In the public eye: Critical thinking key to career for Windham firefighter/EMT Bacon

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

By Ed Pierce

Firefighters embody the spirit of courage, sacrifice, and teamwork every day. Their resilience and unwavering dedication inspire us all and has led Nate Bacon to a career in fire suppression and emergency medical services for the town of Windham.

Firefighter and Advanced
Emergency Medical 
Technician Nate Bacon 
has been a member of the
Windham Fire-Rescue
Department for four years
starting as a live-in student
and the past three years on
full-time duty.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Bacon works for Windham Fire-Rescue as a Firefighter and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and has worked here four years, his first year as a live-in student and the past three years on full-time duty keeping the community safe.

His duties as a firefighter include responding to emergencies when they arise including fires, medical emergencies, hazardous material incidents and an array of other rescue situations. He extinguishes fires using hoses, pumps, and other firefighting equipment and is responsible for keeping fire apparatus and equipment clean, organized, and in sound working order. To accomplish this, Bacon spends continuous classroom and field training in a wide range of fire prevention and emergency situations.

As an EMT, Bacon evaluates a patient's condition and injuries at fire and accident scenes and medical emergencies while administering assistance, monitoring a patient's vital signs and offering basic and advanced life support for patients until they are transported to the hospital.

“The best part about my job is that people appreciate you for what we do and having the public's immediate trust for what could be the worst day of their life, which is an honor,” Bacon said. “One of most challenging aspects of this job is your managing a sleep schedule at home and time management like having to work weekends and holidays.”

Originally from Mansfield, Connecticut, Bacon attended Southern Maine Community College where he studied fire science as a live-in student with Windham Fire-Rescue.

“I dropped out of college after finishing my first year to go work full-time with Biddeford Fire Department where I would later leave to come work full-time for Windham Fire-Rescue,” he said.

When Bacon is not responding to emergencies, he pitches in to perform the general maintenance necessary to keep the Windham fire stations in excellent condition by sweeping and cleaning station floors and rooms, making beds, washing walls, floors, and windows and anything else such as inspecting fire hydrants, painting, servicing equipment, polishing, testing and repairing firefighting apparatus and breathing apparatus. He also is responsible for entering data into a computer to document incidents and helps prepare various department records and reports.

After working in the field for a few years now, he says the public may have some misconceptions about the firefighting profession.

“A big misconception in my opinion about the fire service is that the leading causes of death to firefighters in the U.S. is sudden cardiac events, like heart attacks, and job-related cancer,” Bacon said. “Not the dangerous tasks that we are assigned with.”

Being around the Windham Fire-Rescue Department crew as a student, Bacon knew he wanted to work in Windham.

“I like and knew the people that work here and saw myself being successful here,” he said. “I also saw the future the department had to grow, and it sure did since I've been here.”

His family is proud of his career choice.

“My parents love to see me being successful,” Bacon said. “I definitely think they worry sometimes, but I think it makes them happy to see me doing something that makes me happy in their eyes is an honorable career.”

This past summer, he fought wildfires in Alaska for two weeks with the Maine Forest Service but says a situation here in Windham really stands out for him.

“My most memorable moment working for Windham would be my first interior fire that I fought with Deputy Chief Steve Hall and FF Paramedic Katy Dippolito,” Bacon said.

Versatility is an important trait to be a successful firefighter and EMT, Bacon says.

“The vast majority of the department is crossed trained to be able to provide fire suppression and emergency medical services,” he said. “Most of the time the same guys you see riding in the fire trucks are the same guys you see in the ambulances.”

Of all the firefighting skills that Bacon has picked up in his career to this point, problem-solving is at the top of his list.

“The most important thing I've learned how to do while working here is being able to slow down and think critically in a stressful environment,” he said. <

Children find 'space to thrive' at new facility

By Erin Rose

Maine Gov. Janet Mills helped open the Space to Thrive non-profit childcare organization’s new facility, located on Pope Road in Windham, on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills joins State Senator Tim Nangle, board
members, staff, parents and children in cutting the ribbon
officially opening the new Space to Thrive childcare center
on Pope Road in Windham on Sept. 17. The 6,000-square-
foot building was completed by Great Falls Construction.
COURTESY PHOTO 

The 6,000-square-foot facility welcomed families, community members, and local and state leaders for a music-filled event to celebrate the grand opening. Colorful chalk decorated the sidewalks, as families enjoyed music, snacks and an opportunity to explore the new building.

The building’s five classrooms are welcoming spaces, with activity-specific areas dotted around each, and doors leading directly to the soon-to-be completed playground. Each teacher assembled and arranged their classrooms to fit their students’ needs, ensuring that children will find enrichment wherever they turn.

Before assisting in cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening, Mills sympathized with, “the balancing act that so many of us have to do in Maine and elsewhere to make life work.”

“Parents across the state need consistent, affordable care for their children, no only so they can go to work, but so their children can have a great place to learn and grow,” she said, while touting her administration’s accomplishments in helping to expand childcare access in Maine.

“As someone who raised five daughters and as someone who is now a grandmother to five, I deeply appreciate the work that childcare providers do every day, and I know it isn’t easy,” Mills said.

Mills’ administration provided $250,000 in federal funds to help finance the new 6,000-square-foot building, among other financial boosts to local programs that help the community support growing families.

Being in Windham makes “my heart happy,” said Windham resident Aubrey O’Meara, one of the center’s preschool teachers. “It’s amazing to see how much of the community has come out tonight. They appreciate our hard work.” Both O’Meara and lead preschool teacher Diana Gonzalez put their ‘heart and souls” into their rooms, she said, recounting how they spent hours assembling furniture and rearranging the pieces to ensure the comfortable rooms felt like home.

“We live by that motto, ‘Space to Thrive’,” Gonzalez said, pointing to the spacious rooms with areas dedicated to different themes and the outdoor activities the new location provides for children’s enrichment. A trail through the woods beyond the classroom door leads to a brook where kids can play in the water, and even a mud kitchen. Evidence of the children’s enthusiasm for these new features was evident in the muddy boots neatly arranged under the cubbies in each classroom.

“Maine is all about the outdoors,” said State Senator Tim Nangle of Windham, who joined Mills and other dignitaries at the opening. “It’s one more added feature to this facility that gives that kids a well-rounded day.”

Nangle praised the organization and its dedicated staff and envisioned new community programs that could grow from the cooperation between the town and the non-profit.

“The employees here, I saw in person, are dedicated to these kids, and love them like their own,” he said. “This is the best kind of arrangement because it’s a public/private partnership. RSU 14 doesn’t need to build new facilities and doesn’t need to hire more employees, and the community gets quality and reliable childcare.”

He even considered volunteer opportunities for members of the community, envisioning seniors as interns to help support the staff. “It’s a great opportunity for community participation,” Nangle said.

Ensuring the organization meets the needs of parents in Windham and Raymond is an essential component for the center’s leadership.

“Our program is growing and we are learning, adapting and shifting to meet new challenges and community needs,” said Hannah Marshall, the organization’s Executive Director, praising its “perseverance” over the past 25 years since the founding in 1999.

“We pledge to hold the experience of the children at the front and center of our work each and every day,” she promised. “I hope you can feel the optimism and excitement that our whole team has been exuding this week.”

Founding member and longtime President of the Space To Thrive Board of Directors Donna Cobb joined in on that joy.

“It’s exciting to see the end and the beginning, all at once,” she said, noting how the long process of building a new center began in 2018, before being derailed due to COVID. The original location was near Home Depot and would not have afforded the children the significant outdoor space of the Pope Road property. Cobb added that while COVID had disrupted their plans, the wooded lot ended up being ideal.

