In the public eye: Patrol officer relies on cooperation and trust to keep community safe

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

By Ed Pierce

You may never need the help of Officer Mackenzie Conti, but if you do, she'll be there and that basic premise to serve and protect is what makes Conti and other members of the Windham Police Department unsung heroes in the community.

Mackenzie Conti joined the Windham Police
Department in January 2023 and is now in her 
third year of service to the community as a
patrol officer and an evidence technician.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Conti is a Windham Police patrol officer, and she also serves as an evidence technician for the department.

“My specific duties as a patrol officer at the Windham Police Department are observing traffic, furthering investigations, and documentation through report writing,” Conti said. “Patrol officers also typically respond to calls for service whether it be an emergency or answering questions from the community pertaining to laws or situations they’re experiencing.”

She joined the Windham Police in January 2023 and is entering her third year of service to Windham residents.

“As I furthered my career in law enforcement, I found an interest in becoming an evidence technician with the department,” Conti said. “That typically involves responding to calls for service and being equipped for collecting, documenting, and preserving evidence.”

According to Conti, one of the things she enjoys about the law enforcement profession is that no shift is the same as the last one and she’s able to accumulate more experience and understanding when it comes to assisting the public.

“I always aim to be the officer at a call for service that reflects the response I would want, if it were involving someone important to me,” she said. “You also get to learn something new every day, and I enjoy the ability to further my education and training through opportunities that the police department presents.”

The greatest challenge of her job is adapting her response to the changing needs of citizens in the community.

“Not only do we respond to calls that require us to enforce the law, sometimes we are required to take on roles of social work and crisis intervention,” Conti said. “It can be a tough balance when you arrive on scene for service, to provide stability or assistance, and the individuals involved may find your response alone to be an escalation.”

Originally from California, Conti spent most of her early life on the west coast.

“Following graduation, I moved to Maine and began working as a corrections officer at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham,” she said. “I spent a little over 3 1/2 years in this field, before I began my journey into becoming a police officer.”

She was interested in beginning her career as a police officer in Windham because there was such a strong sense of unity in this town, Conti said.

“The overall impression I received from this community, as well as from the staff and fellow officers at the Windham Police Department, was exactly what I was looking for and I was eager to be a part of the team,” she said.

Her most memorable moment so far while working as a Windham police officer began when she received a call during her shift about a phone scam.

“There was an elderly individual who was about to lose a large sum of money,” Conti said. “Through an expedited investigation, I was able to intercept the money before it disappeared and return it to the owner. That citizen came into the police station that week to thank me for my actions, and it has left a lasting impact on me ever since.”

Conti thinks the greatest misconception people may have is that law enforcement and the community are on opposite sides.

“Effective policing works in unison with our community,” she said. “Officers often rely on cooperation and trust with residents to keep our neighborhoods safe. Patrol officers spend a lot of time generating documentation and reports. For every incident, officers complete detailed reports that are essential for transparency, accountability, and the justice process. I appreciate this aspect of the job, as it is extremely important and pertains to longer investigations.”

She’s proud that her family stands behind her in her career in law enforcement and their encouragement and confidence in her work has allowed her to remain focused and motivated to take on greater challenges.

“I’ve learned that having resilience as a police officer is not something that you build all on your own,” Conti said. “It is about having the strength to show up with dedication as we continue moving forward as a team. Being a part of a police department is not an individual task, and to ensure overall effectiveness, it involves extensive trust, support, and teamwork. I’m very grateful for the fellow officers I get to work beside daily. <

Speaker to focus on athletes’ mental health at Windham High School

By Dina Mendros

Being a high school athlete is not all glory and popularity. The anxiety of performing up to their own and other’s expectations, along with the pressures of school, can be overwhelming to many. Next week, someone who has dealt with similar pressures and more will give a talk to Windham High School students to help them cope with their mental health, which for athletes can be just as important as physical health.

Former college basketball star Kaleb 
Johnson will speak at Windham High
School on Sept. 2 about athletes'
mental health in a presentation
sponsored by the Windham Raymond 
Boosters Club. SUBMITTED PHOTO   

Kaleb Joseph, who at one time was an elite basketball player and one of the top10 point guard recruits in the country, knows first-hand how the pressure of the game as well as growing up with other stressors can undermine a person’s confidence and life. The Windham Raymond Athletic Boosters will sponsor a visit from Joseph to talk to Windham High School students and their parents on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Joseph grew up in a dysfunctional family, one of 11 children, using basketball as an escape. Defying the odds, he received his first Division 1 scholarship offer as an eighth grader and later committed to playing basketball at Syracuse University, his dream school.

“When I played good, I felt like the man,” Joseph said in a video taken when he spoke last year at the University of New England in Biddeford. “I wanted everybody to know that I did this. That I’m the guy. The one with 11 siblings. The one who was going to take care of his family. The one who’s going to get a million dollars and take care of his mom. I wanted everybody to know that I’m the guy who did that.”

“As a preseason National Freshman of the Year candidate, Joseph faced overwhelming pressure and expectations,” according to the Self Help Tour website of which the Self Help Tour was founded by Joseph to help him spread his message. “Basketball became a source of anxiety,” and the pressure became “paralyzing.”

“When I played bad like, I felt shame,” Joseph said. “I felt embarrassment. I didn’t like myself at all. You can’t stop thinking about the mistakes, you can’t stop thinking about the turnovers, you can’t stop thinking about what everybody else is thinking about you.”

And there were times he did play bad. At one point he was on the top 10 list of Sports Illustrated most disappointing players.

“When the article came out it crushed me,” Joseph said. He couldn’t face it, he said, and it got to the point that he wanted to kill himself, “all because I wouldn’t talk about it.”

“And now I have no choice but to face my fears every single day and have conversations like this with you because I know for a fact you guys know exactly what I’m talking about,” he said.

Fortunately, some former professional basketball players who had faced their own demons helped him.

Now, Joseph travels the country sharing his story and guiding others. As a mental performance coach, he helps other athletes. “Through emotional intelligence workshops, team consulting, and one-on-one coaching, (Joseph) helps individuals, communities, and organizations lean into vulnerability, build self-awareness, and cultivate an identity strong enough to carry them through all of life’s adversities.”

“My goal when working with teams is to help every athlete understand that the real challenge is ‘you vs. you,’” Joseph said. “By gaining control over their own reactions and emotions, they not only elevate their individual performance but also contribute to a stronger, more cohesive team culture. It’s about creating a safe space where difficult conversations lead to real trust, accountability, and ultimately collective success.

“My intention with these sessions is to create a space where athletes can truly understand their emotions and how their minds work, and then apply that understanding to their everyday lives. It’s about making real, lasting change, not just theory,” he said.

Kristin Drottar, the president of the Windham Raymond Boosters and a teacher, said she’s hopeful athletes and their parents will find Joseph’s talk helpful. Her son plays football, basketball and lacrosse.

She said the athletic director attended a talk Joseph gave in Kittery a couple of years ago and was impressed with what he heard.

“(Joseph) just talked about that you’re a person before you’re a player,” Drottar said. “And the pressures that you might feel and how to deal with those, and how to kind of help yourself not just with being a strong player but also having a strong mental mindset around sports.”

