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

By Ed Pierce

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rippleffect programs help youth build confidence, develop critical leadership skills, strengthen relationships, and grow their appreciation for the outdoors through exploration of Cow Island, the waters of Casco Bay, and the wilderness of New England.

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

Presentation focuses on importance of sheep farming in 19th century Raymond

By Ed Pierce

In a time when forests, trees and lumber dominated the local economy in Raymond, there was a period when sheep farming mattered to area residents and that topic will be explored during a presentation by the Raymond-Casco Historical Society.

Cheryl Callahan will discuss 'Processing Wool and the Sheep
Boom of New England' during a free presentation at 6:30
p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11 at the Raymond-Casco Historical
Society campus at 1 Shadow Lane in Casco. 
COURTESY PHOTO

At 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, Cheryl Callahan will discuss “Processing Wool and the Sheep Boom of New England” at the Raymond-Casco Historical Society campus at 1 Shadow Lane in Casco. The presentation is free, but donations will be accepted. The community is welcome to attend and learn more about the relevance of sheep farming in Raymond’s history.

Callahan says that some tools used in the 18th and 19th centuries to process sheep’s fleece into yarn for spinning are still in service today.

During her presentation, she will demonstrate how some of them worked and discuss options that were available to spinners, weavers and dyers of days gone by to transform sheep wool into products.

According to Callahan, Raymond’s history of the sheep boom in New England was a direct reflection of economic uncertainty facing New England at that time.

“Cloth production increased when exports were restricted,” she said. “We will look at a local business that thrived here in Raymondtown to meet demands of the community.”

During the 19th century, Maine farmers tended almost a million sheep that produced wool and for a 35-year period in New England history, in what was called “Sheep Fever” from 1810 to 1845, sheep farming thrived across the Pine Tree State.

At the onset of “Sheep Fever,” many Maine farms kept native sheep, which were small and not very good to eat, but in spite of short fleece they were hardy enough to stand up to cold winters. The Merino sheep breed had finer fleece and tasted better and became the preferred choice for sheep farmers.

New breeds of sheep from Europe, specifically the German Saxon and the British Leicester and Southdowns, were introduced and by 1860, Maine sheep were producing 33 pounds of wool each spring.

Merino sheep farms in Raymondtown grew in the 19th century as a result of the War of 1812, which disrupted the supply of English wool to New England. To contain the sheep to a farming property, numerous stone walls were constructed to contain the flocks.

A historical account uncovered by the late Raymond historian Ernest H. Knight reveals that a farm gifted to Major Simon Fog in Raymond in 1814 was initially a cultivated vegetable farm, before becoming a sheep farm, and then transitioning to dairy farming in the late 1930s and 1940s.

The popularity of sheep farming in Maine declined somewhat after 1840 as developments such as the opening of the Erie Canal and westward migration to more fertile agricultural properties continued. But it enjoyed a brief revival in the early 1860s, when the need for wool uniforms during the Civil War rose.

Raymondtown in the era included several mills that played a significant role in the area's economic development and one of them will be discussed by Callahan during her presentation.

Early Raymondtown settlers, including Dominicus Jordan and Joseph Dingley, had established sawmills to meet the immediate needs of the community and these early sawmills were typically located on sites with waterpower and the availability to shipping routes on land and by water. Raymond sheep farmers used these local mills to refine their products for growing cities like Portland.

The Raymond-Casco Historical Society 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.

For questions about the “Processing Wool and the Sheep Boom of New England” presentation, or to learn more about the historical society and programs it offers, call 207-655-6389 or visit raymondcascohistoricalsociety.org/. <

Eagle Choice Awards to be announced next week

By Ed Pierce

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

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

Melissa Carter, advertising director of The Windham Eagle newspaper, said that the awards remain wildly popular and established a new record this year by receiving more than 10,000 ballots cast resulting in over 191,000 votes across 93 categories.

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

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

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

Voting opened on June 29 and continued through Sunday, July 20. A list of the 2025 Eagle Choice winners will be published in the Aug. 15 special section of The Windham Eagle newspaper.

“The special section is saved by many residents and used all year long to find the area businesses that have been singled out for recognition as being the best of the best by local residents,” Carter said. “The Eagle Choice Awards special section is also posted to the newspaper’s website for convenient and handy reference throughout the year.”

Two awards are presented in each category, gold for first place and silver for second. At times, if votes are within 10, a tie is then called, and two businesses are awarded for the category.

The awards will be presented at a gathering at Erik's Church in Windham, starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14. Each winner is given a decal and a plaque to display at their business or on vehicles to recognize their accomplishment.

“Now in its 11th year, the Eagle Choice Award has become a well-known symbol of business trust and top-notch customer service,” Carter said. “It is an honor to be able to recognize the many companies that pour their heart and soul into their businesses each year. The competition is tough and even for those businesses that are not awarded gold or silver, we hope that they appreciate every vote they get. The exposure of even being listed on the ballot is a win for branding and for name recognition.”

Carter said a few new categories have been added this year and some from previous years have been updated. For 2025, there are a total of 93 categories.

Businesses in the updated categories have been split to better represent business services. Those include Auto Detailing and Car Wash into two separate categories, Aesthetics/Med Spa has been split into Facial and Med Spa, and Trash Services has been split into Junk Removal and Trash Services/Dumpster Rentals.

New categories this year are Burger, Dog Training, Interior Design/Home Staging, and Remediation.

While the newspaper does its best to keep current on adding new businesses and deleting those that are closed and including everyone, they welcome feedback to help improve ballot choices for the upcoming years by sending an email to: awards@thewindhameagle.com. Voters also had a write-in option to nominate a business that is not already listed.

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

“Every business mentioned in the Eagle Choice special section is more than worthy and deserving of this recognition and we are so happy to be able to showcase their popularity with the Annual Eagle Choice Awards,” Carter said. “We can’t thank everyone enough who took the time to cast a ballot, to our readers for supporting these fine businesses and to the many companies that support our publication not just for Eagle Choice by on a weekly basis. We can’t wait to reveal the list of winners in the Aug. 15 edition.” <

State extends exemption for polystyrene foam food containers to 2027

AUGUSTA – A new law will go into effect immediately in Maine that extends the exemption from the ban on polystyrene foam food containers to allow raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs to be sold in polystyrene foam containers until July 1, 2027.

Maine retailers have been granted an exemption until July
2027 to stop selling products packaged or contained in
polystyrene containers as mandated by the Maine
Legislature. Polystyrene has been linked to cancer-causing
carcinogens in humans and is not biodegradable.
COURTESY PHOTO
    

It also extends the exemption to allow retailers to sell food or beverages in or on disposable food service containers composed of polystyrene foam that is prepackaged at the wholesale level until July 1, 2027.