“There’s not enough outdoor space,” she said, noting her wish to purchase more of the wooded property to expand their ability to provide outdoor activities for the children.

While the event may have been the grand opening, Cobb is looking forward to a day where they can open the doors for the families of the staff to “let them get to know the place without everyone around,” highlighting how important all families are to the organization.

“Our families listened to us go through all this stuff,” she said, recounting many nights spent planning around her kitchen table and their families’ sacrifices over the long years planning for this facility.

Space to Thrive, also known as Windham/Raymond School Age Child Care, currently serves 150 families in Windham and Raymond, providing affordable childcare through early childhood education and school aged childcare. <

Raymond Fire and Rescue asks residents to participate in Wildland Interface Planning Session

By Ed Pierce

A resilient town has the capabilities required across the whole community to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk and that’s precisely what am upcoming gathering in Raymond will address.

Raymond Cape is a peninsula that juts out
into Sebago Lake and only has one road
in and out in case of an emergency. 
Raymond Fire and Rescue will host
a Wildland Interface Planning Session
at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 for the public to 
assist the town in planning for
emergency situations there and 
around Raymond.
COURTESY PHOTO 

At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, Raymond Fire and Rescue will host a Wildland Interface Planning Session at the Raymond Fire and Rescue Central Station, 1443 Roosevelt Trail in Raymond.

According to Raymond Fire and Rescue Chief Bruce Tupper, this important session is open to the public and all Raymond residents are encouraged to attend.

He says that while the initial focus will be on Raymond Cape, the Raymond Fire and Rescue Department values the input of citizens from every neighborhood and could lead to it becoming a pilot program in Maine for other communities.

Tupper’s department faces unique challenges addressing hazards on Raymond Cape because it has only one road in and out and it covers a six-mile stretch. This makes planning for wildfire and emergency events critical to ensure safe access for emergency vehicles, orderly evacuation routes, and preparedness strategies that require collaboration between Raymond Cape residents and emergency agencies.

The Raymond Cape peninsula juts out into Sebago Lake and is home to many beautiful lakefront homes and a few children’s summer camps. Near the end of Raymond Cape Road is the terminal for the Frye Island Ferry, a nine-car ferry that runs from April to October out to Frye Island on Sebago Lake.

The “wildland-urban interface” refers to areas where homes, businesses, and community structures are built close to forests, fields, and natural landscapes.

Tupper said that these areas are more vulnerable to wildfire, and planning sessions such as this upcoming one helps reduce risk, protect property, and keep residents safe.

“By working together, Raymond can build an atmosphere of resilience and community strength,” Tupper said. “Preparedness is a community effort. Between 85 and 90 percent of all wildland fires are caused by people. Raymond Cape presents special challenges, and we want our residents directly involved in the planning process. Together, with the Town, Emergency Management Agencies, and the Forest Service, we can build resilience and keep Raymond safe.”

Raymond Fire and Rescue Public Information Officer Scott Doyle said that this informational session will bring together Raymond town leaders, Raymond Fire/Rescue personnel, along with representatives of the Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the Maine Forest Service.

“Alongside these partners, citizen participation is vital,” Doyle said. “Residents know their neighborhoods best and can provide valuable insights to guide planning efforts.”

Maine is the most forested state in the nation and averages 650 wildfires each year that typically burn about 550 acres statewide. Those numbers are expected to rise significantly this year though. Through mid-September, the Maine Forest Service reports that there have been more than 700 fires across the state in 2025 with more than 550 total acres burned since January.

The wildfire season in Maine extends between late March and late November but has kept fire crews busy this year thanks to severe drought conditions and campfires, burn piles, powerlines and vehicles, which can ignite tall trees and abundant brush situated close to homes and camps. The wildfire surge has led the Maine Forest Service (MFS) to suspend all debris burning and halt the issuance of new burn permits statewide.

State officials say that it is crucial to have an emergency plan in place and to clear brush from properties to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires.

For more details about the Wildland Interface Planning Session, visit raymondmaine.org or call Raymond Fire and Rescue at 207-655-1187 or follow updates on the department’s official Facebook page. Also call Brad at 207-775-0800 or send an email to Brad@MaineSEC.com <

Broadway star to headline 'An American Family Holiday, The Finale'

Get ready to kick off the holiday season in style as the Windham Chamber Singers proudly present An American Family Holiday.

Emmy, Tony and Screen Actors Guild nominee Norm
Lewis will headline this year's An American Family
Holiday: The Finale on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the
Windham High School Performing Arts Center. It will be the
last holiday concert featuring Windham Chamber Singers
conductor Dr. Richard Nickerson, who is retiring at the end
of the  school year. Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. Monday,
Oct. 6.  PHOTO BY KEVIN MCINTYRE     

According to Dr. Richard Nickerson, the conductor, the concerts will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Windham Performing Arts Center with two performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m. This heartwarming event is set to captivate audiences of all ages and promises to be a memorable experience for families, friends, and music enthusiasts alike.

Nickerson recently announced that he will be retiring at the conclusion of this school year, and this performance is being billed as The Finale.

“This concert is more than a performance,” said Nickerson. “AmFam is a gathering of voices, and traditions that remind us of the beauty and hope this season brings. This cherished tradition has brought holiday joy to, not only the community, but to many generations of singers as well.”

Tickets will go on sale at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6.

The Windham Chamber Singers are pleased to welcome back Daniel Strange, a Windham Chamber Singers alumnus and on the faculty at the University of Miami. Also returning will be crowd favorite Ashley Liberty.

This year’s headliner will be Broadway legend Norm Lewis.

An Emmy, Tony, and SAG Award nominee, Lewis recently starred in Spike Lee’s critically acclaimed, “Da 5 Bloods,” and in the groundbreaking FX series, Pose. Additionally, Lewis can be seen starring in ABC’s newest series, Women of The Movement, and offscreen, his voice can be heard in the latest season of Apple TV’s animated series, Central Park. He was also seen as “Caiaphas” in the award-winning NBC television special, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” alongside John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper.

In May 2014, Lewis made history as The Phantom of the Opera’s first African American portrayer of the Phantom on Broadway. This will be his fourth appearance at An American Family Holiday.

Longtime An American Family Holiday host Kim Block will return as the Master of Ceremonies.

Tickets are $15 to $45 for reserved seating and can be purchased online at www.windhamchambersingers.com

Get ready to immerse yourself in the holiday magic. "An American Family Holiday" is a must-see event that will warm your heart and leave you with cherished memories. Purchase your tickets early, as this holiday extravaganza is sure to sell out quickly. <

 

Windham Town Council expresses concern about new state housing law

By Ed Pierce

Expressing serious concerns about how the state is dealing with zoning reform and housing through new legislation set to take effect next year, members of the Windham Town Council have sent a letter to Maine’s governor and local state legislators asking for the law's repeal.

Members of the Windham Town Council discuss sending a
letter to state legislators and the governor about how LD
1829 will severely restrict the town's ability to regulate
growth in the future. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE  
 

Signed by five town councilors, the letter says while L.D. 1829 “An Act to Build Housing for Maine Families” aims to increase available housing across the state, but it also limits municipal control regarding growth.

“This week the council drafted and signed a letter to be sent to head legislators, local and in Augusta to state our displeasure toward LD 1829 which will remove town control on growth rates in growth zones,” said Windham Town Councilor Bill Reiner.

