Chamber and town collaborate with restaurants to provide free food for Windham seniors

By Lorraine Glowczak

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Windham Parks and Recreation Department, Windham Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce have joined forces with local restaurants to offer free meals to-go for senior residents ages 65 and above in the Windham community.

The prepared meals will begin this Friday, May 8 with curb-side pick up from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Windham Town Hall, 8 School Road, and will continue every Friday at the same time until further notice. Individuals who are interested in the free meals are requested to provide an RSVP to the Parks and Recreation Department by calling 892-1905 or email at parks&recreation@windhammaine.us. The RSVP must be submitted by noon on Thursdays.

“The intention of the free senior meal to-go program is to give our seniors citizens in need a healthy food option while at the same time, help Windham restaurants keep working and stay busy,” stated Linda Brooks, Director of the Windham Parks and Recreation Department. She further explained the town has scholarship money set aside for senior programming. Following the lead from the Saco Parks and Recreation Department, who has started a similar free food plan, Brooks thought offering something similar in Windham would be a great option for the community.

“When I approached Tom Bartell, Director of the WEDC and Robin Mullins, Director of the Chamber about this idea, they both thought it was a perfect way to use the scholarships funds to assist both seniors and area businesses,” Brooks said.

The WEDC and Chamber then approached Windham restaurants to see who might be interested in participating.

“When I received a call from Tom about this free meal to go program, I was on board immediately,” stated Nick Kalogerakis, owner of the Elbow Room Bistro. Kalogerakis had already begun a similar free senior meal program on his own at his restaurant when the COVID-19 social distancing measures began.

“I wanted to make sure there were no seniors going hungry, “he stated. “We are an older state and I am concerned about those who do not have siblings or children to look in after them. So, I was very happy that they called me to be a part of this collaboration.”

Frank Merced, owner of Franco’s Bistro, is also participating with the town on this endeavor. “I received a call from Robin Mullins at the Chamber, and I thought it was a fabulous idea,” Merced began. “We are all struggling – including myself – and I want to be a part of the solution in this struggle and help in any way I can.”

Each week, a participating restaurant will be selected to make the meals. The Elbow Room Bistro will be the first to offer toward the food-to-go program and the initial menu item to be offered will be Shephard’s Pie with gravy. Next Friday’s meal, offered by Franco’s Bistro, will include either lasagna or fettuccine with meatballs.

Brooks noted that the free curb-side meal to go for seniors will follow social distancing recommendations. Individuals will be able to easily pick up meal’s curbside in the town’s parking lot.

If you would like to sponsor this program, please notify Mark Morrison, Mark.morrison815@gmail.com. If you would like to be a participating restaurant, please notify Robin Mullins, director@sebagolakeschamber.com.

It has been incredible to witness the community banding together. Thank you for continuing to support Windham Seniors and local restaurants.

WEDC annual meeting honors past, builds future - By Lorraine Glowczak

Innovative and collaborative leadership with a focus on honoring the past and building the future was the highlight at last Wednesday’s Windham Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) annual meeting. Held at the Windham Veteran’s Center, the meeting began with a social hour/buffet dinner served by Rustler’s Steak House and included special guest speaker Charles Lawton, chief economist at the Portland-based Planning Decisions.

Thomas Bartell, executive director of WEDC, opened the annual meeting by greeting the board members and welcoming their guests. “This is the first time that we have attempted an annual meeting with a program and invited guests,” Bartell stated. “We look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come.” 

“It is truly amazing how much is happening with economic growth in the Windham and Raymond area,” Bartell declared in his welcoming statements. The various economic initiatives and entrepreneurial developments Bartell identified included, but were not limited to, plans such as the community building efforts of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Institute. The plans for the Institute are being created by a chamber committee, but the certifications will be handled through Windham/Raymond Adult Education. 

Also mentioned were opportunities to diversify Windham’s economy through the future Scale Up entrepreneur classes brought to the Sebago region in part through the efforts of Katherine Damon with Gorham Savings Bank and the same chamber committee working on the leadership institute.

Additionally, the successful entrepreneurial endeavors of local resident, Stephanie Lay were highlighted. Lay and her son, both proprietors of the Maine Tex Grilled Salsa business, will soon be expanding in Windham, creating new jobs in the area with a portion of proceeds going to the non-profit organization, The Special Foundation for Autism.

After the welcoming statements, the business meeting was called to order beginning with a review of the treasurer’s report followed by board of director elections. Two seats out of the fourteen WEDC board member positions needed to be renewed/filled. Steve McFarland, a current board member, was nominated and voted unanimously to renew his three-year term. Charlotte Mace, executive director of Biobased Maine, was nominated to replace former board member, Peter Anania who chose to step down from his position. Mace was also voted in unanimously. 

“I am so pleased to be appointed to a 3-year term on the Windham Economic Development Corporation, and I am eager to participate in existing projects and contribute to future economic development in Windham. I am passionate about economic development in Maine, and I want to help ensure that our community prospers through sustainable economic development that benefits our economy and families,” Mace stated.

The election process continued with the voting of the WEDC executive committee. President Dustin Roma, secretary Steve McFarland and treasurer Jeff Vermette all renewed their positions. Beth Schidzig stepped down from her role as vice president. Larry Eliason was voted in to replace her.

Upon the completion of the elections, president Roma reviewed the projects underway that are enhancing economic development in the greater Windham area. “Anglers Road Project is very close to being completed with one lot already sold,” he said. Also mentioned were the collaborative efforts with the towns of Standish, Gray, Raymond as well as with Saint Joseph’s College that include broadband internet and utility infrastructure progress with the intention to support business growth and strengthen existing business.

Roma also took a moment to recognize the hard work and efforts of executive director Thomas Bartell, thanking him for his progressive and cooperative leadership skills. This was met with a round of applause and standing ovation.

Finally, Charles Lawton was introduced as guest speaker. Lawton began his presentation by first praising the successful collective leadership he witnessed that evening, recognizing the sincere efforts to provide a successful economic environment for the people of the greater lakes region. “After all,” Lawton stated, “Economic development is really about people.”

Issues facing Maine’s economic status, Lawton explained, include the challenges of demographic imbalance, the loss of manufacturing jobs, those hurt by globalization, and efforts to provide the much needed skills for economic success. “Our economic challenges can no longer be solved in the traditional way,” Lawton pointed out. “We can no longer simply place an ad in the paper. Those days are long gone.”

Adaptation to new technology and business cooperation are two ways in which Maine people and communities can reach desired economic success, Lawton explained. He ended his presentation recognizing that the Windham and Raymond communities are heading in the right direction.

Before the annual meeting adjourned, a moment of honor took place to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of a past trailblazing leader. Members of the WEDC did so by recognizing former WEDC board member Thomas “Tommy” Gleason, who passed away in May of this year. His “determination to ‘make things happen’ and his drive to make Windham ‘all that it can be’” is noteworthy. As a result, the WEDC board established the Thomas “Tommy” Gleason Economic Development Champion Award. The award went to Martin Lippman for his outstanding vision and devotion to transform the area, and who provided the donation to secure the land and Chaffin Pond that is now Donnabeth Lippman Park named after Martin’s late wife. A plaque was also awarded to Gleason’s widow, Nancy Gleason, as a show of gratitude for Tommy’s service to the community.

Special thanks went to Bomb Diggity Bakery and Café for providing desserts for the evening as well as to Blossoms of Windham for supplying the flower arrangements. Jars of Maine Tex Grilled Salsa were given as gifts to all members and guests upon the completion of the annual meeting.