering, I passed all the steps to become ordained.”

Since stepping into his new role as permanent pastor of the unified churches, Donovan says he’s excited for the opportunity.

“I love the people. The people in these communities are kind, compassionate, compromising souls,” he said. “I have served many communities, and I can say that these souls are amazingly thoughtful of one another. Are there still bumps, yes, every faith community has them. But these souls are truly living into our faith to be one people, united and welcoming to all. I am reminded of this truth daily.”

The pastor said the toughest or most challenging aspect about his job is not working 70 hours a week.

“I know that sounds funny, but it is hard to break away and be careful of your time when there are so many wonderful people to talk to and wonderful things to engage with,” Donovan said. “I think the next hardest part is finding ways to faithfully engage everyone in the community. We want to be that calming place of God’s Love where everyone is welcome; but showing people throughout Windham and Raymond is the tough part before they come in and experience what God’s love can really look like through us.”

He says the united churches can expect love, care, and a warm welcome from him as pastor.

“I like to believe I am someone who will always listen and be here for anyone,” Donovan said. “I also try to bring the Bible to life in ways that are relatable to our world today. Help us find the way forward as a community caring for the world while being aware of the imbalance our world has always had. I hope people see me as just another person in our community who loves them.” <

Balance key to success for new recipe columnist

By Ed Pierce

Chef Wolfgang Puck describes cooking like painting or writing a song. He says just as there are only so many notes or colors in painting or music, there are only so many flavors in cooking, and it’s how you combine them that sets you apart.

Angela Paris grew up in the Lakes Region of Maine and has
been sharing recipes on her lifestyle blog
jugglingactmama.com for the past 10 years.
She is the new recipe columnist for The Windham
Eagle newspaper. COURTESY PHOTO 

For The Windham Eagle’s new recipe columnist Angela Paris, cooking is an art form and she’s eager to share what she’s learned with readers so that they may enjoy preparing meals easily.

Paris grew up in the Lakes Region of Maine and after graduation from Bonny Eagle High School, she attended Eckerd College in Florida, which she says was drastically different in both culture and weather.

“After college, I moved back to New England. I have always loved being able to drive short distances to the ocean or the mountains,” Paris said. “We still have family in Maine, and we visit regularly.”

According to Paris, who now lives in New Hampshire, it was through her family that she learned to cook.

“My mom is an amazing cook, as was my grandmother. I learned so many things from them that I really hope my children embrace too,” she said. “And I love food, partially because food is the language of family. It's shared memories and a way for us to hold onto traditions and even loved ones who have passed. My mom has my great-grandmother's bread bowl, and everyone knows you can't make her oatmeal bread without that bowl.”

She said learning to cook came naturally to her.

“Cooking for people is part of my love language; I think I get that from both my mom and grandmother. I love being able to make something for people I care about – soup for a sick friend, muffins for the teachers' room, or just a cozy meal for my family,” Paris said. “I love putting smiles on people's faces because of something I was able to create. It's so much fun to transform boring ingredients into something that nourishes your body.”

Her own favorite dish is macaroni and cheese.

“I'm a mac and cheese fanatic. My mom makes the world's best mac and cheese, hands down,” she said. “But I make a pretty good mac now, too. I think I have nine different versions on my website.”

Something she dislikes about cooking is cleaning up afterward.

“I really dislike doing dishes, especially silverware,” Paris said. “In my house, whoever cooks doesn't have to do the dishes.”

Paris said she wants to share her recipes with readers for one simple reason.

“I love making good food and sharing it with people,” she said. “Creating yummy but easy recipes is my passion. The truth is that it's really hard to make a meal that everyone loves. My tip is to make at least one thing that everyone will eat. That doesn't mean being a short-order cook. There are always leftovers in our fridge that I can warm up as an alternative meal. And I'm lucky that our daughter loves salad. On nights when I make something like mac and cheese that she doesn't care for, she has a big salad. It's all about balance.”

Her biggest struggle, though, is with her oldest child, who is on the spectrum and struggles with ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder).

“He has a very low appetite and an extremely limited diet. It's one of the reasons I began cooking, especially baking, so much when he was young,” Paris said. “For breakfast, he would only eat pumpkin muffins I made, so I found ways to sneak extra nutrition into them. Working with his pediatrician, we found ways to keep him at a healthy weight and manage his anxiety around food.”

