Windham High production of ‘The Music Man’ to open next week

By Erin Rose

An upcoming musical will take audiences on a journey to small-town Iowa in 1912 to witness the redemption of a con artist thanks to the power of love. Students from Windham High School will present “The Music Man,” with performances at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 and again Nov. 20 and 21, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15 and Nov. 22.

The student cast of 'The Music Man' rehearses at Windham
High School's Performing Arts Center in advance of the
performances of the legendary musical at 7 p.m. on
Friday and Saturday Nov. 13 and Nov. 14, and again 
Nov. 20 and Nov. 21, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15
and Nov. 22.  COURTESY PHOTO

“The Music Man’ is about a small town in Iowa, which is very uptight and set in their ways,” explained Rob Juergens, the show’s director. This will be Juergens’ 18th musical for the school, and his 25th year of working on shows with students. “A traveling salesman comes through town and decides he’s going to sell the town on the idea of having a boys’ band. Of course, he’s a con man, so it’s all to make himself richer and then skip out of town.”

The salesman, Harold Hill, soon finds himself entangled in small town life, falling in love, and unable to plot against the people he has come to care for.

“He becomes involved in the day-to-day happenings of the town and, in essence, becomes stuck and cannot escape,” Juergens said. “He’s become involved in the town and romantically involved with the librarian.”

Maddy Sabine, a WHS junior who will play the librarian Marian Paroo in the production, says she loves her character and her growth as the story continues.

“She is a confident and independent woman who grows so much throughout the show,” she said. “Marion starts off sheltered but becomes a more outgoing person when introduced to Harold.”

The show was chosen as it met several criteria, Juergens said, including having a cast large enough to support the school’s talent and being an essential part of a musical theater education.

“One of the big criteria for choosing musicals for a high school is the number of parts it has that allows for our ever-expanding talent to express itself,” Juergens said, explaining that the cast is 35 students. “So, the show has a good number of principals across the board, not only singing parts but dancing and acting, so that’s one of the first criteria. The second is it’s a classic. It’s a good learning experience for them to experience the golden oldies. They’re going to have to know these if they want to go on and do work in this field in any instance. It’s always good to be exposed to these classics.”

The students are excited about getting to perform such a famous show. It was written by Meredith Wilson and won five Tony Awards during its run on Broadway, beginning in 1957.

“Almost everyone has heard of it, and it uses a different type of arrangement than many other shows,” said WHS senior Ashlynn Cuthbert, who will play the role of Mrs. Paroo in the show. “It’s a classic.”

Rehearsals for the show began as soon as students returned to school in September, thanks to an audition process held before students left for summer vacation in June.

“We audition before school gets out so that during the summer the principals can get their scripts and start learning their lines,” Juergens explained. “When we hit the ground in September, we’re ready to go.”

The practice sessions hit a peak last weekend when the first run-through with costumes and sets showed that the students are nearly ready to perform for audiences.

“Saturday was the first time they were all in costumes and we used all the set pieces, and that’s always an adventure of ‘where are my tights’ and ‘who’s got my hat’ and ‘why is this giant set piece in my way,’” Juergens said. “That is always a big rehearsal with the costumes and the sets. I think we’re in a good place.”

The students share the excitement of the impending performances and are looking forward to showing off their efforts to audiences.

“We’ve seen small parts of the show, but we want to see the full story come alive,” Cuthbert said. “I think we are excited to see the show come together.”

The work and effort make the debut of the show more meaningful for the students.

“The cast is amazing,” Sabine said. “The hard work and time we have to put into it has really paid off. The cast and crew have put so much hard work into making it so great, which is why I am so excited to do this show.” 

Other cast members agree.

“I really enjoy The Music Man. It has so many fun parts and dances, funny lines that are said.,” said WHS senior Leanna Rogers, who is playing Zanneta Shinn, the town mayor’s eldest daughter. “I think what excites me the most is for people to come see all the hard work we put in.”

WHS senior Brenna Small, playing Alma Hix in the show, says that the cast’s energy brings a special element to the stage.

“The relationships in the cast keep energy high on stage and it helps create a community that feels like a family outside of the rehearsal space,” she said. “I love the energy and connections between each and every character, and all of the opportunities to dance, sing, and act.”

Behind the scenes, Aiden Hall will be running the light board to control the lighting effects in the show, while Elyse Sylvia operates the sound. Sawyre Grendell and Ari Green will head the backstage crews responsible for the sets, props, and all the details that help a show run smoothly.

Tickets for the show will only be available at the door, with adult tickets costing $15 and children, seniors and student tickets reduced to $13. Payment may only be made by cash or check. <

New coordinator leads Age Friendly Windham

By Ed Pierce

Age Friendly Windham may have a new coordinator, but its mission of working to help members in the community to live and age in place while maintaining the independence of the town’s residents and helping them thrive remains strong.

Chantel Huckins has been appointed as Age
Friendly Windham's program coordinator
and helps connect older adults and caregivers
with resources and services that support
healthy, independent living. Huckins has
managed Age Friendly Windham's 
transportation program for the past
two years. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Chantel Huckins was appointed Age Friendly Windham’s program coordinator in July, succeeding Erica Bell-Watkins in that role. Working with Age Friendly participants is not new for Huckins as she managed the program’s transportation program for the past two years.

“As the Age Friendly Windham Program Coordinator, I help connect older adults and caregivers with resources and services that support healthy, independent living,” Huckins said. “My responsibilities include coordinating community programs, overseeing transportation services, fostering partnerships with local organizations, supporting outreach efforts, assisting volunteers, and developing initiatives that allow residents to age in place, maintain their independence, and remain active members of the community.”

She said one of Age Friendly Windham’s most impactful programs is its transportation service, which provides older adults with rides to medical appointments, social programs, and shopping destinations in North Windham. According to Huckins, during the past year, the program provided 1,927 rides, helping residents access essential services, maintain social connections, and continue living independently.

“Last month, the program was awarded a grant from Lifelong Maine to help reimburse volunteer drivers for fuel expenses,” Huckins said. “This funding will support the continued growth and sustainability of the transportation program, ensuring that older adults in our community can remain connected to the services and activities they depend on.”

Originally from Waterford, Maine, Huckins earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bates College and then obtained a master’s degree from Boston University where she studied Anatomy and Physiology. She also holds certifications in Athletic Training, Orthopaedic Technology, and as a Personal Support Specialist.

“I spent several years working in healthcare before transitioning four years ago to supporting programs with Windham Parks and Recreation and, later, Age Friendly Windham,” she said. “Through the experience of managing Age Friendly Windham’s transportation program, I developed a deep appreciation for the connections I was able to build with community members and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's daily lives. Those relationships and the organization's mission inspired me to become more involved.”

As the Age Friendly Windham program coordinator, Huckins said that she wants to continue building strong partnerships throughout the community and work collaboratively on new initiatives.

“There are so many resources that can be shared and utilized in creative ways to benefit more people,” she said. “A great example is the book and food mobile that was developed through a partnership between the Windham Public Library, Windham Parks and Recreation, the Windham Food Pantry, RSU 14, and Age Friendly Windham. By working together, these organizations were able to provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and books to residents throughout Windham. It was a tremendously successful initiative, and a perfect example of what can be accomplished when community partners combine their efforts to meet local needs.”

Huckins said she thinks the biggest misconception that many people have about Age Friendly Windham is they simply don't know everything Age Friendly Windham does.

“Our mission is to help people age in place, maintain their independence, and thrive in the community,” she said. “We focus on enhancing the quality of life for older adults through community activities and programs, disaster preparedness initiatives, connections to resources and services, and partnerships with local organizations that strengthen support systems throughout Windham.”

