In the public eye: RSU 14’s Katahdin Program administrator essential to student success

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

By Ed Pierce

Rich Meserve considers himself fortunate to work with a team of talented colleagues that help students find their way in school after having struggled in other settings.

Rich Meserve has led RSU 14's 
Katahdin Program as its Head of
School since 2016 and will be 
entering his 15th year this fall
of working for the school district.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

As the Head of School of the Katahdin Program, RSU 14’s alternative high school program, Meserve says that seeing students embrace the opportunities and challenges that they are presented with at Katahdin is inspiring.

“In one way, shape or form, I am almost always thinking about the students I work with and how I can best support them,” Meserve said.

His duties as school administrator include supervising and evaluating all professional and support staff, helping to plan, organize and directly implement all school activities, assisting in the development, revision, and evaluation of the curriculum, and establishing and maintaining an effective learning climate in the school. He also prepares the Katahdin program’s budget, monitors expenditures, and coordinates school transportation and logistics.

The upcoming 2025-2026 school year will be Meserve’s 15th year working for RSU 14.

“I first started with RSU 14 in 2004 working as a teacher at the REAL School for a number of years,” Meserve said. “I then served as the assistant principal for REAL School until becoming the Katahdin Head of School in 2016. I served in that capacity for almost three years and then left to take a position as Director of School and Student Supports at the Maine Department of Education. I then returned for a year at Windham Middle School assisting with starting their Altitude Program and I am now back in my role as Head of School at Katahdin.

According to Meserve, the most challenging aspect of his job is breaking down the stigma of what an alternative program is.

“The Katahdin Program has the same graduation requirements as Windham High School, but we are small enough that we can tailor school to be a bit more individualized as well as having the flexibility in our schedule to incorporate experiential learning into the mix,” he said.

He was born in Augusta and graduated from Falmouth High School and has lived all his life in Maine except while attending college and eight years that he spent in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts. 

“I moved back to Maine over the summer of 2004 and had three jobs offered to me, from three different districts, on the same day,” Meserve said. “Weighing all three offers, I felt the most comfortable with the position at RSU 14. This initially had to do with the three people at my interview, Pender Makin, Lillie Hanlon and Rod Nadeau, and the way they painted a picture of what working with them would be like. Since that time, I have been incredibly impressed by the leadership of the district from the members of the superintendent’s team to the school board.”

Education is a second career for Meserve.

“I first got involved working with students as a part-time tutor in Massachusetts in my early 30s. Shortly after that I went back to school at UMass Amherst and became an Ed Tech for two years and then a classroom teacher,” he said. “I have been a regular ed as well as a special education teacher/case manager. I have served as Assistant Principal, and Head of School, as well as in a director position at the Department of Education. I have volunteered for a number of education-related boards and committees and have been a member of the Teacher of the Year State Review Team for the last 11 years.”

His most memorable moments in his career with RSU 14 involve connecting with students a few years after they have graduated.

“They are so thankful for the opportunity that the Katahdin Program provided them to not only earn their high school diploma but also the many other skills and experiences they were afforded by being part of the program,” he said.

Meserve says the most important thing he has learned while working for RSU 14 is simple.

“Every human being has potential and supporting all students is paramount to giving everyone the best opportunity to live a happy and successful life,” he said. <

Raymond to apply for community resilience grant

By Dina Mendros

Raymond will apply for a grant later this summer to help the town prepare for climate change. The Raymond Select Board held a workshop on Tuesday where residents and Select Board members discussed priorities of how the grant, if approved, could be best put to use.

The Town of Raymond intends to apply for a
grant through the Community Resilience
Partnership that supports projects to reduce
energy use and make communities more
resilient to climate change. FILE PHOTO  

During the workshop, led by Lucy Perkins of Siler Climate Consulting, community members were invited to share their thoughts about how the town could use grant funding to make the town more resilient in planning for climate change. Funds can be used to support projects that reduce energy use and costs and make communities more resilient to climate change effects, such as flooding, extreme weather, drought, and public health impacts.

The town of Raymond has contracted with Siler Climate Consulting, together with North Star Planning, for assistance in enrolling in the Community Resilience Partnership, a program under the Maine Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, and applying for a Community Action Grant that would range between $50,000 and $75,000. The grants are funded through a mix of federal and state sources.

The Community Resilience Partnership “helps towns plan for and fund projects that improve energy efficiency and local resilience,” according to Ben Smith, the founder of North Star Planning. The program, he said, “provides technical assistance and grant funding for community priorities and those could be town facilities, emergency preparedness, open space and trails, broadband access and a number of different kinds of projects related to resiliency, economy, public health and infrastructure.”

In the most recent grant awards that took place during the spring, some of the projects which received funding included modernizing municipal facilities through energy efficiency upgrades in Acton, conducting a municipal energy assessment in Alfred and a resilient outreach and education plan in Bath.

According to Perkins, so far 263 Maine municipalities have enrolled in the program, which encompasses about two-thirds of the state’s population; and a large percent of those communities have received funding.

There’s no guarantee Raymond will receive a grant, Smith said. However, he said, “priority is given to communities who haven’t received grant funding yet.”

The town learned about the grant opportunity, according to Town Manager Joseph Crocker, when “two members of the Comprehensive Plan Committee brought this to our attention in partnership with North Star Planning.”

In addition to Tuesday’s workshop and completing self-assessment forms, to enroll in the program, Crocker said, “the Select Board will need to pass a municipal resolution (written by the state) agreeing to join the partnership. … Raymond should complete enrollment by July to apply for a grant in August/September.”

During Tuesday’s workshop, several residents as well as Select Board members, named some of the priorities they thought the grant could go toward.

Select Board member Kaela Gonzalez said some of the priorities for the town that she would like to see the town address include weatherization and solar energy for town buildings, more community gardens, to incentivize energy efficiencies for new building and placing more EV chargers around town.

Shelter and disaster preparedness were mentioned by Age Friendly Raymond Coordinator Debby Tarr.

Increasing conservation and open space were noted by Loon Echo Land Trust Executive Director Matt Markot, as well as ensuring that use ordinances were aligned with community goals of where development should take place.

School Board member Grace Leavitt emphasized that communication and education were also important.

The benefits of enrolling in the Community Resilience Partnership, Smith said, are twofold. “The biggest payoff will be a successful grant award,” he said. “The other reason I think is that it starts some community conversations about resilience broadly (and) … how does Raymond balance community needs around facilities and infrastructure with open space and rural character and making improvements around housing and transportation.” <

Rogers Scholarship Dinner honors legacy of veteran who loved Windham community

By Ed Pierce

Everyone who met Don Rogers was impressed with his love for the community, his sense of humor and his dedication to helping others. It was what people admired about him and why more than five years after his death, Rogers is still fondly remembered in Windham.

