Spirituality remains prominent element in Boston Post Cane recipient’s life

By Ed Pierce

Pearl Grant believes that every life has a spiritual purpose, and that every person plays a role in the spiritual development of others. It’s a philosophy that has guided Pearl throughout her life and now as the oldest resident of the town after she was presented with the Boston Post Cane by the Town of Windham.

Windham Town Clerk Linda Morrell, left,
presents a replica of the Boston Post Cane
to Pearl Grant on Tuesday, April 22 at her
home in Windham. Grant turns 100 on June 2
and Morrell presented the cane to her
signifying that she is the oldest living
resident of the town.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE  

Grant will turn 100 on June 2 and remains an active churchgoer and hosts a bible study group at her home every week. She graduated from Windham High School in 1943 and says that her family and God are key elements of her life as she’s about to reach the centenarian milestone that only 0.027 percent of Americans live to.

“Now that I’ve lived this long, I honestly can’t see a big difference from being 99 and being 100,” Grant said. “It’s about the same to me. God has certainly blessed me to live this long.”

Windham Town Clerk Linda Morrell visited Grant at her home on Tuesday morning and presented her with a replica of the town’s Boston Post Cane before a gathering of friends and family.

Morrell read a citation recognizing Grant’s longevity and Pearl recalled that she was present when Morrell gave the cane to her mother Ethel in 2001. Ethel Verrill had the cane as Windham’s oldest resident until she passed away in 2007.

The history of the Boston Post Cane is a story that has long outlived its creator, Morrell said.

“On Aug. 2, 1909, Edwin A. Grozier, the publisher of the Boston Post newspaper, forwarded to the Board of Selectmen in 700 towns in New England an ebony cane with a gold-head with the request that it be presented with the compliments of the Boston Post to the oldest male resident of the town.”

Launching the Boston Post Cane as a gimmick to promote his newspaper, Grozier mandated that no cities were to be involved, only towns, and that the recipient of the cane was to use it as long as he lived or moved away. Upon the death of the town’s cane recipient, Grozier said that the honor should be handed down to the next oldest citizen of the town. That way, the cane would come to be a symbolic representation of the town and not the individual who received it.

The original Boston Post Canes were manufactured by J.F. Fradley and Company of New York and derived from ebony that was shipped in 7-foot lengths from the Congo in Africa. The ebony was cut into suitable cane lengths, seasoned for six months, and then turned on lathes to just the right thickness, and then coated and polished.

Each original cane had a 14-carat gold head some 2 inches long and decorated by hand with a ferruled tip. The cane’s head was engraved with the inscription — Presented by the Boston Post to the oldest citizen of (name of town) — “To Be Transmitted.”

At its inception, 700 towns received the canes. By 2020, more than 510 towns were still participating. In 1930, the Boston Post Cane tradition was modified to include women recipients and in 1956, the newspaper stopped publication, but its legacy and tradition endures to this very day.

Windham’s first Boston Post Cane recipient was Elijah Cook in 1909, and now that distinction belongs to Grant, who succeeds the late Hazel Gilman as the cane recipient. Gilman died last October at the age of 106.

The original Boston Post Cane for Windham is displayed at the Windham Town Hall. Morrell said a replica cane to be passed from recipient to recipient was created in 1999.

“Lloyd Murphy designed and created the showcase to display the original cane at no cost and Bruce Pulkkinen of Windham Millworks donated the wood,” Morrell said. “Ed Kimball of Classic Impressions in Portland was the artisan of engraving the replica cane, brass plates for all past recipients and history of the cane. Frank Sennett of General Machine was the artisan of the brass head and stainless tip of the replica cane, and he spiffed up the original as well. The ends were looking beat up.”

Families sign a document agreeing to return the replica cane when the time comes, Morrell said.

Grant was born on June 2, 1925 to Fred and Ethel Verrill in Windham and grew up on the family farm on Highland Cliff Road. After graduating from high school, Pearl found a job working for Blue Cross on Exchange Street in Portland.

In March 1947, she married Stanley Grant, and the couple were the parents of three children. Stanley died in 2014.

Of all the inventions that Grant has witnessed in her lifetime, she cites television as the one she thinks has had the most impact upon her life.

“I gave up driving at 96, so watching TV fills the time and gives me something to do,” she said. <

Polar Plunge or Spring Soak? Chamber event boosts ‘Feed the Need’

By Kira Pilot

On Saturday, April 19, roughly 30 community members and their sponsors gathered at the sunny lakefront on Saint Joseph’s College campus in Standish to raise money for hungry neighbors.

A mother and son team of Lisa and Sean
Deane of Windham is in costume and ready
to wade into Sebago Lake during the George
Bartlett Polar Plunge at Saint Joseph's
College on April 19. More than 32 people
took a dip in the lake to help raise money
for the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of
Commerce's 'Feed the Need' initiative which 
supports 11 different food pantries in the 
Lakes Region. PHOTO BY KIRA PILOT

Amber Rankine, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO, sounded the countdown at 11:55 a.m. by exclaiming “Five minutes to the plunge.”

The Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce may have billed this event as a “Polar Plunge” but Saturday’s noon temperature – almost 70 degrees – had several participants joking about a rebranding as they cast anticipatory glances at the yet undisturbed waters of Sebago Lake.

Rankine explained that 100 percent of the proceeds from the day's event would be donated to the Feed the Need charitable trust.

“Feed the Need is our ending hunger campaign, and we give funds to all 11 food pantries that are in the Sebago Lakes Chamber region. And it’s not just food. Some people need things like toiletries or diapers or formula,” she said. “The funds go directly to the pantries. We don’t purchase anything for them. We just let them do what they need to as far as taking care of their community goes.”

She hoped to collect about $1,000 from the event but said that any amount raised was sure to help, especially given the current economy and recent federal cuts. Research done by the national nonprofit organization Feeding America shows that food insecurity affects one in eight Mainers. Inclusive in that number are roughly 45,000 children.

The concept of the Polar Plunge was simple: participants registered for the plunge, raised money through sponsorships, and committed to jumping in the lake at midday. Some folks arrived costumed, most notably, the mother-son team of Lisa and Sean Deane of Windham, who showed up dressed as Disney’s Ursula, and rock legend Elvis. To help participants warm themselves, local business Too Haute Saunas provided portable saunas which had frequent use throughout the day as plungers emerged from Sebago Lake. Face painting, a food truck, lawn games, and an egg hunt were also part of the event.

Despite the amenities and the warm weather, participants understood the spring thaw has not yet warmed the depths of Sebago Lake.

John Daniels and his 13-year-old son Isaiah have participated in several past plunges hosted by various organizations, however, both voiced good-natured trepidation as the noon hour approached, and estimated the water temperature to be around 33 degrees. Despite reservations, the duo eventually took the plunge without hesitation.

“This is a good cause, and we want to help out,” said Daniels, who works at Edward Jones in Windham and solicited sponsorship from his colleagues, some in attendance.

Misty Coolidge of the Coolidge Family Farm in New Gloucester detailed her motivation for attending the event as she watched her three children, Caden, Eva, and Grace, gleefully make the jump.

“I am Mrs. New England and my platform for over 20 years has been fighting hunger,” Coolidge said. “As a member of the Chamber, I love that they have the Feed the Need cause. I try to go to all their events because this need is so important.”

She drew attention to the success of the Feed the Need program outside of this singular event. Just this last year, the Chamber donated $20,000 to food pantry directors in need of assistance.

“I wish there were hundreds of people here,” Coolidge said.

Before the day was over, Marcel Vachon, a member of the Chamber Board, took a few moments to recognize the media sponsors who helped make the event possible: Too Haute Saunas, Androscoggin Bank, J. Priest Insurance, as well as Paul’s Boutique who provided T-shirts for plungers. He also thanked St. Joseph’s College for hosting the event.