The original Windham Age-Friendly Committee was spearheaded by the late Human Services Advisory Committee member, Deb McAfee, when the town enrolled in AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities in January 2019. McAfee, who passed away in May of 2022 following a lengthy battle with cancer, was the driving force behind establishing this committee. The committee formed and completed a public survey in October 2019. It was voted upon and granted by the Windham Town Council in 2020 that Windham would be a part of AARP’s Age-Friendly Community, and Age-Friendly Windham was officially launched by the town. It offers programs for residents and advises the Windham Town Council about infrastructure and policy that will make it easier and safer for Windham residents to live in our community. 

“I love that Maine is full of resilient, self-reliant older adults who take pride in their independence,” Huckins said. “However, those admirable qualities can sometimes make it difficult for people to take the first step and ask for help when they need it. One of the challenges is helping individuals understand that accepting assistance can be an important part of maintaining their independence and quality of life.”

She said the best part of her job is seeing the gratitude and relief on the faces of community members when we are able to connect them with the resources they need.

“Whether it's providing a ride to a medical appointment, distributing food from the food mobile, or supplying window inserts to help conserve heat during the winter, every interaction is an opportunity to make a positive difference,” Huckins said. “It is truly a privilege to serve and support the Windham community.”

To find out more about Age Friendly Windham programs or to volunteer to help, call 207-892-4649 or send an email to [email protected] <

RSU 14 to choose new middle school name on Nov. 4

By Ed Pierce

When the RSU 14 Board of Directors meets on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Windham High School, further discussion and the name of the new middle school currently under construction will be voted upon.

As construction continues for the new middle school at 71
Windham Center Road, RSU 14 Board of Directors members
will determine what to name the school on Nov. 4, including
a proposal to name the building after the late Windham
and Raymond educator and legislator Bill Diamond.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

During a board meeting on Oct. 21 at Jordan-Small Middle School in Raymond, two possible names were brought up, including Windham Raymond Middle School and William Diamond Middle School after the late Lakes Region state representative and state senator, former Maine Secretary of State and champion for children across the state.

Diamond, a longtime legislator, educator, local business owner and child welfare advocate, died Aug. 31, 2025, at the age of 80. He also co-founded Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors to provide heat assistance to those in need in Windham and Raymond, and the Walk A Mile In Their Shoes Foundation to end child homicide in the state of Maine.

While some RSU 14 board members expressed support for naming the school after Diamond, others disagreed, saying they wanted the school’s name to reflect both the communities of Windham and Raymond and recognizing each town.

During public comments, speakers including State Rep. Mark Cooper and Maine State Senate District 26 Republican candidate Kenny Cianchette supported naming the school after Diamond because of his advocacy for children in the state.

One board member then inaccurately said that Diamond had no connection with Raymond schools, and she wasn’t in favor of naming the new middle school after him.

However, Raymond Schools’ first school superintendent, Frank McDermott, who lives in Raymond, confirmed that when he left the Raymond district to join Bonny Eagle Schools in 1976, Bill Diamond succeeded him as superintendent and as the principal of Jordan-Small School. 

Diamond grew up on his grandfather’s farm in West Gardiner and originally came to the Lakes Region after earning a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education at Gorham State Teacher’s College. Starting in 1968, he taught in Windham schools and went on to serve as the first principal of Windham’s Manchester School, and he also led Field-Allen Junior High School and Windham Middle School as principal before joining Raymond Schools as superintendent and the principal of Jordan-Small School.

He first ran for the Maine House of Representatives in 1976 as a write-in candidate in Windham, winning re-election in 1978 and 1980. In 1982, he won a seat in the Maine State Senate seat, representing Windham and Raymond and won re-election to the Maine Senate in 1984.

In 1989, Diamond was sworn in as Maine’s 45th Secretary of State and campaigned to become governor in 1986 and then campaigned for the 1st Congressional District position in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994.

He founded the Windham Independent newspaper and publicized achievements of both Windham and Raymond students for more than a decade before deciding in 2004 to re-enter politics and winning the Maine Senate District 12 seat representing Windham and Raymond. He won re-election in 2006, 2008 and 2010 before being term limited. Four years later in 2014, Diamond won the Maine Senate District 26 seat, representing Windham and Raymond, and subsequently won re-election to that position in 2016, 2018, and 2020.

Before leaving political office in 2022, Diamond was known statewide as a staunch advocate for children and led Maine Senate investigations into prominent deaths of abused children whose families were relegated to the state’s child welfare system. In 2014, Diamond wrote a book about the subject called “The Evil and the Innocent.” 

In 2023, Diamond launched the “Walk A Mile In Their Shoes Foundation,” a non-profit dedicated to preventing 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.

During the RSU 14 meeting on Oct. 21, a board member suggested that it would be unusual for the school district to name a school after an individual, yet the school district’s Manchester School, Field-Allen School and even Jordan-Small Middle School where the board meeting was held were all named after individuals. Another board member said she admired Bill Diamond's accomplishments, but she supported naming the new middle school Windham Raymond Middle School to make the Raymond students and the Raymond community feel that they are an equal part of the school.

Karyn Diamond, Bill Diamond’s daughter, attended the Oct. 21 meeting and prior to that had posted on Facebook that the Diamond family was humbled by the idea of possibly naming the new school after him.

“Naming the school after my dad, a man who dedicated his life to educating and protecting children and who poured out his heart into his hometown of Windham, would be the highest honor this community could do for him,” she said.

John Cressey of Windham believes the school should be named after Diamond.

“Having the new school named for one of the most influential people in Windham and Raymond, who rose up to become Maine Secretary of State, all while still maintaining close ties to the community would be inspirational,” Cressey said. “He deeply cared about the community and for children and was at every sporting event until he passed away. He sponsored a softball team every season for 30 years in Windham Little League even after his daughters were out of school.”

RSU 14 Board Chair Christina Small said the Oct. 21 board discussion was preliminary, and she personally does not believe that not having "Raymond" in the name of the new school would marginalize Raymond students.

She said there is not a high school in Raymond so Raymond students attending Windham High School have the option to attend other high schools, such as Gray New Gloucester High School and that is why it isn’t named "Windham Raymond High School."

Small said that middle school students in Raymond will have to attend the new school and that is why a name to reflect both communities is under consideration by the board.

Public comments about the school’s name will be included during the RSU 14 Board of Directors meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Windham High School Performing Arts Center. <

Windham couple grateful for community’s help in finding missing cat

By Ed Pierce

Breyanna Barboza of Windham continued to pray for a miracle and clung to the hope that her beloved lost cat Kitty would return home safely.

After being missing for 37 days, Breyanna
Barboza's beloved missing cat Kitty was
found on Emerson Drive in Windham on
Oct. 18. The cat disappeared from
Barboza's Pope Road home on Sept. 12,
prompting a frantic five-week search for
the lost poet. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Barboza has owned Kitty for the past nine years since he was just six weeks old and she was desperate to find him. She and her fiancé Gary Trask searched for Kitty for weeks without any luck and as the weather got cold this fall, Breyanna, who is on disability, worried that her pet might never be found.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, Breyanna attended a wedding and when she returned home afterward, she discovered Kitty, who was born outside in a barn and is an outdoor/indoor cat, was missing.

“He has never done this before in the nine years that I’ve had him,” Breyanna said. “I knew instantly something was not right and I felt it in my whole being.”

The couple then took steps to try and find their lost cat. They called local animal shelters and local veterinarians, alerted neighbors, posted Kitty’s photographs on social media and began to walk streets around their Pope Road home calling out for him.

“I walked miles a day until my body could no longer walk because of my disorders. I posted on the Windham community page every week, walked to all the neighbors around me and asked for them to look for him and keep an eye out,” Breyanna said. “We printed flyers and put them in neighbors’ mailboxes, called animal shelters, vets, and everywhere I could to try to find him.”