World War II veteran Don Rogers of
Windham died in 2020 but before his
passing, the American Legion Post
148 chose to honor him by renaming
its annual student scholarship
program or him and it funds two
scholarships for local students 
through a special dinner every July.
This year's dinner will be at 5 p.m.
Saturday, July 19 at the Windham
Veterans Center. FILE PHOTO   

A graduate of Windham High School in the Class of 1944, Rogers was 94 when he passed away in May 2020, but he left behind a legacy that continues to benefit area students to this very day.

Rogers was born Sept. 21, 1925, and lived most of his life in Windham Center. He served in the Army Air Corps and trained to be a fighter pilot before World War II ended in August 1945. He returned to Windham and worked for his father, M. L. Rogers, as a construction equipment operator in town. In 1954, he married Norma Kimball, and they raised two sons, Donald Scott Rogers, and Dale K. Rogers, in Windham.

Friends and family say that Rogers loved sports and athletics, and played baseball, basketball, track, swimming, and horseshoes. Through the years, he formed a local basketball team and supplied uniforms for the players. He also coached Little League baseball for Windham children for many years.

Being active in the community was something Rogers embraced. He belonged to the Presumpscot Lodge #70 of Masons Scottish Rite, the WHS Alumni Association and the Windham Historical Society. Rogers joined American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 in 1947 and served as Post Commander on four different occasions including 1965-66, 1968-69, 1972-77, and 1979-80.

“His father Maurice was one of the original Post 148 founders in 1938, and his brother, Wayne, was also a member,” said Legion Post 148 Adjutant David Tanguay. “Don believed in our youth. As the Post Commander, he presented students each year with the Legion School Leadership Award. I was a recipient in 1965 and continue to cherish that award.”

In 2019, Legion members chose to honor Rogers by renaming their annual student scholarship program for him and funds the scholarships through a special dinner held at the Windham Veterans Center every year in July.

“The scholarship is now coupled with the Legion award from a fundraiser and dinner, and I think he would be humbled by the honor that it is named after him.” Tanguay said. “Don could light up a room with his stories and one-liners. Don was a prankster and loved a good laugh.”

This year’s annual Don Rogers Scholarship Dinner will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19 with all proceeds from the meal to be used to help local graduating students, one male and one female, to pursue their dreams of higher education.
The popular dinner has become a favorite mid-summer tradition for many families in Windham, and organizers are hoping to raise at least $1,400 through this fundraiser for the scholarships. The meal is an old-fashioned bean supper.

A requested donation of $15 is asked and there will also be a 50/50 drawing and an American Legion Auxiliary homemade pie auction to benefit the scholarship program. Children under 12 will be admitted for free and additional donations for the scholarships will be welcomed.

This year’s American Legion Leadership Award/Commander Don Rogers Scholarships were presented to 2025 Windham High School graduates Ethan Fletcher and Addison Profenno. Fletcher will attend Northeastern University at the Boston Campus to study Mechanical Engineering this fall, while Profenno will attend Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts to study nursing.

For those who wish to donate to the Don Rogers Scholarship program but will not be able to attend the dinner, contributions can be sent to the Don Rogers Scholarship at: Post 148-Scholarship, PO Box 1776, Windham, Maine 04062. <

Author to discuss new book about writing in Windham

By Ed Pierce

As a writer, teacher, and creative encourager dedicated to helping people reclaim their stories and their voice, Anna Brooke believes everyone has a story worth telling and that writing it down can be a profound act of healing, clarity, and connection. It’s the basis of a new book “WRITE! Revealing the Writer Within” she co-wrote and will be discussing in Windham during an upcoming event.

Author Anna Brooke will appear
at Sherman's Maine Coast Book
Shop in Windham from 1 to 3 p.m.
Sunday, July 20 to promote her
latest book called '“WRITE!
Revealing the Writer Within.'
PHOTO BY ROBERT WHITE

 

Brooke will be at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop in Windham from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 20 to meet the public and answer questions about her new book.

She said that “WRITE! Revealing the Writer Within” is a warm, encouraging guide for anyone ready to bring their story to life.

“Whether you’ve been journaling for years or are just beginning to explore the idea of writing, WRITE is a friendly companion for the journey,” Brooke said. “It’s designed to demystify the writing process, the book offers a blend of inspiration and down-to-earth strategies that help you get your words onto the page – your way, in your voice.

According to Brooke, she co-wrote the book to remind people that their stories matter.

“This book is here to hold your hand and give you practical ways to start, continue, and finish your writing, whether it’s a journal entry, a memoir, or something else entirely,” she said.

Born and raised in New York City, Brooke attended Boston University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and then obtained a master’s degree at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London in Post-War Contemporary Art. She’s worked in the healing arts for the last 24 years as a counselor, body worker, and energy worker.

“I have also been a performer for the last 18 years and regularly host and perform in cabaret and variety shows,” she said. “Last but not least, I am also a full-time wedding officiant and use all of my writing skills in crafting custom ceremonies for couples from here and away.”

But Brooke has always loved stories and storytelling and writing was a natural progression for her.

“I was very fortunate to be raised in a house full of books with two parents who loved to read, and they still do,” she said. “I have always kept a journal and when I was younger, I would write short stories and turn them into handmade books. I guess I always wanted to share my work with the world. I have a very busy mind that is often disorganized, but writing helps me slow down and organize my thoughts. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown to appreciate how storytelling transports readers to another time and space along with its power and potency for both imagination and inspiration.”

Her first book was called “Stripped Down: How Burlesque Led Me Home” which she is revising with the intention of reissuing it in 2026. She’s also contributed to a couple of anthologies “Awakened Leaders: Empowering Stories of Self-Healing, Triumph, and Transformation” and “Sex on Stage: Performing the Body Politic.”

The idea for her latest book came from when she started co-teaching writing classes with a fellow author, Vindy Teja, in 2021.

“We had both published our first books with the same publishing house which is how we met,” Brooke said. “She is a Punjabi Canadian and despite our different cultural backgrounds, we connected over the importance of not just telling stories but preserving them within our families and communities. This book is a product of our collaboration and the shared ethos of helping people get their stories out of their heads and down onto paper. As we like to say, we’re not going to tell you how to write, but we are going to tell you to write no matter what.”

She says in total, it took them about 18 months to write the new book.

“Co-writing was a new experience for me, so we would get together every other Friday for three hours to just work on the book together,” Brooke said. “We would write on our own and keep each other updated for feedback, edits, or additions. It was a pretty seamless process once we found our groove. We also made sure that we didn't rush anything.”

She likes to write when the mood strikes her, but if she’s working on a deadline or a piece that is time-sensitive, she’ll schedule daily writing time into her calendar.

“When I wrote my first book, I discovered that setting aside an hour was too much time for me,” Brooke said. “In retrospect, I was feeling overwhelmed. I landed on scheduling only 15 minutes per day. That way, if the muse was speaking, I could fill that 15-minute window and let it flow until the inspiration dried up. If, however, the muse was not speaking, 15 minutes of proverbially squeezing blood from a stone felt a lot easier than 30 or 60 minutes.”

