WHS art teacher expands his creativity beyond classroom with goal of community through murals

By Sophia Atherton

Art has always been a part of Joe McLaughlin’s life, and he wanted to share the love of creativity by becoming an art teacher. But little did he know how far his love for painting would take him. McLaughlin, who currently teaches painting, street art, printmaking, and drawing at Windham High School, has broadened his canvas beyond the classroom and onto walls of businesses throughout Maine.

Windham High School art teacher Joe McLaughlin finds
artwork, including murals, to be a rewarding opportunity
to create transformation and change the way people
experience the world. Here he shows a mural he painted
for Big Swing Golf Sim in Windham.
PHOTO BY LORRAINE GLOWCZAK 

Recently, you’ll find McLaughlin’s talented artwork at a few businesses in Windham including the Big Swing Golf Sim. He explains how that opportunity took place.

"My first public mural came about unexpectedly,” McLaughlin said. “While visiting Flight Deck Brewing in Brunswick, I noticed a large white wall at the entrance and immediately wanted to fill that blank space with artwork. I asked the owners what they planned to do with it. When they told me they didn't have any plans, I suggested a mural.”

That project led to a second mural for the brewery and showed McLaughlin the power of community connections and word-of-mouth recommendations. He not only enjoys painting for businesses and community members, but also the relationship that art creates.

“I've met incredible people and have been given opportunities I never would have expected. I enjoy the interactions with the owners and patrons and seeing their excitement at the outcome, watching their business and space grow from just a shell of a room to an art installation."

He said that he has painted subjects that he never imagined doing, from aviation scenes to bees and golf courses, and his murals have taken him to places he otherwise might never have visited.

One of McLaughlin's favorite parts about creating murals is watching the pieces come together.

“Seeing the progress each time I complete the next step is very rewarding to me,” he said.

McLaughlin also finds artwork rewarding because it has the power to create transformation and change the way people experience the world.

"Art has always been a part of my life. I've been teaching art for 25 years at every grade level, from kindergarten through high school, but my passion for drawing and painting began long before I ever stepped into a classroom,” he said.

When McLaughlin was in high school, he said he was always creating, and that passion eventually grew into painting murals. His parents gave him the freedom and the space to paint a wall in his bedroom. At first, it was just one wall that featured a mural of Jerry Garcia, then before he knew it, every wall in his room was painted. The support of his parents gave him more than just a spark for mural painting but in changing the way he looked at blank walls.

Although painting, drawing and street art come naturally to McLaughlin, he admits that some things do not come easily while creating murals professionally.

“Some challenges that I face include scaling up a small drawing,” McLaughlin said. “When designing the golf ball, for example, I sometimes need to make changes on the wall adjusting the size from the original sketch. I will need to scale and proportion the artwork, so everything doesn’t appear too massive or too small.”

McLaughlin also takes a lot of photographs and will look at them at home to discover how things can be improved, learning to deviate from the original sketch.

“I also receive a lot of help from my wife, Kristin, and sometimes we work as a team to improve the artwork,” he said.

McLaughlin's view on the value of public art in the community was formed from traveling nationally and internationally.

“Sometimes public art can change the landscape of downtrodden communities and become a tourist attraction,” McLaughlin said. “Even changing the energy of a space. When things are so divisive these days, art can act as a universal language to bring people together."

McLaughlin’s love of art is more than a creative and teaching endeavor and, as a result, he hopes to add more art in the Windham and Raymond areas.

“Ultimately, I hope my work inspires others to see the value of art,” he said. “Murals have the power to transform businesses and strengthen communities.”

For his next mural, McLaughlin has been commissioned to provide artwork for a private individual in Casco. <

Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride salutes Maine reservist

By Ed Pierce

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dennis J. Dix Jr. spent his military career helping his fellow soldiers and so it was only fitting that his efforts are not forgotten following his death last fall. To remember Dix for his contributions to the nation, members of the 17th Annual Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride conducted a special ceremony for his family in Windham last Friday as part of the group’s Northern Tier ride.

Carl Coleman of American Legion Post 148 holds the Legion
flag at a ceremony conducted by the 17th Annual Tribute to
Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride
participants for the family of the late Lt. Col. Dennis J.
Dix, Jr. of Maine at the Windham Veterans Center on
Friday, July 24. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE  

The 17th Annual Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride is a 24-day, cross-country motorcycle journey running from July 11 to Aug. 2, and is traveling from Eugene, Oregon, to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to honor post-9/11 fallen service members. At Arlington, a cart carrying a memorial flame is escorted inside the cemetery and formally extinguished in recognition of every service member honored along the journey.