Lindsay Drumm, who manages corporate partnerships at the college, believes hosting such an event made sense for Saint Joseph’s.

“We really like to give back to the community however we can and sharing this beautiful spot we have on Sebago Lake,” Drumm said. “It’s for a good cause – Feed the Need – and it really aligns with the mission of the college.”

And as for the plunge itself? Not too bad, agreed the refreshed participants, wading back out to the shore after the initial shock of immersion. Flashing a bright smile, a young girl exclaimed “I want to do it again.”

The receiving food pantries are Casco Village Church Food Pantry, Casco Alliance Church Food Pantry, Gray Community Food Pantry, Crosswalk Community Outreach, Naples Community Resource Council, First Congregational Church in New Gloucester, Raymond Food Pantry, Sebago Warming Hut, Standish Food Pantry, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry, and Windham Food Pantry.

Donations to Feed the Need can be made directly on the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber’s website: https://www.sebagolakeschamber.com/feed-the-need/ <

Maine Mobile BIOLAB ignites JSMS student science interest

By Ed Pierce

Creativity may just be the secret sauce to unlocking interest in science, technology, engineering, and math, and if that’s the case, Jordan-Small Middle School students received a hefty dose of it last Friday when the Maine Mobile Biolab paid a visit to the Raymond school.

The Maine Mobile BIOLAB visited Jordan-Small Middle
School in Raymond last week and students were able to
participate in laboratory activities and a variety of
classes ranging from sample testing and data analysis
to basic chemistry and environmental science.
COURTESY PHOTO

The Maine Mobile BIOLAB is part of Educate Maine’s larger strategy to connect students and educators with career pathways within the life sciences sector and develop a larger and career ready workforce in Maine through educational investments. This high-tech mobile laboratory brings scientific tools and techniques right to the schools it visits, allowing students access to experiences far beyond what many schools can provide.

The curriculum features laboratory activities appropriate for a variety of classes ranging from sample testing and data analysis to basic chemistry and environmental science. All BIOLAB activities are focused on problem-based learning with real-world applications that align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Maine Learning Results and include common bioscience techniques such as DNA extraction and agarose gel electrophoresis, and relevant themes such as aquaculture, bioengineering, and forestry.

Each Maine Mobile BIOLAB activity goes beyond textbook learning and offers students a firsthand look at the world of bioscience and the multitude of career possibilities in the field.

Kellie Ouellette, a Science and Math teacher at Jordan-Small Middle School, said the BIOLAB visit was an exceptional method to spark interest in STEM-related fields among her students.

“The Maine Mobile BIOLAB brought in a series of high-tech laboratory experiences for students to participate in that we just do not have the materials or resources to carry out in a small school,” she said. “They brought all of the equipment and had well-designed lab experiences that gave the students hands-on experience with water testing for ph and turbidity, with connections to ecosystem health.”

Ouellette said another lab that JSMS students were able to participate in was called "Where Did the Sugar Go?" and was an exploration of how sugar travels through the human body, and how diabetes can interfere with that process.

At another station, students ran tests on simulated blood to determine which patient was the diabetic patient, and they were then tasked with designing a meal plan that would work based on the units of insulin the person had brought with them.

The Maine Mobile BIOLAB approach emphasizes the practices of science and engineering, building the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities that are vital for success in STEM fields. In addition to learning new skills in a hands-on environment, participants gain a holistic understanding of the bioscience industry and opportunities available to them.

The biolab curriculum was co-developed with input from Maine bioscience employers and industry stakeholders. Public school teachers also provided feedback to inform the program through an educator survey. The Maine Mobile BIOLAB launched last spring with an initial focus on grades 5 to 8 and the entire program is available at no cost to schools.

Across America and in Maine, employment in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations has grown substantially in the past 35 years, rising from 9.7 million in 1990 to 17.3 million this year, according to research complied by the U.S. Labor Department.

Having a STEM-related degree can also boost potential earnings as students explore potential careers. Statistics show that the average STEM worker earns $54,745 annually while a non-STEM worker typically earns $40,505.

The Life Sciences field happens to be one of the fastest growing industries in Maine and in the past five years, high-paying bioscience jobs in Maine have risen by 42 percent. With more STEM graduates, it is expected that in the future Maine could become a busy biotech hub, so the mobile lab might foster more interest among students who had not previously considered these types of careers.

“The novelty of having lab sessions in a giant RV with four large lab stations was fun,” Ouellette said. “In class we are following up on the labs we completed by looking at the data collected and continuing our learning.”

She said that the Maine Mobile BIOLAB’s “Where Did the Sugar Go? connects well with material her students were studying such as human body systems and structures and the functions of cells, tissues, and organs. We also can connect it to photosynthesis and respiration, and other chemical processes that occur in the cells of organisms.”

The BIOLAB is an initiative of Educate Maine which believes that all Maine people must have access to a high-quality education that provides them with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for career and economic success. It is committed to addressing inequities across the state and believes that the mobile lab will increase access and decrease barriers and create unique experiences for middle school students in Maine. Educate Maine champions career readiness by increasing the educational attainment of Maine residents, enabling all students to succeed in postsecondary education and in the workplace. As a business-led education advocacy organization, Educate Maine also administers four signature programs with key partners: Maine Teacher of the Year Program, Project>Login, Education Leaders Experience, and Maine Career Catalyst. <

Windham Public Works director settles into new role

By Masha Yurkevich

From snow and mud to potholes and street sweeping, being the Windham Public Works Director is no easy task, but Brian Morin has dedicated himself to the work.

Windham Public Works Director Brian Morin
assumed his duties leading the department 
last fall and takes a lot of pride in Windham
and works hard to make sure he is serving
 the people in the community properly.
PHOTO BY JENNIFER LEGERE 

Morin grew up in Sanford and moved to Windham in 2013. He is married to his wife, Sherri, and together they have four children and 10 grandchildren.

“Prior to coming to Windham Public Works, I worked for William Arthur in Kennebunk for 20 years, where I was the Facilities and Safety Supervisor, I was laid off in 2013,” says Morin. “I started at Windham Public Works as a custodian and because of my experience at my previous employer, I was promoted to the position of Building and Grounds Manager for the Town of Windham where I worked for 10 years. I was promoted to the position of Interim Public Works Director in August 2024. I was officially named Windham Public Works Director in November 2024.”

As the town’s Director of Public Works, Morin is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Highway Department, Buildings and Grounds, the Fleet Mechanics and anything pertaining to the roadways.

“I also manage the budget for Public Works and serve on various committees,” he says.

Morin takes a lot of pride in a job well done and truly enjoys working to improve the community he lives in. One of the more challenging aspects of this position is not being able to make everyone happy.

“There are always going to be people; residents and employees that don’t agree with your decisions” says Morin. “All you can do is ensure your decisions have the greater good in mind.”

He says that Windham Public Works is fortunate to have a great group of employees that have the town’s best interests at heart.

“Regarding equipment, we currently have reliable equipment; however, it is not to say there is not room for some improvement and upgrades over the next few years,” says Morin. “As the community grows, the equipment in our department will need to keep up with that growth. We are fortunate to have a beautiful, new facility that houses Public Works as well as the RSU 14 bus garage.”

Windham is growing at a rapid rate, with lots of new developments and roads along with apartment and condominium complexes.

“An increase in population will create more traffic on our roads and ultimately more wear and tear on our town roads,” Morin says. “The Public Works Department is ready to address these issues as they arise.”

The biggest challenge that Public Works is facing right now, that could also be found true at many other places, is employing CDL drivers, Morin said.