LD 1829 was officially signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills in June. It is a follow-up to 2022’s legislation LD 2003, which legalized accessory dwelling units (ADUs) statewide and launched a process of zoning reform across the state.

Among newly mandated requirements under LD 1829, Maine municipalities may not require fire sprinklers for ADUs unless the structure contains three or more total units and municipalities must allow at least three dwelling units for use on any lot where residential use is permitted, and up to four units in designated growth areas or on lots served by both water and sewer.

Towns and cities will still be able to moderate the actual number of units allowed and set rules concerning lot size, density, frontage, and other dimensional requirements, but it also permits small-scale infill development, which adds density in communities that may not be wanted by residents.

Other LD 1829 changes specify that minimum lot sizes in areas with water and sewer are now capped at 5,000 square feet, removing what legislators say was outdated barriers to building more homes in walkable, connected places. The new law allows ADUs to be added to lots with existing multi-family housing, not just for single-family homes. It changes where ADUs can be built, and this could handicap municipalities in their ability to rein in expansive growth.

The law also mandates that ADUs must be allowed even if the owner doesn’t live on the property and revises state subdivision laws, increasing the threshold from three to five units before triggering a subdivision review. This allows small-scale affordable housing developments to move forward without much municipal oversight.

Municipal changes to local ordinances adhering to LD 1829 must be in place by July 1, 2026 for city-council forms of government. Ordinance changes for towns such as Windham with a town-meeting form of government have until July 1, 2027 to revise local ordinances to comply with LD 1829.

Here is the text of the letter sent by Windham to the governor:

Dear Madam Governor,

The Windham Town Council would like to express its disagreement and disappointment with L.D. 1829, "An Act to Build Housing for Maine Families ... " legislation to increase housing density and remove local controls.

Windham understands the state legislature's directive and the need to take steps to address the state's estimated 84,000-unit housing shortfall. The Town amended our comprehensive plan with the passing of LD 2003 to identify designated growth areas where housing would have fewer restrictions. The Town has issued an average of 130 housing units per year over the last 10 years. Windham already has well over 600 housing units in the pipeline with estimated completion dates ranging in the next one to three years. Most of this is to occur in growth areas. Windham is doing its part to solve the housing crisis while at the same time balancing the desires and needs of its citizens who want to retain areas of rural character. This law works against this goal in many ways.

We are also in the process of building a new $50 million dollar wastewater treatment facility in our North Windham commercial area. This was a measure to alleviate excess nitrates and phosphates from entering our lakes and ponds and provide our commercial hub with the capacity to grow safely and sustainably. The projects in our Planning Board queue, including housing projects, could now be at risk with the implementation of the density requirements of LD 1829.

The Windham Town Council respectfully requests that the legislature consider amending or repealing LD 1829. <

Windham lakefront resident receives LakeSmart Award

By Masha Yurkevich

During the summer months, Sebago Lake is a go-to for many local residents, but many do not know the work that goes into the homes surrounding the lake to keep it healthy and looking its best.

Jennifer Lotsein is just the second property
owner to receive a LakeSmart Award on
Little Sebagao Lake since the program was
started three years ago. From left are 
Jennifer Lotstein, her husband Richard
Lotstein  and Layne Albert, a LakeSmart
evaluator and board member of the Little
Sebago Lake Association.
SUBMITTED PHOTO    

On Aug. 28, the home of Windham resident Jennifer Lotstein was rewarded with a LakeSmart award. Her home met LakeSmart standards, and she was recognized and given a placard for her hard work maintaining the property.

LakeSmart is a program that educates landowners about best practices to protect the lakes they live on. The goal is to reduce or eliminate erosion and stormwater runoff because it carries pollutants, including phosphorus, a primary driver of algae growth. Properties that are particularly lake-friendly receive the LakeSmart Award, with accompanying signs for display on the shoreline and the road.

Lotstein said she heard about LakeSmart through her neighbor, who suggested that Lotstein should schedule an evaluation to see how healthy her property is for the lake. Lotstein is a full-time resident of North Hampton, Massachusetts, and bought a home in Windham five years ago.

“LakeSmart evaluators explained to me that their evaluation is not a pass/fail, they just give you recommendations if there are things that you can do better,” says Lotstein.

She was already doing many things to take care of the lake, such as preventing runoff, reducing lawn area, increasing native plant growth, and controlling erosion.

“We put in gutters on the side of the house which goes down to the lake, and we also had stones put in around our patio to help with drainage,” says Lotstein. “I never really thought about our house being LakeSmart, we were just doing things that we knew were good for the property and for the lake. It was only after my neighbor told me about LakeSmart that I began to wonder if there is anything else we can be doing to help the lake.”

Similar to many other aspects of our environment, the lake is very important to take care of.

“I would certainly recommend LakeSmart to other homes,” says Lotstein. “Just like everything else, we need to take care of the lake and be aware of how humans can either protect or destroy the lake. To enjoy the lake in the future, we need to take care of it today.”

Her efforts have drawn attention.

“Jennifer Lotstein is the second LakeSmart home we have recognized on Little Sebago since we started the program three seasons ago,” says Layne Albert, a LakeSmart evaluator. He is also a board member of the Little Sebago Lake Association and chairperson of the watershed committee. “The LakeSmart evaluatoin is completly free; LakeSmart is a program that we administer under the watershed committee.”

There are five overall categories that LakeSmart evaluators look for when evaluating a home, which are: Road, Driveway, and Parking Areas, Structures and Septic System, Lawn, Recreation Areas, and Footpaths; Shorefront and Beach, and Undeveloped Land. If a home being evaluated doesn’t meet these LakeSmart standards and doesn’t quality for an award, recommendations are still given to the homeowners, but there is no obligation to make changes.

Albert stresses the fact that the choice is completely up to the homeowners whether or not they will make any changes, and there is no revaluation unless the homeowners would like.

“We want to promote the health of Maine streams, lakes, and wildlife,” says Albert. “We want recognized properties to have the pride of knowing that they do their part in maintaining proper lakefront property.”

Interested owners can request a free property evaluation. The evaluation involves a volunteer walking your property with you, looking at different criteria that affect lake health. The evaluation report provides recommendations intended to make your property more lake-friendly by eliminating and preventing erosion or other pollution.

“There is always something landowners can do to reduce their impact on the lakes,” says Albert. “We highly suggest reaching out to LakeSmart to schedule an evaluation and see how you can be helping our lakes.”

LakeSmart is always looking for evaluators and homes to evaluate. For more details regarding LakeSmart, visit their website at lake.me. <

Area cyclist prepares for another fundraising ride for charity

By Ed Pierce

Bill Turner isn’t someone who likes to sit on the sidelines but his active lifestyle of long-distance bike riding for charity was somewhat reduced following shoulder replacement surgery earlier this year,

Bill Turner and his rescue dog Tucker have been fundraising
for the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing from
Maine this year. Bill had shoulder surgery last winter but
expects to be back participating in long-distance rides for
the organization soon. COURTESY PHOTO

Known as a tireless cycling advocate and one of the founders of the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing, Turner chose to stay closer to home this summer rather than hit the open road and traveling through far-away highways of America while fundraising for the organization. And even without logging thousands of miles on his cross-country treks, Turner has still managed to bring in a sizeable amount of pledges for the local Fuller Center chapter while at home recovering and only taking shorter rides.

“I am at $7,750 toward my goal of $10,000 for my local grass-roots volunteer chapter in Maine,” Turner said. “To help us reach this goal during the month of September, my wife Lily and I will match all donations up to $2,000.”

Now he’s back on his bicycle again and says that his bionic shoulders are working well. He’s deciding where to ride next.