According to Warren Williamson, the Executive Director of the Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride, the group makes scheduled visits to honor 52 different fallen service members along the way every year and this ceremony held at the Windham Veterans Center was one of those.

“At these Fallen Soldier visits, they present surviving family members with their Memorial Plaque of Distinguished Service to graciously recognize the service members’ sacrifice and to remind each family that their fallen hero hasn’t been forgotten,” Williamson said.

The Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride has been doing this for nearly two decades with 15 riders among the group that arrived in Windham to pay tribute to Dix and his family.

“It’s a mission of love; it’s a mission of dedication and support,” Williamson said.

Dix graduated from Hall-Dale High School in Farmingdale and earned a double major in Psychology and Communication from the University of Southern Maine. He went on to graduate from the University of Maine School of Social Work and worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He was the Director of the Access Center at Kennebec Behavioral Health and served as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps.

He was awarded the Achievement Award as the Combat Stress Team Officer in Charge during Operation Pac-Warrior in 2009 and was honored with the Army Achievement Medal for Access to Behavioral Health Care at Fort Drum Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC) in 2001.

At the time of his death last fall at the age of 58, Dix lived with his family in Hallowell. His wife Michelle Dix and four children, Anthony Dix, Kaylee Bickford, Aiden Dix, and Brianna Dix all made the trip to Windham to attend the ceremony along with other family members.

“There is a cost to serve this country if you wear the uniform of the United States,” Williamson told the Dix Family. “The flame is a promise to the family that we have not forgotten Dennis, and it burns 24 hours a day.”

During the ceremony, Williamson read aloud the obituary for Dix and presented the family with a memorial plaque in recognition of his military service and a framed photograph of him.

Williamson pointed out that all the motorcycle riders on this year’s ride are wearing a patch commemorating the ride honoring Dix and he gave a patch to the family so they too can remember the event.

“We hope you will wear it with pride,” he said. “As everyday Americans, we graciously extend our heartfelt gratitude to the families of every fallen soldier, and it’s our pledge to let them know their fallen hero will never be forgotten.”

The Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride was originally created in 2009 to honor the sacrifices of 125 military members from Oregon who have been killed in action through the years defending America. It later expanded to pay tribute to all American military members who gave unselfishly so that all Americans can live in freedom.

“We wanted to do something to make a difference,” Williamson said.

According to Williamson, Windham was the 14th day of 24 planned visits across America culminating the trip with a final stop at Arlington National Cemetery. A memorial bell will be rung at Arlington for each of the 52 fallen servicemen with their names read aloud. The event concludes with riders from the 17th Annual Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride laying a wreath along with the sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Members of Windham VFW Post 10643 and the American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 also participated in the ceremony for Dix. <

Fuller Center Bike Adventure cyclists to finish cross-country journey in Sebago Lakes Region

By Masha Yurkevich

After pedaling thousands of miles across the United States over the span of 10 weeks, cyclists participating in the Fuller Center Bike Adventure’s Northern Tier ride will celebrate the end of their journey in the Sebago Lakes Region while giving back to local homeowners in need.

Cyclists participating in the Fuller Center Bike Adventure's
Northern Tier ride will celebrate the end of their journey
across America starting in Oregon and ending in Maine
while giving back to local homeowners in need in the
Sebago Lakes Region. Cyclists are expected to arrive at'
Saint Joseph's College on Aug. 6. COURTESY PHOTO      

Some 25 riders who departed from Oregon earlier this summer are scheduled to arrive at Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Standish on Thursday, Aug. 6, where they will spend two nights before completing home repair projects in Windham, Standish and Raymond and finishing their cross-country ride with a trip to Portland Head Light on Aug. 8 to dip their bicycle tires in the Atlantic Ocean.

Along the way on their journey across America, these cyclists have stopped in communities across the country to repair and renovate homes while raising money and awareness for The Fuller Center for Housing, whose mission is to eliminate poverty housing by building and repairing simple, decent homes.