“We have been understaffed in recent months, however, we just registered to be able to train CDL drivers,” he said. “So going forward, we will be able to bring on employees that do not have a CDL and train them on the job to help them obtain their CDL license.”

This is a huge step in moving forward to combat staffing issues. It can also hopefully help potential applicants, where they would normally have to pay to attend driving school to obtain a CDL license.

“This winter, our crew did a great job considering the staffing challenges,” Morin says. “In addition to that, the Town of Windham has a lot of road miles to cover on each plow route. They had a couple of storms that dragged out over two days that had the crews on the clock for 24 hours at a time. It can take a toll on people to get the job done.”

Morin says that there are a lot of town buildings, properties and cemeteries that need maintenance.

“As town roads are added and as our infrastructure grows, we need to think about how Public Works changes with it,” he said.

According to Morin, coming into the spring and summer months, Windham will have about three or four new staff members on the highway crew and a new Buildings Tech for Buildings and Grounds.

“We will be trying to train them for their CDL licenses while completing all the usual spring and summer tasks like sweeping the roads, ditching and culvert work, prepping for paving projects, erosion control, overseeing basin cleaning and road striping and at the same time acclimating new employees to their upcoming plow routes,” he said. “Thoughts of winter are never too far off our radar.”

He emphasized that Windham Public Works does its best to maintain the safety and integrity of our roads.

“I, personally, take a lot of pride in our town and do my best every day to make sure we are serving the people in our community,” says Morin. <

Television drama series plans season premiere in Windham

By Ed Pierce

If success is the result of hard work, opportunity and talent, Justin Fortin has all of those and more.

Cast members of the television series 'Hearts
of New England' gather after filming a scene
for the show at Windham Billiards on April 6.
The third season of the series, which is based
in Maine and features local actors, will
premiere with a special 'Meet the Cast'
party at Smitty's Cinema in Windham
this summer. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Fortin is the creative mastermind behind “Hearts of New England,” a television drama based in Maine and filmed using Windham locations with an all-New England cast. The series is about to debut a third season on Amazon Prime later this year and has drawn rave reviews for its authenticity and depiction of life in the Pine Tree State.

“Hearts of New England” is created, written, and directed by Fortin and he also stars as a soldier who returns to his Maine home after serving in a war, only to become embroiled in a war at home as he learns that his father is deeply connected to the mob. He’s also caught in a love triangle between characters played by Caitlynn McCauley and Kris Salvi, and it seems like his quest for peace in his life turns out to be a never-ending war.

Married and the father of five children, Fortin was born in Lewiston and attended high school in Poland. He started acting professionally in 2016 after auditioning and landing a role in the film “Paper City Burnout.” In 2018, Fortin came up with the idea to create “Hearts of New England” produced by his company Maine Event Films. He has also appeared in leading roles in several other films and has directed a vampire film called “My Co-Worker is a Vampire.”

When not filming “Hearts of New England,” Fortin works as the Assistant Director for Shaw’s Supermarket in Windham and formerly worked for the Windham Walmart as a manager.

“We film in Windham all the time. Local businesses here in Windham have been very good to us,” Fortin said. “Filming here honestly feels like returning home. I have lots of friends here between the Walmart in Windham that I previously worked for, and the Windham Shaw’s I currently work for.”

Those familiar with Windham and areas throughout the Lakes Region will recognize many locations used in the television series. Previous seasons included filming at sites around Sebago Lake including at beaches in both Windham and Raymond, and a scene at the Windham Barber Shop on Roosevelt Trail.

“Most recently we filmed a mob scene at Windham Billiards,” Fortin said. “We also filmed a scene at the Pat's Pizza in Windham that will be airing in the Season 3 premiere episode.”

Many of the actors appearing on “Hearts of New England” are ones who’ve done theater and community plays before and over the years, the cast has grown from six speaking roles in the first season to dozens now.

“But in filming year-round as we do for this series, a lot of people have jobs and it’s tough to get them during the week,” Fortin said. “We try to film whenever we can and accommodate their schedules.”

He says the third season of the series will bring in some new additions to the cast who will be helpful to the show.

“Recently I recruited one of the most talented actresses that I know from New Hampshire, KJ Traynor. I also recruited three women to play detectives in Caral Rose Dubois, Kayla Fanum, and Megan Salisbury, as well as adding actors Adam Griswold and Corey Wells and expanding David Wells' role as Mickey. They all bring something special to the team,” Fortin said.

According to Fortin, the “Hearts of New England” series has been very popular with Maine viewers since its inception, originally airing on Great Falls TV on YouTube, and now has found a nationwide audience when it was selected to air on Amazon Prime in 2023.

“I’m glad we are still standing, especially after COVID,” Fortin said. “A lot of productions fell apart during that time, but I refused, and we managed to make it happen. I would have never thought the show would win over 160 awards or that I would be a 91-time award-winning filmmaker. It’s very rewarding to see the progression of starting with five people to now working with close to 200 people. There is nothing more rewarding than watching the progress from Season 1 to Season 3 because there is so much more experience now from when we started, making it much better.”

A total of five seasons of 10 episodes each are planned for “Hearts of New England.”

The length of time required to complete an episode of the series depends on several factors.

“It varies on how complex the scene is because we don’t film in episode order, we film based on the people and location we have on said days,” Fortin said. “Technical stuff has gotten a lot better. Especially with the addition of Christopher Fyfe. He is a genius, and the show transformed night and day with his expertise. Filming in Maine is good because most businesses are very supportive, especially right here in Windham. The biggest thing that can be problematic in Maine is the weather. It can be nice out, and then it snows but we’ve worked around that pretty well.”

Friends, family and coworkers are very supportive of the show, Fortin said.

“It’s funny because they often say they can barely recognize my character. My persona in the show is very different from the real me,” he said. “This series has a very good following in New England. I always wanted to act and started as a kid doing skits with my best friend Joshua Harris, but I got my first real opportunity in a movie called ‘Paper City Burnout’ and since then I’ve been grinding. Filming is my happy place. None of which could be done without my amazing behind the scenes team of Christopher Fyfe and Stephen Conicelli.”

Maine Event Films has booked Smitty’s Cinema to debut the Season 3 premiere episode on the evening of July 19. The show will start at 7 p.m. and cast members will be on hand at 6 p.m. to meet the public and fans. It is open to the public, and tickets are currently on sale on Eventbrite. Tickets can also be purchased on the Maine Event Films Facebook page.

“The public should attend to support all New England especially considering 80 percent of our cast is Maine talent,” Fortin said. “They will see people they know and businesses they've been to or restaurants that they’ve eaten at. It's a good way to support the arts and meet a lot of local talent. The show is on the rise and in the future, you will want to say you attended this premiere and got to meet all these talented people.” <

PowerServe 2025 a lasting community tribute to late WHS student

By Ed Pierce

Perhaps our greatest legacy in life is what people remember about us and do in our memory when we’re gone. For Shane Donnelly, his legacy is one of love for his community and the inspiration for an annual event that continues to help neighbors and the town years after his death.

Student volunteers work on a project at the
302 Rotary during a previous PowerServe
event in Windham. The 2025 PowerServe
will be held Saturday, April 26 and is a 
one-day event with volunteers helping
organizations and individuals in the
community who need assistance in
performing various tasks such as 
painting, yard work and home repairs.
COURTESY PHOTO  

Shane Donnelly was just 16 and a sophomore at Windham High School when he passed away unexpectedly in May 2015. His family says that he cared deeply about his community and to show their love for him, his family helped organize the first PowerServe in 2016, a community event where volunteers served Windham area organizations and individuals who needed assistance by performing various tasks ranging from painting to yard work to household repairs and major projects benefiting the town.