“The van is packed with a bicycle for a six-week adventure,” Turner said.

That Turner is preparing to undertake yet another long cycling adventure is a testament to his determination and recuperative strength.

Back in 2021, he underwent a prostatectomy, a surgical procedure to remove his prostate gland, and is now living cancer free. A surgery in 2022 replaced his right shoulder and her went through another operation last winter.

“I had my left shoulder replaced and it is coming along fine, however I figured I should give my body a break this year from riding 1,000 miles in three weeks as I did in 2024,” Turner said.

As an avid cyclist, Bill Turner rode for many years in the “Trek across Maine” with his children on behalf of the American Lung Association.

“At some point in 2017, I decided to see if I could bike across the country,” Turner said. “I began to look for trips and came across the Fuller Center Bike Adventure, and so I signed up for a trip from San Francisco to Santa Fe to see how my body would react. I am not used to asking people for money, but for such as good cause as the Fuller Center Bike Adventure, it seemed like the right thing to do.”

Turner’s original goal was to raise enough funds to help build one home in Haiti. However, two months after sending out an email to every contact he had on his mailing list, to invite people to give a donation; the amount raised was very close to his $6,000 goal.

He chose to ride across the country with the Bike Adventure in 2018 and signed up to ride from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine. Turner managed to ride the entire distance, and he also learned more about the national Fuller Center for Housing, a 501(c3) non-profit organization based out of Americus, Georgia. Its mission is to “promote collaborative and innovative partnerships with individuals and organizations in an unrelenting quest to provide adequate shelter for all people in need worldwide.”

He thought that his church, Faith Lutheran Church in Windham, could become involved in a project locally to assist in keeping elderly homeowners and veterans in the Lakes Region safely in their homes.

Together with Windham resident Lorraine Glowczak, Turner developed a PowerPoint presentation and met with churches around Windham pitching them about the proposal. Six churches came on board and founded the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing with Faith Lutheran Church, the Unity Church for Spiritual Growth, the North Windham Union Church, Windham Hill United Church of Christ, Raymond Village Church and Saint Joseph’s College of Maine joining to serve the towns of Windham, Raymond and Standish.

At the forefront of fundraising for the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing, Turner trains year-round and has a fat-tire bike with studded tires that he rides throughout the winter months with his pal, Tucker, a black 40-pound rescue dog that the Turners obtained from the Texas shelter.

“Bicycling has been an important part of my life for staying healthy at this point,” he said. “The community has always helped our local riders accomplish their goals and help others throughout our country,” Turner said.

As Turner plans his next long cycling trip for the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing, he is asking for donations to help him meet his 2025 fundraising goals.

“As noted on my fundraising web site, your donations go to our local chapter where we focus on assisting older folks and veterans to safely stay in their homes,” he said. “In the climate of Maine that often means fixing rotting floors and entry steps, leaky roofs, and other failing building components.”

To make a donation to Turner, visit his fundraising page https://my.fullercenterbikeadventure.org/williamturner or send a check donation payable to “The Fuller Center for Housing” with Turner’s name in the memo line and mail them to Attn: Bike Adventure, The Fuller Center for Housing, PO Box 523, Americus, GA 31709.

To learn more about the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing, visit https://sebagofullerhousing.org/ <

Anglers overcome rainy conditions to compete in Togue Derby

By Bob Chapin

The Sebago Lake Anglers’ Association completed its 10th Annual Togue Derby at Point Sebago Resort on the weekend of Sept. 12 and 13 where 100 anglers, mostly from the local area, competed for honors and cash for two days of fishing on Sebago Lake.

The weather was nice on Saturday most of the day, but it got a little tougher later in the afternoon. Fortunately, the rain held off until about 3:40 p.m. Fishing on Sunday was a washout but a few brave souls suffered through the rain, wind, and waves to compete.

In all, about 83 fish were recorded as caught during the 10th Annual Togue Derby at the official Weigh Station. The fish that fishermen did not want to take home went to a church supper and to the Maine Wildlife Park as food for the animals there.

One angler with early success was John Sailhamert who was an early registrant for the derby. He caught a togue that weighed 9.15 pounds and was 29 inches long. The fish was large enough to capture “Largest Fish on Saturday” honors and held up to become the overall derby winner again this year.

The derby’s “Smallest Togue” category to encourage fishermen to retain all Togue legally caught was captured by Dean Gower and it weighed just .17 lbs. and was 8.62 inches long.

Fishermen also received a drawing ticket for every legal Togue checked into the Togue Pool Lottery. This year, 6 tickets worth $100 each were drawn to win prizes in a lottery.

New to the derby this year was a category for the most Pike caught by a single angler with prizes of $1,000, $750, and $500 for first, second and third place. Most fishermen did not fish for pike or turn one in, which is an invasive fish in Sebago Lake. But one guy did, and his name is Devin Prue. On Saturday, Prue turned in six fish and three more on Sunday, some were as small as just 8 inches, but they counted as pike. The derby’s second and third place prizes in the pike category went unclaimed.

Looking ahead to next year, if you would like to get in on the fun, excitement, and prizes next year, come join us, the annual Togue Derby always takes place on the weekend after Labor Day.

This year’s derby prizes were awarded as follows:

John Sailhamert caught a fish weighing 9.15 pounds and measuring 29 inches and won $1,000 and another $100 in the derby’s lottery.

Brian Sullivan caught a fish weighing 7.65 pounds and measuring 26.5 inches and won $750.

John Lenane caught a fish weighing 7.39 pounds and measuring 29 inches and won $300.

Dean Gower caught the smallest togue weighing 0.17 pounds and measured 8.62 inches and won $100.

Devin Prue caught nine pike to win the derby’s pike category and won $1,000.

Richard Sanborn, Ashley Gouin, Dean Gower and Rick Adams each took home $100 as derby lottery winners.

Stephen Pacific took home $200 as a double derby lottery winner. <

Raymond approves 2025 Comprehensive Plan

By Dina Mendros

Raymond residents recently adopted the 2025 Comprehensive Plan at a Special Town Meeting. The document is used to guide decisions about policy and land use issues for the next 10 to 20 years. Resiliency, protecting natural resources and improving roads and traffic are among the top goals identified for the town to focus on.

The process to create a new Comprehensive Plan that updates the last plan from 2004 began in 2022. About a dozen or more residents attended the Aug. 12 town meeting. Resident and Fire Chief Bruce Tupper was elected as the moderator.

According to the Comprehensive Plan, which is available for viewing on the town website at raymondmaine.org, “the comprehensive planning process is an opportunity for a community to come together and take inventory of current trends, while looking ahead toward future needs, challenges, and opportunities. … The priorities, policies, and action items described in the Plan are intended to help municipal staff, boards, and committees identify projects, initiatives, and ordinance updates that will help the community fulfill their vision, values, and goals.”

The main goals listed in the Comprehensive Plan as ways to improve the Raymond community include:

• Build a Resilient Raymond – Adapt to changes and challenges. This could be from severe weather or pursuing services and programs for the residents. Priority actions include working with the Maine Department of Transportation to complete an assessment of and work plan to improve town culverts and road infrastructure at risk from increased flooding. Add staff capacity to seek and manage grant funding through additional staff, a consultant, or regional partnerships.

• Protect Raymond's Natural and Water Resources – Raymond's waterways are essential for recreational activity, and local organizations should be supported to protect the water quality of the town’s lakes and streams. Priority Action is to develop a process to determine the appropriateness of sites in Raymond for solar development and incorporate these criteria into Raymond’s Solar Ordinance.