This law does not make any change to the ban on polystyrene foam disposable food service containers for take-out foods, bakery products, and leftovers from partially consumed meals that are currently in effect. Disposable food service containers are service ware designed for one-time use, and include bowls, plates, trays, cartons, cups, lids sleeves, or other items for containing, transporting, and serving foods.

A "frequently asked questions" guidance sheet has been prepared by the Department to provide additional information regarding who and what must comply with the ban can be found on the Departments web page at the link above.

This change in the law only extends the exemption. After July 1, 2027, all food and beverage products sold in Maine, including food prepackaged out of State by wholesalers for retail sale, cannot be packaged in polystyrene foam.

Expanded polystyrene foam, commonly but inaccurately known by the trade name Styrofoam (which is a material produced for building insulation or craftwork), has been in use since the 1960s. Because of its light weight, impact absorption, insulation qualities, and low price, it has been particularly popular for making disposable packaging and food ware.

Recently polystyrene foam service ware has become a concern for the environment as well as human health and safety. It is one of the top 10 contributors to environmental litter. It is not biodegradable, is resistant to photo-oxidization, and is difficult to recycle.

Currently in Maine, polystyrene foam is not collected for recycling and must be treated as trash. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Toxicology Program has listed styrene, a chemical found in expanded polystyrene foam, as a reasonably anticipated human carcinogen that can be transferred from expanded polystyrene foam containers into food and beverages that people consume.

To protect people and the environment, reduce litter, and keep polystyrene out of the waste stream, in 2019 the Maine Legislature passed a statewide ban on certain expanded polystyrene foam products 38 MRSA Chapter 15-A. This law bans the use of disposable polystyrene foam food service wares including any container, bowl, plate, tray, carton, cup, lid, sleeve, stirrer or other item used to contain, transport, serve or consume prepared foods, with the exception of home use and use by certain exempted entities.

For additional information, contact: David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner david.madore@maine.gov <

New Comprehensive Plan heads to town vote in Raymond

By Kendra Raymond

It’s been over two years in the making, and the Raymond Comprehensive Plan is nearly ready for the next phase. A special town meeting will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 12 to hold a vote on accepting the plan.

After a lengthy and involved process of information gathering, survey distribution and analysis, public workshops, and plan revisions, the Raymond Comprehensive Plan is rounding the corner and coming into the final steps of the project.

In formulating the Comprehensive Plan, phases for the project included data analysis, an inventory of vision and values, a look toward Raymond Tomorrow, development of an implementation plan, and the adoption of the final plan.

The comprehensive plan is a document with a long-range view that guides municipal policy, growth, and investment over the next 10 to 20 years. The plan incorporates community vision, values, and data analysis on existing conditions in areas like housing, transportation, population, and public facilities.

Raymond has not updated its plan since 2004, and the committee recognizes that a lot has changed in the past 20 years, while some things have remained much the same. The Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC) is leading the way to decipher these nuances while remaining true to the core values and history of the town.

For towns in Maine, having a state-certified comprehensive plan is mandatory before applying for various grants and loans, or to incorporate various regulations.

Along with Peter Leavitt, Kaela Gonzalez is co-chair of the Comprehensive Plan Committee and Gonzales took a minute to answer the following questions residents have been asking about the new plan.

What is new about this Comprehensive Plan?

The 2024 Comprehensive Plan builds upon the previous plan from 2004, focusing on preserving Raymond’s small-town rural character and natural resources while addressing challenges such as limited housing, traffic congestion, and development pressure. The new draft incorporates clear and defined policy actions, including a proposed future land use map providing a structured approach to managing growth. The map details areas of growth and transition concentrated along Rt 302 and the village areas. Rural and critical rural spaces include shorefront and large areas of land in North and East Raymond. The Plan also contains updated information on current trends in population, housing, and the local economy. If the Plan is deemed consistent with the State's Growth Management Plan, Raymond becomes eligible for future funding opportunities.

What does this mean to residents?

Essentially, the Comprehensive Plan sets the agenda and future initiatives for town staff, elected officials, and the various town committees. In time, the goals and policies outlined in the Plan will take shape. These may include improvements to roads with a focus on traffic calming measures, safer shoulders, and increased sidewalks for pedestrian and bike safety. Zoning updates could allow for more housing options like duplexes, apartments, or senior housing in designated areas, while still protecting rural and shore land areas from overdevelopment. The Comp Plan will also play a major role in deciding how Jordan-Small Middle School will be used after the new Windham Raymond Middle School opens in 2027.

Will it be added to the ballot?

The Select Board will be holding a public hearing and special town meeting on Aug. 12, 2025, in which voters will have the opportunity to accept or reject the draft plan. If rejected, the Comprehensive Plan Committee will be asked to make changes based on comments received on Aug. 12. If accepted, the Plan becomes a longterm guide for our community and allows Raymond to impose changes and policies outlined legally.

What changes can residents expect to see going forward?

The first recommendation to the Select Board after the acceptance by the voters will be the formation of an Implementation Committee, which is where the real work will begin. The Comprehensive Plan lays out goals and policies which include suggested benchmarks for achievement (short-term, mid-range, and long-term). That committee will be charged with putting forth action plans to set the goals and policies in motion. Raymond is already moving forward with actions to improve resiliency through participation in the State's Community Resilience Partnership and applying for funding through Community Action Grants, with the help of North Star Planning and Siler Climate Consulting.

The Comprehensive Plan Committee has been meeting regularly to synthesize data and fine-tune the cohesive Comprehensive Plan, which is the citizen’s vision for the future of the town.

Leavitt cites strong community involvement in the process. He says that citizen data collected from these workshops along with two internet-based community opinion surveys and committee polling of Raymond citizens has formed the core of our current plan. The committee has also completed a series of one-on-one interviews of all town department heads.

Gonzales said that community feedback and support has been positive throughout the process thus far.

“There was a comment period before the committee finalized a draft in December of 2024. The Comprehensive Plan Committee has not held a meeting since December,” she said. “There have been some comments to the Select Board, which have been positive and supportive. Residents are eager to see meaningful changes, an increase in community connectivity, and the preservation of Raymond's natural resources.”

For more information and updates, visit the website at https://compplan.raymondmaine.org/.

Survey reports are available on the website, as well as other resources such as factsheets and workshop reports.