The first PowerServe was supposed to be a one-time event in Shane’s memory but following an outpouring of volunteers willing to donate their time to help, it evolved into an annual event growing to include hundreds of volunteers and dozens of projects each year.

“Since that time, we have done hundreds of service projects for the community and residents in need with the help of over 150 volunteers each year on our PowerServe day,” said Shane’s mother Kim Donnelly.

This year, the PowerServe event will be held on Saturday, April 26.

“For this year, we have 160 volunteers signed up so far and 34 projects scheduled to work on,” Kim Donnelly said. “We are looking for more volunteers to meet the need. The day is truly about students and adults in our community giving back to help those here in Windham while serving together.”

PowerServe brings Windham students, coaches, educators, business leaders and residents from all walks of life together to help neighbors, friends and family in Windham on this one day of giving back to our community and those in need who live here.

The volunteers are organized into teams that go out from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to work together doing projects to help residents and organizations in the community.

“Everyone meets back to share stories at the free barbecue at the Windham Historical Society grounds,” Kim Donnelly said. “This gives everyone time to share their experiences. It is a great opportunity to come together to help their neighbors and to meet new people from all ages and walks of life here in Windham.”

According to his mother, Shane loved the peace and beauty of the outdoors. She said he was a good student, a gifted athlete, a kind young man and a loving son.

“When he passed away unexpectedly at the age of 16, it was not only a shock to our family, but to the community and students at school,” Kim Donnelly said. “Nothing can fill the void from Shane’s passing. However, being able to materially see the impact that this event has had on the students, individuals and our larger community does help to feel that he left his mark on this world. Having past classmates of Shane’s and current students come back to Windham to support one another and our neighbors is so heartwarming. The projects that we do mean that our volunteers are working outside together to do good. It’s wonderful to see these students volunteer alongside local business teams, church members, teachers, friends, and families. It truly shows that Windham residents support one another.”

For 2025, PowerServe has 34 projects lined up at this time, the most since it started in 2016. For the larger Windham community, this year volunteers will be doing work at Dundee Park, moving the performance pavilion, building a stage and an overall spring clean-up. They will also build bridges and perform a trail clean-up at Black Brook Preserve.

Past projects performed by PowerServe volunteers include work on the community basketball courts/skate park, building conduits for the 302 Rotary holiday lights, at the Historical Society Community Gardens, on RSU 14’s Cross Country trails, at Manchester School and various plantings at Windham High School.

“The majority of our projects are for Windham residents who are in need of spring clean-ups, outside light stain or painting, spring plantings and mulch, power washing, and more,” Kim Donnelly said. “These are people with disabilities, sickness, who are elderly, an educator or public servant that we want to show our thanks for or just don't have the help and support needed to take care of these projects around their homes. Each year we go out to the town, community, and local businesses requesting nominations for projects for Windham residents to help with.”

As a lifelong volunteer, and Shane’s mother, Kim Donnelly said that in volunteering, you come to understand that simple actions can have a big impact.

“The old adage ‘it is better to give than receive’ or ‘the more you give, the more you get,’ holds true,” she said. “There are many opportunities to volunteer in Maine. PowerServe gives us as Windham residents the opportunity to give back to our own neighbors in need, alongside other Windham residents of all ages. Of course, for me and my family, this is an act of love in memory of Shane, who is remembered by students, teachers, coaches, friends and family for being a kind, loving young man who was accepting of all.”

Volunteers can sign up at PowerServe Windham’s FaceBook page or by visiting www.powerserve.me.

“Volunteering offers invaluable life lessons, a sense of purpose and gratitude for our own life,” Kim Donnelly said. “For our youth, it may take you outside of your comfort zone, but it can develop leadership, communication skills, confidence, and new relationships. This event was originally created in memory of one of our community’s young people. Its success is driven by student involvement in the Planning Committee, outreach to the high school teams and student groups and ultimately the pride our youth feel giving back to their community the day of the event. I would be remiss in not thanking those community members who continue to volunteer year after year. It gives you an amazing feeling of giving back to the community and those around us. You will also meet some wonderful people in your community who are volunteering alongside you.” <

Windham senior Pelletier third in Pentathlon at Adidas Track Nationals

By Matt Pascarella

Windham senior Tayla Pelletier is a champion and has set nine indoor track and field school records, competed in four Pentathlons since her sophomore year and navigated five championship meets in a row to finish third nationally in the Adidas Track Nationals at Virginia Beach, Virginia on Sunday, March 23.

Windham High indoor track and field coach Jeff Riddle,
left, and WHS senior Tayla Pelletier discuss her strategy
in the Pentathlon at the Adidas Track national at the 
Virginia Beach Sports Complex in Virginia on
March 23. Pelletier finished third nationally in the
Pentathlon at the event.
PHOTO BY SELENA PELLETIER    

She exceeded her goal and scored 3,241 points in the pentathlon; an event which consists of hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and an 800-meter run. Pelletier is the first Windham High School athlete to qualify for a Nationals Pentathlon competition.

“I was definitely nervous,” said Pelletier, about competing in the Adidas Track Nationals. “I wanted to keep a positive mindset because if you think positive, you can do good and you got to believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, you’re not going to do good. I wanted to do the best I could do on the given day; I knew I could reach 3,000 points, which was my goal.”

Pelletier’s Pentathlon score from the 2025 New Year’s Invitational at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham on Saturday, Jan. 4 earned her entry to compete in the Pentathlon at the 2025 Adidas Track Nationals.

This season was the first year that Pelletier competed in a national Pentathlon. She likes the Pentathlon because it gives her the opportunity to showcase multiple events while they are all scored together. Pelletier likes to meet new people, and she represented her community while competing against new friends and teammates.

Leading up to the Adidas Track Nationals, she competed in the Southern Maine Activities Association Championships, the Maine State Indoor Track and Field Championships, the New England Indoor Track and Field Championships, and the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championship – all of which she had qualified for throughout the season. Each of these championships were a steppingstone toward the Pentathlon finale, with the competition getting tougher at every level.

“Tayla’s accomplishments and her medals truly represents what no one ever sees behind the scenes,” said Windham High indoor track and field coach Jeff Riddle. “That’s where the magic happens. The symbol of the medal, the place in the podium and the state championships is a validation of all of her hard work put in, her work on her mindset to build that capacity. It was an honor to watch her perform it.”

Training started early in the season and from that point on, the events Tayla entered during the regular season were determined by how she could best contribute to the team, while giving her experience in the five pentathlon events as she prepared for the Adidas Track Nationals.

The week leading up to Nationals, Pelletier had already competed at the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championship in Boston. She was being more subjective to working on high jump, long jump and shot put – she would plan her practices around that. She incorporated 800 workouts to get some speed training in. Pelletier and Coach Riddle would find ways to practice inside Windham High School. She was also able to practice at the University of Southern Maine’s track and field gymnasium in Gorham thanks to the kindness of USM Coach Rob Whitten.

As Pelletier entered the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championships, she set her expectations high and was hard on herself when she did not meet them. She switched up her mindset going into the Adidas Track Nationals and wanted to think positively and not let little things bother her.

Windham High’s indoor track and field team works to create a culture about and for team, always trying to help each other out. For an athlete who has accomplished so much, Pelletier is not boastful and doesn’t expect to win going into a new season. She doesn’t let her previous victories cloud her future progression.

During practices, you’ll see Pelletier working with someone and showing them the first phase of triple jump or the transition, her giveback is there; she’s aware it’s not all about her.