• Invest in road and traffic improvements – Raymond has a high volume of cars, especially during the summer. The policy guidelines are to improve road safety, create a 302 Master Plan in partnership with MDOT, and provide alternatives to driving. Priority Actions include collecting/analyzing speed and crash data and implement proven traffic calming strategies throughout Raymond. The 302 Master Plan should be based on the vision for Route 302 in the Future Land Use Plan.

• Prioritize safe walking and biking around Raymond – This would be looking at opportunities such as sidewalk construction, adding bike infrastructure, and off-road trails. Priority Action includes building a network of sidewalks, trails and bike paths connecting identified Growth Areas and local destinations.

• Strengthen Raymond's sense of community. Priority Action is developing a master plan supported by public input to repurpose the Jordan Small Middle School and determine the future use of other town-owned buildings, including the library and town office.

One of the core components of the plan is Future Land Use. “Raymond’s 2004 Comprehensive Plan called for focusing new development where development already exists and minimizing growth in rural areas and near natural resources to conserve rural character,” according to the plan. “This principle is the cornerstone of land use recommendations in this plan as well.”

According to Town Manager Joseph Crocker, the major aspects of the Future Land Use portion of 2025 Comp Plan include identifying growth, transition, and rural areas.

Growth areas include Route 302 as an area for small business and multi-family development with traffic and transportation improvements; and Raymond and East Raymond Village built in the traditional New England village style with diverse housing, small businesses and tree-lined streets.

Most of Raymond is designated as Rural Areas, according to the plan. “Today, these areas include places for low-density housing among forests, lakes, and ponds, working lands for farming and timber harvesting, and the town’s largest undeveloped habitat blocks.” Low density housing and small businesses are appropriate but also important is conserving natural resources and supporting farms and forest owners.”

The Transition Area is a pocket of industrial-zoned land off of Route 121/Meadow Road. According to the plan it “is home to an electronics manufacturing company and a large WGMETV transmitter. With the existing development and TIF District here, this area is appropriate for continued industrial or commercial use, such as office space or light manufacturing.”

Public input was an important part of creating the new Comprehensive Plan and was included in numerous parts of the process beginning with creating a Comprehensive Plan Committee. A summer survey took place in 2023, a data highlights workshop in January 2024, multiple community listening sessions with various stakeholders, a future land use workshop, a space for community engagement on the town website and a public hearing was held about the plan on Aug. 12 prior to approving the new plan.

At the Aug. 12 Special Town Meeting, Raymond resident Bradley McCurtain suggested several ideas to add to the Comprehensive Plan such as having some of the five town selectmen represent certain districts of town; ways to make the website easier to navigate; and creating a program for the town’s older population to mitigate isolation.

Raymond Select Board Chair Denis Morse said some of McCurtain’s suggestions were already in the works and don’t need to be included in the plan.

Resident Peter Leavitt said that making changes to the plan at that point could put the process back a year and no changes were made.

With the Comprehensive Plan being passed, Crocker said, “it is creating a guide for when the town makes decisions, and we are collectively moving toward the vision of our community.’

The next step is to set up a Comprehensive Implementation Committee which would start putting some of the Comprehensive Plan goals into action. That committee will make recommendations based on both the local and state goals, policies, and action items. Those items are listed in the Comprehensive Plan. <

In the public eye: Former soldier shares lessons in resilience with WPS students

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

By Ed Pierce

Growing up as a military dependent, David Langway moved more than he would have liked to, frequently changed schools, and his father would have to leave to go on deployments. While it could be stressful at times, it also taught him to be resilient, adapt to new situations and learn to solve problems.

David Langway of Windham is a U.S.
Army veteran who is serving as a lunch
teacher at Windham Primary School.
Langway works with designated Third 
Grade classes at WPS though lunch
and recess to give teachers a break.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Those are qualities that Langway tries to pass on to students as he starts his 10th year as a lunch teacher at Windham Primary School.

His duties at the school involve oversight of designated Third Grade classes through lunch and recess, giving classroom teachers a chance to take a break and eat their own lunches.

“I take great joy out of helping the children of this community. I've seen children grow from second and third graders into high school students,” Langway said. ‘’’I believe one of the biggest challenges is trying to get the kids into a school ‘rhythm’ for the school year.

One of his fondest memories of working at Windham Primary School came last year when he says he watched two of his students get ready to set out on an adventure that they were trying to understand and what Langway says might be tucked away in their memories for the rest of their lives.

“Both of their fathers are in the military, and they were moving to Germany over the past summer,” he said. “I spoke to them for quite a long time and throughout the school year of what they might experience there.”

In doing that, Langway was passing to the students some of his own life experiences.

“I grew up in the military and my father had been stationed in Germany a number of times,” he said. “So, like them, I experienced a culture that has been around for centuries. My father retired in the late 1970s, so I graduated from high school in Indiana. It was my senior year, and my earlier high school years were spent in a military high school in Nuremburg, Germany.”

Upon graduation from school, Langway joined the U.S. Army and spent much of his adult life as a soldier.

“I believed that was the best way to serve this country,” he said. “After leaving the military, I later earned a degree in Legal Studies.”

He moved to Maine and has raised a family with his wife here.

“I volunteer as the Building Manager at the Windham Veterans Center, and I've held that position for seven years,” Langway said. “I was told about and encouraged by my family to look into the job at Windham Primary School to give me something to occupy my time.”

Dr. Kyle Rhoads, WPS Principal, believes that Langway is making a difference daily in his work with the students.

“David's care and commitment to the children of Windham shines through when he plays football with them, deejays a school event, or gives them a pat on the back or a friendly smile in the cafeteria,” Rhoads said. “We appreciate his dedication to Windham Primary School.”

Langway says he’s not sure what the public would think about the work he does with WPS students.

“I also coach Little League baseball and youth football here in Windham,” he said. “So, working at the school helps me to know and understand some of the struggles the kids might have. It's also an opportunity to get to know their parents.”

A meaningful lesson that Langway learned as a military dependent and then as a soldier serving in the military is that each new day could be an opportunity to learn something new. He tries to remember that in his work at Windham Primary School.

“One of the most important things that always amuses me is that most years I learn something from the kids,” he said. “It's also quite fulfilling to run into the kids a couple of years later, and you're amazed by the things they remember from the primary school. At my age and growing nearer to total retirement, there is always something memorable to think about in this job.” <

RCHS hosts second segment of popular Canal Boat presentation

By Ed Pierce

Back in July when the Raymond-Casco Historical Society hosted a discussion and presentation about Canal Boats on Sebago Lake by historian Mike Davis at its museum in Casco, every seat in the house was filled as participants found the subject fascinating.

The steamboat Hawthorne travels through Songo Lock from
Sebago Lake into the Songo River in the 19th century. A
second presentation by historian Mike Davis about the 
early days of water transportation in the Lakes Region
will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15 at the
Raymond Casco Historical Museum, 1 Shadow Lane
in Casco. COURTESY PHOTO 

Davis is returning at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept 15 to continue with a second segment of his presentation and RCHS organizers say interest is building once again to hear the former Assistant Director of the Bridgton Historical Society discuss 19th century water transportation in the Lakes Region of Maine.

“He last talked of the lumber and logging industry in the Sebago Lake district during the early era of the earliest settlers,” said Sue Pride of RCHS. “He talked about the transportation of logs, particularly the ‘Kings Pine’ from this area to Portland by other teams.”

He discussed having straight roadways with no sharp turns for hauling these pines, and shipping lumber and supplies by barge over Sebago Lake.