Those attending Brooke’s appearance at Sherman’s in Windham are encouraged to bring their questions about writing, creativity, and self-expression. She will also have copies of “WRITE! Revealing the Writer Within” available for purchase on site. <

Beech leaf disease spreads into Lakes Region

By Kendra Raymond

Residents and visitors to the area may have noticed something strange is going on with the local beech tree population. Where lush, deep green serrated leaves should be present, Lakes Region residents are noticing stunted, shriveled, or even missing leaves throughout the local beech tree population.

A healthy doe is shown on the Raymond Cape, whose primary
food source includes beech nuts. Also shown is a beech branch
at a Raymond home exhibiting classic symptoms of what's
known as Beech Leaf Disease.
PHOTO COLLAGE BY NEILY RAYMOND

With the disease being spotted widespread throughout the state, property owners are becoming concerned.

The Maine Forest Service has published the following update about Beech leaf disease (BLD). “A disease that has been leading to decline and mortality of beech trees from Ohio to Southern New England is now impacting Maine’s forests. Beech leaf disease (BLD) was confirmed in Lincolnville, ME (Waldo County) in May 2021 by forest pathologists from the Maine Forest Service and US Forest Service.

The BLD-infested trees were brought to the attention of the Maine Forest Service by the forest owners. Reports from the public continue to play a critical role in understanding the distribution of the disease. BLD is widespread and severe throughout many areas of Maine and is now found at various levels of severity in 15 of Maine’s 16 counties.

This distribution does not include every town in each county, so efforts continue to track and document disease distribution through survey and reports from the public. In cooperation with the US Forest Service, nine long-term monitoring plots have been established to learn more about disease development and impacts at the individual tree and stand levels in Maine’s forests.”

With all this concern, property owners are wondering what can be done to slow or stop the spread. Then Maine Forest Service fact sheet offers a few FAQs:

• BLD can kill American beech, European beech, and many other beech cultivars of various origins;

• BLD symptoms are associated with the presence of a non-native foliar nematode (microscopic roundworm), Litylenchus crenatae mccannii;

• Disease symptoms tend to begin in smaller beech trees in the understory, however larger trees are also vulnerable to attack and decline;

• BLD may weaken beech trees over time, making them more vulnerable to secondary pests.

Symptoms include:

• Dark bands between the veins of leaves;

• Leaves are cupped, deformed, shriveled and may be smaller than usual;

• Leaves can be thick and have a leathery texture, unlike the papery texture of healthy leaves;

• Premature leaf drop;

• Aborted buds leading to sparse leaf cover;

• Thinning canopy.

Property owners are left with many questions and a feeling of helplessness with the situation. As with many diseases, BLD will eventually run it’s course. In the mean time, small efforts can make a difference.

While there is no cure for BLD, homeowners can help control symptoms by pruning or removing diseased trees. The refuse should be kept on site, to avoid infecting other areas. It is suggested that infected plant material is burned or composted. Make sure to obtain a burn permit. Other options include chipping and firewood, which should all be used on site.

Smaller infected trees will likely not survive BLD. Mature trees will likely also not survive but will last for a longer duration. While BLD may not directly kill older trees, they can be weakened and susceptible to secondary diseases and pests.

Pamela Hargest is a Horticulture Professional with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County.

“I recommend getting in touch with the Maine Forest Service as they are our go-to experts for tree diseases and pests that are impacting our forests,” she said. “They also have a lot of helpful information on their website about Beech Leaf Disease.”

Forest Pathologist Aaron Bergdahl is with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, & Forestry Maine Forest Service, Forest Health & Monitoring. He says that the disease is pretty serious.

“Well, it’s certainly gaining genetic resistance. The outlook is not great for beech,” he said. Bergdahl said that the prognosis for smaller trees is 3-5 years and 5-7 for larger trees, with 10 years being the maximum survival time. Many trees may have pre-existing issues which can tip the scales toward decline. The concerning asked is that there are a lot of beech trees in our native forests. It will become more apparent we start to see decline.”

Aside from the impact on Maine’s visual landscape, the potential catastrophic loss of the beech tree population could affect mammals in the forests. Beech nuts are well-known for serving as a food source for deer and are also consumed by bears. Additionally, the trees can serve as valuable shelter in the woods for various mammals.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife staff members are monitoring the situation and planning accordingly.

At the Region A headquarters in Gray, biologists are not overly concerned at this tenure and Assistant Regional Wildlife Biologist Joshua Matijas is cautiously optimistic.

“It is a shame that we have yet another disease negatively affecting our native Beech trees. Unfortunately, Beech leaf disease (BLD) seems to be spreading fairly rapidly and at varying levels of severity,” he said. “Beech nuts are one of many food sources for deer when they are available, but they are produced on a very cyclic and sometimes irregular basis. Depending on a variety of factors a mature and healthy Beech tree might produce nuts every two to six years.”

Matijas reassured residents that the deer will likely come out unscathed. “Deer are browsers meaning they feed on a variety of leaves, buds, grasses, twigs, shrubs, as well as soft and hard mast. Beech nuts by themselves are not sustaining our deer population by any means and with the many other options available on the landscape I do not foresee impacts to our deer population,” said Matijas.

The Maine Forest Service website has provided the following information sheet: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/beech_leaf_disease.htm

Homeowners can also take advantage of the Disease identification/management resource at: https://extension.umaine.edu/ipm/plant-disease/digital-diagnostic-submission-form/

The Maine Forest Service can be reached at: foresthealth@maine.gov or by phone at 207-287-2431. <

Town of Windham considers creating Forbes Lane pocket park

By Ed Pierce

During the Windham Town council meeting on June 12, councilors voted unanimously to explore the possibility of creating a pocket park for the Forbes Lane and Misty Drive neighborhood off Varney Mill Road.

A vacant lot on Forbes Lane off
Varney Mill Road in Windham 
could eventually become a new
pocket park for Forbes Lane and
Misty Drive residents.
PHOTYO BY ED PIERCE    

In April, Cumberland County Commissioners awarded $40,000 in Community Development Block Grant Funds to Windham for the purpose of eventually constructing a park in the Forbes Lane neighborhood based upon an application received from the town.

The funding is subject to an environmental review by Cumberland County to ensure compliance with the State Historic Preservation Office, local Historic Preservation Ordinances and other environmental regulations.

Community Development Block Grants supports community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities. Activities may address needs such as infrastructure, economic development projects, public facilities installation, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement, and homeowner assistance.

Windham used CDBG Block Grant funding in 2020 for assistance in expanding a parking lot at 35 Main St. in South Windham to encourage economic development and recreational purposes. Through CDBG funding, Cumberland County contributed $205,295 to the project for surfaces and materials.

The site for the proposed pocket park in the Forbes Lane neighborhood is a vacant lot between adjoining neighborhoods. A pocket park is defined as a small park accessible to residents and the public which can be used for recreational purposes including picnic tables, benches, flower beds and greenery.