Riddle said attending these championships are among the coolest things that he’s experienced as a collaborator with a multi-faceted, elite-level athlete. He says it was fun, challenging and exciting as a coach for him to be involved. Riddle said he’s never seen someone build and have so much capacity to compete in his 25 years of coaching at Windham High School as Pelletier.

“Getting a medal from Nationals is always a big accomplishment,” said Pelletier. “You got to be consistent; you got to keep working hard and set your mind to the things you want to do. You’ve got to put the work in. If you don't put the work in, you’re not really going to get there. The positive mindset really helps. It’s a reward when you get the accomplishments or the rewards that you’ve been working so hard to get.” <

State unveils upcoming MDOT local projects under Three Year Plan

By Ed Pierce

Some ambitious roadwork and construction projects are nearing for residents of Windham and Raymond.

Varney's Bridge on William Knight Road over
the Pleasant River in Windham will be replaced
by the Maine Department of Transportation this
summer at a cost of $2 million as part of MDOT's
Three Year Plan. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

Earlier this week, State Senator Tim Nangle of Windham, unveiled details of Maine’s three-year transportation infrastructure work plan, and what it means for Senate District 26, including here in the Lakes Region.

MDOT’s Three-Year Plan is released annually with an outline of the Maine Department of Transportation’s strategy for road, bridge and other transportation upgrades and maintenance projects.

According to the Maine DOT, this year’s three-year work plan makes a historic $4.8 billion investment in construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure across the state. It includes 2,716 individual work items for the calendar years 2025, 2026 and 2027.

In 2025 and 2026, the Maine DOT will undertake numerous projects to improve transportation in Senate District 26, including significant investments in paving, safety improvements and planning for expanded transit and pedestrian access across Windham and neighboring communities.

Additionally, there will be improvements to the Frye Island Ferry Service in Raymond.

“As Chair of the Transportation Committee, I’m proud to see meaningful investments coming to the communities I represent,” Nangle said. “Whether it’s paving roads in Windham or improving transit planning in Westbrook, this work plan helps strengthen the connections our families, businesses and towns rely on every day.”

The following are planned capital and maintenance work by MDOT for communities in Senate District 26 in 2025:

Bridge and Structural Maintenance

** Varney’s Bridge: Located on William Knight Road over the Pleasant River. Bridge Replacement.

** Windham [and Gorham]: Great Falls #1 (Long) Bridge (#6210) over the Presumpscot River, located 0.04 of a mile east of the Gorham town line, and Great Falls #2 Bridge (#1529) over the Presumpscot River, located on the Gorham-Windham town line.

** Windham: Pleasant River Bridge (#2676) over the Pleasant River, located 0.16 of a mile north of Hall Road.

Ferry

** Raymond and Frye Island: Capital improvements to the Frye Island Ferry Service between Raymond and Frye Island.

Highway Construction/Rehabilitation

** Windham: Beginning 0.45 of a mile west of Outpost Drive, and extending west 0.14 of a mile, including the roundabout intersection with Route 202.

Highway Paving

** Windham: Beginning at Depot Street and extending north 0.74 of a mile.

Highway Safety and Spot Improvements

** Windham: Beginning 0.01 of a mile south of Swett Road and extending north 0.57 of a mile.

Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner Bruce A. Van Note said that development of a plan of this scope is a complicated endeavor.

“Over the course of months, skilled public servants with hundreds of years of combined experience analyze asset management needs, the availability and use limitations of various funding sources, policy priorities, stakeholder input, project delivery capacity, supplemental funding needs for existing projects, and finally the addition of new work and projects,” he said. “I am humbled to work with the talented and dedicated people who embrace one of the toughest jobs you’ll ever love.”

Of all these tasks, estimating available funding may be the most humbling, Van Note said.

“Until recently, MaineDOT was largely forced into ‘MacGyver mode,’ using flagging dedicated revenues from fuel taxes and vehicle fees and general obligation bonding to do the best we could with what we had, which resulted in us competently managing the slow decline of the transportation system,” he said. “This challenge was exacerbated by historic construction cost increases over the last six years, as evidenced by the 70-percent increase in the national construction price index. This inflation resulted in the need for significantly more funding just to do an inadequate level of work. Thankfully, bipartisan policy action at both the federal and state levels in recent years has allowed MaineDOT to pivot from making do to making progress.”

View the entire 2025-2026-2027 Three-Year MDOT Work Plan at www.mainedot.gov. <

WMS Altitude Program teaches students how to make maple syrup

By Masha Yurkevich

While some classrooms use textbooks to teach a lesson, Altitude, an alternative pathway program at Windham Middle School (WMS), used maple syrup collecting to teach its students.

Windham Middle School Altitude students gather during a 
lesson in making maple syrup. Front, from left, are 
Constance Sawyer, Mckenna Grass-Goodwin, Ava 
Atherton, Aliana Richardson, Finn Shinchfield, Logan
Partridge, and Lisa Anderson. Back, from left, are
Autumn Carlsen Cook, Angelina Malan, Elijah Fox,
Caleb Warner, Illijah Veilleux, and Allison Muir.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Altitude is not your typical classroom setting; it is an alternative pathway program at WMS that focuses on service, experiential learning, and community building, aiming to create more hands-on learning opportunities for students who may find the traditional school setting challenging.

As maple syrup season was drawing closer, Altitude teachers Lisa Anderson, Autumn Carlsen Cook and Allison Muir decided to use this opportunity to teach their seventh grade Altitude students a variety of lessons, some of which include science, math, history, and the natural world.

Prior to going outside, students learned about the sugaring process and had guest speaker Scott Dunn from Dunn Family Farm speak to them about the task of collecting and boiling maple syrup. They learned about how to identify healthy maple trees, understanding the timing of sap flow, proper tapping techniques, and basic sap handling and boiling procedures to ensure a good quality syrup.

Then, the students walked around campus, marking off and tapping fifteen maple trees and plotting their locations on a map.

Mathematics was incorporated as the students collected data from the amount of sap they got from each tree and learned about how many taps a tree can have depending on its diameter and size. They had about 22 taps in total.

While outside, Altitude set up a “kitchen,” which consisted of four propane heaters to boil the sap for it to become maple syrup.

A group of students collected buckets of sap from their designated trees, pouring the sap into a 50-gallon barrel, which was then poured into pots and put on the heaters, carefully being monitored by the watchful eyes of another group of students.

Each pot was set at a different temperature, and the students observed the changes that were happening in each pot as the sap began to change color and get closer to the finished product, carefully taking the temperature until it reached 219°F, which is the finishing temperature of maple syrup.

“We wanted to give the students an authentic avenue for them to learn about social studies and culture, how did indigenous people first think to tap trees, as well as some Maine geography,” says Allison Muir, an Altitude teacher. “We compared ancient practices to present day modern practices, and also learned about the ecology of a tree, why does it produce sap, and why do we tap it at this time of year.”

Originally, Altitude wanted to incorporate more classroom curriculum, but once they got started, they quickly found out that they would be spending more time outside working on the sap. Teachers had to improvise, often taking the sap home to finish boiling excess water in order to speed up the process for students to then get to a finished product.

The students were able to be hands-on and used tools to tap the trees and hooked up the hosing to the tree, using teamwork to collect sap.

To see if the syrup was ready, the students either used a hydrometer to test the density of the sugar in the sap or used a thermometer, waiting until the liquid reached a temperature of 219°F.

“Once the temperature gets to 218°F, things happen really fast,” says student Aliana Richardson.

As a temperature reached 219°F, the students took the pot off the heat and filtered the syrup, and they agreed that this was a fun learning experience, and that they discovered many new things.

“Stay focused and pay attention,” said one student, Elijah Fox, to sum up the entire experience.