To read a copy of the proposed Town of Raymond Compressive Plan, visit: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/583c12f2ebbd1a75232464df/t/678aacc33941ac1f59524b16/1737141451023/Raymond+Comprehensive+Plan+1.7.25.pdf <

Decades later former Girl Scouts reunite, share memories

By Dina Mendros

In the early 1990s, Nancy Cash-Cobb’s daughter Sara decided she wanted to be Girl Scout, and her mother told her “I’ll be the leader as long as you want to do it.”

Windham Girl Scout Troop 704 that met on Thursday
afternoons at Windham Elementary School for 12 years
until 2004 went on trips to a variety of places including
Washington, D.C. where they met U.S. Senators Olympia
Snowe, back row far left, and Susan Collins, back row far 
right. Former Scout Mia Perron, front row, third from left,
was a member of that troop and attended a troop reunion on
July 27 at Crescent Lake in Raymond. COURTESY PHOTO    

For 12 years, Cash-Cobb led Girl Scout Troop 704 which held their meetings on Thursday afternoons at Windham Elementary School. Sara and other area girls were troop members for all 12 years.

The girls, who are now 38- to 40-year-old women, have moved on, some have moved to other states, some have careers, and some are married with children. But the bonds of their Girl Scout adventures and experiences continue, and on Sunday, July 27, a number of the former Scouts and their former leaders gathered at Cash-Cobb’s home on Crescent Lake in Raymond to catch up, reminisce and make new memories.

Barbara Phinney, the assistant troop leader, came up with the idea for the reunion, Cash-Cobb said. Although the reunion wasn’t as well attended as she had hoped for, with only six scouts returning, still, Cash-Cobb said, “we had a good time.”

The reuniting Scouts agreed.

“The reunion was great!” former Scout member Mia Perron said. The married, 40-year-old Westbrook resident who works at Unum and plays violin and acts in her spare time said, “while our numbers were small, our Girl Scout pride was mighty! We looked at pictures, talked about our favorite experiences, and shared where we are now - kids, careers, life.”

Cash-Cobb said, she and other parent volunteers took the girls on many adventures through the years.

“We went to New York City and (Washington) D.C. and we went to Europe.” The troop also met some interesting people from an astronaut to Maine’s U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. The girls and their leaders held fundraisers to help pay for trips. We made and sold a lot of spaghetti and meatballs meals.”

She said the Scouts also participated in community service activities from volunteering at an animal shelter to helping out at soup kitchens.

As she reminisced, Perron said, “one thing that really struck me as I looked back … on these childhood experiences through the eyes of an adult was how much work my troop leaders put into cultivating these incredible experiences for us. I looked at a picture of us covered in mud and holding up starfish and thought how much work must have gone into bringing a dozen girls camping on a Maine island. I laugh at a photo of myself ‘tied’ into my seat at a Broadway show (I'm afraid of heights and those balconies are steep) and I can't imagine herding these inquisitive, excited girls through the streets of Times Square. Not only did they guide us through incredible experiences, it also helped us face adversity – like the time I toppled down the stairs at the Hard Rock Cafe in D.C. and broke my ankle one day into our trip. Did the girls let that slow us down? Never! I got pushed, pulled, and carried all over the city by determined and diligent girls who wouldn't let me miss a single experience.”

Being a Girl Scout, Perron said, was a very positive and important part of her growing-up experience.

“The leadership opportunities I had as a Girl Scout, whether leading younger troops or organizing events, gave me confidence that carried into my career,” she said. “The emphasis on helping others shaped my values, and the problem-solving skills I learned have been invaluable throughout my life. To this day, I seek out opportunities to give back to my community. This week, my Unum coworkers and I made dinner for residents at the Ronald McDonald House. Last year, I raised over $1,000 for the Maine Cancer Society participating in ‘Tri for a Cure’. Those values were nurtured through Scouts.”

Perron said she still is good friends, and in close contact with some of her former troop members but not all of them.

She attended the event because, “I wanted to reconnect and see the women what the girls of my memories have become. There's something special about people who knew you during those important growing-up years.”

Another Girl Scout Troop 704 reunion is planned for next year.

“I hope in future years, we are able to reach more girls who are women now,” Perron said. “I would love to hear about their lives, careers, families, and how scouting shaped their journeys.”

To find out about next year’s reunion event, call Nancy Cash-Cobb at 207-671-7064. <

Collector donates significant book collection to Hawthorne House

By Kendra Raymond

Maine author Stephen King once said, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” For Raymond resident Jim Long, sharing the gift of magic with his community comes naturally. The impactful donation is being received by the Hawthorne Community Association, part of author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s boyhood home.

Jim Long of Raymond, left, presents part of
his personal book collection to Tom Ewig,
president of the Hawthorne Community
Association. Long's donated books will be
used to further develop the Hawthorne 
House library. COURTESY PHOTO  

Hawthorne Community Association President Tom Ewig is delighted with Long’s generosity.

“Jim Long has downsized his library and has offered the association some rather rare and interesting first additions,” he said. “It has been one of our objectives to make the Hawthorne House library more relevant and interesting to our members and visitors.”

Ewig says that the donation will further enrich the Hawthorne House collection and is grateful that Long thought of them.

“Jim is a longtime resident of Raymond, but not yet a member of Hawthorne Community Association,” Ewig said. “He contacted me because he was looking for a steward of his beloved collection. It will inspire us to expand the Hawthorne House library and offer our books to our membership. We already have quite a good collection of both Hawthorne works, books written about him as well as other historical books so this will fit right in.”

Long reflected on the decision to initiate the donation.

“I have spent the last three days divesting my home of 50-plus years of accumulated literature in the form of hardcover books,” he said. “Like all my acquisitions, they were always gained with the hope that they would offer a meaningful and lasting value when passed on to the next generation. I am cleaning out things that I found had become important in shaping who I am and it aided me in defining that path. I am learning that a history known and shared does not hold things together quite like one that has been lived and experienced together. Most personal knowledge, understanding, and experiences are nontransferable with the same meaning or value.”

Long said that the books represent deep interests in his life including children, artistic illustrations, and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom and passing it along. Titles donated include classics such as a 1909 edition of the “Prince and the Pauper “by Mark Twain, “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe, “The Story of Don Quixote” by Arvid Paulson and Clayton Edwards. Also included is a 117-year-old copy of “The Toy Shop” by Margarita Gerry, and “Franz Schubert and his Merry Friends” by Opal Wheeler and Sybil Deucher.

Of notable importance to the Hawthorne House is the donation of “Tanglewood Tales” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

“It was originally published in 1913, but I acquired a 1940 edition,” he said. “This book holds a special place as I have kept and enjoyed it in my home. I am pleased to extend its presence in a proper historical environment to be enjoyed by many visitors in the future.”

Long resides nearby the Hawthorne House in Raymond.