She said the ordeal was gut-wrenching and didn’t know how she could cope if Kitty was never found.

“Honestly the love I have for Kitty is what kept me going,” Breyanna said. “For the first few days when he went missing, I went to the field near my house and just cried and cried and cried. I didn't want to be here on this earth without him. But I knew I had to keep going because I love him and I needed to find out answers and had to keep trying. He deserves that. He deserved me not giving up complete hope and I pushed myself to keep trying.”

Gary works night shift and sleeps during the day, but he was supportive of the search, as were Breyanna’s roommates who lent a hand by calling neighbors alerting them about the missing cat.

“Other than that, it was mostly me walking miles a day to try to see where he could have gone,” Breyanna said. “People kept telling me not give up hope, look under sheds and other spots like that, set out traps, shake treats and call for him.”

As time went on, Breyanna found it hard for her to accept that Kitty was gone.

“I thought he had passed away because it was so unlike him to do,” she said. “I still kept hope, because he's everything to me and I would never ever just give up looking. I looked even though everything inside me felt in agony without him.”

According to Breyanna, the compassion shown to her by the community helped her cope.

“People's kindness made me get through. If I heard ‘you are a horrible person for letting him outside,’ I would be not here I don't think,” she said.” When he went missing honestly everything in me went into agony.”

The search went on for 37 days until Kimberly Cook saw a post on the Windham Maine Community Board Unfiltered containing photos of a found cat in Windham. She remembered Breyanna’s posts on the Windham Maine Community Board and she sent Breyanna a message on Sunday, Oct. 18.

“Someone named Melissa Ann Dalrymple posted pictures of him. He was all the way by Emerson Drive about 2.2. miles away in Windham,” Breyanna said. “She just posted how he got in her car and didn't want to leave her car. She stayed with him for two hours outside and fed him, so he wasn't alone and posted on the Windham Maine Community Board Unfiltered page how he was in her car.”

Breyanna then woke Gary up and told him that Kitty had been found and he was alive.

“When I saw the message that he was found and the pictures of him, I ran out the door so fast and forgot the address and everything because I was that excited,” she said. “Gary had to look it up and everything because my heart was beating so fast. It didn't feel real at first.”

They drove over to Melissa’s house, picked Kitty up and then brought him home.

“He's doing great,” Breyanna said. “He's so happy to be here. He follows me around, meows and listens like he always used to. Everything I say he just looks and understands.”

She believed her continued posts trying to find Kitty helped find him.

“I would love to say to the community after this hard, hard time thank you for keeping me updated with sightings if you saw him and made me feel better about him being an outdoor cat to and didn't judge me for it,” she said. “His happiness is the most important thing to me. Thank you for keeping him in your prayers. It’s a miracle to have him back.” <

EPA warns of eating fish caught near Windham’s Keddy Mill Superfund Site

By Ed Pierce

Because of the presence of hazardous chemicals called PCBs in sediments resulting in impacts to fish tissue, the Environmental Protection Agency is advising the public not to eat fish from the "Target Reach" of the Presumpscot River between Little Falls and Mallison Falls near the Keddy Mill Superfund Site in South Windham until a comprehensive remedial action there has been completed.

The Environmental Protection Agency is advising residents
not to eat fish caught in the Presumpscot River near the
Keddy Mill Superfund Site in South Windham because
of the presence of hazardous cancer-causing chemicals
called PCBs there. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

According to an update from the EPA, pending completion of the remedial action, reduction of risks posed by contaminated fish consumption will be achieved using Institutional Controls such as fishing restrictions, fish consumption advisories and engineering controls such as signage to prevent contaminated fish consumption.

“Following the collection and analysis of supplemental fish tissue samples in July 2025, EPA worked with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) and Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention (Maine CDC) to determine an appropriate fish advisory,” the bulletin reads. In August 2026, a "Do Not Eat" guideline was posted on the Maine Department of Health & Human Services website for the segment of the Presumpscot River between the Little Falls Dam and the Mallison Falls Dam. EPA will continue to work with various stakeholders to update and enhance engineering controls at the Superfund site adjacent to the Presumpscot River.

Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are a group of man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine atoms. PCBs do not readily break down once in the environment and can remain for long periods cycling between air, water and soil. The types of PCBs likely to be bioaccumulated in fish and bound to sediments are the most carcinogenic and studies have shown direct links to cancer.

Manufacturing of PCBs and importation was banned in the U.S. in 1979 based on mounting evidence that they were toxic to human health and the environment.

A note posted on the EPA’s New England website in February 2026 says that following regulatory review and revisions, the Pre-design Investigation Report for the Keddy Mill site was conditionally approved by EPA in August 2025. The results of that report will support development of the design to demolish and remove the mill complex.

Design planning including the work schedule, Project Management Plan development and design of the mill building demolition is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The EPA estimates that Removal Action implementation consisting of mill building demolition will commence following EPA approval of the design submittals and procurement of a construction contractor by late 2026 or early 2027.

Located at 7 Depot St. in South Windham, the Keddy Mill complex includes a 6.93-acre abandoned mill complex property adjacent to the Presumpscot River. The mill building was constructed in the early 1900s although a sawmill existed there previously.

The sawmill closed in 1822, and the Keddy Mill property was then used as a grist and carding mill. In 1875, the Sebago Wood Board Company acquired the mill site and constructed a pulp mill complex, which included a three-story main mill building, machine room, drying rooms, and a wood preparing house. Between the late 1800s and 1922 additional process buildings/facilities were added, including storehouses, a second railroad siding, the finishing and shipping building, a water tank, machine room, and engine room. The mill was used for pulp and box-board manufacturing through the 1940s.

In 1945, the Keddy Mill shifted from manufacturing paper to steel products such as heavy equipment buckets. Scrap metal was transported by rail cars to the mill and melted into steel billets, which were then used to manufacture steel parts.

By the 1960s and early 1970s, manufacturing included flanges and fire suppression materials. EPA officials say that it was during this period that significant disposal of hazardous substances, including harmful PCBs, may have occurred at the site. A large oil-based fire in 1969 damaged the mill complex and destroyed several blast furnaces and by 1974, a scrap recycler launched operations in the mill building. The property was used as a machine shop and for equipment storage until 1997. 

In 2014, the Keddy Mill site was placed on the EPA’s National Priority List, also known as the Superfund, recognizing it as contaminated and hazardous to human health. In 2023, after years of conducting environmental studies, the EPA Superfund adopted a cleanup and remediation plan based upon an EPA Remedial Investigation Report, human health and ecological risk assessments, the Feasibility Study, and comments received on EPA's Proposed Plan during a 30-day public comment period.

According to the EPA, the Keddy Mill Superfund Site will be cleaned up in multiple phases. The first phase includes demolition and removal of the building, with the potential exception of the westernmost wall, under a Non-Time-Critical Removal Action. Following this work, soil, sediment, and groundwater will be cleaned up under a remedial action. The primary building contaminants which have been determined to exceed acceptable human health standards include PCBs and asbestos.

The complex clean-up will take an additional two to four years following the demolition of the Keddy Mill building, EPA officials say. The Superfund Site cleanup involves excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil and debris from the mill property; targeted treatment of soil in support of groundwater cleanup; treatment of groundwater contaminants and contaminated sediments from the Presumpscot River; and restoration of the portions of the Presumpscot River altered by remedial clean-up actions. Once that has been completed, the EPA will mandate land use restrictions to prevent exposure to site-related contaminants in groundwater and fish tissue until clean-up levels are met, and monitoring of groundwater and fish tissue to evaluate the achievement of cleanup levels, followed by Five-Year Reviews to assess the protectiveness of the remedy.

EPA’s Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled, or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country to protect human health and the environment.