All the students agreed that attentiveness, hard work and teamwork was essential to making the best quality syrup. While in class the students learned that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup, and while outside they learned that it depends on the type of maple tree from which the sap is taken.

The students also got to make pancakes, learning different measuring skills and cooking techniques, and then enjoyed their hard work of maple-syrup collecting with some fresh pancakes.

Altitude teachers hope to continue this learning experience next year. <

Chamber preparing for ‘Polar Plunge for a Purpose’ in April

By Ed Pierce

It’s a new event at new location, but the bottom line is that it’s same goal to raise money for “Feed the Need” in helping food pantries across the Lakes Region of Maine.

The 2025 'Polar Plunge for a Purpose,' sponsored by the
Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, will be
held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19 at Saint
Joseph's College with proceeds to benefit 'Feed the Need'
which helps 11 food pantries in the Lakes Region.
COURTESY PHOTO 

After postponing the annual Polar Dip at Raymond Beach in February, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce has announced it will host the Sebago Lakes Region Annual Polar Plunge next month at Saint Joseph’s College and is actively seeking plungers willing to brave the chilly springtime waters of Sebago Lake for a good cause. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Saint Joseph’s College on Saturday, April 19

According to Amber Rankine, the chamber’s President and Executive Director, the new location will hopefully induce more participation from students at the school and the community.

“Dive into the icy waters for a great cause and help support our charitable trust, Feed the Need,” Rankine said. “This exhilarating event promises fun for the whole family and an opportunity to make a difference in our community. We are hoping for more participation due to the warmer weather of mid-April as well as not having to jump through an ice hole but rather running in and out from shore.”

She said that the event will be held in memory of the late George Bartlett, who was a Sebago Lake Rotary Club and Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce member for more than 30 years and worked with the Maine Children’s Cancer Network to start the Polar Dip event as part of the annual Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

When interest in the Polar Dip waned after many years, Bartlett approached the chamber in 2021 wanting to restart the Polar Dip event as a fundraiser for “Feed the Need.”

Bartlett passed away unexpectantly in 2023, but the revived Polar Dip and now the Polar Plunge assists 11 different food pantries throughout the year.

The receiving food pantries are Casco Village Church Food Pantry, Casco Alliance Church Food Pantry, Gray Community Food Pantry, Crosswalk Community Outreach, Naples Community Resource Council, First Congregational Church in New Gloucester, Raymond Food Pantry, Sebago Warming Hut, Standish Food Pantry, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry and Town of Windham Food Pantry.

In the spring of 2016, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Charitable Trust was established to raise awareness of the food insecurity in the region and to donate funds to the local food pantries who support this growing need. The initiative is called “Feed the Need” and the trust raises funds throughout the year via grants, generous donations, and events such as the “Polar Plunge for a Purpose.”

“Brave the cold and take the plunge in your favorite costume,” Rankine said. “Sign up as an individual or gather your friends to create a team. Costumes are encouraged to add to the fun.”

Along with the plungers, the public can attend the event to cheer on their favorite teams and enjoy great food from local food trucks on hand for the occasion. There will also be creative face painting for all ages and music and entertainment for the entire family.

For those who choose to plunge into Sebago Lake that day, portable saunas will be available from Too Haute Saunas for participants to warm up after their excursion into the lake.

Participants can sign up as an individual or form a plunging team and early registration is recommended.

Rankine said that prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed plungers and that Emergency Medical Services crews will attend for participant safety.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to have some fun, meet new people, and support a worthy cause,” she said. “Whether you’re taking the plunge or cheering from the sidelines, your participation makes a difference.”

To learn more details about the “Polar Plunge for a Purpose” or to register, call the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at 207-892-8265 or visit https://www.sebagolakeschamber.com/

Donations may also be given directly for “Feed the Need” on the chamber’s website. <

Twin girls showcase talent during American Miss National Pageant

By Ed Pierce

No matter what happens in their lives, the bond between twin girls from Raymond remains unbreakable.

Twin sisters Alexa 'Lexi' Largay, left,
and Alison 'Ali' Largay of Raymond
each competed in the American Miss
National Pageant in South Portland
in December and are already preparing
to compete in that same pageant again
this summer. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Alison and Alexa Largay, known as Ali and Lexi, are 10 years old twin sisters and turn 11 on March 26. They both competed in the American Miss National Pageant in South Portland in December and are preparing to compete again in that same pageant this August.

Lexi competed in the pageant as Miss Western Maine Preteen, while her twin sister, Ali, who is 2 minutes older than Lexi, was American Miss Royalty Preteen. They are the daughters of Julie and Mike Largay of Raymond.

They are both homeschooled and in the fifth grade. Ali’s favorite school subject is Art and Lexi’s is Math.

According to their mother, Julie Largay, entering the pageant was something of interest to the twins.

“Both girls do a lot of theater and were looking for a change,” she said. “Ali heard about other girls doing pageants and decided she wanted to try. After Ali signed up, Lexi decided she wanted to do it too.”

The girls started preparing for their first pageant about 6 months before the competition.

They worked on poise, modeling, walking, public speaking and interviewing skills and were coached by Morgan Wing, who was USOA Teen Maine 2023 and who will be competing in the Miss Maine Woman of Service Pageant in April.

Both Ali and Lexi showcased their abilities in the talent portion of the American Miss National Pageant and Ali also competed in the spokesmodel competition where she had to give a speech about a woman who motivated her.

Ali won both the talent competition of the pageant and the spokesmodel competition. Lexi won the pageant’s Spirit Award, which is the pageant’s most prestigious award and reflects the true meaning of competition, personal growth and character development.

Overall, Lexi received third runner-up in the pageant, while Ali won first runner-up and the title of American Miss Royalty Preteen.

After competing in their first pageant, the girls say they learned a few new things about themselves by participating.

“I learned that no matter what the competition is, you always have fun and even if you don’t win, you always make good friends,” Ali said.

Lexi agreed and said this experience gives her confidence for the future.

“I learned how strong and confident I can be,” she said.

Both Ali and Lexi are active in music and professional and community theater. They are members of the Portland Symphony Orchestra Children’s Chorus and represented by New England Models Group.

Lexi has filmed several television commercials playing now and one commercial with a large pharmacy coming out soon. Ali has done modeling for several companies.

The twins each appeared in the opera “La Boheme” at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland, where Lexi sang the children’s solo. They are about to begin their second season with the Maine State Music Theater.

“This year at Maine State Music Theater they can be seen in the main stage production of “Anastasia” in June and in the children’s production of “Willy Wonka Jr.” in August,” their mother said. “They will also be performing in the Carmina Burana at Merrill Auditorium in April.”

They are voice students of Shaunna Siver of Connecticut and have worked with her for almost four years.

During the December pageant, both girls wanted to help the babies in the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland and made it their platform in the competition.

Lexi’s platform is to donate toys and money for the kids at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital. Ali’s platform is to donate books to babies in the NICU.

“Both girls were NICU babies, and it was important for them to be able to give back to the Barbara Bush Hospital and the NICU,” Julie Largay said.

Ali’s goal is to have enough books for each baby to have one book and asks that anyone interested in helping to purchase the book “I Love You Like No Otter and Toddlers” and mail to her for donation at Ali Largay, PO Box 401, Raymond, Maine 04071.

Lexi’s donation link is https://p2p.onecause.com/bbch-diy/alexa-largay?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1gPxahqh8-Phtw_qOC50-hJpv0QgTgqmoEcguS09y1JmYBq4hsDkNGvA0_aem_UaOMIIff4UKtNOb6LC8HCw

“Competing in a pageant was very fun and super stressful until we finally got started for the weekend,” Ali said. “I made a lot of new friends and will be competing in the next AMP pageant in August and hoping to win the national preteen title.”