“Part II of his presentation will continue talking about the progress of using Sebago Lake and canals in making deliveries of goods possible throughout the area even when the lake was frozen,” Pride said.

She said Davis is such an engaging speaker with a great knowledge of history.

“His local stories and tall tales are sure to be enjoyed by all in attendance,” Pride said.

Copies and photos of the steamships will be available for purchase at the event.

RCHS President Frank McDermott said that canal boats in the 19th century carried all kinds of goods through the region, making it a lifeline and a connection to the outside world for Lakes Region residents.

“Really, the boats would bring anything that needed to be shipped such as lumber, food, or goods,” he said. “It was the quickest and most convenient way to move things to the Lakes Region. This included getting things out to places in the area that were not on the lake.”

McDermott says the upcoming presentation by Davis will be not only educational but also highly entertaining as well.

"It’s a really interesting topic,” he said. “Canal boats have wide appeal, and it is fun to learn more about the history of our area waterways.”

The second part of Davis’ presentation will be held at the RCHS grounds located at 1 Shadow Lane in Casco. The museum will be open early at 5 p.m. so participants can take advantage of all the RCHS facility has to offer free of charge.

To learn more, visit https://raymondcascohistoricalsociety.org/ or visit Raymond-Casco Historical Society on Facebook or call 207-655-6389.

The museum is open from noon to 3 p.m. May through October on Saturdays and Sundays. Most weekends there is a blacksmith working on site giving live demonstrations for museum guests. Group tours are also available by request. <

Space to Thrive to open new early childhood education facility

Space to Thrive, a nonprofit organization providing childcare in Windham and Raymond, has announced the grand opening of its new early childhood education facility. Representatives say the new center represents a major milestone in advancing the organization’s mission to provide every child with positive and accessible experiences that nurture development.

Space to Thrive, a nonprofit organization providing
childcare in Windham and Raymond, is holding a 
grand opening from 5 to 8  p.m. Wednesday,
Sept. 17 at 184 Pope Road in Windham, The event
will include community activities, live music and
raffles. COURTESY PHOTO

The facility’s grand opening will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 184 Pope Road, Windham. The event will include community activities, live music, and raffles, as well as offering attendees an exclusive first look at the spaces designed to nurture growth, creativity, and connection.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to bring such a needed service to the community, and to continue building on the work our founders started more than two decades ago,” said Hannah Marshall, Executive Director. “We are committed to providing exceptional quality childcare and early education both at this new program and throughout our organization.”

The new Space to Thrive facility features five classrooms, a multipurpose room, courtyard, and nature-based outdoor play space, all designed with accessibility and inclusivity at the forefront. The project was made possible through the State of Maine Child Care Infrastructure grant and Coastal Enterprises, Inc.’s Community Facilities Fund that funds long-term, lower-cost projects for non-profit community facilities.

Local families, community members, and supporters are invited to attend the opening celebration, explore the facility, and learn more about upcoming programs and services offered by Space to Thrive.

Space to Thrive, also known as Windham/Raymond School Age Child Care is designed to provide students with quality, affordable childcare before and after school with a special emphasis placed upon creating an environment that fosters friendships, responsibility, respect and cooperation. It is a licensed child-care program inspected by the State of Maine with facilities operated in compliance with state rules for child-care programs. All SACC programs meet or exceed all licensing, fire, health, and safety requirements.

The new Space to Thrive building is about 6,000 square feet and will include infants, toddlers, and preschool classrooms, as well as a multipurpose conference room, and supporting spaces. Outdoor space will be designed to encourage children’s natural wonder and curiosity. With an eye on sustainability, the facility will be built to have as minimal environmental impact as possible.

“We are grateful for the State of Maine Child Care Infrastructure Grant, as well as financial backing through Coastal Enterprises, Inc. Without these programs, this facility would not exist,” said Marshall. “We understand the financial burden child-care places on families, and we will continue to seek funding sources to support quality care while minimizing impact on families.”

State of Maine Child Care Infrastructure Grants are made possible through funding provided available by Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan investments and other state and federal funding distributed to support the child-care industry. As part of the Maine supplemental budget bill passed in April 2022 and in accordance with the original Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan legislation of 2021, more than $5.2 million in early childhood funds were reallocated to provide additional resources for grants to renovate, expand or construct child-care programs.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) is administering the Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program through a partnership with Coastal Enterprises, Inc., a Community Development Financial Institution that works to build a more equitable economy by growing good jobs, livelihoods and diverse business ownership, while advancing a just transition to a climate-resilient future.

The Windham/Raymond School Age Child Care Program was originally founded in 1990 and began offering services at some RSU 14 schools in Windham and Raymond in 2002. It strives to provide a high quality, engaging and safe place for children to attend before- and after-school programs, as well as offering full-day programs.

According to the most recent census data, Windham has a population of about 19,658 residents and the town has seen a population growth of 6.7 percent since the 2020 census.

Marshall said that this growing community includes many young families in need of quality childcare and preschool services.

“The Windham/Raymond School Department, RSU 14, serves a student population of 3,200 students across six public schools,” she said. “The addition of Space to Thrive will help support the childcare needs of families in the area, ensuring that children receive the care and early education they need to thrive.”

Great Falls Construction of Gorham served as contractor for the Space to Thrive project with Taselpointe Architecture of Windham serving in the role as the new project’s architect.

For further information about Space to Thrive early childhood education and before-and-after school programming available from Windham/Raymond School Age Child Care, visit windhamraymondsacc.com <

New local community coalition forms to prevent and reduce youth substance misuse

By Ed Pierce

A new community coalition has been formed with a mission of preventing and reducing substance misuse in youth.

The Positive Pathways Community Coalition of Standish, Windham, and Raymond Maine will provide prevention education and outreach to reduce substance misuse in youth and young adults ages 12 to 24.

According to Patrice Leary-Forrey, Be The Influence Project Director, the Federal Funded DFC Grant for BTI ends on Sept. 30 and the new community coalition of Standish Windham and Raymond was established in September 2024 as a joint venture between the three municipalities to continue and expand the mission of prevention of substance misuse in youth ages 13 to 19 years old.

“It is a new coalition with the same mission in prevention of substance misuse in youth,” Leary-Forrey said.

The Positive Pathways Community Coalition and the Town of Windham have applied for the Federal Grant Funds for Drug Free Coalitions (DFC) Notice of Funding Award, and it will be available on or before Sept. 30, she said. Notice of the award will go directly to Robert Burns, Windham Town Manager.

Leary-Forrey said adding Standish will enhance the new coalition.

“Standish is a unique town in that it is a part of Cumberland County with a York County school district and a private university. They are invested and endorse the BTI coalition since many of the youth work in Standish work and play in Windham and Raymond including the college students who attend Saint Joseph's College during the academic year.”

The leadership of the Positive Pathways Community Coalition is fully formed with new members, and the coalition is looking for community members to join and volunteer for the coalition and support youth in all three communities.

“There is a 12-month action plan that has been heavily influenced by the youth for the youth,” Leary-Forrey said. “We encourage the residents of Standish, Windham and Raymond to join in on the virtual Community Coalition Meetings to find out what projects are being developed and implemented for this year.”

Crystal Aldrich, Be The Influence Project Coordinator for Windham/Raymond, says the Positive Pathways Community Coalition’s mission is the same as Be The Influence was – to prevent and reduce substance misuse in youth.

“Every young person deserves to be nurtured in a safe and supportive environment where they thrive. The Positive Pathways Community Coalition of Standish, Windham and Raymond builds connections and resources, teaches prevention strategies, enhances programs and policies that are evidence based on youth wellness and development.”