Councilors voted to establish a committee to research and explore the development of a pocket park in the Forbes Lane community area.

Jarrod Maxfield, Windham Town Council chair, said that committee members will recommend to the council a concept plan establishing connectivity with trails suitable for walking and biking to serve area residents and the public as well as an optional picnic pavilion, benches and recreational amenities suitably sized for the 1.33-acre land parcel.

Committee membership will be made up of up to four individuals who reside on Forbes Lane or Misty Drive, two town staff members and a Windham Town Councilor.

In voting to establish the committee, councilors mandated that town staff members would serve in an advisory capacity and not be voting members of the committee. The council also appointed Councilor Mark Morrison as the council’s representative to the Forbes Lane Misty Drive ad hoc park committee.

Members of the committee at the direction of the Council will research and explore property information to facilitate desired park amenities interconnectivity, access, and parking accommodations.

Anticipating this committee work taking up to two years, the group will make recommendations for a design concept and plan for the Forbes Lane Community Park and eventually present a concept plan for the park to the Windham Town Council. The effort satisfies a requirement by the federal government to replace recreational land which was reclaimed when RSU 14 upgraded the high school campus years ago.

If the council approves a design concept and before the park could be built, a series of public hearings to solicit public input would be held and it will also require approval from the Windham Planning Board. When and if the park is constructed, it will be overseen by the Windham Parks & Recreation Department, a town agency whose mission 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 community open spaces. Windham’s Parks and Recreation Department currently maintains nearly 500 acres of parks and preserves for Windham residents.

The council is asking that any residents of the Forbes Lane or Misty Drive neighborhoods who are interested in serving on the ad hoc park committee to call the Windham Town Manager’s Office at 207-894-5900 and leave their name and contact information. <

Volunteers still needed for Sebago Lake loon count

By Ed Pierce

Maine Audubon is still seeking volunteers to assist with the 42nd Annual Loon Count to be conducted on Sebago Lake later this month.

Maine Audubon is seeking volunteers to assist with the 42nd
Annual Loon Count to be conducted 9n Sebago Lake 
early in the morning of Saturday, July 19. The annual
event is part of a statewide initiative to count loons and 
chicks and track the population changes.
COURTESY PHOTO  

The Sebago Lake count is part of a statewide initiative to count Maine loons and chicks and track the population changes and trends in the population. Information collected during the count helps Maine Audubon to assess the impacts of conservation efforts and to address any significant changes in the population and offer better management solutions in future years.

On Saturday, July 19, a contingent of volunteers will gather at Sebago Lake early in the morning for the count.

“The data volunteers collect is used to track population trends over time,” says Maine Audubon Director of Conservation Sally Stockwell. “We expect some fluctuations year to year, but the numbers indicate a healthy loon population, with a slowly increasing adult population and relatively stable chick numbers.” Maine has the largest population of loons in the eastern United States, which makes the breeding success of loons here critical to the regional population at large.

For years, counting Sebago Lake’s 100-plus miles of shorefront on nearly one trillion gallons of fresh water and at 49 different survey areas presented a significant challenge to Maine Audubon. And despite the efforts of many volunteers, the entire lake was never fully counted.

In 2022, volunteer counters were recruited from each of the seven municipalities that border Sebago Lake and other volunteers signed up as well who wanted to be part of the count. What resulted was the first-ever full Sebago Lake count thanks to more than 50 volunteers who participated and covered more than 30,000 acres of water.

Statewide in 2024, Maine Audubon drew its greatest amount of volunteer participants for the annual event and counted 1,624 loons on 407 lakes. Because of this, Maine Audubon estimated a Common Loon population in Maine of 3,146 adults, south of the 45th parallel. However, the organization says not enough lakes were surveyed north of the 45th parallel to estimate the loon population for the entire state.

Therefore, to expand its reach and involve more volunteers in the count, Maine Audubon will conduct Extended Duration Surveys this summer. This pilot program will count loon populations on remote lakes not surveyed in previous years from July 19 to July 26 while scouting, accessing, and conducting a one-hour survey of their assigned lakes

Most loons nest within one foot of the water’s edge, so they are especially vulnerable to washout from large waves. All motorboats on Maine lakes are required to travel at no-wake speeds when they are within 200 feet of shore or islands. Boats that facilitate wake surfing create even larger waves and can impact loon nests even when operating as far as 500-600 feet offshore. In 2024, a new state law was implemented to address wakesurfing activity and requires individuals “from operating a motorboat in less than 15 feet of water or within 300 feet of the shoreline when the motorboat is engaged in a wakesurfing activity.”

The Common Loon faces all kinds of threats including from boat strikes, nest flooding, lead tackle, eagle predators and despite that with the help of an ever-growing volunteer base, the population remains robust.

“There are so many people looking out for loons,” says Loon Count Data Coordinator Ethan Daly. “Loons are something Mainers can appreciate and unite behind. More people are educating their neighbors, more people are involved in our loon restoration program, more people are getting rid of lead tackle, and more people are considering how shoreline management can impact freshwater ecosystems.”

For more information about the annual count or the Maine Loon Project, or to volunteer as a counter on Sebago Lake, contact SebagoLakeLoonCount@gmail.com or visit maineaudubon.org/loons. <

Raymond-Casco Historical Society launches season with ‘Honey Bee Family Celebration’

By Kendra Raymond

There is always something exciting going on at the Raymond Casco Historical Society Museum and with the recent addition of bee hives to the site, people are swarming to check out the latest developments. From regular weekend events to new collections, there is always something there to fit everyone’s interests.

Beekeeper Ingo Hartig of Raymond will give
a free presentation to the public about bees
during the 'Honey Bee Family Celebration'
from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 20 at
the Raymond-Casco Historical Museum,
1 Shadow Road in Casco.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

The museum campus has expanded exponentially over the past several years with the addition of a blacksmith’s shop and an old schoolhouse. Visitors can take in exhibits showcasing actual items from the area as well as the museum’s transportation barn.

Sue Pride is the collection manager for RCHS and recently shared some exciting news.

“A lot is happening here at Raymond-Casco Historical Society,” she said. “Construction has been completed on our brand-new kitchen and bath, making our location ideal for small group meetings. We have new exhibits, a model farm, and new bee hives,” she said.

The bee hives are an intriguing new feature at the museum campus and historical society members are busy preparing for the upcoming Honey Bee Family Celebration.

“Beekeeper Ingo Hartig set up two hives here at the museum in late spring because of the cold weather,” Pride said. “The idea is to let people know how important honeybees are. He especially likes working with children. We are having a Honey Bee Family Celebration from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. It will be a family fun afternoon where folks can visit the hives, meet the beekeeper, learn about honeybees, kids can do bee-related crafts, learn the bee dance, and have some ice cream.”

Best of all, Pride said that the event is free.

A variety of upcoming events are planned for the summer season at the museum.