“I have been in Raymond since 1972. Having four daughters that all went through most of their school here, I was pretty active in school and town functions for a long time,” he said. “I started collecting books many years ago after getting to know a longtime Raymond Cape resident, Ester Astor, who had an extensive library of her own. As an avid reader with an interest in history and art, I decided to start a modest collection. I was very happy that I could find such a worthy place for them.”

Long reflected on his history in the town and his memories.

“My days of belonging to organizations are mostly behind me, but am always looking to support worthy causes,” he said. “I had a painting and wallpapering company that served many clients along the cape who became friends as well. I had many lunch stops at the old country store behind the Hawthorne House.”

Long is skeptical about the direction that books are headed and remains dedicated to acquiring his reading through physical copies.

“I dread the loss of a medium that has had such a wonderful physical presence, history, and smell that provides a reality you cannot experience any other way. A book is not just a book; it’s an experience,” he said. “I must admit that I am slowly transitioning in how I think about and acquire my reading material. I still like hard copies of timeless subject matter like biographies, settled histories, books that document the evolution of things or thoughts.”

Ewig says he hopes to get busy cataloging and organizing the significant gift.

“A word of thanks to Jim, and I personally will delight in paging through this fine collection,” he said.

Long said he’s glad the books are in a good place.

“I have done my homework and know that the books I have are well preserved in a digital space for now and all the tomorrows to come,” said Long.

To learn more about the Hawthorne House, visit their website at: https://hawthorneassoc.com/ <

National Night Out a great way to get to know Windham’s first responders

By Ed Pierce

Members of the Windham Police Department are looking forward to meeting the community and showcasing what they do every day for public safety during the popular community gathering called National Night Out.

Held annually on the first Tuesday evening in August, this year’s National Night Out will be conducted from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the Windham Public Safety Building at 375 Gray Road in Windham. The event is an opportunity for the residents of Windham to meet with local law enforcement and public safety personnel in a casual setting and learn more about the important work that they’re doing protecting the town.

National Night Out is entirely free and open to the public and will include food, and a vast array of fun activities for the entire family.

Representatives from the Windham Police Department, the Windham Fire Department and Windham Parks and Recreation will be on hand for the event and participants will be able to view police and fire equipment and emergency vehicles up close.

The original National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide organization dedicated to the development, maintenance, and protection of community-based, law enforcement-affiliated crime prevention activities.

Over the years, National Night Out has developed into an effective crime prevention program that emphasizes building a partnership between the police and the community.

Windham Police officials say that community involvement in crime prevention generated through a multitude of local activities and events such as National Night Out assist in bringing prominent attention to crime prevention programs offered by law enforcement agencies and assist in the dissemination of information about successful strategies used by police officers to thwart crime in the town.

The National Night Out program is designed to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Along with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone who attends, there will be active demonstrations at the National Night Out event by a Windham Police K-9 dog and handler, drone flights and demonstrations, and displays of specialized equipment and information available about various law enforcement programs used by the Windham Police Department. There will also be bounce houses for children, a Kids Coloring Contest, a Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway and a demonstration of ax throwing.

Windham police officers and firefighters and first responders will be on hand and in unform to meet the public, talk with them about their duties, and promote camaraderie with Windham residents.

All National Night Out activities generate a true sense of community under positive circumstances, Windham Police officials say.

For more information and specific details about this year’s National Night Out activities in Windham, call 207-892-2525. <

Mitchell Institute honors two WHS graduates as 2025 Mitchell Scholars

By Ed Pierce

Two 2025 graduates of Windham High School have been honored as 2025 Mitchell Scholars by the Mitchell Institute.

2025 Windham High graduates Jolene Bailey, left, and
Fiona Harmon have been honored as Mitchell Scholars
by the Mitchell Institute. The distinction includes a
$10,000 scholarship, along with ongoing personal and
professional support to help them find success throughout
college and beyond. COURTESY PHOTO 

Jolene Bailey and Fiona Harmon both graduated from WHS with the Class of 2025 in June and now join more than 3,800 past recipients as Mitchell Scholars who have been unlocking their potential, having successful college experiences and contributing to the vitality of their communities. Students receiving this honor are awarded a $10,000 scholarship, along with ongoing personal and professional support to ensure they find success in their journey throughout college and beyond.

Harmon will attend Husson University in Bangor while Bailey will attend college out of state in Michigan.

The Portland-based Mitchell Institute was founded by former U.S. Senator George J. Mitchell of Maine to improve college outcomes for students from every community in the state.

“Senator Mitchell realized a bold vision when he created the Mitchell Institute in 1995 which is to increase the likelihood that young people from every community in Maine will aspire to, pursue, and achieve a college education,” said Jared Cash, Mitchell Institute President and Chief Executive Officer. “In our 30th year, his vision is more important than ever before. We're proud to support these remarkable young people as they begin journeys that will benefit Maine for generations to come.”

Throughout their college experience and in the years following, both Bailey and Harmon will have opportunities to engage with Mitchell Institute programs and resources focusing on financial assistance, leadership training, and academic and career support, Cash said.

Some of those resources include participation in signature events and providing valuable information designed to meet Mitchell Scholars where they are and to support them in college and well into their professional careers.

“Each scholar represents the best of our great state and reflects Senator Mitchell’s vision of investing in young people so they, in turn, can strengthen their communities,” Cash said.

Each year the Mitchell Institute receives more than 1,600 applications and is tasked with choosing at least one student from every public school in the state. Scholars are chosen with a balanced view of their financial needs, academic achievement, and community impact.

This year marks the largest class in Mitchell’s 30-year history with more than 200 scholars in total.

But 2025 was unique in more ways than just the numbers.

“Every part of the Mitchell community had a hand in choosing who made up the incoming class,” said Casey Near, Scholarship Director. “I was joined by our Access Ambassadors to help promote the Mitchell Institute on visits to high schools, and Alumni were able to read applications for the first time ever, along with the staff and board to help select recipients.”

She said that the benefits of this unique program can be proven through its statistics. Mitchell Scholars graduate college at a rate 30 percent higher than the national average; 81percent are working in career-related jobs; 29 percent report they hold a master’s degree; 10 percent hold either a doctorate, JD, or an MBA; and 71 percent say access to the Mitchell Board, donors, and alumni network have had a positive impact on their careers.