Aldrich said that the new Positive Pathways Community Coalition (PPCC) members represent 12 different sectors including Youth, Parents, Businesses, Media, Schools, Youth Serving Organizations, Public Safety, Religious Sector, Civic Groups, Healthcare, Governing Municipalities, and Government Agencies of the Standish, Windham and Raymond communities.

“Collaboration with coalition members empowers youth to be leaders and peer ambassadors in the community where a youth's voice is valued and respected,” Aldrich said. “A collaborative approach builds trust between the youth and adults in the community through positive engagement and opportunity.”

She said the Positive Pathways Community Coalition is intended to offer healthy positive experiences for youth.

“Utilizing the HOPE Framework, youth ambassadors and peer-to-peer mentorship build protective factors and positive experiences, resulting in better health outcomes for youth and families,” Aldrich said. “A strength-based approach for collaboration builds a stronger community, trained professionals, and prevention education for youth.”

PPCC brings the community together with HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences Framework). Along with Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences, evidence-based prevention education (Prime for Life and BARR) and Peer to Peer modeling for youth, Aldrich said the collaborative approach to prevention with the communities of Standish, Windham and Raymond will empower leadership and resilience in area youth.

Meetings for the coalition will be held on the second Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m. on Microsoft Teams.

For additional information or to join the coalition, call 207-804-6742. <

Age Friendly Windham prepares for free community luncheon

By Ed Pierce

Age Friendly Windham, a town-supported volunteer group that is working to build a multi-generational healthy community, is hosting a community luncheon discussing fire safety, fitness and how to avoid fraud for residents.

The 'Aging at Home: Ready, Safe and Connected' presentation
and luncheon hosted by Age Friendly Windham and Windham
Parks and Recreation will be conducted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 16 in the Windham Town Hall gymnasium
on School Road in Windham. Reservations are being
accepted now at Windham Parks and Recreation. 
COURTESY PHOTO

The “Aging at Home: Ready, Safe and Connected” presentation will be conducted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16 in the Windham Town Hall gymnasium on School Road in Windham. The cost is free, but donations will be accepted.

Erica Bell-Watkins, Windham Age Friendly Coordinator, says that during the luncheon, the American Red Cross will give a fire safety presentation and AARP will lead a discussion about home fitness. Representatives of Cumberland County Federal Credit Union will also give a presentation about fraud prevention.

The luncheon is sponsored by Age Friendly Windham, Windham Parks and Recreation Department, and Cumberland County Federal Credit Union. Others making important contributions to the luncheon are the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, the Windham Fire-Rescue Department, and the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing.

“This is an opportunity to hear from multiple perspectives and different organizations about what to plan for as you age in place,” Watkins-Bell said. “We are hoping to provide options and resources to our aging population for what the best options are for them to age safely and comfortably in their homes.”

Back in 2019, Maine was designated as an Age Friendly State, joining many cities and communities across the globe who are committed to becoming more inclusive of people of all ages. Maine is part of the AARP Network of Age Friendly States and Communities and the World Health Organization’s Global Network for Age Friendly Cities and Communities.

Being designated as an Age Friendly state means communities such as Windham are encouraged to plan and implement strategies that best fit the assets and opportunities of their state and community, as well as embrace and assess multiple domains of livability.

According to Bell-Watkins, Age Friendly Windham is a diverse group of dedicated volunteers working to help members in the community to live and age in place and is dedicated to maintaining the independence of our town’s residents and helping them thrive.

She said that its mission is to:
Partner with local and regional organizations and volunteer groups to increase services and programs that make it possible for residents of all ages and abilities to live and thrive in Windham.
Provide activities geared toward keeping people healthy, active, and engaged in our community.
Advise the Windham Town Council about infrastructure and policy that will make it easier and safer for Windham residents to live in our community.

“Currently we have a transportation program, a disaster preparedness program, a “Lunch and Learn” series and work with several other departments on shared initiatives like technology access and education,” Bell-Watkins said.

Among new initiatives that Age Friendly Windham is planning include piloting a home safety check program, a window dressers program to help install low-cost insulating window inserts that function as custom, interior-mounted storm windows for seniors, and a potential energy audit program.

All these current Age Friendly Windham programs and those coming soon are intended to help everyone in the community, regardless of age, to lead active, healthy, and engaged lives throughout their lifetime.

Across Maine, grassroots, age-friendly initiatives, formal members of the AARP Network and others following a similar path and are leveraging local assets to build community capacity addressing challenges such as accessible spaces, access to technology, food security, home repair, transportation, and social connections.

The best part about being associated with Age Friendly Windham for Bell-Watkins is rather simple.

“Age Friendly Windham is building a strong and more-connected community where people of all ages feel that they belong and their experience and talents are appreciated,” she said.

To reserve your spot go to windhamrecreation.com or call Age Friendly Windham at 207-892-4649. Please RSVP by no later than Sept. 9. <

Nangle, Maine Senate President discuss challenges facing local childcare providers

State Senator Tim Nangle, D-Windham, and Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, met with childcare providers from Space to Thrive in Windham and Raymond during a beach day at Sebago Lake State Park last month.

State Senator Tim Nangle of Windham and Maine Senate
President Mattie Daughtry of Brunswick speak with
Hannah Marshall, the Executive Director of Space 
to Thrive of Windham and Raymond, during the first stop
of the Maine Statewide Child Care Listening Tour at
Sebago Lake State Park. SUBMITTED PHOTO    

Nangle and Daughtry heard directly from local childcare staff members about the challenges they face and the support they need to continue this critical work.

“It was a memorable day listening to the staff from Space to Thrive share their experiences,” Nangle said. “I walked away deeply moved by their dedication and concerned by the challenges they face. These jobs are essential, yet the people doing them are stretched thin and too often underappreciated. We owe it to them, and to Maine families, to keep looking for ways to strengthen our childcare system.”

Space to Thrive is a nonprofit that serves families in Windham and Raymond through both early childhood education and school-age care. During the visit, providers spoke about workforce shortages, funding challenges and the importance of programs that support both educators and parents.

“What stood out to me was how much these programs mean to local families,” Nangle said. “The challenges are real, but so is the commitment of the people doing the work every day. What I heard from these childcare professionals will stick with me and guide my work in the legislature.”

Maine is facing an ongoing childcare crisis that is driven by insufficient supply of providers and facilities, high costs for families, and low wages for childcare workers. All of these issues have created a major economic drain, costing Maine millions annually in lost productivity and revenue as childcare providers struggle with low pay and inconsistent state reimbursements, while families find it difficult to afford basic care.

Wage data cited from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics are telling and reveal that the childcare sector nationally has become less competitive relative to other low-paying occupations when compared to a thriving and competitive labor market and it continues to be less attractive for potential workers.

In 2021, there were only nine occupations with median wages lower than those of childcare workers and in 2022, there were only five. Coming out of the pandemic, childcare jobs did not become more competitive when compared to any of other occupations or to other essential care and education occupations that require highly skilled work but paying lower wages.

Besides not being financially beneficial for many providers, childcare in Maine is becoming outlandishly expensive for families. A statewide survey recently indicated that a married couple in Maine with a single child is spending 11 percent of their family income on childcare expenses. The federal average for affordable childcare nationally is 7 percent of a family’s income.

Childcare center owners in Maine are not currently able to raise wages without shifting costs to families and many of these parents are struggling to afford childcare and make basic ends meet. This has thrown the state childcare system into a crisis where many parents, including Windham and Raymond, are experiencing closures and ever-increasing waitlists.