In December 2025, the Town of Windham and Maine Department of Environmental Protection signed a Declaration of Environmental Covenant, restricting activities associated with the potential for exposure to contaminated groundwater and associated vapors at the 7 Depot St. parcel. Specifically, the Environmental Covenant restricts the installation of wells and use of groundwater, disturbance of existing monitoring wells, discharge or injection of liquids to the subsurface, construction of structures without appropriate sub-slab vapor barriers and ventilation systems, and excavation without approval from the regulatory agencies. The Environmental Covenant runs with the town-owned 7 Depot St. property is for perpetuity unless the appropriate entities agree to amend or terminate the agreement.

Banning consumption of fish caught from the Presumpscot River near the Keddy Mill will play an important role in site remedies because they reduce exposure to contamination by limiting land or resource use, the EPA says. The ban is intended to limit the public’s exposure to contaminated groundwater and associated vapor that pose threats to future residents and construction workers until groundwater cleanup levels are achieved and fish tissue within the segment of the Presumpscot River between Little Falls (upstream) and Mallison Falls risk-based standards are achieved.

The total cost of the EPA Superfund cleanup for the Keddy Mill site is expected to be about $17 million. <

Windham High senior reflects on yearlong exchange in Japan

By Lorraine Glowczak

Some people spend years searching for their passion but for one Windham High School (WHS) senior, the thought of experiencing a way of life in another country began at an early age.

Windham High School senior Kate Lopes, left, shared an
opportunity of a lifetime by spending a full year in a
Japanese Exchange Program. Lopes is shown with
her host Japanese family. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Drawn to Japanese culture, Kate Lopes had a dream that went beyond learning about a different country. She wanted to experience its culture firsthand and did so last year by participating in an exchange program that took her through a full year of high school in Kamakura, a town that is about an hour directly south of Tokyo.

“It all began in seventh grade,” Lopes said. “I had always wanted something different and felt a strong connection to Japanese culture. I knew I wanted to be an exchange student, so I started taking steps around 11 years old to learn more about it. The biggest decision was how long I wanted to stay. I considered a summer program, a semester and a full academic year, but decided that a year felt right. I really wanted to experience daily life in Japan, and I felt that anything shorter would only scratch the surface. I wouldn’t get to experience everything I truly wanted to if I didn’t participate in a full year.”

The preparation to reach this goal included studying the language. When Lopes was a freshman, she decided to participate in WHS’s Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) program where she could learn the language.

“We don’t have a Japanese studies program at WHS, so I asked one of our World Language Department Chairs, Ms. [Tianna] Burton about how I could go about learning the language.” Lopes said. “She suggested reaching out to our ELO coordinator, Ms. [Lorraine] Glowczak and it was there I was introduced to the The Language Exchange program based out of Portland.”

Through the ELO and The Language Exchange programs, Lopes got to learn the basics of the Japanese language from a teacher who was born in Japan but now lives in Maine.

“Having this background knowledge was very helpful and prepared me for my experience, but I discovered that speaking it in everyday situations was difficult,” Lopes said. “By having this immersive experience, I was eventually able to talk with others in the context of daily life.”

Lopes learned about the cultural differences, and experienced surprising discoveries while living everyday life in Japan.

“The walkability really stood out to me,” she said. “The infrastructure is built around the city, making it easy to get from place to place. The train stations even have shopping malls, and there’s food available within walking distance. Everyone uses bikes, including electric bikes to get up the hills, and you can get almost anywhere by foot.”

Attending a private school rather than a public school, Lopes said that her educational experience may be different from the American perspective of Japanese education.

“People often think teachers in Japan are really strict, but they also know how to make learning fun,” she said. “The classes were lecture-based, but the teachers had fun personalities, and we were allowed to joke around and chat during instruction. The atmosphere was more relaxed and casual than I expected.”

Lopes said the classes were big, with about 30 to 40 students packed into a room.

“The school day started at 8:25 a.m., with classes running until 3:30 p.m.,” she said. “We had 10-minute passing periods and 45-minute classes. Extracurricular activities were just as important as academics, with clubs often meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. I had school five days a week, although I knew some students who attended six days. Dinner was usually around 7 p.m.” 

The biggest takeaway from her experience was how important community and family is to the majority of Japanese people.

“The biggest part of my experience was definitely the sense of belonging and community,” Lopes said. “I felt incredibly lucky to be welcomed into the community in the first place, because I knew that being accepted in Japan as a foreigner can be difficult. I never took that welcome for granted and I was always grateful for how kind and accepting people were toward me.”

Lopes said that one of her favorite experiences was celebrating New Year’s with her host family.

“New Year’s Day is a very family-oriented holiday, and it was fun to experience a tradition that is so deeply rooted in Japanese culture,” she said. “Being able to take part in that tradition made me feel even more grateful for my host family and for the opportunity to experience their culture firsthand.”

Lopes hopes to build a future in Japan through her interest in ceramics. After graduating from WHS in the spring, she plans to attend Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) for two years before pursuing further studies in Kyoto, or seeking an apprenticeship at a ceramics studio in Japan. Ultimately, Lopes hopes to turn her passion into a career working alongside Japanese ceramic artists. <

Dignitaries dedicate North Windham Wastewater Treatment Plant

By Ed Pierce

It’s been said that success in life is about project management in determining deliverables, making milestones, and always pursuing the critical path. For years, the Town of Windham has sought to find a solution to effective wastewater treatment and on Oct. 8, all those efforts were achieved with the dedication of the new North Windham Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Dignitaries watch as U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine
cuts the ribbon to open the new Windham Wastewater
Treatment Plant on the grounds of Manchester School in
Windham on Oct. 8. From left are Scott Firmin and Bill Lunt
of the Portland Water District, Senator Collins, Windham Town 
Council Chair Mark Morrison, RSU 14 Superintendent of
Schools Christopher Howell, and Windham Town
Manager Robert Burns. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE   

With U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine on hand to cut the ribbon marking the new facility becoming fully operational on the grounds of Manchester School, Windham Town Council members and representatives of the Portland Water District and RSU 14 spoke about the collaboration it took to bring the $48 million project to fruition at no expense to taxpayers.

After decades of proposals, studies, and rejections from voters at the ballot box, Windham residents resoundingly approved sewer and wastewater treatment project for North Windham in a special referendum in June 2022. Partnering with the Portland Water District and RSU 14 to create the massive infrastructure project, the Windham Town Council covered the remaining costs for the initiative through a combination of grant funding, a $38.9 million award by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and North Windham TIF funding supported by North Windham businesses.

Now completed, the new wastewater treatment facility will address environmental issues in North Windham by removing 25,000 pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants each year being dumped by septic systems into the aquifer and watershed. The installation of sewers is expected to stimulate significant economic growth in Windham and lead to development in the area by industries and businesses not willing to locate here because of associated septic system issues and costs.

Through an agreement between RSU 14 and the Town of Windham, in exchange for locating the new wastewater treatment site at Manchester school, the town built four new playing fields for youth sports at the school.

The new Windham Wastewater Treatment facility uses Membrane Bio-Reactor technology with innovative drip dispersal and will be the first system to use drip dispersal of this scale in Maine. This technology is designed to improve the quality of local groundwater and local waterways, and was selected for its reliability, flexibility, and cost effectiveness.

Portland Water District officials say that the facility will clean and filter community wastewater that is currently being discharged untreated into septic systems. The cleaned, high-quality water, which is extremely low in nitrogen and phosphorus, will be released into an advanced drip dispersal system that will be 2 feet underneath the new athletic fields at Manchester School. They say the sandy soils native to the area are ideal for this system.

Because of the lack of an effective sewer system in North Windham, over the years contaminants have continued to pollute the aquifer, threatening surrounding ponds and lakes, and stifling economic growth. For the past two decades increasing nitrate levels have been observed in the underlying aquifer that threatened local water resources including Sebago Lake. Current levels of nitrates in the ground water have exceeded drinking water standards and septic system pollution entering the aquifer directly impacts surrounding valuable water resources. This new wastewater treatment plant addresses the issue before the problem escalated and became irreversible.