Her own cooking blog, jugglingactmama.com, a lifestyle blog that provides quick and easy recipes for busy people, has evolved over the years.

“In the very beginning, more than 13 years ago, I shared mostly family recipes including lots of sweets and things that I cooked all the time,” she said. “I still do that, but I also love helping busy families with easy recipes, so I look at really great meals, and I try to find ways to make them faster, easier, and less expensive.” <

Veterans Day observance nears at Windham Veterans Center

By Melissa Carter

For the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States of America, a federal holiday recognizing their service and sacrifices to the nation, Veterans Day, is observed on Nov. 11 every year, symbolic of the 11th Hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marking the end of World War I. In Windham, the public is invited to a special event on Veterans Day to remember those who have stepped up and given of themselves in the defense of liberty.

VFW Post 10643 will host a Veterans Day observance at
the Windham Veterans Center at 11 a.m. on Monday,
Nov. 11. The public is invited to attend.
COURTESY PHOTO 

This year’s Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11 at the Windham Veterans Center and will feature guest speakers and the student winners of this year’s local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643 essay contest.

The event is part of national celebrations of Veterans Day, which was originally known as “Armistice Day.”

The commemoration of a special day to pay tribute to military veterans was launched on Nov. 11, 1919, one year after the end of World War I. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared “Armistice Day” to take place annually in America on the “11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour” to remember the end of what was known as “The Great War,” now called World War I.

In his original proclamation Wilson was resolute about creating a day to pay tribute to American veterans.

“Reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations,” Wilson wrote in his original proclamation to create “Armistice Day.”

In June 1954, the U.S. Congress officially changed the name of “Armistice Day” to Veterans Day to honor those Americans who perished in World War II and Korea since “Armistice Day” had first been observed. In 1975, U.S. President Gerald Ford designated Nov. 11 as the permanent Veterans Day holiday because of its historical significance for the nation.

Navy veteran Willie Goodman of Windham, the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Goodman knows first-hand how willing veterans have been throughout our country’s history to protect and defend our freedom. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1993 and retired as an E-9, Command Master Chief.

He served on eight different ships in his Navy career including on three aircraft carriers and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Stockton and Oakland, California; Brunswick, Maine and spent two tours overseas. He also served three years in Spain and was stationed in the Philippines for three years.

“For me, Veterans Day is a special day of reflection, both remembering all those we have lost and thinking of, and being thankful for, all those who served who are still with us,” Goodman said. “Being the Commander of Windham's VFW Post 10643, I really appreciate all our members and comrades who come together on Veterans Day along with our supportive community for our program and throughout the year as well as we help out our local veterans.”

The keynote speaker for this year’s Veterans Day observance in Windham will be Ed Pierce, the Managing Editor of The Windham Eagle newspaper and a U.S. Air Force veteran. Pierce is the recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal, and he served eight years as a U.S. Air Force public affairs specialist, stationed at Frankfurt, Germany; at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona.

During the Veterans Day observance patriotic songs will be performed by the Windham Chamber Singers and Windham Boy Scout Troop 805 will assist with seating and the Presentation of the Colors.

Goodman will announce the winners of this year’s VFW-sponsored essay competitions who will read their essays for the audience in attendance for the Verterans Day observance. The theme of this year’s Patriot’s Pen contest for students in grades 6 to 8 is “My Voice in America’s Democracy” and for the Voice of Democracy contest for students in grades 9 to 12 the theme is “Is America Today Our Forefather’s Vision?”

Veterans Day is a federal holiday recognized each November to celebrate and honor all U.S. veterans, those who are deceased or living.

No matter what day of the week, Veterans Day always falls on November 11 each year and is recognized as a federal holiday nationally.

Entering 2024, more than 18.6 million veterans live in the United States and a total of 87,443 veterans of World War II are still alive as of Oct. 31, including 99-year-old Carroll McDonald of Windham.

Over the years, Veterans Day has evolved into a day not just for remembering those who served in wartime but also for recognizing all veterans, including those who served in peacetime. It now serves as a time to reflect on veterans' contributions and ongoing challenges, such as health care and employment and the day has become a platform for honoring military service while also advocating for the needs of those who served.