About the Mitchell Institute

The Mitchell Institute unlocks the potential of Maine college students so that they can find success in college and contribute to the vitality of their communities. The organization awards $2 million in college scholarship funds every year to students from public high schools in every community in Maine. What separates the Mitchell Institute from traditional scholarship organizations is the broader array of support programs that it provides to students. This combination of personal, professional and financial support makes college degrees more attainable for Mitchell Scholars, who graduate at a rate 30 percent higher than the national average. Mitchell Scholars are also more likely than their peers to stay in Maine or return to the state after college. Founded by U.S. Senator George J. Mitchell, the Mitchell Institute’s core mission is to improve the likelihood that young people from every community in Maine will aspire, pursue, and achieve a college education. The Mitchell Institute strengthens Maine communities by providing a path to success in college and beyond.

For further details about the Mitchell Institute, go to www.mitchellinstitute.org. <

Raymond appoints new director for town’s Parks and Recreation Department

By Dina Mendros

The Raymond Parks and Recreation Department is relatively new, only starting in February 2020, and it has undergone a number of changes in that short time. The latest change is appointing Riley Silvia as the department’s new full-time director.

Riley Silvia, 23, has been appointed by
the Raymond Select Board as the 
director of the Raymond Parks and
Recreation Department. She has been
serving as the town's assistant director
of the Parks and Rec Department and
she obtained a degree in Sports
Management as Lassell University
in Massachusetts.
SUBMITTED PHOTO    

Silvia, 23, who grew up in Raymond and graduated from Lasell University in Massachusetts with a degree in Sports Management and a minor in Communication, started working for the department during the summer of 2020 and every summer since until last July, when she was hired full time as the assistant director before her recent appointment as director.

Though young, Silvia has a history of excellence. As a student-athlete, she competed during both high school and college in both women’s soccer and track and field. While in college, Silvia was a two-time Great Northeast Athletic Conference champion, winning the discus title in 2022 and indoor shotput title in 2024, as well being a two-time GNAC runner-up with Lasell University’s women’s soccer team. She was selected as the “Scholar Athlete of the Year” for Lasell University in 2024.

She also has had a history of success during her tenure with the Raymond Parks & Recreation Department. In 2022, she created the department’s first-ever summer camp, building it from the ground up and serving as camp director until becoming the department’s assistant director.

“One of my proudest accomplishments while being assistant director was introducing a variety of new programs and events that strengthened community involvement,” she said in an email. “I launched the Camp Raymond After School Program, as well as several events including Merry and Bright Family Night, Elf Workshop, Kids Night Out, and the Sweetheart Soirée. On the athletic side, I introduced our futsal program, goalkeeper training clinics, and brought in Challenger Soccer Camps to provide a new level of instruction. I also brought the Summer Ticket Program to Raymond to help families access local attractions at a discount. Most recently, I helped bring back the UCan 5K.”

She also made strides in enhancing the department’s marketing strategy, expanding its social media presence, and building stronger connections with local families and partners.

Silvia credits much of her success to her predecessor, Joseph Crocker, who stepped down as department director earlier this year to focus on his own new position as Raymond’s Town Manager.

Crocker, Silvia said, “was a very important mentor to me. He saw potential in me early on and gave me opportunities to step up, take on responsibility, and grow within the department. The foundation he built and the guidance he gave me played a huge role in preparing me for this new position, and I’m incredibly grateful for the path he helped me take.”

For his part, Crocker said that Silvia was a natural fit for the director position as she continued to grow and be promoted within the department. She was first hired as a Tassel Top Park attendant six years ago while still in college, he said, and by the end of the first summer she was promoted to park supervisor. She led successful initiatives for the park and was appointed as the first-ever childcare camp director.

“With her deep knowledge of the town, having grown up in Raymond, combined with her energy, creativity, and commitment to expanding community opportunities, Riley was a natural choice for assistant director of Parks & Recreation and then as department director,” Crocker said.

Her new position will shift Silvia’s focus from primarily running programs to leading the entire department’s vision, resources, and growth.

“In my new role, I’m responsible for setting long-range direction, managing the budget, guiding full-time and seasonal staff development, overseeing projects and facility planning, and strengthening partnerships across town departments, schools, and community organizations,” she said.

Silvia says that one of her biggest challenges so far has been balancing limited space with increasing demand for programs.

Since the department’s inception, revenue has grown over 25 percent from nearly $125,000 in the first fiscal year to about $383,700 in the last, according to figures supplied by Crocker. Silvia said she is excited that more full-time staff will be hired to help meet department demands.

Silvia’s long-term goals include growing programs and capacity.

“I’m most looking forward to expanding our audience and creating more opportunities for all members of the Raymond community,” she said. “I want to ensure our department reaches beyond traditional youth programs and offers something meaningful for teens, adults, and older residents as well. With more staffing support and a growing foundation, we’re in a strong position to introduce new ideas, strengthen community connections, and ensure everyone in town feels they have a place in our programs and events. It’s an exciting time to build on what we’ve started and continue growing.” <

In the public eye: Windham patrol officer dedicates career to serving community with distinction

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

By Ed Pierce

Windham Police Officer Nicholas Sanborn believes that working tough shifts builds a strong spirit and he gratefully accepts his service to the community on the night shift.

Officer Nicholas Sanborn has worked for
the Windham Police Department since
December 2023 and his duties involve
handling calls for service, enforcing Maine
traffic laws, and patrolling an assigned
district of the town. He's also a member
of the Cumberland County RIDE Team
(Regional Impaired Driving Enforcement).
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Sanborn is a Windham Patrol Officer assigned to the “late out shift” from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. and his duties involve calls for service, enforcing Maine Traffic Laws, and patrolling an assigned district of the town. On any given shift, he conducts traffic stops, property checks, and assigned calls for service.

Along with that, Sanborn is also a member of the Cumberland County RIDE Team (Regional Impaired Driving Enforcement), a group of municipal and county officers and deputies from Cumberland County that work together to target impaired driving in the county.

He joined the Windham Police Department in December 2023 and has been working with the department for just over a year and a half.

“The best thing that I am able to do in my job is to bring people back to safety,” Sanborn said. “This is something that I have enjoyed in my endeavors with lifeguarding and search and rescue, and most definitely applies here. For instance, when I am able to locate a person who is missing and in need of medical attention, or in a domestic violence call where someone in the home may be making matters unsafe by being there. This job allows me to bring safety to those people and see the impact that it makes firsthand.”

According to Sanborn, the most challenging aspect of his work is responding, or being present for situations that result in the loss of human life.

“It is a necessary part of the job, but it is the most difficult because no matter how hard you try and even if you do everything right, there is no easy way to tell someone they just lost a loved one and nothing to say that will make them feel whole again in that moment,” he said.

The biggest misconception Sanborn thinks people may have about police work is that some believe they only see officers on their worst days.

“Despite that being true some of the time, it is our goal and our duty to help and hopefully improve the lives of those we meet,” Sanborn said. “We are also very involved in our community with sporting events, parades, and community outreach events.”