Lexi says the pageant was fun and was a huge confidence booster.

“I made a lot of friends there,” she said. “I also will be competing in the AMP pageant in August and hoping to beat my sister.” <

Windham examines sustainable growth while not losing rural feel

By Ed Pierce

For the past decade, a significant question facing Windham residents is how does the town grow at an orderly pace and yet not lose its connection with the past and a more rural way of life that prompted people to move here?

Windham Town Council members says areas of concern
when considering the impacts of growth upon the town 
for the future are how if affects infrastructure, school
enrollment, and an increasing amount of traffic on
Route 302. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

Last fall, a Community Survey was conducted by the town for residents and when asked what were perceived to be Windham's challenges in the next five years, the responses were in order; Pace of Community Growth and Expansion 73 percent; Town Services and Taxes 71 percent; and Affordable Housing 50 percent. Reviewing these results leads to a perception among town residents of too much growth too fast, and a significant desire to grow at a sustainable rate.

In January, members of the Windham Town Council conducted a workshop to discuss town growth. Councilors said this is a multifaceted topic and they reviewed results from the 2024 Community Survey, Maine state law, a downtown traffic evaluation, housing data, and other pertinent information as well as others.

Over a five-year span from 2019 to 2024, there were two condominium projects completed in Windham totaling 49 units. From 2018 to 2024, there were six duplexes constructed in Windham totaling 142 units. Between 2021 to 2023, there were three multi-unit complexes opened in Windham featuring 85 units.

Councilors say that areas of concern when discussing growth are its impacts upon infrastructure, school enrollment and increasing traffic in town.

In a press release issued by the Town Manager Barry Tibbetts, he said that Windham is moving forward with critical infrastructure projects and planned developments designed to support economic growth while maintaining responsible community planning.

Tibbetts said that during a recent Windham Town Council meeting, officials outlined key initiatives to address sustainable growth, including the North Windham sewer implementation, developer agreements, traffic impact assessments, school capacity evaluations, and the financial benefits of controlled growth.

Windham is currently only one of six communities in Southern Maine that has adopted an ordinance addressing growth while there are 22 other communities in the region that do not have any limitations or restrictions regarding growth.

Windham Town Attorney Mark Bower of Jensen Baird has reviewed with councilors the town’s existing growth ordinance and explained how state regulations affect municipal growth, saying that municipal growth ordinances must be consistent with a town’s Comprehensive Plan.

He said state rules mandate that Windham’s growth ordinance can be recalculated every three years to review growth rate details and based upon that information, the town’s growth ordinance can be updated or amended accordingly.

Last summer, the Windham Economic Development Corporation held a meeting in which it defined and outlined its objectives in a plan for sustainable growth in the town. Those steps included developing Windham’s niche in the region’s manufacturing clusters, pursuing opportunities in amusement and recreation, attracting more professional and business services to North Windham, and updating and maintaining Windham’s support system for economic development.

Windham’s controlled approach to growth is expected to generate significant financial benefits as cited in the press release in a few key areas such as new taxable valuation from development, and impact fees, permit fees and additional excise taxes all contributing to offsetting municipal costs and growth.

Tibbetts estimated those initiatives would generate $2.4 million toward sewer improvements, $585,000 for Windham Parks and Recreation, $680,000 for open space conservation, $978,000 for public safety initiatives, including a potential new fire station, and $750,000 in yearly excise tax revenue.

He said that without these planned developments for the sewer district, it’s estimated that Windham would face higher residential tax burdens for the sewer implementation. Growth within that TIF district allows 100 percent of the new development tax revenue to be reinvested into infrastructure, avoiding residential tax increases.

There are no credit enhancements or special pay provisions given to any of the developers, Tibbetts said.

According to Tibbetts, the sewer project in North Windham is proceeding as planned and is an infrastructure investment for sustainable growth and a major step toward improving public health and sustainable economic development.

As approved by town voters in 2022, the project was intended to attract commercial, residential, and retail development while protecting the environment. He said a critical component of this plan ensures that funding for the $40 million sewer bond will come from the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, avoiding any financial burden on residential taxpayers.

The Windham Town Council also has reviewed two key development agreements with NextGen and Gateway. Tibbetts says together, these projects will add 446 residential units in Windham’s designated growth areas, helping meet the demand for local housing while ensuring infrastructure and municipal services can support expansion.

The majority of the new housing from NexGen and Gateway is one- and two-bedroom units and Tibbetts says that the agreements provide a framework for planned development and ensuring timely project completion while protecting the town’s rural character.

Back in February 2021, Windham town councilors unanimously adopted a new Windham Open Space Master Plan to serve as a guide for the town in identifying high priority properties to protect or acquire, providing land stewardship guidance for existing open space lands, identifying opportunities to expand connectivity between open space assets, neighborhoods, and trails and to outline programs, ordinances, and partners that could be instrumental in securing the future of the identified high priority properties.

In adopting the Open Space Master Plan, town councilors agreed that rural character is crucial to Windham’s identity as a community, and it takes a proactive stance regarding preserving community character and ensuring that Windham’s most cherished open spaces will remain available going forward despite strong residential growth pressures.

Tibbetts says that a comprehensive traffic study projects that development-related increases in vehicle trips will remain within manageable levels, with long-term improvements sustaining road capacity through at least 2042.

Additionally, school enrollment trends show a net decrease of 225 students over the past decade, and the RSU 14 school district has capacity for additional students. The planned residential developments in the growth areas are expected to generate only minor increases in student enrollment, well within the available school capacity, Tibbetts said.

“These projects represent smart, controlled growth that balances the needs of residents, businesses, and the environment,” Tibbetts said. “By focusing on our designated growth areas and using TIF funds strategically, we’re ensuring that Windham remains a vibrant, financially stable, and well-planned community.” <

Fundraising event for Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital brings big voices and big hearts

By Melissa Carter

Erik’s Church in Windham hosted another successful fundraising event to support MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital (MHBBCH) that spanned two days, Tuesday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 5. The shows were presented by Country 99.9 The Wolf and sponsored by the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein and Webster Tree Service.

LOCASH band members, from left, Chris Lucas and Preston 
Brust supported Barbara Bush Children's Hospital fundraising
event by donating their time performing for a two-night show 
at Erik's Church in Windham on March 5 and 6.
PHOTO BY MELISSA CARTER

Country duo LOCASH took the stage both nights with performances that had the packed house entertained to the fullest both with their musical talent and their fun, upbeat sense of humor. They of course played their chart-topping hit “Hometown Home.” Special guest Randall King opened Tuesday, while Kelsey Hart began the night on Wednesday.

This event, now in its fourth year, with a total of seven shows, has not only brought in some of the best acts in country music to Erik’s Church, but has also raised more than $120,000 for MHBBCH. This event alone raised $17,966.

Ken Cianchette, the owner of Erik’s Church, said that tickets ranged from $35 to $250, and 100 percent of proceeds went to the hospital.

“Country 99.9 The Wolf, Erik’s Church, and the artists donate their time, airwaves, room, and personnel which is a combined value of about $70,000 in market price donation,” he said.

LOCASH band members Chris Lucas and Preston Brust said giving back by donating their time to help children is what they are all about.

“Being able to contribute to the kids and support the community really fills our cup up and puts life in perspective,” said Brust. “We have families of our own and have been fortunate to have good health, but we know not everyone is that lucky. And anything we can do to help these families is our way of paying back for all that we have been blessed with.”

Lucas agreed.

“Family for us is our number one priority above all,” said Lucas. “They are our biggest supporters and source of inspiration. It’s only natural for us to want to support other families where and whenever we can.”