Mike Davis will present a talk about the Portland-Harrison canal and the canal boats at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 14. Then at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, Cheryl Callahan will present Processing Wool and the Sheep Boom of New England. She will be talking about all things textile, sheep, wool, mills in Raymond and the tariffs on textile industry leading up to the war of 1812.

The society’s facility is finishing up a full kitchen and bathroom renovation and remodel and RCHS members are excited about the improvements.

“It is all done said RCHS member Greg Plummer who did all the work, and it is just beautiful,” Pride said. “It now makes it possible for us to rent out space for small meetings and functions year-round. RCHS members hope to make their space more accessible with these improvements.”

The historical society is working on a 2026 sesquicentennial project about Revolutionary War soldiers of Raymond, which will serve as a traveling exhibit for local schools and town groups.

Plummer is the host of the all-new Early Bird Show. Episodes can be viewed on YouTube, and includes the likes of Wayne Whitney, local legend Trudy Files, and Babbs Bridge history with Walter Lunt. He keeps these episodes brief but jam-packed with humor and history.

The RCHS is committed to preserving the history of Raymond, Casco and surrounding areas. It was created in 1971 as an educational, charitable, non-profit organization devoted to collection, preservation, and experiential learning which highlights the culture and working history of the Lakes Region Area.

Meetings are open to the public and held on the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. May through October on site at the museum, 1 Shadow Road in Casco. Donations are always accepted and greatly appreciated. RCHS is always looking for volunteers to assist in any capacity and is a great opportunity for students to gain community service hours, or for scouting groups to get involved with the history of the area.

The RCHS farm campus is open from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

For further details, visit https://raymondcascohistoricalsociety.org/about or call 207-655-6389. Find them on Facebook and Instagram under Raymond-Casco Historical Society.

View Greg Plummer’s Early Bird Show on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@raymondcascohistoricalsoci7498 <

Senate passes, governor signs investments in Maine transportation led by Nangle

AUGUSTA – Late last month, the Maine Senate enacted several investments in Maine’s transportation infrastructure, sending five bills to the Governor’s desk where they now await her signature. State Sen. Tim Nangle, D-Windham, Chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Transportation, spearheaded the effort to pass the five bills.

State Senator Tim Nangle

“We on the Committee have the unique and special opportunity to make Maine a more accessible and connected state for all those who live here — from the northernmost corner of Aroostook County to the gateway down in Kittery,” Nangle said. “By improving our pedestrian and bike trails, updating the state’s transit systems and laying the groundwork for a potential ferry service to Monhegan Island, these bills don’t just strengthen accessibility today, they open the door to future tourism and economic growth tomorrow.”

The five enacted bills reflect the Legislature’s ongoing commitment to improving the roads, trails and public transit systems that connect Maine’s communities. LDs 29 and 30 will remove state-owned inactive railroad tracks along the Kennebec River Rail Trail and the Berlin Subdivision between Portland and Yarmouth, respectively. LD 1359 will improve funding transparency for public transit services and improve coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services and those transit services that serve Mainers travelling to health care providers.

As a part of Maine’s continued efforts to honor the service of its veterans, LD 1315 provides one-time funding to the Secretary of State’s office to issue commemorative license plate decals to Maine veterans of Operation Inherent Resolve and a variety of other service officers. Finally, with an eye towards increasing tourism, LD 1186 directs the Department of Transportation to work with island and ferry service stakeholders to study the feasibility of adding ferry service to Monhegan Island.

The five bills enacted off the Highway Table reflect Senator Nangle’s efforts this legislative session to lead the Transportation Committee in support of forward-looking initiatives that strengthen Maine’s connectivity, economic future and role as a tourist destination. All five of the bills were signed into law by Maine Gov. Janet Mills and will take effect 90 days after the First Special Session of the 132nd Legislature adjourns sine die. <

In the public eye: JSMS principal strives to foster a positive learning environment

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

By Ed Pierce

To serve as the school principal at Jordan-Small Middle School, Michelle Brann displays a keen sense of self-awareness, effectively communicates with school staff, students and parents, is influential among those she leads and has shown a willingness to learn from new experiences. These qualities have helped Brann connect with others, inspire action, and adapt to change.

Michelle Brann has just finished her
third year as the principal of 
Jordan-Small Middle School in
Raymond and is helping to lead the
transition for RSU 14 students to a 
different school when the new
Windham Raymond Middle School
opens in September 2027.
COURTESY PHOTO 

Brann just completed her third year at Jordan-Small and it’s a role she doesn’t take lightly.

“The best thing about what I do in my job is interacting and building connections with students,” Brann said. “I am not an administrator that sits in their office. I love walking through the building getting fist pumps and checking in with students. Jordan-Small is a small school. I know almost every student's name and something about them. I love having fun with them.”

Her duties as a principal are extensive.

“I help to create a positive and rigorous learning environment for students and to create a culture of support and achievement among students and staff,” she said. “I am helping to lead the coming together of Jordan-Small Middle School, Windham Middle School and Manchester School as we open the Windham-Raymond Middle School in the fall of 2027. This includes aligning the curriculum of all three schools and working with the staff of all three buildings. so that we’re ready on all levels when the doors open. I create positive connections with the community, especially with parents.”

According to Brann, the most challenging aspect of her work is maintaining a proper work/life balance.

“I love what I do and always want to work to make whatever it is I am working on better,” she said. “There is always something more to do. Sometimes it's hard to put work aside to make time for my family and myself. A big misconception people may have is that educators have all kinds of free time. They don't. They are working harder than they ever have.”

She grew up in Falmouth and attended Falmouth schools through her freshman year of high school when she transferred to Hebron Academy. After high school, she started at Wheaton College but eventually transferred to the University of Southern Maine, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, and then a masters’ degree in American and New England Studies.

“From there I did the ETEP (Extended Teacher Education Program) program to get my teaching credentials, and most recently, I received my CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) in Educational Leadership,” Brann said. “My first teaching job was at Lake Region High School teaching Social Studies. I was there for two years. I then went to Wells High School where I taught Social Studies for 13 years. From there I went to Lake Region Middle School where I was the assistant principal for five years. I am now completing my third year at Jordan-Small. I think I am heading into my 24th year in education.”

Something that the public may not know is that she is never “not working" at her job.

“As an administrator, even when I am not working, there is always something to think about or the potential for something involving a student or staff member may come up,” Brann said.

Her most memorable moment while working for Jordan-Small so far has been the Pasta Fundraising Dinner for eighth-grade end-of-year activities that the school held this spring.

“It was a great community event in which a number of local businesses donated food items for the dinner or items for the raffle,” Brann said. “District level as well as building-level food service staff volunteered their time to help make the dinner, and parents coordinated decorations, a raffle, needed items, and so much more. The best parts were the level of student participation preparing and serving the meal, and the number of community members that attended. It was a great community night and raised quite a bit of money for the eighth graders to have great end-of-year activities.”