"The Northern Tier is special because they are ending their ride in Maine," said Diane Bruni, a founding member, board chair and president of the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing. "The ride has been challenging with riding 100 miles on some days through the Rockies and the smoke-filled days through the Midwest."

At Fuller Center chapters across the country, cyclists have completed projects ranging from replacing roofs, ramps and steps to yard work for homeowners in need.

"In most communities, a church serves as the host," Bruni said. "The cyclists sleep on the floor. It is not a vacation."

The Fuller Center Bike Adventure is celebrating nearly two decades of fundraising rides, with next year marking its 20th anniversary. Cyclists can choose from one-week, two-week or 10-week rides held throughout the year, with fundraising supporting home building and repair projects both in the United States and around the world.

For many participants, Bruni said, the experience is about much more than bicycling across the country.

"For many cyclists, it is a way to see the country, but not by car. It is a very different experience," she said. "The relationships with other cyclists are lifelong. The tie to fulfilling the mission by giving back through raising funds and working on projects is very gratifying. Many cyclists return year after year."

Hosting the final stop of the ride is a significant undertaking for the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center, which has been planning the event for months. This marks the third time the Northern Tier ride has concluded here in Maine. Saint Joseph's College is providing lodging, showers and transportation to project sites, allowing organizers to focus on preparing repair projects, purchasing materials and coordinating volunteers and meals.

"We are so appreciative of their willingness to be part of this community event," Bruni said.

On Aug. 7, cyclists and volunteers will complete four to five repair projects benefiting seniors and veterans throughout Windham, Standish and Raymond. Planned work includes replacing a roof for one family, repairing a deck and steps for another homeowner and clearing overgrown vines that have blocked windows at another home. Since its founding in 2018, the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center has helped 75 families and contributed more than 4,000 volunteer hours. The nonprofit focuses on assisting low-income older adults, veterans and people with disabilities to complete critical home repairs so that they can remain safely in their homes.

"Many people want to age in a place where they feel secure and have fond memories," Bruni said. "The challenge is needing home repairs for safety reasons, but they no longer can afford what is needed."

She said many of the homeowners the organization serves live alone without nearby family members to help, while affordable rentals are scarce and assisted living facilities often have lengthy waiting lists. Unlike a traditional charity model, families contribute toward the cost of materials through affordable payments over time in what the Fuller Center calls the “Greater Blessing” program.

"It is not a hand-out, but a hand-up," Bruni said. "The families help others."

Community members are invited to welcome the cyclists when they arrive at Saint Joseph's College between 2 and 4 p.m. on Aug. 6. Organizers will greet the riders with signs, balloons and snacks before hosting a Maine-themed welcome dinner that evening. The Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center is also seeking volunteers and donations of food for the cyclists' meals throughout the weekend, including the welcome dinner, a celebratory cookout on Aug. 7 and a Maine blueberry pancake breakfast on Aug. 8.

For more information and to donate, please visit the website at sebagofullerhousing.org. Bruni said community support is essential to making the event – and the work of the organization throughout the year – possible. <

Windham High pitcher continues on path to major league baseball

By Ed Pierce

Brady Afthim’s first full season of minor league baseball has accelerated and now that he’s been promoted from Low-A Daytona in the Florida State League to the High-A Dayton Dragons of the Midwest League, he’s expecting even better results.

Brady Afthim of Windham pitches for the Dayton Dragons in 
a Midwest League minor league baseball game against the
Lansing Lugnuts on July 3. Afthim, a 13th round draft pick
of the Cincinnati Reds a year ago, was promoted from
low-A Daytona Beach to high-A Dayton by the Reds on
July 2. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE    

Afthim, a 2021 graduate of Windham High School, started playing baseball in the Windham Little League, and was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 13th round of the 2025 Major League Baseball draft. He briefly appeared in two games last September for Daytona Beach after four years of pitching in college baseball for the University of Connecticut Huskies.

His first appearance for Dayton came on July 3 against the Lansing Lugnuts where he pitched 2.2 innings in relief and was awarded the victory as Dayton won, 6-3. So far, Afthim has gotten into two games for the Dragons, pitching 5.2 innings and striking out five Midwest League opposing batters.

A right-handed hurler, Afthim closed out his college career ranking second overall in University of Connecticut history with 92 appearances over four seasons. He is tied for 8th place overall in UConn team history with 17 career saves and posted the lowest opponent batting average in Huskies’ history at just .211.