Speakers at the dedication included Senator Collins; Windham Town Council Chair Mark Morrison; RSU 14 Schools Superintendent Christopher Howell; Windham Town Manager Robert Burns; Maine DEP Water Quality Division Director Gregg Wood; Bill Lunt of the Portland Water District Board of Trustees; and Portland Water District General Manager Scott Firmin.

Collins said she was surprised to learn that Windham did not have an existing sewer system but praised everyone who worked diligently to make this project a reality.

“I was shocked that an area this populated did not have a wastewater treatment facility,” she said. “It was essential that we help.”

Collins was able to obtain $2 million from Congress to contribute toward the project.

“It has the smallest carbon footprint, and this innovative technology will serve as a model for other communities in Maine,” she said. 

The project fits with an upcoming MaineDOT project for Route 302 redevelopment in Windham, the senator said.

“The two projects complement each other,” Collins said. “The vision of community leaders and citizens is truly impressive.”

Funding to support the Windham Wastewater Project included a $38.9 million Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund Award; a $3.25 million SRF Debt Forgiveness Grant, $1.7 million in American Rescue Plan Funds allocated to the town, $2 million in Congressional Direct Spending sponsored by Senators Collins and King, and $1.5 million from Cumberland County Government. <

Longtime retired Windham police captain dies unexpectedly

By Ed Pierce

One of the most familiar faces in law enforcement in Windham has died at the age of 62.

Captain Ray Williams served for 38 years as a member of the Windham Police Department and from a young age always wanted to work as a police officer.

Retired Windham Police Captain Ray 
Williams passed away Oct. 7 at the age
of 62 and spent nearly four decades in
law enforcement serving Windham. He
was known for his leadership,
professionalism and unwavering
commitment to public safety.
COURTESY PHOTO

Growing up in Cumberland, he graduated from Greely High School in 1983, he attended Southern Maine Community College and earned an associate of science degree in law enforcement technology. His first job in law enforcement was as a reserve officer for the Windham Police Department, and he was hired as a full-time police officer by Windham on Sept. 4, 1986.

In March 1987, Williams graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, and he went on to successfully complete the Drug Recognition Expert School in 1991. He was the last active member of that first DRE School in 1991 who was serving with his department at the time of his retirement in May 2023.

He worked for the Windham Police Patrol Division for 20 years, 13 of those as a motorcycle officer. In June 2010, he accepted an interim detective’s assignment to the Criminal Investigations Division and was awarded the position permanently the following summer. Williams worked in investigations until November 2014, when he was promoted to Sergeant by the police department and was reassigned to the Patrol Division as one of two Evening Shift Commanders. He was promoted to the position of Patrol Captain in December 2020 and was instrumental in assisting the Windham Police Department’s transition in the construction and expansion of the Windham Public Safety Building on Gray Road in 2022.

As a certified instructor for the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, Williams taught Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and was also teaching Active Firearms and Urban Rifle Instruction there. He was a Drug Recognition Expert, skilled in the use of the Intoxilyzer 5000ES equipment to detect alcohol impairment and in firearms.

Starting in 2006, he ran the Windham Police Department’s firearms program until his retirement and was the department’s armorer. Williams also launched the department’s first Motorcycle Unit using forfeited assets he seized in a traffic stop from a drug courier transporting drugs from Connecticut to Maine. Enough money was seized to fund the Motor Unit, K-9 program and purchase other equipment not in the normal budget.

Through the years, Williams was instrumental in training hundreds of police officers across the state in the techniques of detection and processing alcohol and drug impaired drivers. For his diligence at protecting Maine motorists and keen ability to recognize impaired drivers before they harm others, Williams was recognized by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety and the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in 2021 for his lifetime contribution as a Drug Recognition Expert and his devotion to keeping Maine highways safe. He continued to serve as a certified instructor for the Academy, traveling to Vassalboro when needed to teach officers and academy cadets.

Williams passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Windham Police Chief Kevin Schofield said Williams was known for his leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public safety.

“Among his many accomplishments was the creation of the Windham Police Department's motorcycle program,” Schofield wrote on the department’s Facebook page. “Over the years, he proudly escorted countless charity toy runs, memorial rides, and community events throughout the State of Maine. He also served as a Range Officer and Firearms Instructor, helping to train and mentor generations of officers.”

Fellow police officers say that the expertise and dedication shown by Williams helped to advance impaired driving enforcement and officer training statewide. 

Beyond his accomplishments in law enforcement, Williams was known as a trusted friend and someone with a knack for finding great fishing spots and he was a registered Maine Fishing Guide.

“His sense of humor, willingness to help others, and passion for the outdoors left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him,” Schofield wrote on the department’s Facebook page. “We extend our deepest condolences to Ray's family, friends, and all who had the privilege of serving alongside him. He will be greatly missed, and his memory will never be forgotten.”

Williams is survived by his partner Dawn Freeland, his sister Rhonda Williams, his brother Brad Williams, sister-in-law Renee Williams, nieces, nephews and great-nieces. He is predeceased by his son Nicholas Williams and his parents Scott and Nancy Williams.

A Funeral Service honoring the life of Captain Ray Williams will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Windham High School Performing Arts Center in Windham. <

WHS students discover power of serving others in earning Dempsey Challenge award

By Lorraine Glowczak

Giving back to the community and fundraising for a good cause is a way to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and become part of something bigger than ourselves.

Windham High School students participated in the Annual
Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston and discovered what it
means to give back to your community. Some of the WHS
students in this year's Dempsey Challenge are, from left,
Morgan Clark, Brooklyn Roy, Anna Bowie, Nate Plati,
Miles Morrison, Sean LeBel, and Patrick Dempsey, the 
actor and founder of the Dempsey Center.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

For 15 Windham High School (WHS) students, the opportunity to make a positive impact became much more than a day of volunteering – it became a powerful experience that gave them a deeper understanding of themselves and what it truly means to be part of a community.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, the 15 students participated in the 18th Annual Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston. The challenge is a run, walk and bike fundraiser where the students saw firsthand the impact cancer can have on individuals and their families, and discovered how even a small act of service can make a significant difference in someone’s life.

Their commitment to giving back also earned them the award for the high school team with the most participants, an honor they captured for the second consecutive year.

WHS Junior Nate Plati, the organizer of the WHS team, said he is dedicated to helping others.

“I am a big advocate for giving back and being of service. Not only that, I learn a lot in the process,” Plati said. “With this experience, I learned what it really means to empathize with others. Hearing the stories of cancer survivors and families who have been affected by a loved one’s cancer made me realize how much people can go through and how important it is to be there for them.”

As Plati mentioned, part of the day included listening to stories from those who are experiencing or have experienced cancer and/or from family members whose loved one had cancer and were able to share their own stories.

For the students, this was one of the most impactful moments of participating in the Dempsey Challenge.

Morgan Clark, also a junior, said that her participation was an eye-opening experience.

“Seeing how many people that cancer touches was very heart-wrenching,” she said. “I saw one of my seventh-grade teachers there and I didn’t know that she had cancer. It was moving to connect with people I didn’t know and wouldn’t normally talk to. It was honestly beautiful to see everyone rally around each other and support one another.”

Junior Sean LeBel agreed with both Plati and Clark about the day’s activities and said the experience helped him to see things a little differently.

“Even though cancer is such a difficult thing, there was still so much happiness and hope throughout the day,” he said. “It made me appreciate my own life more and realize that I shouldn’t take things for granted. You don’t have to go through cancer yourself to understand how important it is to support others and be grateful for what you have.”