She says the most important thing she’s learned while working at Jordan-Small is how amazing and dedicated the staff is on all levels.

“The level of instructional leadership from the upper administration is impressive,” Brann said. “I value the support I have received from fellow administrators, and finally the desire to support and push students to be successful by teachers and support staff is incredible. I completely appreciate where I am and plan to be a part of RSU 14 for a long time.” <

Raymond committee formulates ideas for repurposing Jordan-Small Middle School

By Dina Mendros

With a new middle school in the works for RSU 14, which includes the towns of Raymond and Windham, a committee has been meeting to determine how to best repurpose the Jordan-Small Middle School in Raymond.

A Raymond Committee to formulate ideas for how to best
repurpose Jordan-Small Middle School when it becomes
vacant will present its recommendations to the Raymond
Select Board.  PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

The Jordan-Small Middle School Visioning Committee, created by the town Select Board, has been meeting for the past two months, and held its last meeting June 16. The committee is recommending that a variety of city services ranging from the library to town offices be relocated to the building after the school closes.

“The JSMS Visioning Committee is recommending to the Select Board and the future Building Development Committee to use the school building to house the Parks and Recreation Department, the Library, Town Hall Offices and Community Services,” Committee Chair Peter Lockwood said in an email. “Our focus is to create a Community Center that supports all ages and residents of Raymond.”

The new Windham Raymond Middle School will be situated in Windham and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027. At that time Jordan-Small Middle School will close, as will Windham Middle School and JSMS will be ready for repurposing. The groundbreaking for the new school took place last September.

The committee’s recommendations align closely with an exit poll of voters on Election Day in June 2024. At that time the Raymond Comprehensive Plan Committee asked voters their thoughts about how best to repurpose JSMS. The results were – from highest to lowest – a community center, recreation, library, town office, and childcare, according to the April 15 committee meeting minutes.

When the idea to form the committee came up before the Raymond Select Board on Dec. 10, Board Chair Rolf Olsen said, “The committee’s task would be to do conceptual ideas on what could be done using the school. I don’t envision looking at cost or feasibility. That would be a second committee. This is the pie in the sky people that are going to say here’s things that could be done.”

He recommended putting a wide group of stakeholders on the committee. Committee members that were appointed March 11 included a librarian, an assistant scout master, a member of the Comprehensive Planning Committee, a retired educator and others.

Olsen said in December that the visioning committee would look at “what are practical, what are not practical and what are the costs going to be because at some point we’re going to come down to the fact that we’re going to have to spend some bucks up there. And we need to have a plan first that says this is what we want to do.”

During their work, committee members looked at the school and a number of other town facilities to see how they were being used and what was needed. They looked at the town office, the library, the Public Safety building and two locations leased for programs and offices.

They also visited facilities at nearby towns that took over former schools for town use.

“We started our process by first understanding the mission of this committee as communicated by the Select Board,” Lockwood said. “We reviewed the Raymond Comprehensive Plan which is in the final stages of being approved by the town. We had total freedom to dream and think about any and all options. We were not restricted by cost. Cost concerns will be part of the next phase or the next committee. First. we decided to tour all the current Town of Raymond facilities, JSMS, Town Hall, Library, Raymond Village Community Church (RVCC), and three Public Safety Buildings. Next, we contacted three adjacent towns that have gone through the same process or are currently working on a similar project, Gorham, Westbrook, and Windham.”

Public input will be sought during the process to determine the best use of the school. “In our report we have recommended an extensive survey of the town should be one of the first actions of the next committee,” he said.

The next step for the current committee is to report its recommendations to the Select Board. <

Hometown Hero Award honors work of Diamond’s Walk A Mile Foundation

By Ed Pierce

During Saturday’s Windham Summerfest Parade and festivities, Bill Diamond and the Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Foundation were honored as this year’s recipient of the Modern Woodmen of America Hometown Hero Award, presented annually to recognize individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond in service to their community.

Bill Diamond and the Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Foundation
were honored as this year's Modern Woodmen of America 
Hometown Hero during the Windham Summerfest on
Saturday, June 21. Diamond created the nonprofit group
in 2023 to prevent child homicide and the abuse of children
who are under the supervision or direct cate of the State of
Maine or in the state's Child Protective System FILE PHOTO.
   

Diamond, a former Maine state legislator from Windham, founded the Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Foundation in January 2023 to help prevent child homicides and the abuse of children who are under the supervision or direct care of the State of Maine or who are or have been associated with the state’s Child Protective System.

From 1989 to 1997, Diamond served as Maine’s Secretary of State and during his tenure he was credited with improving efficiencies within the Department of State. Before he was the Maine Secretary of State, Diamond served three terms in the Maine House of Representatives and later was elected as a State Senator representing Windham. He has extensive experience as a small-business owner in Windham for more than four decades, and as a teacher, principal, and Superintendent of Schools in the Windham and Raymond school systems, where he worked for 20 years.

In creating the foundation, Diamond says that children associated with state care have been dying at record levels and something needed to be done to prevent that.

“How many more children must die before we make meaningful changes,” he said. “The problems are not partisan based. They are the concern of all of us. This is the most important thing I’ve ever been able to do, nothing comes close.”

To learn more about the issue, Diamond said he’s attended many child-homicide trials and sentencings over the past years and each time he does, he’s made aware of the gruesome and sad details of an abused child dying needlessly.

“Each time the fact is reinforced that we have the capabilities to fix our broken child protection system, all we need is the will to do it,” he said.

The Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Foundation is duly filed with the Maine Secretary of State and supported and guided by an advisory board consisting of experts in the field of child protection and child welfare. One of the purposes of the Walk a Mile in Their Shoes foundation is to bring people from a variety of interests and backgrounds together to develop meaningful strategies for positive changes to protect our children who are the innocent victims of a broken system.

“Since the foundation was founded, we’ve mobilized families, foster parents, legislators, law enforcement officers, health care and childcare providers, educators and others in advocating for change in Maine’s child welfare system,” Diamond said. “We’ve brought people together on social media and at rallies at the State House and beyond and used our platform to inform the public of the ongoing dangers Maine children face.”

After months of interviews with stakeholders of all kinds from around the state, the foundation released a report in December 2023 detailing how Maine’s child welfare system leaves children, caseworkers, foster families and others without the support they need to be safe and successful.

“We identified many of the same issues that the Maine Child Welfare Ombudsman Program, an independent watchdog, has identified in its annual report for the past several years,” Diamond said. “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services came to similar conclusions in November 2024, when it issued a report finding that Maine did not comply with screening, assessment and investigation requirements for responding to reports of child abuse and neglect. Maine’s DHHS has also seen fit to spend nearly $1.6 million in recent years to contract outside entities to examine the child welfare system, just to be told the same things: the system has serious flaws that are leaving children vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and in the worst cases, death.”

He said the intent of the Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Foundation is to work with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Child and Family Services in a joint effort to improve the state’s child safety policies and practices and make a difference.