The Reds drafted Afthim for his blazing fastball which has been timed in the range of 93 to 95 mph, and he has touched 97 mph at times. Besides throwing a fastball, he also mixes in a changeup and a slider that he uses to offset his fastball.

His parents, Shelly and Phil Afthim, are well-known around Windham for their support of both Brady and his older brother Bryce, who also pitched for Windham High School and played in college for the University of Southern Maine.

According to Brady though, he’s expecting batters that he will face while on the mound at High-A Dayton to be much tougher than those he pitched to in the Florida State League.

“In Low-A hitters generally are aggressive so pitchers can use that to their advantage by expanding the strike zone, but I imagine they will be more selective meaning that pitchers have to be in the zone more,” he said.

Afthim says he’s not exactly sure why he was promoted to Dayton after he appeared in 17 games there this season compiling a record of 1-3 with a 2.33 ERA (Earned Run Average) but is happy to be moving up to another level in professional baseball.

“Whoever makes the final decision on that doesn’t give up all the details, but I’d imagine it came down to strike throwing,” Afthim said. “I did a good job in Daytona consistently being in the zone and being efficient.”

He said he’s unsure how he will be used by Manager Julio Morillo while pitching for Dayton.

“Earlier this year I was doing the high-leverage late inning role but then started to stretch my outings out so I’m not totally sure,” Afthim said. “I’d guess maybe a little of bit of both, but I’m cool with whatever. I like being in at the end when the game is on the line, but I also don’t mind being out there and pitching a little bit too.”

At Dayton, Afthim also will benefit from working with the Dragon’s pitching coach Willie Blair, who pitched for 12 seasons and nine different major league teams during his career.

Under the WHS varsity baseball coach at the time, Cody Dube, who also had grown up in Windham, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles and played minor league baseball, Afthim said he learned valuable insights about the game and made the most of his opportunities while in high school.

He was honored as Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, was selected as the USA Today Player of the Year in Maine and was recognized as First Team All-Southern Maine Athletic Association as both a pitcher and a catcher. Afthim also won the John Winkin Award designating him as the top senior high school baseball player in Maine in 2021 and he was named as the recipient of the 2021 Mr. Baseball in Maine Award.

His 2026 season started for Afthim back in February when he joined the Reds for spring training in Arizona and made an appearance during a spring training game for Cincinnati against the Cleveland Guardians on March 22. <

WHS students strengthen Spanish skills through trip to Costa Rica

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School students who passed Spanish 3 through Spanish 5 were able to attend a two-week trip in Costa Rica where they had the opportunity to interact with and immerse themselves within the culture there.

All 16 students from Windham High School's Spanish 3
through Spanish 5 classes gather in Monteverde, Costa Rica
on June 22. Students who received a passing grade in
these classes were given the opportunity to spend over
two weeks within the culture of Costa Rica. While there,
they did volunteer work, went sightseeing and had 
interaction with communities while working to improve
their Spanish through engagement with the culture.
SUBMITTED PHOTO     

The 16 students who attended stayed with host families, did activities, attended school and earned one Spanish credit, volunteered and worked on strengthening their Spanish through community interaction from June 14 to June 29.

Attendees included Chase Gagnon, Caleb Hayman, Sean LeBel, Renner Gerrity, Nico Hidell, Maddy Nugent, Ember Good, Maggie Soule, Ella Washburn, Maya Dries, Eilee Saxby, Brenna Small, Denali Momot, Isabella Thibodeau, Caroline Langerman and Sienna Ruth.

“Going into this trip I was very anxious and hesitant,” said Ella Washburn, who graduated before leaving for the trip. “Being sent to another country for 16 days and living with strangers sounds very intimidating. We were all told that the best way to learn a language was to be immersed in it. I learned a lot not only about their culture but also about myself. Volunteering in the local school ... and getting to feed sloths at the animal refuge league (were two of my favorite parts of the trip).”

WHS Spanish teachers Elizabeth Bubier and Tianna Burton were the trip chaperones. Bubier and Burton first heard about the Centro Panamericano de Idiomas or CPI from a language conference they attended years ago. With CPI, students stay with Costa Rican families and attend classes, volunteer, and get to do tourist activities.

Burton said the fastest path to fluency is experiencing the language, food, and music. When taking Spanish in high school, she says students get anxious about making mistakes and believe they aren’t capable of communicating effectively in Spanish. Costa Rica helps them to gain confidence. They are empowered to continue studying Spanish and their path to fluency.