Even before learning about Joseph, she said, the boosters board members were talking about how “we often see the kids come off of the court and they put their heads down if they make a bad play or they get upset if they miss a shot.” The boosters, who are mainly parents of student athletes, see how much pressure their kids put on themselves, she said, “and (we) really wanted to focus on supporting the athletes emotionally and their mental well-being as well as what we’ve been doing, which is supporting them physically with what they need to compete in their sports.”

The Windham Raymond Athletic Boosters are unified boosters, Drottar said “so we support all athletic programs at the high school” through fundraising like holding a craft fair every November and running concessions at various sporting events. The boosters support the athletic teams in ways such as purchasing extra golf bags if needed, contributing to new score boards, providing monetary gifts to teams to purchase items they need or want, providing scholarships, as well as sponsoring talks like the one Joseph will give next week. <

Windham Cub Scout Open House and Registration Night nearing

By Josh Smeltzer
Special to The Windham Eagle

At 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, Windham Cub Scouts Pack 805 will have its annual Open House/Registration Night in the Manchester School cafeteria in Windham.

Members of Windham Cub Scout Pack 805 gather during the
group's Spring Advancement Ceremony at Dundee Park in
Windham. Cub Scout Pack 805 will hold its annual Open
House and Registration Night at 6:30 p.m. Monday,
Sept. 8 at the Manchester School cafeteria. It is an
opportunity for boys and girls to sign up for Cub
Scouts and for parents to ask questions.
COURTESY PHOTO 

This will be an opportunity for boys and girls to sign up for Cub Scouts and for parents to ask questions. During this gathering, many of the older scouts will present fun and interesting activities to keep the scouts entertained while the Pack 805 leaders talk with the parents of both returning and interested children.

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

According to incoming Cubmaster Mike Chickering, scouting teaches children positive character traits such as being courteous, helpful, and loyal, while fostering new friendships, learning about the outdoors, and serving the community.

This summer, Cub Scouts marched in the Annual Windham Memorial Day parade, held a food drive to help Windham Food Pantry, hiked up Rattlesnake Mountain in Raymond, and went on a night hike up Bradbury Mountain to see a meteor shower. In activities planned for this fall and winter, Pack 805 Cub Scouts will have a camp out, go ice fishing, conduct food, clothing and toy drives, present the colors at a Maine Mariners ice hockey game, put on its annual Pinewood Derby, and much more.

Windham Pack 805 meets once a week by age group (called “Dens”) and then on the last Monday of each month as a group (called “Pack”). The activities at these meetings center around earning adventure belt loops and badges that are specific to each school grade level. Each Cub Scout loop and badge represent progression towards a new rank each year.

Assistant Cubmaster Kayla Desmond said that Cub Scouts dues are highly affordable and go toward scouting activities, awards, national and local Cub Scout registrations, and insurance. Windham Pack 805 also conducts a variety of fundraising activities to offset these costs throughout the year.

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

“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,” she said.

“The scout motto is ‘Do Your Best’ and that’s what the kids learn.” said former Cubmaster Casey Melanson. “Cub Scouts can do anything they put their minds to. We have gone winter camping, hiking, ice fishing, and built lean-tos in the woods,” Melanson said. “We also have our annual Pinewood Derby where kids 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.”

For Windham Cub Scout Pack 805’s registration night on Sept. 8, registration will be staffed by Cub Scout Pack 805 leaders who will be available to answer any specific questions that parents may have about Cub Scouts.

New potential scouts who are interested in joining are encouraged to attend the registration with a parent, said Cub Scout Pack Committee Chair members. If someone is interested in joining but is unable to make the registration event, they can reach out to Pack 805 leaders through Facebook or email.

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

Maine Chapter of American Institute of Architects launches statewide housing design contest

The Maine Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Maine) has announced the launch of its 207 Home: Design Competition, aimed at identifying innovative and sustainable housing solutions to address community needs across Maine.

The 207 HOME Design Competition is open to all Maine
residents, licensed architects, professionals, the public, all
Maine high school and Maine college students. The
contest aims at identifying innovative and sustainable
housing solutions to address community needs
across Maine. COURTESY PHOTO   

The competition is open to Maine designi firms, professionals, residents and students enrolled in Maine high schools or colleges to submit visionary housing designs through Nov. 14, 2025.

Thanks to a generous AARP Community Challenge Grant, this design contest is intended to spark innovation to improve Maine communities for people of all ages. Participants are encouraged to submit creative proposals for built environments that address the diverse housing needs of underserved communities, considering factors such as age, ability, income, and other significant community housing challenges.

The competition aligns with recent legislative advances in Maine – notably LD 2003, which promotes Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and LD 1829, which allows greater flexibility for constructing one- to three-family homes on residential lots. The contest aims to showcase innovative solutions that help communities visualize practical, affordable, and inclusive housing options that support aging in place.

Submissions may include new work or previously designed or built projects. This year’s competition will also feature online educational sessions on accessibility, aging in place, and an innovative housing community currently under construction in Maine.

The full schedule is available on the AIA Maine events calendar and the competition website.

Entries will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges across four award categories: Professional, Public, Student – University, and Student – High School. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners in each category.

Judging will take place in late November, with finalists and category winners honored at a special reception and public exhibition on December 16, 2025.

AIA Maine believes in the power of creativity and collaboration to transform housing accessibility and affordability across the state. This competition presents an exceptional opportunity for Maine’s residents and students to shape the future of sustainable and inclusive housing solutions.

For full contest details, submission guidelines, and additional information, please visit www.aiamaine.org/aarp-contest.

About AIA Maine

AIA Maine is a state component of the American Institute of Architects. Their mission is to support architects and architecture through leadership, advocacy, fellowship, and design excellence. For more information about AIA Maine and ways to become involved, visit their website www.aiamaine.org or email kelli@aiamaine.org.

About the AARP Community Challenge

The AARP Community Challenge is a grant program to make tangible improvements in communities that jump-start long-term change. It is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. To learn more, visit AARP.org/Livable. <

Lake Region Community Chorus searches for new participants

If you love to sing and want to make beautiful music with fellow choral music lovers, please join the Lake Region Community Chorus for its 2025 Winter Session.

Registration opens Monday, Sept. 8 for the Lake Region
Community Chorus for its 2025 Winter Session. The singing
group is made up of members from towns throughout the
Lakes Region of Maine and meets and rehearses in the 
Twitchell Chapel at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

This exciting singing group is made up of about 60 members from 12 surrounding towns in the Lake Region. The first rehearsal for the chorus will be on Monday, Sept. 8, in the Twitchell Chapel at the Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton. There are no auditions but some experience in choral singing and reading music would be helpful.

The Lake Region Community Chorus will be conducted by Jan Jukkola and Susan Stockwell and accompanied by Patrick Speckamp. This fall it welcomes Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, and Bass singers from throughout the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine. Programs are made up of a variety of pieces from many musical genres and styles.

“There is something for everyone and we want to make sure our singers and audiences have a very enjoyable time at rehearsals and performances,” said Jukkola.

Chorus rehearsals are scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday evenings. Registration begins at 6 p.m. on Sept. 8, and there is a $30 registration fee to help cover the cost of the music. Registration for new members will also be conducted on Monday, Sept. 15.