Having the foundation honored as a Modern Woodmen of America Hometown Hero for this year’s Windham Summerfest came as a surprise to Diamond.

“I was not expecting any recognition although I will say we have so many dedicated volunteers who constantly give their time and energy to help vulnerable children who are living in unsafe and often times life-threatening circumstances,” he said. “These volunteers deserve this honorable recognition which has a history of outstanding recipients over the past years. All we hope for as a nonprofit organization is the reward that we save the lives of infants and young children by using whatever influence we can muster to rescue these children from ongoing abuse and too often eventual murders. To be recognized as a Hometown Hero is a privilege and heartwarming, however maybe the most important result of this award will be to help us build awareness of who we are and our mission which is to help vulnerable children who most people never see or even know exist.”

To learn more about the Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Foundation, visit https://walkamilemaine.org/ <

Maine Senate unanimously advances Nangle’s subscription legislation

AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate has unanimously voted to advance legislation from State Senator Tim Nangle, D–Windham, that would make it easier for Mainers to cancel subscription services and gym memberships they no longer want.

Nangle’s LD 1642, “An Act to Protect Maine Consumers by Simplifying Subscription and Health Club Membership Cancellations,” ensures that if a consumer can sign up for a subscription or gym membership online, they must also be allowed to cancel it online. The bill targets a growing problem in consumer protection: businesses that make enrollment easy, but cancellation deliberately difficult.

“Too many Mainers are getting stuck in subscriptions they no longer want — usually not because they forgot, but because companies purposefully make it hard to cancel,” Nangle said. “This bill is about basic fairness. It should be just as easy to get out of a subscription as it was to get into it. And that includes for-profit gyms that rely on obstacles to keep charging people who aren't even using the service.”

The bill strengthens Maine’s consumer protection law by requiring:
Clear disclosure of subscription or membership terms before enrollment
Affirmative consent before charging for automatic renewals
Online cancellation using the same method as sign-up
Advance notice before long-term renewals.

Recent federal action by the Federal Trade Commission has imposed similar requirements nationally. Nangle’s LD 1642 would enshrine those protections in state law, making them permanent and enforceable regardless of future changes at the federal level.

As amended on the floor by Nangle, the bill would also expand protections to cover health club memberships – particularly those offered by for-profit gyms which are among the most difficult subscriptions for consumers to cancel. Some gyms allow consumers to sign up in minutes online or through a convenient app but then require them to go to a physical gym location in person to cancel. LD 1642 would end this practice by requiring that if someone can sign up online, they must be able to cancel online too.

The LD 1642 legislation now faces additional votes in the House and Senate.

Nangle is serving his second term in the Maine Senate, representing Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, Windham and part of Westbrook. He serves as Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee and sits on the Health and Human Services Committee. <

Amateur radio club to participate in National Field Day Event at Windham High School

The Wireless Society of Southern Maine (WSSM) will join thousands of amateur radio operators across the United States and Canada for the annual American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day, taking place the weekend of June 28 and June 29.

The SSB station is operated from a tent during last year's
American Radio Relay league (AARL) Field Day in
Windham. This year's event will be held from 2 p.m.
Saturday June 28 to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 29 at Windham
High School. SUBMITTED PHOTO

This year’s event will be held at Windham High School, with activities taking place on the athletic field adjacent to Windham Primary School. On-air operations begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, and continue for 24 hours until 2 p.m. on Sunday.

ARRL Field Day is the largest and most popular event for amateur radio operators (also known as “hams”), bringing together hobbyists and professionals alike for a weekend of emergency preparedness, technical demonstration, and public outreach. Now in its 15th year of participation, WSSM has established itself as a leading club in the region, having placed first in Maine across all categories in 10 of the last 11 years, and earning top 20 rankings globally on multiple occasions.

“Field Day is more than just a contest,” said Peter Fulton, Treasurer of WSSM. “It’s an opportunity to test our ability to operate under less-than-ideal conditions and to showcase the importance of amateur radio in both community events and emergency situations.”

Combining elements of a campout, emergency drill, and public demonstration, Field Day underscores the critical role amateur radio can play when modern communications systems fail. WSSM members will set up and operate temporary stations using off-grid power, demonstrating the resilience and versatility of amateur radio technology.

The Wireless Society of Southern Maine plays an active role in emergency communications locally, partnering with organizations such as the National Weather Service’s SKYWARN program and the Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency to relay vital information during severe weather and other emergencies.

Visitors are welcome to stop by throughout the weekend to observe operations, meet licensed radio operators, and even get on the air themselves under the supervision of club members. Signs will be posted throughout the Windham High School campus to help direct attendees to the event site.

ARRL Field Day is a radio communications event that brings together amateur radio operators (also called “hams”) within your community. The theme for 2025 Field Day is “Radio Connects” – highlighting the many ways that wireless technology connects people across distances near and far.

On the fourth weekend in June each year, more than 31,000 hams get together with their radio clubs, schools, or friends to operate from remote locations. For many radio clubs, ARRL Field Day is one of the highlights on their annual calendar. A typical Field Day site will show many aspects of amateur radio and its many roles.

It is an annual demonstration and invites the general public and organizations to see how amateur radio can serve in an emergency. Ham radio operators are well-known for their communications support in real disaster and post-disaster situations. Despite the development of very complex, modern communications systems – or maybe because they are so complex – ham radio has been called into action, again and again, to provide communications in crises when it really matters.

Amateur radio also inspires the next generation of technical leaders by providing a hands-on sandbox where students gain experience in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). For those with a competitive spirit, Field Day stations compete to make radio contacts with as many other stations as possible while learning to operate radio equipment in challenging situations and less-than-optimal conditions.

These same skills are used by hams who volunteer to help with large, preplanned, non-emergency events such as marathons and bike-a-thons; fundraisers such as walk-a-thons; celebrations such as parades, and exhibits at fairs, malls, and museums.

For more details about the Wireless Society of Southern Maine and how to get involved in amateur radio, visit www.mainehamradio.com or the club’s official website at www.ws1sm.com. <

Expert gardener to give pollinator presentation at Windham library

By Kira Pilot

Have you ever wondered how to attract more bees and butterflies to your garden? Nancy Donovan will be giving a presentation detailing how residents can support local pollinators at the Windham Public Library from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 23.

Windham Public Library will have the Observing Pollinators
Kit available following a free presentation by Master
Gardener Nancy Donovan about attracting pollinators
from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, June 23 at the library.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Donovan is a retired physical therapist who resides in Bridgton. She is a Cumberland County Master Gardener Volunteer and has many years of experience observing and encouraging pollinators in her own backyard.

“It’s funny how things come around” says Donovan, recalling her childhood. “I remember my mother having a garden and I would laugh so hard when she’d go out and count the flowers on her tomato plants. As an adult, I had to have tomato plants.” She credits Maine’s pollinators – bees, butterflies, flies, wasps, birds, and even bats –for the success of her tomatoes and wants the community to be mindful of the crucial role pollination plays in our food production systems country-wide.