The mission of the Dempsey Center is “to make life better for people impacted by cancer through no-cost comprehensive supportive care” and Plati said that was obvious at the event.

“I was proud to see the support from all around the world,” he said. “It shows that no matter what you are going through, you are not alone.”

There were other unexpected discoveries by WHS students participating in the Annual Dempsey Challenge.

For Clark, the experience helped her to understand the importance of offering support for others during difficult times. She believes that being there can remind people that they are not alone.

“It doesn’t cost anything to let people know you care,” she said. 

LeBel learned that the financial aspect of medical bills is very expensive.

Helping one person to pay their bills can change their life for the better,” he said.

Perhaps Plati’s unexpected discovery might be a surprising fact for many.

“My generation, the Gen Z, often gets a bad rap,” he said. “We have the reputation for only caring about ourselves. But this proves that there are people in our generation that do care and come together to make a difference in others’ lives.”

According to Plati, the Dempsey Challenge event raised about $2 million. The Dempsey Center website emphasizes that all the money raised is used and goes directly to the services provided by the organization, which includes free cancer programs, counseling, and support for individuals, caretakers, and families impacted by cancer.

For more details about the Dempsey Center or to make a donation, visit www.dempseycenter.org. <

Historian to relate spooky ghost stories at Raymond-Casco Historical Museum

By Ed Pierce

Did a prominent 19th century Raymond resident predict how he would die years before a tragic accident claimed his life? This tale and other eerie ghost stories will be part of a free community presentation to be held at the Raymond-Casco Historical Museum later this month.

Eerie and spooky tales from the Lakes Region of Maine
will be related by historian Mike Davis from 4 to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Raymond-Casco Historical Museum
during a presentation called 'Ghost Stories and Unusual
Happenings.'  COURTESY PHOTO 

Historian Mike Davis of Bridgton will relate spooky tales from the Lakes Region of Maine from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 at the museum while surrounded by historical artifacts during a presentation called “Ghost Stories and Unusual Happenings.”

Raymond-Casco Historical Society’s Sue Pride says with Halloween nearing, this will be an event sure to interest many in the area.

“Mike’s storytelling brings together history, mystery, and local lore – perfect for the Halloween season,” Pride said. “These historical tales of curious happenings, scary ghosts and unusual circumstances will be sure to entertain everyone in attendance.”

Among the tales to be told by Davis is one about Edgar Welch, whose story was originally contained in the book “Historical Gems of Raymond and Casco” written by the late Ernest H. Knight, one of the founders of the Raymond-Casco Historical Society.

Welch was born close to the Raymond/Casco line on the County Road to Otisfield (Route 85) in Raymond in 1849. His grandfather, James Welch was born in 1765 and came to Raymond from Cape Elizabeth as an early pioneer settler. Edgar’s father was born in 1819 and taught his son how to farm.

For years Edgar farmed and eventually worked for a neighbor, David McLellan, whose barn and part of his house are still in use, the main house having burned in 1954.

According to Knight, Edgar was a bright, pleasant person though inclined toward strange ideas on work and physical activity, which were extreme to say the least.

“Besides hard work, running was his pastime for which the urge seized him after a week or so of labor,” Knight wrote about Welch in his book. “Dropping whatever he was doing at the time, winter or summer, he would be off running to Portland, Norway or wherever fancy directed, and on his return, he’d pick up where he left off.”

He wrote that on frequent occasions Welch’s route was through the White Mountains and once a year he would run to the top of Mount Washington, an event to which proprietors and guests looked forward to with anticipation. 

“For this event he wore a suit, boots and a tall beaver hat where on his ordinary runs his garb was his overalls with woolen socks in the winter and barefoot in the summer,” Knight wrote. “On one occasion he ran to Boston, circled through Tremont Street and Boston Common and then headed for home. Once an owner of a nice span of driving horses challenged Edgar to a race to Portland. Starting from Raymond Village, the team soon left him far behind, but when the team reached its destination on Congress Street, Edgar was there waiting for them.”

Knight said that Edgar had unique ideas about labor and benefits to mankind.

“An astute observation that the McLellan farm, being on the easterly slope of Rattlesnake Mountain, had the sun set much earlier than farms to the north or south, set him on a mission,” Knight wrote. “To correct this fact of nature, he worked for many years off and on as time permitted, day or night, rolling boulders from the top of the mountain to reduce this bothersome interference. In the stillness of the night, people would awaken to the sound of crashing on the mountain, and remark that Edgar was at it again, and go back to sleep.”

While piling logs on the ice at Crescent Lake (then Great Rattlesnake Pond) to be floated to Sebago when the ice melted, Knight said that Edgar would get hot feet, take off his boots and run on the ice or snow until he could go back to work in comfort.

“He was a great conversationalist and interested in the politics of the day. As a composer of rhymes and ballads, with a good voice always in true pitch, he would sing on picnic occasions accompanied by Carrie McLellan on her portable melodeon,” Knight wrote. “His physical make-up baffled doctors, though he never had need of their services as he never even had so much as a cold. With all his work and running, Edgar never perspired, which the doctors said should have killed him.”

But Edgar Welch is said to have had one more attribute which will be part of the presentation by Davis and that is clairvoyance, or a sixth sense.

Reportedly when Welch was young, a man named Eastman Bean of Otisfield fell from a haymow while holding a pitchfork, and he impaled on the pitchfork’s tines and died.

Knight said that bizarre accident was on Welch’s mind for all of his life, and over the years, he was overheard muttering some sort of rhyme or reference to Eastman Bean.

On Dec. 23, 1903, Edgar was working in the McLellan barn, which is still standing on the easterly side of Route 85 not far from the Raymond-Casco line, when he slid from the mow while pitching hay down for cattle. He was impaled on his pitchfork and died in the same manner as Eastman Bean.

His funeral was conducted from the old Village School at Webb’s Mills, now Crescent Lake Village, and it was attended by so many people that the overflow stood outside near the windows which were left open so they could hear the orations honoring their friend who may have predicted the manner of his death years before.

The “Ghost Stories and Unusual Happenings” presentation welcomes families to the event, although some of the tales in the presentation may be a bit spooky for the littlest ones. Participants are encouraged to wear a costume and enjoy trick or treat refreshments that will be available.

Admission is free, but donations that night would be greatly appreciated by the Raymond-Casco Historical Society to continue bringing these events to the community.

To learn more about the Raymond-Casco Historical Society visit raymondcascohistoricalsociety.org or find them on Facebook. <

Windham student learning confidence through pageants

By Erin Rose

Windham student Peyton Dore is learning to conquer the stage as she prepares to compete in the state’s Women of Service Pageant in March.

Windham student Peyton Dore, 7, a second grader
at Windham Christian Academy, won the Coastal
Maine Women of Service Young Princess title
in Windham in August and will compete in the
Maine Women of Service Pageant in March. 
COURTESY PHOTO

“I like playing dress up,” Peyton, 7, said when asked why she loves doing pageants. “It’s fun when I get to see the judges and my family” from the stage, including her dad, Troy, and 9-year-old brother Landon.

Kristin Dore, Peyton’s mother, explained that the duo decided to start competing in pageants at the encouragement of her pageant coach.

“Her coach, who is also the director of the pageant, Windham High graduate Morgan Wing, reached out and said ‘Peyton should do these!’” she said. “I figured she liked getting dressed up, so why not?”

Peyton entered the pageant world in January and has found success in the nine months since. She earned the Coastal Maine Women of Service Young Princess title at the local competition, held in Windham in August. That title guarantees her place at the state event and the potential chance to compete for national titles.

In addition to the overall competition, Peyton participates in a number of different optional categories that allow her to showcase beauty and fashion, including American Wear, Photogenic, Casual Wear, and Fitness. She most recently won titles in several of those categories as well.