Lake Region Community Chorus concerts will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.

The chorus is a vibrant and dynamic non-profit organization providing choral programs for the Lakes Region of Maine community. Its history is short because it’s a relatively new organization. The chorus had its first meeting in February 2013 to discuss the possibility of forming a choral group in the Lakes Region.

It was amazing how quickly everything seemed to come together, and with Laurie Turley as its original conductor, chorus members performed their first concert in June 2013. Since then, the original group of 36 singers has grown with each season.

The LRCC is a community of voices joined together in song and its purpose is to provide an opportunity for individuals with an interest in singing to share their love of choral music through regularly scheduled rehearsals that will culminate in community and outreach performances. It also strives to enhance each member’s ability to sing by teaching vocal exercises and techniques and to enrich their choral experience by providing a wide variety of musical selections that will increase their knowledge and appreciation of choral literature.

Each year the Lake Region Community Chorus performs two concerts with one in early December and features seasonal holiday music, while the other is a springtime concert generally falling in mid-May.

With the generous support of Bridgton Academy, the concerts are performed by the chorus in the Twitchell Chapel on the Bridgton Academy campus in North Bridgton.

All the chorus members would like to thank the Bridgton Academy for their help and support and providing them with rehearsal space and a concert venue. They would also like to thank their enthusiastic audiences and local sponsors for making this such a worthwhile experience.

Each Lake Region Community Chorus concert is free but donations to help cover the expense of music and operating costs will be gratefully accepted.

If interested, come and join the Lake Region Community Chorus, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. as they lift their voices in song. This year’s Winter Concert is sure to be remembered long after the final chords sound.

To participate, contact Jukkola for more details by email at musicsix@cox.net or call 207-647-2584 or visit the Lake Region Community Chorus website at lakeregioncommunitychorus.org <

Windham council explores possible town meeting charter amendment

By Ed Pierce

Members of the Windham Town Council are weighing a potential town charter amendment to pivot from holding an annual town meeting to approve the town budget on the second Saturday in June to one having residents casting ballots coinciding with RSU 14’s annual budget validation voting in June.

Members of the Windham Town Council
are hoping to have a charter amendment
referendum on the ballot in November
2026 to change from an Annual Town
Meeting to a public vote coinciding
with the RSU 14 budget voting.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

In place since Windham adopted the town council form  of government in 1975, recent years participation at the Windham Annual Town meeting has dwindled to less than 150 residents out of more than 12,000 registered voters. Councilors are looking at increasing public participation by moving away from an in-person meeting to a secret ballot referendum and making the process easier and more convenient for town residents.

During town council meetings this summer, legal aspects of making a charter change were discussed by councilors and the town attorney. To change the charter, councilors must determine that an amendment is needed and then is required under Maine law to propose an amendment through a formal process that includes public notice, public hearings, and ultimately a vote by town residents at a regular or special election. Or a charter commission of appointed or elected citizens researches the existing charter, potentially comparing it to those of other municipalities, and drafts a proposed amendment. Citizens can also propose a possible charter amendment through a petition.

Any potential charter amendment must comply with state law and require citizen participation, legal compliance, and a collaborative effort to ensure the town's governing charter effectively serves the needs of town residents.

Windham Town councilor Bill Reiner says there are guidelines in place on how a specific charter change can be proposed and brought up before the people.

“One is a revision in which a ‘Charter Commission’ would be required. Revisions make large changes that would potentially affect the Charter in its entirety,” Reiner said. “This is a long process and opens Pandora’s box so to speak as anything in the Charter is up for discussion and potential modification.
The second method is a ‘Charter Amendment’ which can be utilized when a specific existing section of the Charter is desired to be changed and the change proposed will not drastically affect the Charter in its entirety.”

He said the council has discussed and preliminary proposed to change the date and method of municipal budget validation.

“It is proposed to be a ‘secret ballot referendum vote’ held at the time of June Primaries which conveniently coincides with the RSU 14 timeline,” Reiner said. “Town legal council has approved this method to move forward as they feel it fits the scope of an ‘Amendment’ and not a ‘Revision.’ So that’s a lot of technical jargon on how we get things rolling, and regardless of how we get things moving, all of this still comes up in front of all registered Windham voters to make the final decision, not only the seven councilors. We are doing the heavy work to get this out to a vote ‘Of the people’ which is the proper way to do it in my mind.”

During discussions about converting from an annual town meeting to a public vote, councilors talked about the best way to educate voters to ensure they make informed decisions. They weighed simplifying warrant article questions without losing significant details and councilors also explored the possibility of presenting the entire annual town budget as a single up-or-down question as opposed to a list of multiple detailed warrant articles to be voted upon.

Councilors agreed to establish a committee made up of residents and town staff and charged with the task of formulating clear and concise ballots and launch an effective voter education campaign if the charter amendment is adopted.

Reiner says another technical aspect of approval is that if an election for this potential referendum is on the ballot, it must have at least votes cast that equals 30 percent of the previous gubernatorial election for it to pass by simple majority.

“I regret to say that the town unfortunately will not have the proposal and discussions completed in time for this November’s election,” Reiner said. “The council, staff and legal still has work to complete on language and guidelines. The next scheduled election for this charter amendment referendum would be the June Primaries in 2026.”

He said while it may be placed on the June 2026 Primary ballot if complete, primaries tend to not have enough turnout to break the 30 percent line, and even if successfully passed at that election date, it could not be in effect timely enough to be used prior to the 2026 June Annual Town Meeting date.

“So, it is most likely to be presented as a referendum vote at the 2026 November election date and changes would be in effect the following year if successfully passed,” Reiner said.”

Windham Town Council Chair Jarrod Maxfield said he supports moving away from the Annual Town Meeting to a public vote.

“I support the change to a voter approved budget and have always felt the Town Meeting is an antiquated form of government that results in very few voices being heard,” he said. “The change is a large one though and I support the town using the next year to study the change, get public input and then ultimately have it on the ballot for next year so the Windham voters have the ultimate decision if we change, which I believe they will."

What this means is that Windham residents, town staff and town councilors will need to prepare for at least one more Annual Town Meeting conducted under the current format.

“While I love the tradition of the Town Meeting, its method has outlived its usefulness,” Reiner said. “Because of that I fully support the efforts being made by the council to enact the potential for change and the ability to bring this Charter Amendment before the people for their consideration and vote. Lastly, and equally important in my mind, is that this discussion and potential change was initiated by input from the public on how they want the town to operate.” <

New website promotes Windham’s outdoor activities

By Dina Mendros

For those searching for places to go to or things to do to explore the outdoors in Windham, look no further than the new website Windham Outdoors, at https://windhamoutdoors.com/

Hikers explore a trail at the East Windham Conservation
Area. Information about local outdoor recreational
opportunities in Windham and more is now available
by visiting a new website called windhamoutdoors.com.
COURTESY PHOTO

The website features town parks, such as Donnabeth Lipmann Park and Dundee Park, trails like those at the Black Brook Preserve Trail and the East Windham Conservation Area, information on things to do like the seasonal Windham Farmers’ Market and the Monday Night Food Truck Nights, and local restaurants and lodging.

Residents and visitors to the area will likely be seeing more about the website which had a soft launch on June 10 and will be promoted more in the coming weeks over social media.