For Burton, that is the most important takeaway from these trips.

“I have so many favorite moments on this trip, but two standout above the rest,” said Burton. “The first is on day two and three when a number of students were awed by the fact they had started thinking in Spanish. We assured them they could do it, that communication would get easier every day, but most didn’t believe us. On our walk to school the second day in country one student said, ‘I woke up this morning thinking about the conversation I would have with my Mama Tica over breakfast and then I realized I was thinking in Spanish instead of in English first only to translate it to Spanish.’ She was so excited and her confidence with Spanish only grew from there.”

The Windham students had school responsibilities with the expectation they would participate in all the activities. With their families, they were required to speak Spanish as well as in the classroom. There were everyday communications to buy snacks at the corner or in the local markets. After four hours of classes each day they went out to lunch at local restaurants. One day they came upon a festival, and many Windham students spoke with some older Costa Ricans and even danced with them.

“For us, the main goal of this trip is never just one goal,” said Bubier. “We want kids to get excited about speaking Spanish as well as experience a new culture and all its parts: family life, new foods, art, music, history, and everything that encompasses culture. We also believe that giving back to the communities in Costa Rica is important as well as having fun while you are doing everything the program offers.” 

Students did volunteer work at an elementary school, two animal rehabilitation facilities and a coffee farm. Windham students went on a city tour of San José, a hanging bridge tour of a tropical forest, zip lining, and a beach excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Ocean.

“This was my first opportunity to go on this trip,” said Chase Gagnon, a WHS junior. “Before going to Costa Rica, my Spanish was alright, but after being there for two weeks I was able to enhance my Spanish by not just our Spanish classes but also being around people who spoke Spanish and learning it from them. The surfing lessons and day at the beach was my favorite experience because surfing was incredibly fun and we were able to swim at the beach with all of our friends afterwards. We got to go to an animal sanctuary and help out. I enjoyed it because I was able to feed a sloth and I thought that was pretty cool.”

According to Burton, taking these trips with students and getting to see the students gain independence, self-confidence, global awareness, commitment to service, and to make new friends is the best part of her job as a language teacher.

“Both Tianna and I love this trip for so many reasons,” said Bubier. “We love Costa Rica, we love our students and we love watching them learn and grow. It is an amazing adventure for all involved.” <

Town of Windham to create Pine Grove pocket park

By Ed Pierce

If everything goes as expected, Windham could have a new pocket park by this fall.

A depiction is shown of the new Pine Grove Park to be built
on a vacant town lot between the Forbes Lane and Misty
Drive neighborhoods off Varney Mill Road in Windham 
with a Community Development Block Grant awarded
to the town by Cumberland County. COURTESY PHOTO

In January 2025, the Windham Town Council endorsed an application for Community Development Block Grant funding from Cumberland County to create a pocket park for the Forbes Lane and Misty Drive neighborhoods on a town-owned vacant lot off Varney Mill Road. That was followed in April 2025 by the county awarding Windham $40,000 in CDBG funds with a funding match of $10,000 for the grant approved by town councilors and then voters as part of the 2026-2027 municipal budget during the Annual Town Meeting in June.

A pocket park is defined as a small park accessible to residents and the public which can be used for recreational purposes including picnic tables, benches, flower beds and greenery.

Councilors then established an ad hoc community committee to research and explore the development of a pocket park in the Forbes Lane and Misty Drive area. Committee members were asked to develop a concept plan for the 1.33-acre parcel with trails suitable for walking and biking to serve area residents and the public as well as optional picnic benches and recreational amenities suitably sized for the lot.

The CDBG funding from Cumberland County was subject to an environmental review to ensure compliance with the State Historic Preservation Office, local Historic Preservation Ordinances and other environmental regulations. Community Development Block Grants support community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities. Activities may address needs such as infrastructure, economic development projects, public facilities installation, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement, and homeowner assistance.

During a Windham Town Council meeting in May, committee members made recommendations to the town council for the project including a walking and biking path connecting surrounding neighborhoods, a small wooden playground area for children, picnic tables and benches, and open space for gathering and informal recreation.