In her most recent interview round, she was one of several contestants go through to determine who will take the crown, and Peyton’s judges have noticed how she’s improved in the short time she’s being doing pageants.

“Mrs. Maine was one of her practice judges, and then was a judge at the recent pageant,” Kristin said. “She said it was night and day, that Peyton had improved so much.”

One of the titles Peyton won in the regional competition is especially meaningful.

“She also won Miss Congeniality,” Kristin said. “All the contestants vote on that. That means she showed what the pageant represents.”

Peyton, who is in second grade at Windham Christian Academy, is known to be helpful backstage, cheering up younger contestants and helping them get pumped to walk the stage, even helping them with their clothes and accessories.

“One of them didn’t want to put her cute shoes on, and her mom was trying to put cute ones I liked on,” Peyton explained. “I told her, ‘You’re just going to wear them for a couple minutes and then take them off,’ and she started to wear them.”

“I was also telling her that her outfits were cute,” she added.

She also helps to get other kids energized before they take the stage.

“The little kids, if they’re in front of me, I try to get them excited so that they’re ready to get on stage” she said, adding that she wants to make sure “they’re not scared.”

Kristin says that Peyton’s actions are an example of how supportive the community is backstage at the Women of Service pageants.

“Everyone helps each other, even if you’re in the same group as someone,” she said. “It’s very helpful and very uplifting.”

One major component of the pageant is that each contestant must have a platform to provide service to their community. Peyton has chosen to pass out bags to homeless people in the area which includes granola bars, hand sanitizers, pretzels, gloves, and other small items.

“We did it in kindergarten and first grade as a fun project,” Peyton said, adding that they give out bags when they see people in need in the community. “I’ve kept doing it.”

Originally nervous when facing the competitions, Peyton is learning to embrace the stage, a skill that will help her as she enjoys dancing with the Maine Dance Center.

“I used to be scared, but then I get brave,” Peyton said. 

“She’s very nervous when she goes out there and then she’s a whole different kid,” Kristin added.

The pageants provide a great opportunity for Peyton to be the competitor, as the family frequently attends sporting events for her brother. It also provides time for Kristin and Peyton to spend together.

“She’s always been the sideline sibling so it’s great to have her moment,” Kristin said. “When she won the Natural Beauty award, she was very happy, and said, ‘Momma, you did this with me’. It was a nice moment.”

“She knows that we’re going all over the place with her brother, and it’s nice to have her shining moment,” she said.

The Maine Women of Service Pageant is part of the International and American Women of Service Pageant organization. It is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to empowering girls and women through a commitment to service, education and leadership development. The pageant has nine age divisions, ranging from girls as young as 5 in the Little Princess division to over 50 in the Classic division. <

Windham Historical Society’s Fall Harvest Festival offers family fun

By Haley Pal
Special to The Windham Eagle

The Windham Historical Society’s Fall Harvest Festival will be back for its fourth year from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 on the Society’s Village Green at 234 Windham Center Road in Windham.

The Saco River Jazz Band performs during last year's
Harvest Festival sponsored by the Windham Historical
Society. This year's Fall Harvest Festival returns from
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 at the society's
Village Green at 234 Windham Center Road in Windham 
and offers games, prizes, live music, food, a scavenger
hunt and tours of historic buildings. COURTESY PHOTO 

The festival is always one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the historical society, and it is packed with things to do for kids of all ages. At 11:15 a.m., the contests begin and start with relay races. Participants will be competing in the three-legged race, the potato sack race and carrying an egg on a spoon. The games are entertaining to watch, and the kids are very competitive while always maintaining the spirit of fun.

Then at 1 p.m., Windham Town Clerk Anthony Blasi will be judging at the annual pie-eating contest. There will be a scavenger hunt throughout the day and a contest where children guess how many peanuts there are in a jar. Prizes will be awarded to all the winners.

Bands will play live music from start to finish. The Lakes Region Strummers perform in the morning, the Windham Middle School 8th Grade Orchestra at 12:30 p.m. on the gazebo and in the afternoon, the swinging sounds of the Saco River Jazz Band will fill the air.

The Saco River Jazz Band, a group of volunteer musicians, will perform classic tunes from the “Big Band Era,” of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.

The historic buildings that populate the Village Green will be open for tours. Tours of Historic Buildings located on the Village Green grounds will be conducted by Windham Historical Society members and will showcase The Old Grocery Store displaying authentic rural mercantile of the late 19th century, The Village School, a one-room schoolhouse with the historical society’s schoolmarm, Miss Hawkes (Paula Sparks) doing lessons, and The Hearse House where an old horse-drawn town hearse is housed.

For the shoppers, a Maker’s Market of talented artists and a White Elephant Table of bargain treasures will share their wares. In addition, the village blacksmith, a stone cutter and a chainsaw artist will be demonstrating their trades.

Food for sale will include hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and homemade desserts as well as Poppie’s Kettle Corn. The event is partnered with Windham Parks & Recreation who will have a booth and oversee some of the competitions and games.

At the Windham Historical Society’s Information Booth, you can try on Colonial-period costumes and get a photo taken as a patriot in honor of our country’s 250th birthday this year. 

There will also be wonderful items up for raffle, including stunning photographs by Brien Richards, a limited edition print of Babb’s Bridge by Windham artist Patrick Corey, a gift basket from On the Docks, a $50 gift certificate from Fire and Ice, and beautiful flowers from Roosevelt Trail Garden Center and Broadway Gardens in Westbrook. 

“It’s a perfect day to get out into the crisp autumn air,” commented Historical Society President Susan Simonson. “You can mix and mingle with other community members, have a bite to eat, and enjoy a nostalgic look back into Windham’s past. We encourage people to bring a chair or a blanket and stay for a while.”

Earlier this year, the historical society conducted a capital campaign to seek donations for further renovation work on the Old Town House, which was not only Windham’s original Town Hall, but also served as a school for many years, and is now the historical society’s headquarters building.

The Old Town House building was remodeled more than 60 years ago to address cosmetic and structural issues with the building. At that time, a raised floor system was installed with a wood-framed suspended ceiling and wall paneling. It covered up some issues with the building but didn’t fit the ambiance of an 1833 structure. Planned renovation work as a result of the successful capital campaign will restore the original 19th century structure and create a building consistent with that era.

Admission to the Harvest Festival is free and open to the public with food, white elephant items, and maker goods available for purchase.

In the event of rain, the festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. <

Varney's Bridge reopens in Windham following replacement

By Ed Pierce

The contractor replacing Varney's Bridge in Windham has completed work about three weeks ahead of schedule and the bridge has been reopened.

Construction to replace Varney's Bridge on
William Knight Road over the Pleasant River
in Windham has been completed three weeks
ahead of schedule and the bridge has been
reopened. Work to demolish and replace the
aging 26-foot steel girder bridge began there
on June 15. PHOTO BY KEITH MANK

Wyman & Simpson, Inc. started work to demolish and replace the 26-foot steel girder bridge on William Knight Road over the Pleasant River on June 15. Work on the bridge was expected to last until Oct. 13 but was finished last week.

While making repairs on the bridge in 2015, engineers from the Maine Department of Transportation recommended that the town explore options for closing or replacing the bridge because of ongoing structural deterioration. MaineDOT engineers reported that capacity issues and faster and heavier loads stressed this type of bridge past its original design parameters.

Typically, steel girder bridges can be more expensive than other types of bridges because of the rising cost of materials and for construction and this type of bridge may not be suitable for very heavy loads and may not be able to support the weight of heavy vehicles. MaineDOT engineers found issues with the bridge’s concrete abutments and reduced the allowable load to three tons.

That made it not possible for construction trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, and other large vehicles to cross the bridge because of the weight limitation. Town snowplows had to stop, turn around and go the other way due to their weight.