The website was created, said Windham Communications Director Roger Cropley, “to support Windham Outdoors and will be a guide to exploring the parks, trails, and natural beauty of Windham, Maine. The mission of this initiative is to connect residents and visitors with outdoor spaces that inspire healthy living, community engagement, and a deeper appreciation of our town’s resources.”

The Windham Outdoors website “is designed to inform both residents and visitors of ‘all things outdoors’ happening in Windham – and for all seasons,” he said. A $163,750 Community Outdoor Recreation Assistance grant from the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation paid for much of the initiative’s development.

Even without much fanfare, the website is already gaining a following. “Currently the site, even without any promotion,” Cropley said, “is receiving an average of 62 visits per day.”

The website may already have paid off, he said. “It hasn’t been operational long enough for us to determine its impact on visitation just yet though our total visitors in July were up 10.3 percent over June’s numbers.”

“Windham Outdoors is a collaborative effort between the Windham Parks and Recreation Department and the Windham Economic Development Corporation,” Cropley said. The website aligns with the goals of both. The mission of the Parks and Recreation Department is “to develop, operate, and maintain a park and recreation system that enriches the quality of life for residents and visitors, fosters a sense of community, and preserves and protects our open spaces,” he said. “The vision of the Windham Economic Development Corporation is to create Windham as a business-friendly community that provides a high-quality of life, a vibrant economy, and a welcoming atmosphere, while protecting our town's rural characteristics and natural resources.”

Windham wants to be a regional destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, he said, and Windham Outdoors has been envisioned as an approach to advancing that goal.

“As we continue to build the Windham Outdoors brand, we wish to make improvements to our outdoor facilities to enhance the visitor experience and assist us in gathering data that informs future decisions,” Cropley said. “Included in our plans are digital kiosks and improved trail signage that enhances the experience for those visiting our facilities. We currently see many visitors from outside Windham traveling here to experience mountain biking at the East Windham Conservation Area, hiking or biking the Mountain Division Trail, kayaking on the Presumpscot River or boating and fishing in our local lakes.” In addition, he said, the Maine Department of Transportation North Windham Moves project will add bicycle/pedestrian pathways throughout the North Windham business district.

Promoting outdoor recreation and attracting even more visitors to Windham makes financial sense. “Outdoor recreation made up 3.7 percent of Maine’s economy, making Maine the sixth state in the country in the value outdoor recreation adds to a state’s economy,” said Cropley. Through its large supply of outdoor recreational assets, Windham already does and can increase the economic benefits by promoting these assets to locals and visitors alike.

When people visit the area to enjoy the town’s varied outdoor experiences, the hope is that they will visit local businesses, such as restaurants, movie theaters, motels and more and pour money into the local economy. In addition, Cropley said, these businesses can provide incentives via Windham Outdoors that may encourage people to stay longer and spend more.

Windham Outdoors plans to collaborate with the Windham Economic Development Corporation, Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, Friends of the Mountain Division Trail, Friends of the Presumpscot, Windham businesses, Activity Maine, Maine Outdoor Brands, Maine Made, Manufacturer’s Association of Maine and other groups that wish to join this initiative. <

PWD launches major water meter replacement initiative

Portland Water District (PWD) is embarking on a major infrastructure upgrade: replacing nearly all 55,000 water meters across its system with the latest technology in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).

This $30 million investment will roll out over the next three years, beginning in October, and marks a significant step in enhancing customer service, improving efficiencies and strengthening leak detection and emergency response capabilities.

The current meter equipment is reaching the end of its planned service life with the last system-wide replacement taking place nearly two decades ago.

In 2023, PWD began evaluating the existing meters and meter reading system. The review revealed increased wear and aging of metering equipment, prompting a thorough needs assessment and technology evaluation in collaboration with an industry consultant. AMI emerged as the long-term solution, employing the latest technology in meter systems to support modern operations and evolving customer expectations.

To implement this upgrade, PWD has partnered with Core & Main to deliver a complete AMI solution, featuring Sensus (non-mechanical) water meters and VEPO Metering for professional installation services. The installer will contact customers directly to schedule appointments, beginning soon and progressing throughout the PWD service area. There are no additional out-of-pocket costs for installation or meter equipment. The cost is factored into rates.

“This project impacts every customer since meters are located inside homes and businesses,” said Scott Firmin, General Manager at the Portland Water District. “We selected a contractor with a strong track record of customer service and safety.” All installers will carry identification, wear uniforms, and drive clearly marked vehicles. Customers can request an electronic photo ID notification of the technician prior to the appointment.”

The new AMI system will provide a secure and reliable method of collecting water consumption data via a FlexNet communication network. This technology will allow for streamlined billing, improved leak detection, operational efficiencies, and improved customer service.

In addition to operational improvements, customers will benefit from a new online portal that allows easy access to billing, usage data, alerts, and conservation programs thereby putting more information and control directly into the hands of the customer. The portal will be launched later in the project.

This project reflects PWD’s ongoing commitment to investing in innovative, customer-focused infrastructure that meets the current and future needs of the Greater Portland region. Firmin said.

The Portland Water District maintains a 1,000-mile network of water mains ranging from 60 inches to 2 inches, pump stations, and reservoirs that bring water from Sebago Lake to homes and businesses in Maine. Large mains for transmission extend from PWD’s treatment facility near Standish to Westbrook and Portland.

The district also operates four wastewater treatment plants, providing treatment and collection services to customers and keeps about 25 million gallons of water in storage to help maintain proper pressure and allow for a water reserve in case of an emergency, like a fire or a flood. It serves about 200,000 people across 11 communities and because of that, PWD must ensure that Sebago Lake water quality is of utmost importance.

Sebago Lake itself is more than 300 feet in depth and contains nearly 1 trillion gallons of water which is considered of excellent quality. The source of water in Sebago Lake originates in the Sebago Lake Watershed, which is more than 50 miles long, stretching from Bethel to Standish and includes parts of 24 towns including the towns of Windham and Raymond. The excellent water quality of the Sebago Lake Watershed is attributed to surrounding forest lands that act as a natural filter for the watershed.

A century-old company, Portland Water District is rich in history and experience. That tradition forms a solid foundation for delivering quality products, while forward thinking provides innovative approaches to combat emerging issues. It is an independent quasi-municipality, serving nearly 200,000 people with more than 50,000 customers in 11 Greater Portland communities. PWD delivers water service to Falmouth, Raymond, Scarborough, South Portland, Standish, and Windham, and provide both water and wastewater service to Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Gorham, Portland and Westbrook.

For more information, visit the PWD website at www.pwd.org/AMI. There, you can find more details including a video outlining what customers can expect during a water meter appointment. <

Windham High students continue learning through summer ELOs

By Masha Yurkevich

Most students spend their summer vacation on the beach, but four students from Windham High School spent their summer vacation doing an Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO). This student-initiated learning allows students to earn credit while stepping into real-world learning experiences.

WHS rising junior Morgan Willey, second from left, did an
Exploration in Community Service Extended Learning
Opportunity while participating in an MS Bike Ride this
summer in Biddeford. He helped with fundraising and
promoting the MS Bike Ride. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Lorraine Glowczak is the Director of Community Connections for the RSU 14 school district and is the ELO Coordinator at WHS. She acts as a facilitator in the student's learning and assisting them to meet their personal and academic goals and research questions.