Committee Chair Lindsay Conrad told the council that an online survey was conducted in February distributed door-to-door and publicized through social media and on the Town and Parks and Recreation Department's websites. That was followed by a community forum held that same month at Windham Town Hall. Feedback from those community tools along with discussions held by the committee resulted in the formulation of a concept plan for the new pocket park.

The committee was made up of six members who reside on Forbes Lane or Misty Drive; two Windham staff members; and a member of the Windham Town Council. Members included Conrad, Amie Earley, David Joy, Megan Potter, Steve Clauson, Tena Linsbeck-Perron, Windham employees Linda Brooks and Jason Hanken, and Windham Town Council Chair Mark Morrison.

Conrad thanked committee members for serving and helping to create recommendations for the new park. 

“It was really important for us, the residents, to develop what this would look like,” Conrad said.

Windham Parks and Recreation Director Linda Brooks said the new pocket park will be a great addition for both the town and the Misty Drive and Forbes Lane neighborhoods.

“This project was definitely considered part of the Open Space Plan, and a goal of the Open Space Plan is to start developing these neighborhood parks,” Brooks said. “This is a great model to follow because these people are so invested in what’s coming into their neighborhood. I think we can already see they will be great stewards of what gets developed there.”

According to Conrad, the biggest issues that committee members tackled in creating recommendations for the park are a lack of privacy for neighbors whose property borders the park site, a desire to retain the wooded nature of the lot, and a lack of available parking.

She said to address that committee members recommended creating a 10-foot buffer around the property and determined that parking won’t be a significant problem because the park will be mostly used by people who live nearby and can walk there. As many trees as possible will be kept while installing the park.

Windham Assistant Town Manager Amanda Lessard said the development of Pine Grove Park does not exceed the threshold to require a Windham Planning Board site plan review.

“The Board of Appeals will need to review a conditional use application for the outdoor recreation facility prior to the installation of the play structure, hopefully at a ZBA meeting in August,” Lessard said. “The materials and equipment as recommended by the Committee have been ordered with installation expected in the fall. A grand opening celebration will be scheduled after installation.”

Once completed, the park will be maintained by the Windham Parks and Recreation Department. <

Community invited to participate in annual Sebago Lake area loon count

By Ed Pierce

Maine Audubon is seeking volunteers to assist with the 43rd Annual Loon Count to be conducted later this month on Sebago Lake.

The 43rd Annual Loon Count will be conducted on July 18
by Maine Audubon and volunteers are still needed to count
Maine loons and chicks. The count is part of a statewide
initiative to track loon population changes and assess the
impacts of loon conservation efforts for the future.
COURTESY PHOTO    

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

Loons are large, tuxedoed birds swimming about in the lake and can be very vocal and easy to locate, as the yodeling of one loon will often elicit a chorus response from other loons in the area. They are water birds, only going ashore to mate and incubate eggs.

On Saturday, July 18, a contingent of volunteers will gather at Sebago Lake early in the morning for the count. The deadline to sign up for the Annual Loon Count is July 10, so volunteers are asked to reach out as soon as possible.

The volunteers collect and submit data about the number of loons they observe between 7 and 7:30 a.m. which gives Audubon researchers a “snapshot” of the loon population across the state. The count allows Maine Audubon to monitor how the number of loon adults and chicks have changed over the past 40 years and to make sure it is known how to best protect the loon population.

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

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

Every single number recorded during the Annual Loon Count was higher in 2025 than it was in 2024 – the number of adult loons, loon chicks, lakes counted, and volunteers – and scientists at Maine Audubon say it’s a great indication that the Common Loon population is healthy in Maine. A healthy loon population is good for many reasons, as it also means enough clear waters, healthy fish populations, and breeding habitat to support a stable loon population.

Based on its calculations, Maine Audubon estimates a 2025 population of 3,174 adults and 568 chicks for the southern half of Maine. In comparison, in 1983, when the count first began, we estimated a population of 1,417 adult loons and 176 loon chicks in the southern half of Maine, suggesting the population has more than doubled since then.

“We’re cautiously optimistic after seeing two years of growing chick numbers,” says Maine Audubon Wildlife Ecologist Tracy Hart. “But it will take several more years before we know if that is a real upward trend, or just two really good years.” Maine has the largest population of loons in the eastern United States, which makes the breeding success of loons here critical to the regional population. In comparison, there were 56 pairs counted in Massachusetts in 2024, about 100 pairs in Vermont, and 514 adults recorded on a subset of lakes in New Hampshire in that state’s 2025 census.