With concrete abutments supporting the old steel bridge structure, scouring from the river caused erosion where the concrete touched the Pleasant River water degraded the bridge’s safety. There was also rusting on the steel supports which need to be replaced.

Varney’s Bridge was originally built in 1950 and it had been upgraded and repaired many times over the past three decades with its structural issues persisting and continuing to worsen. In 2021 members of the Windham Town Council voted to replace the existing bridge with the most cost-effective method to ensure the safety of the community upon the recommendation of the town manager. At the Annual Windham Town Meeting in June 2021, Windham residents approved spending $25,000 for a study at the Annual Town Meeting about how to best move forward to replace the aging structure.

The study was completed in the summer of 2022, and the results were forwarded to the MaineDOT. Using the MaineDOT Bridge Program Design Guide, a preliminary design report was created and mandated that any other survey work needed to define right-of-way and bridge layout and alignment be performed and any geotechnical engineering evaluations required to design a new bridge support structure be initiated.

In January 2023, the new Maine DOT Three-Year Plan for upcoming projects by state crews was released. MaineDOT authorized $1.5 million in funding for the $2.2 million project with the town picking up the remaining $700,000 for the project.

The Town of Windham then developed preliminary and final design plans in accordance with MaineDOT standards and requirements. Those design plans included a specific plan for the project, a bridge profile including cross-sections and geometry for approach design, design computations, load ratings, and evaluation information for the new structure meeting MaineDOT specifications. All of that included development of an engineering estimate of construction costs and creating a final plan for review by the state. 

At Windham’s Annual Town Meeting in June 2023, a warrant item was approved by voters to contribute $700,000 to complete the bridge replacement project. MaineDOT also conducted and documented quality control design checks and provided engineering support during the competitive bidding process and any other additional services as was requested by the town.

Windham Town Councilors put the project out to bidding in November 2025 and awarded the project to Wyman & Simpson, Inc. for the town’s portion of costs in general obligation bond funding for replacing Varney’s Bridge. Seven bids had been submitted to replace the bridge.

When the bridge work started in June 2026 it was estimated at the time it could take up to 120 days to complete. The reconstruction work required a full road closure on William Knight Road and local detours were put in place for traffic and emergency vehicles.

The bridge was reopened to the public on Sept. 17. <

Windham Business Gathering to discuss sewers, Route 302 project and proposed community center

By Ed Pierce

A Windham Business Gathering hosted by the Windham Economic Development Corporation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Erik’s Church in Windham.

A MaineDOT map shows improvements planned for a 
portion of Routes 302, 35 and 115 in North Windham.
It is one of three topics to be discussed at a Windham 
Business Gathering at Erik's Church on Sept. 30
hosted by the Windham Economic Development
Corporation. COURTESY PHOTO 

Among items of interest to be discussed at the gathering are the new sewer project in Windham, the Route 302 Project, and the proposed community center complex at Windham Middle School.

A cash bar and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres will be available.

Eric Gigure, WEDC president, Mark Morrison, Windham Town Council chair, and Robert Burns, Windham Town Manager will make remarks about the projects.

There will also be a Question-and-Answer session with members of the Windham Town Council and Windham Economic Development Corporation members.

ROUTE 302 PROJECT

According to the Maine Department of Transportation, the planned Route 302 Project in North Windham will improve a dangerous and inefficient highway bottleneck, improve safety and efficiency for motorists and active transportation users in Windham and provide more uniform accessibility to employment and retail as well as tourism and recreation critical to Maine’s economy.

It involves redesigning about 9,000 feet of Route 302 from River Road to White’s Bridge Road in Windham to improve safety, mobility, and efficiency. The project will add three new connector routes behind the town’s commerce center in North Windham to ease congestion on Route 302 while also making improvements to Routes 35 and 115 to improve safety, mobility, and efficiency.

The work will replace aging traffic signals with new smart signals and make road improvements aimed at benefiting pedestrians and bicyclists by constructing 11,700 feet of new multi-use pathways. All work is expected to be completed by 2030.

MaineDOT first entered into a working partnership in 2019 with the Town of Windham to alleviate traffic congestion on Route 302. In 2022, the state and the town collaborated on a transportation planning and feasibility study called North Windham Moves: Regional Mobility, Local Access.

State transportation officials obtained a RAISE grant in 2023 of $25 million for the project. The total project cost, including design, engineering, right of way and construction costs is $31.25 million. MaineDOT and the Town of Windham will equally split the 20 percent total project cost match of $6.25 million.

Besides congestion, the project area had seven high-crash locations (HCLs) in the three-year period from 2018 to 2020 alone and MaineDOT staff say the project will assist in reducing crashes and injuries in a commercial area that has grown rapidly around outdated safety features or no safety features at all.

The East Connector Road will be a total of .67 miles and consists of building a local roadway at the eastern terminal of Franklin Drive and extending south to Route 115. It includes intersection connections with Veterans Memorial Drive and Sandbar Road. 

The West Connector Road will be a total of 1.01 miles and consists of building a local roadway beginning at the north terminus of Manchester Drive and extending North about .55 miles to Whites Bridge Road. It includes intersection connections with Landing Road, Amato Drive and Trails End Road.

The existing intersection of Manchester Drive and Route 35 will receive improvements, including a new traffic signal.

The Middle Connector Road will be .14 miles and consists of building a local roadway beginning at the Franklin Drive and the Route 302 intersections and extending southwesterly to Landing Road about 755 feet.

SEWER PROJECT

Plans were approved by Windham voters in a special referendum in June 2022 for a new sewer project that included construction of a public wastewater system and the removal of about 100 septic systems that were discharging into the North Windham aquifer. Because of the lack of an effective sewer system in North Windham, over the years contaminants have continued to pollute the aquifer, threatening surrounding ponds and lakes, and stifling economic growth.

In addition, for the past two decades increasing nitrate levels have been observed in the underlying aquifer that threatened local water resources including Sebago Lake. Current levels of nitrates in the groundwater have exceeded drinking water standards. Septic system pollution entering the aquifer directly impacts surrounding valuable water resources, and this new wastewater treatment plant addresses the issue before the problem escalated and became irreversible.

The wastewater treatment plant is expected to remove 25,000 pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants each year being dumped by septic systems into the aquifer and watershed. The installation of sewers is expected to stimulate significant economic growth in Windham and lead to development in the area by industries and businesses not willing to locate here because of associated septic system issues and costs.

COMMUNITY CENTER REFERENDUM

Windham voters will be asked on Nov. 3 to approve issuing general obligation bonds up to $19.5 million in a referendum to finance the costs of rehabilitating the Windham Middle School for use as a community center and moving the Windham Public Library and Town of Windham municipal offices there. It includes the costs of design, engineering, professional services, site preparation, construction, renovation, operating costs, and other improvements and furnishings as may be required in connection with the project. The proposal includes appropriating up to $2 million of the town’s fund balance as the Town Council deems reasonable and necessary to reduce the borrowing amount and directly pay for costs of the project.

As part of the referendum to obtain $131.7 million in state funding to build a new middle school for students in Windham and Raymond, RSU 14 voters agreed in 2023 that the existing Windham Middle School could not be used as a school again, since the state had already contributed funding for substantial repair costs over decades of the building’s use. In formulating the proposal as to how best to repurpose the WMS building, WMS Repurpose Advisory worked with an architect and design team and toured the Westbrook and Gorham Community Centers to see how those towns adapted old school buildings for community center facilities.

Determining that the basic structure of the school was sound and that it offered 80,000 square feet of available space, the committee looked at the existing town buildings with long-term replacement costs and short-term maintenance, parking improvements and repair costs and decided that a number of municipal services could be relocated to the site for a fraction of the cost of renovating or replacing current buildings.

To RSVP to attend the Windham Business Gathering, send an email to [email protected] <