“ELO at WHS began in earnest in the Spring of 2022 and are becoming a popular way to explore a career and/or an interest while gaining academic credit,” says Glowczak. “ELOs are offered year-round including the summer months.”

Each ELO is designed around the student to make learning personal and meaningful. Whether it is exploring a career path, connecting classroom knowledge to everyday life, or discovering new passions, ELOs help bring learning to life in exciting ways.

“These opportunities blend academics with experience. Students might complete papers or presentations, but they’ll also take part in project-based learning, internships, or job shadows which are experiences that can’t always be found in a textbook,” says Glowczak. “Most importantly, ELOs give students valuable skills and experiences that can open doors to future careers and college pathways.”

ELOs require the support of local communities and are designed to highlight local expertise and to give students insight into new career options in their communities. Students interested in an ELO must first complete an ELO application and submit it to Glowczak. Once the application has been accepted, the student will meet with Glowczak to develop an essential question and goals. and then will continue to meet with Glowczak on a weekly basis.

Each student provides a final product that will capture all the hands-on research, reflections, and learning in one document, and will then get to showcase their work, reflect on their journey, and demonstrate the skills and knowledge that they have gained by presenting to a small team of ELO mentors and educators.

“ELOs meet Maine's Department of Education 21st Century Life and Career Ready Standards and students are graded on the Maine's Guiding Principles that each Maine student is expected to learn prior to high school graduation,” says Glowczak.

This summer, four students participated in a summer ELO at WHS.

Clayton Johnson, a rising sophomore, did an ELO on Exploration in Ministry and Community. Julia Grondin, a rising senior, did an ELO on Exploration in Environmental Science. Morgan Willey, a rising junior, did an Exploration in Community Service (MS Bike Ride). Mahiro Hammond, a rising sophomore, did an ELO Exploration in Japanese Culture and Language.

Willey’s summer ELO explored Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that disorders the central nervous system, making one paralyzed. Willey decided to help by doing fundraising and spreading the word by participating in an MS bike ride.

“I decided to do my ELO on the National MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Society because I found it to be a great community service project through which I can spread the word about MS, through the project and the bike ride,” Willey said.

For Johnson, this was his second ELO. During his first ELO in Religious Studies, Clayton launched a Bible Club at WHS. This summer, his ELO focused on Street Ministry, where Johnson would go out into highly populated areas and ask people their opinion of Christianity.

“I asked people questions regarding Christianity and would then tie in preaching on a personal level,” says Johnson.

According to Glowczak, a popular question among WHS students is, “What subject can I study in an ELO?”

“The quick answer is if you are interested in learning more about something for career, hobby, interest, etc., then an ELO can be created for you,” she said.

Group ELOs are also available. Last spring, 11 WHS students participated in a Civic Leadership Group ELO. As part of the project, they interviewed their peers about what works well – and what doesn’t – within the school community. They then collected and analyzed the data before presenting their findings to the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, MA in May, WHS staff and administration, as well as RSU 14 Superintendent Christopher Howell and Assistant RSU 14 Superintendent Christine Frost-Bertinet. The Group ELO will be continuing their work for the next school year.

Other Group ELOs to be offered during the upcoming school year include:
"Roots to Ripples" - Exploring Agriculture and Aquaculture.
"Build Your Own Adventure" - through United Way of Southern Maine.
"Time Travel Through Storytelling" - students will get the opportunity to interview people 60 and older to capture their stories, life lessons, etc. <

 

F.O.E. Lakes Region Eagles donation boosts local food pantries

By Ed Pierce

Members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Lakes Region Chapter 4352 in Windham, are committed to serving the community and two generous gifts are evidence of that.

Collette Gagnon of the Windham Food Pantry,
left, and Ben Quarles of the Standish Food
Pantry, right, were each presented checks
for $4,866 by Phil Thomas, State President
of thee Maine Fraternal Order of Eagles
during an event at the Windham Social
Services Office on Aug. 10. The checks
were donations to the food pantries by F.O.E.
Lakes Region Chapter 4352 in Windham.
PHOTO BY LAUNNIE SIMPSON 

On Sunday, Aug. 10, the club presented checks for $4,866 to representatives of both the Windham Food Pantry and the Standish Food Pantry.

The checks were given to the food pantries by Launnie Simpson, Lake Region Eagles 4352 Windham president, and Maine Fraternal Order of Eagles President Phil Thomas, from their special fundraising account.

She said Eagles members were able to raise $9,732 through a variety of events earlier this year.

“We did monthly full meal deals, kind of like bingo and we did potluck dinners,” Simpson said. “We made complete meals for Game Nights and Ladies Nights. So basically, our members donated through one of the many events.”

The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international non-profit organization uniting fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, and hope. Each year nationwide, the F.O.E. donates more than $10 million to local communities, fundraisers, charities and more.

As part of its philosophy, the F.O.E. gives back 100 percent of monies raised in the form of grants. Fundraisers are conducted for eight major charities, including kidney, heart, diabetes, cancer and spinal cord injury funds, a children’s fund, memorial foundation and the Golden Eagle Fund.

The Eagles were founded in February 1898 by six theatre owners gathered in a Seattle shipyard to discuss a musician’s strike. After addressing the matter, they agreed to “bury the hatchet” and form “The Order of Good Things.” As membership numbers grew, participants selected the Bald Eagle as the official emblem and changed the name to “The Fraternal Order of Eagles.”

The F.O.E.’s women’s auxiliary can trace its roots to 1927. Nowadays the Fraternal Order of Eagles includes nearly 800,000 members and more than 1,500 sites across the United States and Canada, including Windham, with a location at 756 Roosevelt Trail.

Meetings for the non-profit organization are conducted at 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. The Lakes Region Chapter 4352 was founded 12 years ago and currently has 255 members.

Collette Gagnon, Windham Social Service Administrative Assistant, said that the donation will help more than 300 families in the community, and that the food pantry is grateful for the donation by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Lakes Region Chapter 4352.

The Windham Food Pantry is open to Windham residents with proof of residency and residents are provided with food on a monthly basis.

Residents in need of food assistance are asked to call to schedule an appointment to visit the Windham Food Pantry. Food and non-food donations are accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and monetary donations are accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Windham Town Manager's Office at Windham Town Hall or by mail at 8 School Road, Windham.

“The Windham Food Pantry is always looking for Windham residents who would like to become members to benefit from the food pantry,” Gagnon said. “We are also looking for donations both monetary and food and clothing items.”

Windham’s Food Pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Windham Social Services Office, 377 Gray Road in Windham.

Windham Social Services also operates a Clothes Closet for those in need from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday. Residents are asked to call 207-892=1931 to check if it is open ahead of their visit. <

In the public eye: Shift Captain leads by example at Windham Fire/Rescue

By Ed Pierce

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

Ask Dan O’Connor and he’ll tell you that there is no higher honor than to be given the responsibility to safeguard the community of Windham and he embodies that philosophy every day in his job as a Shift Captain for the Windham Fire/Rescue Department.