The Veterans Day event in Windham is free and open to the public at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive in Windham. <

State grant to enhance outdoor recreation in Windham

By Ed Pierce

During the Oct. 22 Windham Town council meeting, it was announced that the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s Financial Assistance Program, in conjunction with the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, has awarded the Town of Windham a grant of $163,750 to be used for outdoor recreation economic development.

The Town of Windham has been awarded a grant of
$163,750 by the state to be used to promote and 
enhance outdoor recreation economic development.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

Tom Bartell, Executive Director of the Windham Economic Development Corporation, and Linda Brooks, Windham’s Director of Parks and Recreation, briefed the council about what the grant will be used for and how the funding will be spent.

Bartell said that some of the grant funds will be used for a new campaign to promote and market exceptional outdoor activities available in Windham.

“The Open Space Plan really promoted the notion of connectivity between our trails and that’s the focus of this,” he said.

According to Brooks, a Request for Proposal will be issued to hire a firm to design a connector trail from behind Home Depot in North Windham to Donnabeth Lippman Park.

She said another design will be needed for a proposed 50-acre property owned by the town adjacent to Gambo Park.

Among other projects to be funded by the grant will be to add multilingual signs in town parks and the possible creation of electronic kiosks which detail park information and can easily be updated as needed.

“We are also seeking to update trail signage and have a GIS intern to work with the departments to get the trails digitized for use with a mobile app,” Brooks said.

Brooks said the Maine Community Outdoor Recreation Assistance Program has established a deadline of Sept. 1, 2025 for the funds from this grant to be spent.

“We’ve got a lot to accomplish in a short period of time,” she said.

Bartell said applying for the grant was made easier because of previous work done by the town.

“All the pre-work on our Open Space Plan and the town’s Strategic Plan helped tremendously,” he said.

The idea of applying for this specific grant came up originally when Brooks and Bartell met and discussed ways to promote the new East Windham Conservation Area to those interested in hiking and other outdoor recreational pursuits.

“Linda and I saw an opportunity to enhance our parks and trails through a grant from the Maine EDA,” he said.

Windham currently maintains more than 500 acres of parks and preserves for residents and visitors.

Town Parks include Donnabeth Lippman Park, Windham Town Hall Park, Dundee Park and Windham Community Park on Gray Road. The town also partners with the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust for managing Lowell Preserve and the East Windham Conservation Area.

The Mountain Division Trail has a five-mile paved trail that connects Standish, Windham, and Gorham and the town oversees trails at Claman Sanctuary at Donnabeth Lippman Park, Deer Hollow/Mud Pond, Lowell Preserve and Otterbook Sanctuary.

Councilors John Henry, David Nadeau and Jarrod Maxfield said they were supportive of the grant and the initiative to encourage more people to take advantage of abundant outdoor recreational opportunities locally.

Mark Morrison, Windham Town Council chair, asked Brooks if funding through the new grant will be used to improve gathering areas by adding picnic tables or other amenities.

Brooks said that will be considered as the town looks at ways to improve the experience for those using Windham trails and parks.

Applying for the grant was also facilitated by Windham’s partnership with the land trust in purchasing the 700-acre East Windham Conservation Area and protected lands and trails in September 2023. That recreational area opened in May and is roughly the size of Bradbury State Park and larger than any state park in Southern Maine.

“It put us on the map so to speak,” Bartell said. <

Raymond Village Library offers Audubon Wildlife Survival presentation

By Kendra Raymond

As fall wanes and winter approaches, we find ourselves cozy and snug inside our homes, looking outside often glad we aren’t out there, shivering in the cold. We watch the wildlife flit and scamper around, seemingly oblivious to their challenging surroundings. But do you ever wonder what happens to Maine wildlife during bad weather, especially during the winter?

If answers are what you’re looking for, the Raymond Village Library may just have some great information at an upcoming event presented by Maine Audubon. The Winter Survival for Maine Wildlife presentation will explain the mystery of winter survival of wildlife in Maine. The evening will conclude with some interesting facts and stories.

Raymond Village Library Director Richard Dowe is busy publicizing the opportunity and anticipates quite a crowd.