A survey conducted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children has revealed that 85 percent of childcare centers in Maine face staffing shortages, with low wages being the primary impediment to recruitment.

Daughtry is currently conducting a Statewide Child Care Listening Tour that includes stops at community childcare centers, public pre-K partnerships, Head Start programs and nonprofit organizations across the state. The goal is to spotlight innovative solutions, identify gaps in service and elevate the voices of those most impacted by Maine’s childcare crisis.

Along with the listening tour, parents, businesses and early educators are invited to complete a survey to share their childcare experiences at www.tinyurl.com/supportkidssupportmaine. <

Cornhole tournament nearing to raise funds for police dogs

Mainely Veterinary Dentistry in Windham has announced the date of the company's inaugural cornhole tournament and fundraiser for the company's Tooth Fairy Fund.

Dr. Jennifer Keaten of Mainely Veterinary
Dentistry has organized a cornhole 
tournament and fundraiser on Sunday,
Sept. 4 at the Oxbox Beer Garden in Oxford
for the company's Tooth Fairy Fund to benefit
police K-9s, working dogs, and family pets who
otherwise wouldn't be able to afford dentistry.
The event is in memory of the late Brutus
Keaten, known as 'Bubbies," who served as
the company's mascot. COURTESY PHOTO   

The Tooth Fairy Fund was created through the help and generosity of the local community. All donations benefit police K-9s, working dogs, and the pets of families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford dentistry.

The event will also be in memory of Brutus Keaten, known as "Bubbies," who served as the company's mascot since opening several years ago.

The Maine-based company will host the fundraiser at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 at the Oxbox Beer Garden in Oxford. To register visit bit.ly/MVD2025.

"We are excited to host our first cornhole tournament to raise funds for our Tooth Fairy Fund," said Dr. Jennifer Keaten, owner of Mainely Veterinary Dentistry. "The event will also be a way for us to play in memory of 'Bubbies' who was my beloved dog who recently passed away and was the official mascot for Mainely Veterinary Dentistry since I opened the practice several years ago.”

The Cornhole Tournament will be run by Real Wicked Events, which specializes in competitive cornhole tournaments and will feature a $500 cash prize, plus a raffle and more.

IDEXX Laboratories, Tractor Supply and Purina have secured sponsorships to support the event. Sponsorships are still available at different levels ranging from $100 to $1,000. The entry fee for a two-person team is $100.

Keaten said 100 percent of the net proceeds will be donated to Mainely Veterinary Dentistry's Tooth Fairy Fund.

Mainely Veterinary Dentistry in Windham provides several dentistry services for cats and dogs and offers veterinary dentistry clinics for other veterinarian practices across Maine and New England.

Keaten, owner of Mainely Veterinary Dentistry, is a native of Fryeburg. She opened Mainely Veterinary Dentistry in Windham to serve cat and dog owners across Maine and New England. She received her undergraduate degree in biology from St. Michael's College and veterinary degree from Iowa State and began as a vet technician working in preventive medicine and dentistry.

She continues to raise awareness and funds for the Tooth Fairy Fund to support police K-9s and working dogs, as well as families of pets who can't afford dentistry services.

"The Tooth Fairy Fund helps address that 85 percent of cats and dogs over the age of 3 have some level of dental disease. It is important to support our local police and their K9s teeth because they are very important for their job and how they serve and protect our community. While many police K9s have pet insurance, it does not cover preventive cleanings, and many towns do not budget for this cost since it would cost more tax dollars. Our goal is to promote preventive dentistry for pets," said Keaten.

Mainely Veterinary Dentistry also provides educational training and dental clinics for technicians at veterinary practices across New England. The trainings offered by Dr. Keaten will help other veterinarians to become more familiar with veterinary dentistry and provide more dentistry services to better serve cats and dogs.

About Mainely Veterinary Dentistry

Mainely Veterinary Dentistry’s mission is to improve and maintain the overall health and well-being of pets and the human-animal bond by addressing the oral health of dogs and cats. The company provides high quality and compassionate veterinary dentistry services and education to small animal pet owners as well as training and education to general practitioners and their support staff in New England.

The practice provides preventive dental cleanings, oral exams, full mouth x-rays and oral surgery services. To learn more visit MainelyVetDentistry.com. <

Camp Sunshine appoints MaineHealth executive to Board of Directors

Camp Sunshine, an award-winning nonprofit in Casco, serving children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, has appointed Tamara StClaire, PhD, MBA, to its Board of Directors.
​

Camp Sunshine has appointed Dr. Tamara
StClaire of MaineHealth to its Board of
Directors. COURTESY PHOTO

A nationally recognized healthcare executive and innovation leader, Dr. StClaire brings more than 25 years of experience in commercial strategy, organizational growth, and healthcare transformation to the Camp Sunshine community.

Currently serving as Chief Business Transformation Officer and President of Primary Care Delivery Services at MaineHealth, Dr. StClaire leads initiatives to build a value-based, advanced primary care model focused on accessibility, engagement, and cost-effective care. Her distinguished career has spanned roles in research, product development, corporate strategy, and executive leadership, including tenures at Roche, Xerox PARC, and multiple Silicon Valley startups.

“Dr. StClaire’s deep commitment to healthcare innovation and her proven leadership in patient-centered solutions make her an invaluable addition to our Board of Directors,” said Joanne Bean, President and Chief Executive Officer of Camp Sunshine. “Her unique perspective and passion for improving lives align perfectly with the continuum of care happening at Camp Sunshine and our mission of supporting children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.”

​A trailblazer in the healthcare industry, Dr. StClaire is credited with numerous firsts, including the launch of the first end-to-end ACO solution, the first open-API sandbox for health plan developers, and the first equity investment into a healthcare startup by Xerox. Her accolades include being named one of Health Data Management’s “Most Powerful Women in Healthcare IT.”

​With the addition of Dr. StClaire, the Camp Sunshine organization strengthens its commitment to innovation, excellence, and compassionate care.

​Camp Sunshine continues to expand its Board of Directors with compassionate and visionary leaders who share a commitment to serving families in their most challenging times. Also appointed to the Board of Directors at the nonprofit’s recent annual meeting was D. Charles Houder, a seasoned real estate developer and the founder and managing principal of Haverford Development Partners LLC, based in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

The Camp Sunshine program offers unique experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. It also provides retreats combining respite, recreation and support, while enabling hope and promoting joy, for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families through the various stages of a child's illness.

With decades of dedication and expertise, staff and volunteers or about 75 in each session put families at ease. Families can set their worries aside knowing that there is a physician on site. Camp Sunshine is a place where families can really relax and let staff and volunteers take care of every member of the family.

​Meeting other families who face the same issues, large and small, is a unique benefit of the Camp Sunshine experience. While attending one of the year-round sessions offered at Camp Sunshine, families have an opportunity to enjoy a wide range of activities with up to 40 other families. Whether it’s reaching the top of the climbing wall, swimming in the lake, or enjoying a horse-drawn wagon ride during a winter session, there is fun for every member of the family.

About Camp Sunshine

At its pristine campus on Sebago Lake in Casco, more than 60,000 children, siblings, parents and caregivers from all 50 states and 27 countries have come together for fun-filled, year-round sessions with families just like theirs. And, thanks to the incredible support of donors and volunteers, its programs are 100 percent free. Camp Sunshine is where families can focus on recharging, together, in a safe space with medical support available. Camp Sunshine is where families discover a community who understand. Camp Sunshine is where families find family. For more details about Camp Sunshine, visit www.campsunshine.org. <