Shift Captain Dan O'Connor has worked for
the Windham Fire/Rescue Department for
five years and is responsible for
conducting day-to-day operations of
the department involving fire and rescue
calls, training and employee resources.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

O’Connor has worked for the Windham Fire/Rescue Department for five years and is responsible for conducting day-to-day operations of the department involving fire and rescue calls, training, and employee resources. It is a working supervisor position responsible for not only fire-rescue employees, but also fire department apparatus, and those assigned to fire stations on their assigned shift.

“I am expected to run routine calls and for large-scale incidents to take command of initial operations until resolved or command is taken by a fire chief,” he said. “I enforce department policy, and I provide daily training for all members on and off shift in both Emergency Medical Services and firefighters.”

Among his duties, O’Connor also works as a paramedic assisting the frontline ambulances and takes rescue calls that require a paramedic, and all other medics are being used for other emergency situations. He performs fire suppression activities as required including but not limited to, accountability, safety, suppression, ventilation, forcible entry, search and rescue overhaul, rehab, and assuming incident command when needed.

“I ensure all of the daily reporting is completed and perform EMS CQI, or quality control of EMS calls,” O’Connor said.

As a shift captain, O’Connor participates in and oversees the periodic inspection and testing of protective clothing and other equipment worn by firefighters and plays a key role as part of fire prevention education programs throughout the community.

He is originally from Hanover, New Jersey and attended Whippany Park High School there.

“I studied industry specific educations in my previous career of automotive repair and received all my Fire/Paramedic through adult education services but at present I do not have a college degree. I will be completing that in the future.”

While attending advanced training in Lewiston, an instructor suggested that O’Connor apply for an opening with Windham Fire/Rescue and he then interviewed for a position and was hired.

“The best thing about what I do is that every day the job has different challenges and calls can be similar, but they are never the same, so I am forced to solve different problems each shift,” O’Connor said.

According to O’Connor, the most challenging aspect of his work with Windham Fire/Rescue is making accurate and timely decisions within a rapidly changing environment.

But his previous experience serving as a firefighter, paramedic, wildland fire fighter ICT 5, and engine boss trainee has helped him make sound decisions and rise through the ranks to become a Shift Captain.

“The biggest misconception people may have about what we do is thinking that we have a lot down time,” O’Connor said. “This department is extremely busy and when not on calls our crews are constantly training or studying to keep up with the enormity of tasks we are expected to perform with a high degree of success.”

He says his most memorable moment working for the Windham Fire/Rescue Department was his very first day.

“On my first orientation day, I came in and immediately went on a complex call and the calls stacked up back-to-back all day long so it was a big eye opener and I knew I was going to be utilizing my skills,” he said.

O’Connor’s family is proud of him and his career in public safety.

“My children love to come say hello at the fire station and see all the apparatus and meet the crews,” he said.

One thing that the public may not know about his job is that members of the Windham Fire/Rescue Department perform practical services for the community.

“We can assist the public without an emergency such as assisting with smoke detectors or evaluating the safety of a home,” he said.

O’Connor emphasized that the important thing he has learned while working for the Windham Fire/Rescue Department is simple.

“Take on one thing at a time and do it well because there is always more,” he said. <

RSU 14 school district Pre-K program expanding

By Dina Mendros

Maine’s too-short summer is quickly coming to an end and before we know it, the new school year will begin. This year Raymond schools will welcome some new teachers, in particular a new music teacher at Raymond Elementary School after the retirement of Patti Gordon who taught in the district for 41 years. Another change for the 2025-2026 school year is the expansion of the school district’s Pre-Kindergarten program.

Raymond Elementary School, which educates students from
Pre-K through fourth grade, has 258 students registered for
the fall. Some 44 students are also registered in the three
Pre-K classes at the school.  FILE PHOTO 

Raymond Elementary, which houses students from Pre-K through fourth grade, has 258 students registered for the fall. Forty-four students are registered in the three classes of Pre-K at RES.

“Our Pre-K program has expanded across the district. With new community partners and the addition of a class at WPS, all families who registered for the Pre-K lottery have been offered a spot,” said RES Principal Beth Peavey. “For the first time, all Raymond resident Pre-K students selected through the lottery will attend RES.”

Pre-K is associated with many benefits to students. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, “early childhood education interventions like pre-K are associated with increased kindergarten readiness as well as improved long-term academic performance.” In addition, the website said, “the benefits of these programs and policies may also have implications beyond educational benefits. Universal pre-K fits into the growing conversation around the social determinants of health: improving outcomes for children and families by focusing on the places in which they live, work, learn, and play. Studies find that pre-K with parental support and engagement is associated with a higher rate of high school completion, more years of completed education, and higher rates of attendance in four-year colleges.”

In line with the school’s Pre-K expansion, Julie Raymond has been hired as the district’s early childhood coordinator and will be based at RES. She previously worked at the Maine Department of Education where she was the Pre-K expansion consultant as part of its Early Learning Team.

With the retirement of Gordon, Marie Jacques is the school’s new music teacher. She formerly taught at Monmouth Memorial School. Other new teachers include Susan Ray who will replace Kirsten Chansky as the standards-based teacher; Kirsten Chansky will be the district math coach; and Susan Ray is joining RES from RSU 57 with experience as a literacy/numeracy specialist as well as in previous positions as a Title 1 coordinator/RTI (Response to Intervention) teacher.

Some RES teachers, while not new, will be moving into new positions. Sara Childs is moving from Grade 2 to be a Grade 3 teacher and Joy Goddard is moving from Grade 3 to be a Grade 4 teacher. There will also be one less regular education classroom teacher.

Peavey said that another change at RES is that “this fall, we’ll be introducing new schoolwide expectations focused on: Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Kind.” This is a shift from the previous I-CARE rules she said and align with the overall RSU 14 district framework. “Since many RES students eventually attend Windham schools, having consistent messaging and expectations across schools is essential to support smooth transitions and a shared understanding of behavior expectations.”

The school mascot will also change, Peavey said, from the Raymond Ravens to the Eagles “to align with the rest of the district.”

Facility changes at RES include major HVAC construction. "Once completed, classrooms will have air conditioning, making hot fall and spring days much more comfortable for students and staff,” she said.

Jordan-Small Middle School in Raymond will also have a few changes this school year. The school which provides education for Raymond students in Grade 5 through Grade 8 will have some new teachers for its 180 registered students. Ben Ferguson will teach eighth grade English and Language Arts and seventh grade Social Studies; Shannon Lennon is an academic interventionist Ed Tech III; Marshall Maxsimic is a school social worker; and Andrew Wing is the Wellness teacher and JSMS athletic director, according to JSMS Principal Michelle Brann.

Rich Drummond also will teach Wellness along with Wing. The course will combine Health and Physical Education.

JSMS will also offer outdoor education for seventh and eighth graders this year as one of the school’s Academic Enrichment courses.

RSU 14 school start dates are Wednesday, Aug. 27 for Grades 1 through 9, Thursday, Aug. 28 for students in Grades 10 through 12. Half of the RSU 14 Pre-K and kindergarten classes start on Tuesday, Sept. 2 with the other half starting on Wednesday, Sept. 3. <

Great Falls Bridges to close for 45 days of repairs starting next week

By Ed Pierce

The contractor for the Maine Department of Transportation’s Great Falls Bridges Project has announced the bridge linking Gorham and Windham will be closed for about 45 days starting next week.