“The guest speaker for the event is Nicholas Lund, the Advocacy and Outreach Manager at Maine Audubon, where he has worked for over six years,” he said.

Dowe spearheaded the upcoming event. Keeping with their mission to provide valuable local community educational resources and opportunities, Dowe and the library staff remains steadfast in adding regular offerings.

“This event is part of the Raymond Village Library’s ongoing commitment to connecting our community with educational programs that foster a deeper understanding of the natural world,” he said. “Maine Audubon, through the work of experts like Nicholas Lund, continues to play a crucial role in protecting wildlife and promoting environmental stewardship in Maine. We are excited to offer this opportunity to residents and visitors alike, encouraging all to join us for what promises to be an informative and entertaining evening.”

The Maine Audubon website and Lund’s LinkedIn profile share some background about Lund.

“Nicholas is also known for his work on The Birdist blog, where he shares his passion for birding and wildlife. His expertise is backed by previous roles at the National Parks Conservation Association. Nicholas holds a BA from Hamilton College and a JD from the University of Maine School of Law, blending his legal knowledge with his advocacy for environmental and wildlife conservation. continuing the library's mission of providing valuable educational resources and opportunities for the local community and surrounding areas.”

Dowe explained what participants can expect at the talk.

“In addition to exploring the fascinating adaptations of Maine's wildlife to the harsh winter conditions, Nicholas Lund will delve into specific survival strategies employed by various species, from birds and mammals to smaller creatures,” he said. “The presentation will highlight the behavioral and physiological changes animals undergo to cope with extreme cold, such as hibernation, migration, and food storage. Nicholas will also share engaging stories and examples from the field, giving attendees a deeper appreciation for Maine's diverse wildlife and the challenges they face during winter.”

Dowe reminds participants that they will have an opportunity to ask questions and as part of a discussion following the presentation.

“Following the presentation, Nicholas will open the floor for a Q&A session,” he said. “This will be a great opportunity for the audience to ask specific questions about wildlife, conservation, or Maine Audubon's work, and to engage directly with the speaker.”

The evening’s event is expected to last around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on audience discussion and engagement and the length of the Q&A section.

Winter Survival for Maine Wildlife will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 at Raymond Village Library. To register, call the library at 207-655-4283. Dowe says that an RSVP is encouraged to help the library prepare for seating but is not required. Ample seating will be available; however, they are expecting a large turnout, and seating will be on a first-come-first-served basis. <

Volunteers key to student success at Windham Primary School

By Masha Yurkevich

School volunteering is a very behind-the-scenes role and is perhaps one of the biggest sacrifices that can be made for improving the learning of our children and helping our teachers. Volunteerism is often overlooked, but its impacts are priceless.

Windham Primary School has many
opportunities for members of the public
to help make it a better place for
students through volunteering.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

“Volunteerism helps bring our community into our schools,” says Michelle Jordan, Windham Primary School’s Volunteer Coordinator. “It is a great way for students to meet and work with other adults. We have parents, grandparents, high school and college students that volunteer in our building. Volunteering allows our school to extend what we offer our students.”

Having additional help in the school allows for more hands-on projects, helps support students with areas they are struggling with, challenges students who are ready for the next level, and helps build a sense of community.

“Volunteers have a very positive impact on the students that they work with. Students form relationships with volunteers and look forward to working with them,” Jordan says. “It helps a student learn to work with other adults in the community and teaches them that the whole community is supporting them in their learning. For teachers, it allows them to enhance the student experiences by either providing additional one on one or small group instruction or by helping to prepare materials for more hands on and enhanced learning experiences.”

As the volunteer coordinator, Jordan helps coordinate volunteers for school-wide activities. These include picture days, backpack program, the library and other special events.

“I also work with classroom teachers to help find volunteers when they are looking for volunteers to support academic centers in their classroom or special projects,” says Jordan. “Over the years we have had volunteers organize and label books for classrooms, sew felt teddy bears, help build bird houses, lead yoga classes and more. I also help answer questions volunteers have about their role and to present volunteer orientation with new volunteers each year.”

Being a school volunteer can look like whatever works for the volunteer. Some volunteers help once a year on a field trip, some help once a week for a set period of time in a classroom, while others help every once in a while.

The volunteers contribute in many different ways.