Kate Richardson, MHBBCH Senior Philanthropy Manager, said the children’s hospital benefits from roughly 36 annual events and programs, not including the many, many community events that are organized on our behalf each year from lemonade stands to swim-a-thons.

“Our goal is to raise $2.3 million dollars to support the highest priorities,” she said.

In an average year, MHBBCH sees more than 100,000 patient visits from across Maine and the region. On the Wednesday night of the show at Erik’s Church, the hospital was almost at max capacity and this is not unusual.

Faye Weir, MHBBCH Vice President of Patient Care Services said the hospital has 51 beds total for its NICU/CCN floor with 31 for intensive care infants and 20 for intermediate care.

“All rooms can be used for the most intensive needs,” Weir said. “That night, we did have a total of 47 infants and this can vary. To ensure we can accept transfers in from across the state, if we have more infants than beds, we use several steps, so we do not have to go on diversion. We'll use beds on CFT1 for overflow, move babies to BBI inpatient for additional space, and other steps.

Weir said they are often at 90 percent or greater capacity. The PICU has a total of eight beds, and it is becoming more typical to be at seven children due to the expanding pediatric cardiology surgical program.

“It helps to keep kids local and not to go to Boston for care,” she said. “We are so proud of the work done and the fundraising because it helps us meet the expanding needs of the babies and pediatric patients in Maine."

According to Richardson each year, unrestricted funds that are raised are allocated to the areas of greatest need within the children's hospital.

“These determinations are made on an annual basis by our Chair of Pediatrics and additional hospital leadership. We cannot stress enough the value of community support in allowing our care team to respond to the greatest needs as they arise,” she said. “Often these funds are used to support the purchase of new state-of-the-art equipment, to pilot new programs or expand existing ones, to fund education for our care team members and the families of our young patients and to allow our children's hospital to remain on the cutting edge of pediatric medicine through participation in national research initiatives.”

Frank Harris, the MHBBCH Nursing Manager of the BBCH Pediatric Inpatient unit and a Windham resident says the being the only children’s hospital in the state, there is an ultimate goal of being able to expand to a bigger, free-standing hospital someday.

“Portland, Windham, and the surrounding areas are growing so fast,” Harris said. “We’re seeing record numbers of babies being born every year, and as those kiddos grow, we know our children’s units are going to need to grow too. We already have to get pretty creative during our busiest times, and while the hospital is awesome about helping us find extra space on adult units, let’s be honest, those just aren’t the best places for kids. There’s a big difference between what adults need and what works for kids and families.”

Richardson and Harris both agree that while the hospital is small, they are mighty and that is thanks to an amazing staff and the fact that the local communities always show up in support of the kids.

“In my travels, there is rarely a week that goes by that I don’t meet someone who has a personal connection the MHBBCH, whether it’s a neighbor, classmate, family member, or colleague and everyone knows someone who has been cared for here,” Richardson said. “It’s an organization that means so much to so many people across our state.”

Harris said seeing the way our community rallies around us through events like this one, means the world to hospital staff.

“That support helps us keep doing what we do best – take care of Maine kids,” said Harris.

He says he is so proud of the hospital team.

“They show up every day ready to make a difference. We focus just as much on supporting families as we do the patients, whether that's through education, emotional support, or just being there during really tough moments,” Harris said. “There’s nothing better than watching a child get to go home feeling better or knowing we made a difficult time a little easier for a family.”

MHBBCH is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, and during that time has helped thousands of children and families.

“Events like concerts at Erik’s Church bring the community together to transform the care that we’re able to provide for families here in Maine and there is no better example of ‘community’ than a room full of people and business owners who have shown up to enjoy a great time, but most importantly, to lend their support to our cause,” said Richardson.

Cianchette said that as soon as this year’s event was over, they began to look for an artist or band for next year’s MHBBCH event and will usually announce who that artist will be at the start of winter.

Erik’s Church hosts fundraisers throughout the year for many other nonprofit organizations, with their next event scheduled for Thursday, May 22 with the Don Campbell Band appearing to support Veterans Forward.

Organizers of the fundraising event say they are thankful for the contributions, large and small, made to support MHBBCH. In the words of Brust and Lucas, “You should be proud to make this hometown home.”

There are many ways you can support MHBBCH, from volunteering your time and making a toy or monetary donation, to creating your own fundraiser or even purchasing a MHBBCH license plate.

To learn more about the hospital, discover resources or to find out more about the ways in which your dollars contribute to the hospital’s programs, services, and equipment and get involved please visit www.mainehealth.org/barbara-bush-childrens-hospital. You may also mail a check to 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102. <

Raymond to establish selection process for new town manager

By Ed Pierce

A selection process will be set up by the Raymond Select Board in the coming weeks to identify candidates and interviews for the town manager position.

Raymond Town Manager Sue Look, who has been serving in that role since January 2024 has resigned, citing more than an hour’s commute from her home in Richmond.

Raymond Town Manager Sue Look, left, has resigned and 
will be leaving her position on March 21. The Raymond
Select Board has appointed Raymond Parks and Recreation
Director Joe Crocker, right, as Interim Town Manager
until a new permanent Town Manager can be chosen.
FILE PHOTOS

Look had been working as the Raymond Town Clerk when she was appointed by the Raymond Select Board to replace Don Willard as interim town manager in July 2023. Willard officially retired in January 2024 after being out on Paid Medical Leave and Look took over as permanent town manager at that time.

She had worked as Raymond Town Clerk for more than a decade prior to her serving in the town manager’s position. Look was born in Lewiston and has worked for the Town of Raymond since July 2014. She formerly served as the Town Clerk for the Town of West Bath and she was originally hired by Willard to replace longtime town clerk Louise Lester who was retiring at the time.

The Town Manager is a fulltime position appointed by the Raymond Select Board and is responsible for administering the policies as established by the Select Board and the Town Charter. The Town Manager serves as the chief administrative officer and head of the administrative branch of the town’s government.

The position’s duties include executive direction and supervision of the administrative services of the town and overseeing the finances of the town. The town manager also is responsible for implementing all town policies and providing all Town of Raymond staff with clear and efficient operating procedures necessary to conduct their assigned tasks.

Other duties of the town manager are to attend and participate in all meetings of the Raymond Select Board, work with the Raymond Budget and Finance Committee in developing an annual town budget, and work with the Select Board to meet the process requirements in time for the annual Town Meeting and tax bill preparation.

The Raymond Town Manager creates and submits to the Select Board an Annual Town report to distribute at the Annual Town Meeting in June, develops and updates annually a five-year Capital Improvement Plan for presentation to the Select Board, and stays up to date with changes in Maine state regulations that could affect town ordinances, policies, and budget. The town manager is responsible for submission of applications for state, federal and other grants for the benefit of the municipality, as approved by the Select Board.

To fill in until a new permanent town manager can be hired, the Raymond Select Board has appointed Raymond Parks and Recreation Director Joe Crocker as Raymond’s interim town manager.

Crocker, 37, joined the Town of Raymond as Parks and Recreation in February 2020 and essentially built the town’s recreation program from the ground up.

He attended Saint Joseph’s College, where he earned a degree in Exercise Science and then continued his studies at New England College in New Hampshire, earning an MBA in Sports and Recreation Management.

Among his many duties as Parks and Recreation Director, Crocker has managed improvements that the Town of Raymond has made to Tassel Top Park and facilities there and providing recreational activities and overseeing a department budget to meet resident needs.

Crocker said he will be a candidate for the permanent town manager position.

“I plan to apply, and if selected, I would be honored to serve the town in this new capacity,” he said. “If the Select Board decides to hire externally, I will gladly continue serving the community as the Parks and Recreation Director.”

Look’s final day with the Town of Raymond will be March 21. <