Scott Construction Corporation of Portland will close the
Great Falls Bridges over the Presumpscot River for 45 days
for bridge wearing work. The closure starts at 7 a.m. Monday,
Aug. 18 and is expected to continue to Wednesday, Oct. 1.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE   

Scott Construction Corporation of Portland will close Windham Center Road to complete the rehabilitation of Great Falls #1 and Great Falls #2 Bridges over the Presumpscot River for the MaineDOT. The closure starts at 7 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 18 and is expected to continue through Wednesday, Oct. 1.

The bridges are located about 0.5 miles west of River Road. The project was first detailed on MaineDOT’s list of road and bridge projects in its annual Three-Year Plan in January 2023.

According to a recent MaineDOT study, the average daily traffic crossing the Great Falls Bridges between Windham and Gorham is 1,910 vehicles per day with about 8 percent of that traffic consisting of heavy trucks.

The scope of work for this bridge project consists of replacing the wearing surfaces on both Great Falls Bridges. The east and west bridges span the Presumpscot River between North Gorham and Dundee Ponds. MDOT officials say that replacing the wearing surfaces for the bridges will preserve the longevity of their existing decks and superstructure.

The actual bridge wearing surface replacement involves 350 feet of approach work, installation of guardrail transitions and flare terminals, and expansion joint modification. Workers will also install concrete coring connect to the bridge beams and remove a troublesome light pole that conflicts with the new guardrail plans.

The project’s purpose is to improve the condition of the existing structures while preserving the existing deck and superstructure longevity of the bridges.

Scott Construction says it intends to minimize impacts to the traveling public and impacts to adjacent properties and utilities throughout the project and implement a cost-effective solution to fixing the bridge’s wearing problem.

Maintenance of traffic during construction will be achieved by closing the bridges and detouring traffic to an alternate route.

All project work will use specific erosion control measures conforming to the latest version of State of Maine Department of Transportation Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges and the Department of Transportation’s Best Management Practices for Erosion and Sediment Control.

Both Great Falls Bridges were built in 1970 and during its most recent MaineDOT inspections, each show signs of significant cracking and rutting on deck and surfaces.

The bridge site is located near the Great Falls Dam, one of the first sources of hydroelectric power in the Lakes Region of Maine.

Estimated MaineDOT funding for the Great Falls Bridges Wearing Replacement Project is $500,000. <

Pollutants at forefront of Raymond Waterways’ Annual Meeting

By Nancy Crilly-Kirk
Special to The Windham Eagle

Many diverse topics were discussed during the Raymond Waterways Annual Meeting on July 19 at the Raymond Village Church, but those who attended remained committed to protecting and improving the water quality of Raymond's lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams and foster watershed stewardship in the community.

Guest speaker

While eroding soil still holds the top pollutant spot for Raymond’s lakes, ponds, and streams, Raymond Waterways members took a deeper look during the meeting at the cumulative effects of water pollutants with Ali Clift, Education and Outreach Coordinator at the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, who was the main speaker. She presented a “YardScaping” workshop, explaining how landowners within a lake’s watershed can improve their property to benefit themselves and lake health.

Clift said that a waterbody’s “watershed” is all the land area that drains into that waterbody. It is much bigger than just the shoreline. Panther Pond itself, for example, covers 2.28 square miles, but its surrounding watershed encompasses more than 12 square miles of woods, homes, yards, farms, roads, and development.

She said that individual lake watersheds also combine, with the watersheds of Crescent Lake and Raymond Pond flowing through streams into Panther Pond, adding considerably to the 12 square miles, which are then part of the larger watershed of Thomas Pond and Sebago Lake. Moreover, water falling on any of this land has the potential to carry soil, pet waste, herbicides, and pesticides into our waterways, which eventually lead to the Presumpscot River, and into Casco Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Waste pollutants

According to Clift, many people believe that dog waste in the woods, seemingly far from waterfront property and human activities, is harmless, or is comparable to wild animal waste. However, dog waste is double trouble for local lakes and streams because it contains high levels of coliform bacteria and nutrients that can be washed to nearby waters in the next rainstorm or attached to eroding soils. This can contribute to increased algal growth and elevated bacteria levels that require towns to close beaches and take other precautions to protect human health.

The Conservation District’s strong recommendation is for all pet owners to: Scoop up pet waste, Bag and Trash it. Every. Single. Time.

Watershed Workshop Landscaping

Clift continued her program by giving explicit instructions on how everyone in Raymond can help maintain lake health and property values in town:

** Avoid using pesticides and herbicides.

** Take a soil test before adding any fertilizer, lime, or other plant care products.

** Create winding paths, rather than “straight shots” to lower areas, such as the waterfront.

** Use erosion-control mulch, which is available from local gravel companies, instead of commercial bark mulch or wood chips as its extra dense fibers help it stay in place, prevent weeds, filter out some pollutants, and slow down water to prevent erosion and encourage absorption.

** Consider reducing lawn areas in favor of adding more native plants, which are numerous and varied enough to thrive and beautify any landscape.

Here is a link to the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Yardscape Program: https://www.cumberlandswcd.org/yardscape

Bob French of Panther Pond, a champion for lake health around the state, raised his hand and summed up Clift’s advice by saying, “Being lazy, I have found the easiest way to landscape is just to let nature take its course – the survival of the fittest. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel with fancy landscaping. Native plants grow fine, without any help.”

“That’s the best advice of all,” Clift said.

Other activities

Raymond Waterways members at the meeting also heard from various officers of the board reporting on the past year’s activities:

 
** A new program of hand removal of invasive milfoil from Sebago Lake’s Turtle Cove was initiated by Raymond Waterways Board Members Pete Rowland, Ron Schanze and John Pritchett, as well as other volunteers in that neighborhood.

** The first Annual Raymond Waterways Water Quality Report and executive summary for our lakes, edited by Environmental Officer, Steve Craine, is available on our website, raymondwaterways.org.

** The continuation of the LakeSmart Program, a free, voluntary, and non-regulatory service that will evaluate your lakefront property and help you protect the lake by ameliorating erosion, is again available for sign-ups on the raymondwaterways.org website.

** The establishment of an experimental self-reporting kiosk at public boat launches in Raymond was started in July to compensate for times when our Courtesy Boat Inspectors cannot be there to check boats for invasive plant fragments.

 
** Acknowledging the great contributions of three retiring board members, Marie Connolly, the treasurer and “collective memory” of Raymond Waterways for several years; Angelo Conti, who oversaw the Courtesy Boat Inspection program for the last two years; and Jessica Fay, who handled membership lists and relations with local and state-wide organization. Wayne Eckerson, Raymond Waterways President, thanked all three of them for their great service.

** Wayne also thanked the many, many ‘IPPERS” – volunteer, trained, invasive plant patrollers on our lakes under the guidance of Sibyl French and Bunny Wescott.

** John Pritchett and Ron Schanze, who have a home on Raymond Neck, were elected as new Raymond Waterways board members. <

Agencies urge resident preparedness as hurricane season ramps up

By Ed Pierce

With Hurricane Erin lining up for an approach to striking somewhere along the east coast of the United States next week, Mainers are being asked to prepare in the event an Atlantic hurricane takes a turn for the Pine Tree State during the remainder of hurricane season which ends in November.