Originally from Standish, Sanborn attended Bonny Eagle High School where he graduated in 2018. Through the years he was involved with many extracurricular activities in Windham. That includes Boy Scout Troop 805, Windham Center Stage Theater, and the Maine Dance Center in Raymond where he would perform at Windham High School every year. He also worked for Windham as a lifeguard at Dundee Park in 2017 and remained at the park for the next four years with the various positions of Lifeguard Supervisor, Assistant Park Ranger, and Facilities Management Intern.

He studied Recreation and Tourism Management with a Concentration in Conservation Law Enforcement at the University of Maine at Machias and graduated as Salutatorian of his class.

“All my life I have been working to become a Maine Game Warden,” Sanborn said. “Despite my success in school and extracurriculars related to the career field, I did not have success in this career field. I then reached out to a few close friends within the town that helped me along my way. They encouraged me to apply to become a police officer in Windham and continued to support me through each step of the application process. I was hired in December 2023, and the rest is history.”

Sanborn’s family is greatly supportive of my position with the Windham Police. He says his family is aware of the dangers that come with his job but find comfort that he is close to home and that he’s well-supported by a department of well-trained officers. His parents are also both involved in the community as his mother has been a Windham teacher for more than 20 years.

His most memorable moment as a police officer was helping find a missing woman.

“I received a call for a missing person who had left her doctor’s appointment around 5:30 p.m. and not returned home,” Sanborn said. “The call came in well after 10 p.m. The missing woman had diabetes and other conditions and did not have her medications on her. I knew the clock was ticking. I eventually found her phone ping in Portland and was able to send officers to check the location which resulted in her receiving much needed medical treatment. The woman had fallen inside her church and was alone with no way to reach help or self-rescue.”

He considers his duties essential to the public.

“I have always wanted to have more than just a regular 9 to 5 job,” Sanborn said. “Part of becoming an Eagle Scout is to live your life in service every day and I believe that this job embodies that. Furthermore, this is not just a job but a lifestyle. It’s a reminder to live each day as a role model for the community and that an officer is never truly off duty.” <

Huge yard sale event major annual fundraiser for HART

By Dina Mendros

If you love cats, love a good bargain or both, the Homeless Animal Rescue Team’s (HART) annual yard sale next month is the place for you. This event takes place at Cumberland Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall from Aug. 7 to 10, with a Sip and Shop preview on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

The Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART)
annual yard sale fundraiser takes place from
Aug. 7 to Aug. 10 with a special preview
event on Aug. 6 at Exhibition Hall at
Cumberland Fairgrounds.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

The event is an important one for the no-kill cat shelter and adoption center, raising about $80,000 last year and hoping to raise even more this year. Fundraising income makes up about 16 percent of the organization’s income. Other funding comes from donations and grants, adoption and surrender fees, and fundraising programs.

Event organizers are hoping lots of shoppers will attend the yard sale and are also counting on people to donate items before the event. Everything from kitchen small appliances, clothing, jewelry, and more are being accepted at the HART office through Saturday, July 26. After that, items including things like large furniture can be dropped off at the fairgrounds.

HART, which started in 1997, deals exclusively with cats and focuses on “giving them the best care that they can get until we find their forever home,” said HART board Vice President Sarah Michniewicz.

The shelter takes in surrendered, abandoned, injured and abused cats.

“We never turn away cats due to medical needs,” according to the HART website. “Every cat receives vaccinations, a microchip, spay or neuter surgery, testing, and, when necessary, extensive medical treatments - sometimes costing thousands of dollars.”

Michniewicz said that in 2024, more than 489 felines were taken in and about 36 cats are adopted out each month. As a no-kill shelter, cats that are not are adopted remain with HART.

Cats are surrendered for a variety of reasons, Michniewicz said. Some owners “can’t necessarily keep up with the care or someone has passed away and their family needs to find a placement for the cat. Sometimes people just get in a rough spot, and they just can’t take care of the cat anymore.”

The shelter was custom-designed and built in 2004.

“We have open rooms where the cats roam free,” Michniewicz said. “We have an intake room where we will bring them in until they’re ready to go out in the general population,” she said. There’s also a storeroom, a veterinary care room and a front office.

HART has more than 100 volunteers she says who perform a variety of functions such as fostering cats, working in the office, fundraising and more.

Those interested in adopting a HART cat can fill out an application at the organization’s website hartofme.org. Then “people come in and meet the cats and we have adoption coordinators at the shelter who will try to match people with the cat and see if it’s a good fit for them,” Michniewicz said. “Just trying to make sure that it’s the best fit possible so that it’s a forever home.”

The upcoming yard sale is important in helping HART fulfill its mission of caring for cats, Michniewicz said.

It first started at the parking lot of the shelter on Range Road until it outgrew that site and moved to the Cumberland Fairgrounds. Over the years the event has grown “and we’ve ended up having more and more merchandise and more and more shoppers,” she said.

“We take all kinds of things in, kitchenware, dinnerware, antiques, collectibles, furniture, tools, books, craft items, clothes and shoes, purses, jewelry, and all kinds of things, and we just ask that they be clean and in sellable condition,” Michniewicz said.

Items to donate can be brought to the shelter facility at 302 Range Road in Cumberland through Sunday, July 27. Starting Monday, July 28, donations can be brought to the Cumberland Fairgrounds at 197 Blanchard Road in Cumberland in the Exhibition Building. 

The HART yard sale takes place at the Exhibition Hall at the Cumberland Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 7, Aug. 8 and Aug. 9 and from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 10; the Sip and Shop preview is Aug. 6 from 4:30 to 7 p.m., tickets for that event are $28 online and $30 at the door.

To learn more, call 207-289-4116 or visit hartofme.org. <

Barbecue fundraiser to benefit recent WHS grad stricken with lymphoma

By Ed Pierce

When Austin Woodbury walked across the stage at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Sunday, June 8 to receive his diploma during Windham High School’s 2025 graduation ceremony, neither he nor his family were aware that he was about to enter a fight to save his life.

Austin Woodbury, who graduated in June from
Windham High School, has been diagnosed with
Stage 3 lymphoma and is undergoing treatment.
A benefit fundraiser and barbecue with live music 
will be held at the Windham Veterans Center from
1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27 to help Woodbury's
family pay his medical expenses.
COURTESY PHOTO
  

Woodbury, 18, told his parents that he felt ill on Monday, June 30 and had stomach pain and constipation. What Austin’s parents Josh and Rachael Woodbury thought at first was something simple then quickly evolved into something much bigger though.