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

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

Audubon officials say that if you can’t make it to volunteer for the Annual Loon Count on July 18, or if one day just isn’t enough for you, you can still monitor loons throughout the summer. Through its Loon Pair Monitoring Project, volunteers can submit observations of breeding loon pairs over several months to help them better understand nest and chick success across Maine.

For further details about the Maine Audubon Annual Loon Count, the Loon Pair Monitoring Project, or to volunteer, contact [email protected] or visit maineaudubon.org/loons. <

Jordan to lead Raymond Elementary School as principal

By Ed Pierce

When students return to Raymond Elementary School this fall, it will be under the leadership of new principal Diana Jordan.

Diana Jordan, left, will succeed Beth Peavey, right, as the
principal of Raymond Elementary School. Jordan has
been serving as assistant principal at Windham
Primary School. Peavey will become Assistant Director 
of Special Education for Early Childhood Education
for RSU 14.  SUBMITTED PHOTOS  

RSU 14 Superintendent of School Christopher Howell said that Jordan, who has served as Windham Primary School’s assistant principal for the past nine years, will succeed Beth Peavey as RES principal.

“Beth will be leaving her position at Raymond Elementary school to become the Assistant Director of Special Education for Early Childhood Education for RSU 14,” Howell said. “Within this role, she will help lead the work that the district is doing as we take on special education services for 4-year-olds this year and 3-year-olds next year. This is part of the statewide transition of special education services from CDS to public schools.”

A longtime teacher and school administrator, Jordan is entering her 30th year overall working in education. At Windham Primary School she assisted and supported the school’s behavior specialist with parents, staff, and student communication; supervised attendance; resolved school bus issues; class lists; crisis planning; served as chair for Individualized Education Plans for students; handled major and minor disciplinary issues; and led the school’s student support team. She was also responsible for school scheduling, a member of the school’s Response to Intervention member; answered student or staff questions; provided staff supervision and evaluation and the evaluation of Special Education educational technicians.

According to Jordan, the best part of her job as a school administrator is helping to support students, staff, and families.

“I love working as a team to meet the needs of our students,” she said. “We have the best students, staff, and community. My number one goal is to help support all the students, staff, and families. I want to be a positive influence and support for our students, and it is so important to take a team aspect toward the teaching of our students. I truly care about each and every member of our school, and helping support the needs of our students is always my number one goal.”

Jordan grew up on a farm in West Baldwin and attended Baldwin Elementary School, and then Sacopee Valley High School. After graduation from high school, Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Saint Joseph's College and then worked as a fourth-grade teacher in Lebanon with SAD 60 for three years.

She went on to work for SAD 6 as a fourth-, fifth-, and second-grade teacher before returning to Saint Joseph’s College to obtain a master’s degree in educational leadership and became a math interventionist as well as the first elementary Dean of Students for SAD 6. Overall, she worked for SAD 6 for 16 years before accepting the Assistant Principal position at Windham Primary School starting with the 2016-2017 school year.

“We are excited that we have such a highly qualified candidate that we were able to promote from within our district,” Howell said. “Diana is an amazing educator who has demonstrated a strong ability to balance the management side of schools with the need to build strong relationships with students, parents, and staff. Diana will be a wonderful addition to RES.”

Peavey has led Raymond Elementary School as principal since 2020 and was the school’s assistant principal for three years before her eventual promotion to principal.

“The role of the principal is complex and not easily defined in a few sentences,” Peavey said. “The principal is responsible for administering and supervising the total school program and providing opportunities for educational leadership for the students, staff members, and the community consistent with the educational goals of the school system.

She says that her role as RES principal was to foster a positive, safe school climate by facilitating team growth and leadership, engaging parents and community members as partners, and ensuring student growth academically, socially, and emotionally.

When Peavey was in seventh grade, her parents moved her and her brother across the country from Santa Rosa, California to China, Maine. Upon finishing eighth grade at China Elementary School, she attended Oak Grove Coburn High School which has since become the Maine State Police Academy.

In 1987, she attended the University of New England as a business major but after her first year chose to change her major to Elementary Education and Special Education. She graduated from UNE in 1991 and in 1998, she earned a master's degree from the University of Southern Maine in Special Education and her Educational Leadership certification from St. Joseph’s College in 2012.