In August 2020, Hurricane Isaias bears down on the New
England coast. Remnants of the storm struck the Lakes
Region with 45 mph winds, power outages and trees
knocked down. State officials are asking residents to
create an emergency plan in the event a hurricane hits
Maine this season. COURTESY PHOTO NOAA   

This year, the hurricane outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts the possibility of 13 to 18 named storms, with five to nine becoming hurricanes, and one to four of them powering into major hurricanes with winds greater than 110 mph. The normal Atlantic Hurricane Season has about 14 named storms, with about seven storms becoming hurricanes, and three of them major hurricanes.

Maine typically doesn't see many hurricanes, but in 2011 Hurricane Irene, which had been downgraded to a tropical storm, resulted in a disaster declaration for the state. In August 2020, the remnants of Hurricane Isaias blasted through Maine, and the Sebago Lake Region was one of the locations hardest hit with trees knocked down, power outages and six moored boats being beached in estimated 45 mph winds produced by the storm.

Over decades, several hurricanes have severely impacted Maine. Hurricane Edna in 1954 created $7 million in damage statewide. Also in 1954, Hurricane Carol left behind $5 million in storm-related damage. Hurricane Bob in 1991 caused $5.5 million worth of damage in Maine. Two other significant storms, Hurricane Donna in 1960, and Hurricane Gloria in 1985 also created significant problems for Mainers.

In the event a hurricane or tropical storm takes aim at Maine again this summer and fall, Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA) recommend some simple steps to be taken now to be prepared if it should bear down on Maine:

MEMA encourages everyone to take inventory of existing supplies in their homes and vehicles, replace or update any expired materials, obtain supplies that are essential in the event of a hurricane, and discuss emergency plans with household members.

“When any storm with strong winds hits Maine, the real danger is trees toppling onto buildings, cars, and powerlines,” said MEMA Director Pete Rogers. “Our power grid is especially vulnerable, and any damage could ripple through our state. Maine residents need to make plans well ahead of any storm to prepare for long power outages.”

He suggests that because hurricane impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland, Maine families should create an emergency plan to decide how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate. Those sites could include a friend’s home in another town or a hotel. Choose destinations in different directions so that you have options during an emergency and if needed, identify a place to stay or the nearest evacuation center that will accept pets. Some emergency shelters only allow service animals.

Rogers advises to assemble supplies that are ready to go in the event of an evacuation. Prepare a “go-bag” you can carry when you evacuate on foot or public transportation and supplies for traveling longer distances if you have a car.

Supplies should include one gallon of water per person per day to last for three days, non-perishable food that does not require cooking, a manual can opener, medications, and a small amount of cash for when you need to purchase necessary supplies, fuel, or food.

Cell phones and other electronic devices should be charged in advance of a storm as power could be out for hours and days if a storm strikes Maine.

Pertinent financial and critical personal, household, and medical information should be stored along with other important documents either in a safety deposit box, an external drive, or on the cloud online to make it easy to access during a disaster.

It’s also helpful to review your homeowner’s insurance policy prior to a natural disaster.

MEMA recommends bringing in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down that could become damage-causing projectiles during high winds.

Cumberland County EMA recommends keeping a full tank of gas if an evacuation could be a possibility. It’s also helpful to keep an emergency kit in your car. Some emergency kit supplies could include jumper cables, flares or reflective triangles, cell phone charger, blanket, map, snacks and bottled water.

Additional hurricane preparedness and safety information tips are available by visiting MainePrepares.com or visit MEMA on Facebook, X, and Nextdoor. <

Student program benefits from Substance Abuse Prevention Grant from Town of Windham

By Ed Pierce

For the past four years, Windham Middle School’s Altitude Program has partnered with Rippleffect to help students make positive choices through activities to build their confidence.

Windham Middle School Altitude students had the
opportunity during the last school year to participate 
in a series of adventure-based learning experiences
with Rippleffect field guides thanks to a Substance
Abuse Prevention Grant from the Town of Windham.
COURTESY PHOTO 

The program has benefited from a Substance Prevention Grant from the Town of Windham and at a Windham Town council meeting in July, program administrators briefed councilors about activities partially funded by the grant during the 2024-2035 school year. The Substance Prevention Grant Fund is derived from annual licensing fees collected from cannabis businesses in Windham and used to promote collaboration and positive choices in reducing youth substance use within Windham.

During the report to the town council, administrators said Altitude students had the opportunity during the last school year to participate in a series of adventure-based learning experiences with Rippleffect field guides. The goal of these experiences is to help students develop healthy coping skills, build conflict-resolution strategies, improve self-confidence, and gain a greater understanding of the role of endorphins in feeling good.

Rippleffect trips so far have included high ropes challenge course days at the Rippleffect Outdoor Community Center, a visit to Mackworth Island, Kettle Cove, and a day trip to Cow Island. These trips were focused on individual and community legacy. For W<S eight graders, it included a legacy piece of art installed in the WMS classroom where Altitude students gather.

With Rippleffect students learn about teamwork, communication, conflict-resolution, positive-decision making, and self-discipline. They put these skills into action throughout the school year and during field days with Rippleffect. While in the field, trained guides bring students together to highlight community moments.

These moments may involve evaluating our own mental status or the group's status, bringing attention to a potential danger, or simply letting the group know the water is ready for hot chocolate, program administrators say. Many of these moments offer a challenge to overcome, self-discipline to recognize, validating positive decision making, a conflict resolved, and a team working together.

All these adventures are meant to highlight students' skills, abilities, and community contributions to show how students can do hard things.

“Grant money has allowed us to work with Rippleffect as part of the Altitude pathway,” said Autumn Carlsen Cook, Windham Middle School (WMS) Altitude Teacher during an interview with The Windham Eagle in 2024.

The new partnership between Altitude and Rippleeffect started at Windham Middle School in May 2023. The idea was born out of Altitude students’ time spent on Cow Island, Carlsen Cook said.

“For the 2023-2024 school year, we designed monthly excursions that offered outdoor challenges to both seventh and eighth grade participants,” she said. “The Altitude community spent time hiking, climbing, and engaging in teamwork games outdoors.”

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

“We work with the intent of exploring students' abilities and the assets they contribute to their peers, and their community,” Cook said. “We strive to show students that there are many healthy ways to experience the world and face challenges at whatever level they are comfortable.”

The Altitude Rippleffect partnership has grown to become a significant part of the Altitude program at WMS and each month during the school year, Rippleffect field guides visit the classroom the day before an excursion.

“We prepare together by reviewing the schedule, packing needs, lessons in outdoor adventure ethics (such as Leave-No-Trace) and engaging in energizing community games,” Carlsen Cook says. “We then bring seventh and eighth grades separately on their adventure. Following the excursion, we complete an in-class reflection that encompasses recognizing a high point from the day, a challenge that was faced and how it was overcome, and we look to the next trip and ask students what they are looking forward to.”

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.

Altitude is an alternative pathway program at Windham Middle School, and its goal is to create more hands-on learning opportunities for students struggling within a traditional school setting. The Altitude Program is a connector for these students academically as well as personally. It aims to help students make relationships, build community and work on social skills and communication. <