“In the classroom, volunteers help provide additional support to students and add to the personalized instruction that we can provide,” says Jordan. They also help our school offer additional events, programs and activities such as our Fall Festival, Book Sales, and Color Dash.”

Volunteering is a collaboration between the school and volunteers. There is no minimum amount of time that needs to be volunteered, and all volunteers look different in their roles.

“We will work with the volunteer to determine what the best arrangement is for the time they have to give and what they are interested in,” says Jordan. “Every minute of volunteer time is appreciated and valued. If someone is interested in volunteering, they can reach out to me at wpsvolunteer@gmail.com or your classroom teacher if you have a student in the building.”

All volunteers must complete a Volunteer Application that includes an annual background check. Volunteer applications do have to be completed each year. First-time volunteers are asked to attend the Volunteer Orientation in late September. If they start volunteering after that, they are then sent materials to review.

There are also volunteer opportunities that can work from home. A lot of what goes on at an elementary school often involves making and preparing things, such as cutting out shapes, starting a project that the children will need to finish, or other things.

“Volunteers help make our school a better place for learning,” says Dr. Kyle Rhoads, the principal of Windham Primary School. “Our teachers have a very hard job, and we have learners that can benefit from their learning being supported or extended because of the actions of volunteers. It takes a team for all of our learners to have success.”

There is so much more that teachers want to do with their students to provide them with the best education possible, but it is more than they can do alone. Volunteers often do things that free the teacher and allows them to do other parts of their job that may be more directly related to supporting the students, Rhoads said.

Anyone can be a volunteer as long as you have the time, the passion, and the desire. Whether you want to read aloud to children, or help with a hands-on activity, your time will make a difference to the children and teachers.

“If you like working with young children, we have opportunities for you to help make our school a better place through volunteering,” says Rhoads. <

Windham High student creates school's first-ever Bible Club

By Jolene Bailey

Across the world, many different people hold many different beliefs, making it a beautiful place full of diversity and uniqueness. Taking that message to heart, Windham High School freshman Clayton Johnson has used his voice to advocate for the importance of spirituality to high school students.

Members of the new
Windham High School 
Bible Club gather outside
the school after the club's
first meeting on Oct. 21.
The club is open to all
WHS students.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Since the beginning of his school journey this fall, Johnson has used his opportunities and creativity and well-known passion for life to help create Windham High School’s first-ever Bible Club. The club’s first meeting was held in Room 302 at WHS after school on Oct. 21.

“I believe that my motivation comes from the lack of understanding in our school of any religion. I see all these kids in our school who are searching for a higher understanding, and I believe that it is a calling to do something like this,” said Johnson.

While Johnson is tackling a leadership position in running the new Bible Club, he is also participating in an Extended Learning Opportunity in religious studies.

ELOs take a passion or an idea and transform it into a hands-on way for students to gain knowledge, community connections and high school credit. ELO’s are out-of-classroom experiences that are highly personalized.

They tackle a mix of academic instruction with weekly reflections and are rubric-based but are also conducted by students completing internships, project-based learning, or job shadows with topics they would like to pursue.

Johnson says he is excited about the potential for the new WHS Bible Club.

“Everyone is invited, all are welcomed. The biggest thing I hope students take away from this club is just the higher understanding of who and what greater good is watching over them,” he said.

According to Johnson, the WHS Bible Club’s main mission is to band together to build stronger connections with high school peers and their inner beliefs.

He says that the point of extra-curricular high school clubs is to allow students to build their own skills and create new ones based on interests that are beyond the focus of a typical academic classroom environment.

“I am looking forward to finding out who, like me, is a Christian in my school and who is searching for that understanding that I’ve mentioned,” said Johnson.

Students who are interested in joining the WHS Bible Club can expect to hang out reading passages of the Holy Bible and then discussing what members take away from the story told. Students are encouraged and welcome to bring their own bible to club meetings but can also be provided with one if needed.

“Religion means worshiping God and studying the word. However, there are common misconceptions that go unaddressed with Christians all around the world,” Johnson said. “Jesus came down from heaven so he could have a relationship with you, that's all he wants.”

For more details about the new WHS Bible Club, send an email to Clayton Johnson at cejohnson2028@rsu14.org or to WHS club advisor Melissa Dubois at mdubois@rsu14.org <