According to the USDA, three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce. The added revenue to crop production from pollinators is valued at $18 billion.

“The food we eat is available because of the actions of pollinators. And pollinators – of every type – are on the decline.” Donovan notes habitat loss and environmental contaminants as factors in this decline as she coveys the importance of supporting the creatures that make farming possible.

“If we don’t pay attention to our bees, we’re going to be up a creek without a paddle,” she said. Donavan said she hopes to impart this message during her presentation and outline tangible ways to help reverse the decline in one’s own backyard.

As a Master Gardener, part of Donovan’s mission is to educate and mentor gardeners in the community, much as she was mentored by the University of Maine Extension educators and horticultural experts who facilitate the training that is required to become a Master Gardener.

Interns like Donovan who participate in Maine’s Master Gardener Program receive roughly 65 hours of intensive training.

Says Donovan of her time in the program, “There’s that saying ‘you learn from your mistakes, and I don’t want to learn from my mistakes. I want to learn from other people’s mistakes. Why not take your lessons from the best of the best in the state of Maine?”

Sally Bannen, the Technical Services Librarian at the Windham Public Library who has organized the upcoming presentation, plans on showcasing a newly purchased Observing Pollinators Kit, made available through a grant from the National Library of Medicine. The kit, which includes guides, a clipboard, a stopwatch, binoculars, and other items, will be available for checkout after the talk.

Using the items in the kit, one observes pollinators on a given plant for a specified amount of time and then logs their observations online where scientists can make use of the data. Avid bird watchers may be familiar with this type of citizen science, i.e. science that requires public participation and collaboration to expand our current knowledge of the world around us.

“Windham used to be a farming community, and I think we still have a lot of interest in agriculture in this area,” says Bannen. “I thought this might be a good kit because I know there are several beekeepers in the area.”

Bannen said that the Pollinator Presentation will include content applicable to anyone, even those new to gardening. Prior experience is not necessary, agrees Donovan and says that helping pollinators is in everyone’s best interests. After all, “Who doesn’t like a flower?”

The talk is appropriately timed as this year’s National Pollinator Week will take place June 16 to June 22.

For further details about the Exploring Maine Pollinator Gardens presentation, please contact Sally Bannen at 207-892-1908, ext 7. <

Outstanding WHS juniors receive college book awards

By Ed Pierce

Before the 2024-2025 school year ended at Windham High School, an assembly held last week at the school paid tribute to outstanding members of the junior class for their emphasis on academic excellence and community involvement.

Windham High School junior Grace Hansen was
presented with the University of Rochester
Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award as
part of the annual WHS University Book Awards
ceremony last week at the school. Hansen's
award pays tribute to a junior student who
demonstrates high achievement and rigor in
science and math classes and makes positive
contributions to their school and within the
larger community. COURTESY PHOTO  

According to Phil Rossetti, Windham High School assistant principal, the University Book Awards are presented annually at the conclusion of each school year to some of the top students in the junior class. Rossetti said that each year universities and colleges in America partner with secondary schools such as Windham High School to recognize exceptional high school juniors.

Each University Book Award focuses on a specific area of academic achievement and excellence, such as service to the community, music and the arts, distinction for academics and community advocacy. Recipients are presented with a book from the university or college sponsoring the award and are intended to foster the recipient’s continued willingness to grow and learn.

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

Here are this year’s Windham High School 2025 University Book Award recipients:

Colby Prescott, Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Award and the Harvard University Book Prize. The RIT Computing Award is a distinction that recognizes a student with high academic achievement who is involved in school activities and the community and demonstrates interest and ability in computing. The Harvard University Book Prize is awarded to a student for excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievement in other fields.

Delia Romkus, St. Michael's University Book Award and the Smith College Book Award. The St. Michael’s University Book Award recognizes a National Honor Society member who shows a sustained and sincere commitment to community service, issues of peace and justice, and concern for others. Smith College's Book Award program recognizes an outstanding Junior in a participating school’s community who exemplifies the academic achievement, leadership qualities, and civic engagement that characterize the thousands of women who have graduated from Smith College.

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

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

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

Erica Lin, Rochester Institute of Technology Art & Design Award. This honor is presented to a student who demonstrates outstanding achievements in art, design, and creativity through creative and innovative thinking in areas such as art, crafts, design, film, animation, or photography.

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

Nolan McPhail, The St. Michael’s University Book Award. This award recognizes a National Honor Society member who shows a sustained and sincere commitment to community service, issues of peace and justice, and concern for others.

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

Ellise Gallop, University of Rochester Frederick Douglass Award. This distinction recognizes a junior who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues. The recipient shows strong leadership and dedication to community action.

Grace Hansen, University of Rochester Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award. This honor pays tribute to a junior who demonstrates high achievement and rigor in science and math classes and makes positive contributions to their school and within the larger community.

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

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

Emma Fox, Russell Sage College Student Sage Award and Salem State University Book Award. The Russell Sage College Student Sage Award recognizes a student who makes school an exciting, creative, and engaging place of learning, possesses powerful communication skills, is actively involved in the community, and inspires others to develop and grow. The Salem State University Book Award is presented to a junior who excels in academics, and demonstrates commitment to their community through work, volunteerism, family/peer commitment, and/or civic engagement.

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

Nealie Morey, Brandeis University Book Award. The Brandeis University Book Award is presented to a junior who has demonstrated a commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence as well as a healthy respect for intellectual inquiry.

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

Padrick McGuire, Elmira College Key Award. This award is presented to a high school junior who has maintained a 3.0 GPA in high school and demonstrates outstanding school and community leadership. The award includes a renewable yearly scholarship.

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

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

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

Lauren Neal, St. Anselm College Book Award. This distinction is presented to a student that demonstrates academic success and exceptional leadership qualities in civic engagement.

Finn Jorgensen, University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation. This award recognizes a junior who has a strong interest in innovation and a high level of achievement.

Samuel Hutchison, Bowdoin College Book Award. This distinction recognizes a junior who demonstrates extraordinary service to the common good, a commitment to the study of the environment and lives life with compassion and integrity.

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

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

Corey Brackett, Elmira College Key Award. This award is presented to a high school junior who has maintained a 3.0 GPA in high school and demonstrates outstanding school and community leadership. The award includes a renewable yearly scholarship.

Madison Donnelly, Suffolk university Book Award. This award is presented to a student who shows dedication to learning in the classroom as well as to their school community through extracurricular involvement and volunteer positions.

Gwendolyn Howard, Simmons University Book Award. This award is presented annually to a female high school junior who exemplifies the qualities of a Simmons University student, including leadership, community service, caring for family, passion for all social justice, climate change, and acts of kindness; and embody one or more of the school’s core values.

Aries Nielsen, Maine College of Art and Design Book Award. This honor recognizes a student for outstanding visual artwork.<