Following a barrage of testing and examinations at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Austin was initially diagnosed by physicians with renal failure as his kidneys were being blocked by a tumor. That in turn led to a more detailed diagnosis of Stage 3 Mature B-cell Lymphoma which was found extensively throughout his abdomen, pancreas, bowel wall, lower right lung, and femur. He has also had testing performed to see if it has spread to his bone marrow and they are waiting results from that.

To resolve his kidney issues, drain tubes were installed into each kidney and since then, Austin’s kidney functionality has returned to normal.

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, a part of the body's immune system. It's characterized by the uncontrolled growth of lymphocytes which are a type of white blood cell that help fight infection. Stage 3 Mature B-cell Lymphoma indicates that the cancer is present in lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm and may also be present in Austin’s spleen.

This type of Stage 3 Mature B-cell Lymphoma is an advanced form of cancer, and treatment for Austin was started immediately involving chemotherapy. His oncologist may consider other treatments for Austin based upon his age, overall health, and the specific type and stage of his lymphoma.

Mature B-cell lymphomas are a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and account for about 85 percent of all lymphomas diagnosed in America.

Survival rates from this type of cancer are generally listed as good, with the five-year survival rate for Stage 3 Mature B-cell Lymphoma estimated at 65 percent according to mylymphomateam.com. Younger adults tend to have a better outlook when diagnosed with Stage 3 Mature B-cell Lymphoma compared with older adults, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Members of Austin’s family say that he’s currently undergoing intensive treatment, and both his parents have been by his side every step of the way in dealing with his diagnosis, meaning they have missed work, have mounting medical bills, and the additional financial stress of trying to keep things afloat at their home in Windham.

Josh Woodbury’s brother, Jason Weatherby, has been tasked to help them try and raise funds to meet the expenses associated with Austin’s treatment.

“They asked that they focus solely on being with Austin and being available to doctors without interruption so I’m running fundraising initiatives,” he said.

A fundraising goal was established online for a Go Fund Me to help cover medical expenses, transportation, and basic household needs like groceries and keeping the lights on at home while Austin’s parents are with him at the hospital during his medical ordeal.

Along with the Go Fund Me effort, Weatherby said the community is invited to participate in a barbecue and fundraiser from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27 at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive in Windham.

“We’ll have food, a silent auction, and we just locked in “The Only Hope” band to play their first charity event,” Weatherby said. “It should be an amazing day.”

If you are interested in donating items for the silent auction, please contact Weatherby at 207-572-7051.  

The Minervino Family, which owns Long Beach Marina in Sebago, also donated proceeds from their Fuel Up for Charity event on Saturday, July 12 for Austin and his family as he undergoes treatment.

According to Weatherby, Austin remains strong during his treatment, is kind, and full of life.

He said having this happen to Austin at a time when he should be focused on his future and his life ahead is a real shame and it shouldn’t be a time when he is having to fight cancer instead.

“With your help, we can ease some of the burden on his family so they can focus on what matters most – Austin’s recovery,” Weatherby said. <

Animal educator to offer free ecology program for kids at WMS

By Kira Pilot

Reptiles and amphibians and insects, oh my! Andrew Desjardins, the man behind the educational outreach program “Mr. Drew and His Animals Too,” will be bringing some of these creatures to a July 25 presentation at the Windham Middle School.

Windham Parks and Recreation and the Windham Public
Library will host a free show for children by animal
educator Mr. Drew at 2 p.m. Friday, July 25 at Windham
Middle School. Kids ages 3 and over are invited to attend.
PHOTO BY CATLIN CREATION 

This free event is coordinated by the Windham Library, Windham Parks and Recreation, and the Middle School itself. Children ages 3 and over are invited to attend and see up close some critter guests as well as learn about responsible pet ownership, rehabilitation, and stewardship of our natural world.

Desjardins, who has assumed the ‘Mr. Drew’ moniker for the past 15 years, takes in and cares for neglected or unwanted pets. Often the animals in his care aren’t the fluffy mammals stereotypically domesticated. Instead, he nurtures exotic insects, arachnids, amphibians, turtles, tortoises, lizards and snakes from around the world. At any given time, Desjardins houses and looks after 300 to 400 creatures at his new facility in Poland. Some animals are responsibly rehomed and others are used in his outreach work after they have been socialized.

Desjardins originally got his start as an educator at a campground one rainy weekend. Noticing the youthful campers were bored, he brought over some pets he was rehabilitating for a show and tell. Parents in the audience inquired if he appeared at birthday parties which sparked the idea for Mr. Drew and His Animals Too. Today, Desjardins as Mr. Drew travels throughout New England, scheduling close to 200 shows in a summer. He is so busy that lately his son Sylas has been stepping in to help him at his summer camp shows.

The content Desjardins presents includes anecdotal stories, ecological facts about the animals he brings with him, humor, and environmental awareness. More than anything, he says he wishes to impart a sense of conscientious care to would-be pet owners.

“Learn about an animal before you buy it, not after,” he said, and he encourages audience members to reach out directly via email with any questions they have about the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Younger generations are increasingly interested in owning exotic pets, perhaps due to social media portrayals. A 2021 study done by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research found that reptile ownership in the U.S. has more than doubled during the previous two decades with an estimated 4.5 million homes currently containing at least one reptile pet. About 79 percent of reptile species trades are unrecorded and thus unregulated, which makes the welfare of these traded species difficult to monitor.

Besides his rehabilitation work, Desjardins is an environmentalist and challenges his audience to participate in his “One Piece Challenge” by picking up one piece of trash and discarding it properly every day for a full calendar year. He points out that if the entire world took on his challenge, we would pick up close to three trillion pieces of garbage.

“Every day is Earth Day – not just one day a year – and it is the one thing we all have in common: this planet we live on,” says Desjardins.

Samantha Cote, a Children’s Librarian at the Windham Public Library, oversees all programming for children up to age 12. Every year the library partners with Windham Parks and Recreation so that youth attending Parks and Rec events can take part in the Library’s Summer Reading Program. Windham Middle School generously provides space for program events such as this one that draw in audiences too large for the library’s event room which has a maximum capacity of 50 people.

This is the second year these three local institutions are hosting Mr. Drew. Last summer this same event drew an audience of 230 people, and Cote is hopeful that the crowd this year may be even larger.

“I think kids are fascinated by the natural world,” Cote said. “This presentation provides them an opportunity to see animals up close that they might not see otherwise, giving them a sense of who we share the planet with. What I love about Mr. Drew is he’s really good with the kids, he’s fun and educational at the same time.”

Mr. Drew’s show will last about 75 minutes and starts at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 25. If you have questions about the event, you can call the library at 207-892-1908 ext. 4. <

Windham presentation to discuss often-neglected subject

By Ed Pierce

Those who’ve had to endure the strain of making funeral arrangements soon after the death of a family member know about the emotional strain and burden of having to make tough choices under duress.

Maine funeral professional
Jeffrey Dobson will offer a
free informative presentation
about funeral planning and 
funeral trusts from 11 a.m. to
1  p.m. Friday, July 25 at The 
Little Meeting House in
Windham.
COURTESY PHOTO 

Forced to make significant personal decisions while grieving takes a toll on all of us and can leave us overwhelmed on the worst possible of days. Yet by giving the subject a little preparation and with guidance, the process can turn out to be meaningful, helpful to healing, and manageable.

To that end, a Maine funeral professional is offering a free informative presentation to alleviate some of the uncertainty from having to plan funerals and make sound decisions during a time of grief and emotional stress. The presentation will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday July 25 at The Little Meeting House, 719 Roosevelt Trail in Windham.

“Our goal is to help the public gain a clearer understanding of how paying for end-of-life arrangements works, and to build their confidence that preplanning can be a secure and beneficial option,” said Jeff Dobson, the owner of Dobson Family Funeral and Cremation Services and Casco Bay Cremation. “Recent funeral home closures, some of which made headlines, have raised concerns, so we hope this event will reassure families by providing accurate, trustworthy information.”

Dobson said that the presentation will cover an array of key topics including:

** How preplanning a funeral works in Maine

** The three types of mortuary trusts allowed under Maine law

** The cost of cremation and what contributes to that cost

** The advantages and disadvantages of preplanning

** An open “Question and Answer” session for families

“We also want to address the common reasons some families avoid preplanning: discomfort discussing mortality, fear of high costs, or concerns about relocating” Dobson said. “Many people don’t realize that arrangements can be easily transferred if they move.”

According to Dobson, he believes it is especially important to educate the public about mortuary trusts.

“For instance, there's a funeral home currently advertising that they accept transferred mortuary trusts at ‘no cost,’ but in reality, there are often fees involved,” he said. “Families deserve transparency so they can make informed decisions that truly serve their best interests.”

Dobson said working with a funeral professional is essential for the public because they help families navigate the complex process of planning a funeral or memorial service for their loved one. They provide guidance, support, and expertise in areas such as arranging for cremations, obtaining necessary permits and certificates, and coordinating with other professionals involved in the funeral process while helping families make important decisions and providing emotional support during a difficult time.

Preplanning can be both a learning and decision-making process, he said. By learning what your available options are, decisions can be made to help balance value and cost. Once decisions have been made about services, a plan can be created to document and share these decisions with the next-of-kin, family and friends.

The process doesn’t necessarily include having to pre-purchase goods or services. But if pre-planning decisions are to be made without purchases being made, pre-planning can result in a clear, well-documented record of an individual’s wishes and selections.

“On a personal note, one of the most challenging parts of this work is the responsibility we carry,” he said. “We always strive to give every family our absolute best. But as humans, we know we may fall short at times, and that pressure to be perfect can be very heavy.”

As the owner and founder of Casco Bay Cremation and Dobson Family Funeral and Services in Arundel, Dobson has worked in funeral service for more than 16 years and started his career in Portland at a funeral home assisting the funeral directors there. It led him to go back to school to obtain his mortuary science degree.

For more details about the presentation in Windham and to RSVP, call 207-747-8240 or send an email to: info@cascobaycremation.com. <

Nangle decries federal court blocking implementation of FTC’s ‘click-to-cancel’ rule

AUGUSTA – Last week the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit blocked the implementation of the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule, citing procedural errors it said the agency made.

The rule aimed to make it easier for Americans to cancel unwanted subscriptions and protect consumers from charges they did not authorize.

State Senator Tim Nangle, D-Windham, released the following statement after he championed state legislation earlier this year to enshrine provisions similar to “click-to-cancel” in Maine law.

“Too many companies count on confusion and delay to keep people locked into services they don’t want and extract more money from them,” Nangle said. “The federal 'Click to Cancel' rule marked a meaningful step forward that aimed to protect consumers and save their hard-earned dollars. This week’s action in the federal courts that blocked implementation of the rule on a procedural technicality is exactly why I introduced legislation to enshrine similar "Click to Cancel" provisions into Maine law.”

He said that he’s proud that his Maine bill was passed this session.

“When the law takes effect, Maine people who sign up for a service online will be able to cancel online, no tricks, no runaround,” Nangle said. “Mainers deserve a system that’s honest, simple and puts them back in control of their own money. Regardless of what happens at the federal level, we secured a win for transparency and fairness in the Maine Legislature.”

Nangle’s bill LD 1642 was introduced in the 132nd Legislature and was signed by Maine Gov. Janet Mills on June 20 and will apply to automatic subscriptions and health club memberships. 

The new law strengthens consumer protection in Maine 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.

As non-emergency legislation, the bill will take effect on Sept. 24, 2025, some 90 days after the First Special Session of the 132nd Legislature adjourned sine die. <

Norway Savings Bank appoints Windham native as CFO and Treasurer

Norway Savings Bank has announced that Richard St. Pierre has been appointed Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Executive Vice President.

Windham native Richard St. Pierre has been
named Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Executive Vice President for Norway Savings
Bank. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

St. Pierre succeeds the retiring Brian Shibles, who has served at NSB for over 23 years, including 20 years as NSB’s CFO and 12 years as Treasurer.

St. Pierre arrived at Norway Savings Bank in December of 2023 as Senior Finance Officer SVP and has since overseen the overall management of the bank’s financial accounting, budget, investments, facilities management, and project management.

He possesses more than 20 years of executive leadership experience, including over a decade in community banking.

“In his time at NSB, Rich has proven to be a tremendous addition, working closely with Brian and the Finance and Facilities Teams to prepare for his transition as well as overseeing the implementation of Norway Savings Bank’s new Online and Mobile Banking platform earlier this year,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of NSB. “He has an extensive finance background and that prior experience combined with his calm and respectful demeanor make him the perfect choice as the bank’s new CFO and Treasurer.”

A Windham native, St. Pierre earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Southern Maine and later earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. His extensive knowledge and experience in financial reporting, budgeting, strategic planning, asset liability management, investment management, regulatory reporting, insurance, new branch development, business continuity planning and vendor management make him a valuable asset to the NSB team.

In his free time, Rich enjoys watching New England Sports (Go Pats!) and spending time with his family at their camp. He is also a year-round outdoor enthusiast.

Besides his leadership role at NSB, St. Pierre currently serves on the board of Kennebec Valley Community Action Program as well as the board and loan committee of Southern Maine Finance Agency.<

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. <