“My love for working with students began early in my life in part due to my brother who has special needs. In high school, I enjoyed volunteering at his summer program and Special Olympics,” Peavey said. “Although I originally went to school for business, after my freshman year, I transferred into the education program. During my time in college, I worked at the Spurwink Program as a respite worker for several of the group homes. When I graduated, I was offered a position as a special education teacher educating students with autism.”

In 1994, she was hired by SAD 6 as a special education teacher for Kindergarten to Grade 3. She also taught kindergarten, second, and fourth grades and worked at Windham Primary School as a second-grade teacher and served as Assistant Principal at Songo Locks Elementary School for three years.

“When I reflect on what I have learned during my time at Raymond Elementary School, the African proverb, ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ comes to mind. We must work together collaboratively and with creativity and flexibility to meet the needs of our individual unique learners.” <

Windham Hometown Hero brings light to community

By Erin Rose

Longtime Windham resident Karen Rumo was selected as the 2026 Modern Woodsman Hometown Hero and honored at Windham’s Summerfest on Saturday, June 20.

Longtime volunteer Karen Rumo of
Windham has been honored as the 2026
Modern Woodmen of America Hometown
Hero and was a featured honoree during
the Annual Windham Summerfest Parade
and festivities on Saturday, June 20. She
has served as a member of the Summerfest
organizing committee for al most a decade 
and a volunteer at the event for even longer.
COURTESY PHOTO

“I would never have thought,” she said, adding that she “was in good company” being chosen for an award that has been given to prestigious names in the past. “I am honestly so grateful.”

A member of the Summerfest organizing committee for almost a decade and a volunteer at the event for even longer, Rumo looks forward to learning who is chosen each year as the Hometown Hero.

“I always get excited because I want to see who people connect with,” she said. “There are so many good people in our community that do so many wonderful things.”

Deb Matthews, the President of the Summerfest Committee, explained that Rumo was the perfect choice this year.

“Karen is a spark,” she said. “She brings an enthusiasm that everybody needs in their life.”

“She loves her hometown and loves our community,” Matthews said. “She is so welcoming and she draws people in.”

 

Rumo, who has lived in Windham since the 1970s, dedicates more than 60 hours a month to volunteering in the community, through her church, her professional career, and any organization or friends who may need a hand.

“There is always something, whether it’s with work or in the community, the school, friends or whatever it is,” she said. “It’s about helping people and supporting people. It takes a village, no matter what you’re looking at.”

To select the Hometown Hero, the committee puts out nomination forms to the community, allowing residents of Windham to make suggestions to the committee for someone who meets the criteria.

“The person must, as we say, ‘bring unity to the community,’” Matthews said, naming one of the core principles of the community event.

Another of the criteria that unexpectedly came into play for this year’s nominees is that the person must be alive.

“We presented two names for nominees,” Matthews said, “Karen was dumbfounded” when they announced Rumo was one of two people chosen by the majority of the community’s votes. “We got to talking and realized the other person had passed away.”

“Someone made the joke that Karen has the pulse of the community,” she said. “She is the pulse of the community.”

After many years at Summerfest, Rumo has more fond memories than she can count, but one mother has stuck in her mind, after a brief interaction at the Information Booth where she dedicates her time during the event.

A lone mother approached the booth with her three young children. One of her toddlers looked excitedly at the items that were displayed on the table, asking how much the lollipops, glow sticks, and other items the committee has on offer for attendees were to purchase.

“I said ‘It doesn’t cost anything. It’s free,’” she recalled. “He looked at his mom and said ‘Mom, it’s free!’ She had tears in her eyes.”

“You could tell she was going to have to say no if there was a cost, and it was going to be hard for her,” Rumo continued. “When she heard they could have it, she saw the happiness in her kids, and I got tears in my eyes.”

“What we are doing makes a difference,” she said.

Rumo inherited her love of her community from her mother, Beverly, and her grandmother Althea.

“One of the things my grandmother always said is that no matter what is going on in your life, don’t ever lose your sense of humor,” Rumo said. “Your sense of humor is what is going to get you through.”

“My mom added, ‘kindness really spreads,’” she said. “Anything can spread but be one of those do-gooders in the world.”

Those previous generations are looking down as Rumo continues their legacy in the community, including passing that dedication to her daughter, Alyssa.

“I know my mom and grandmother are proud,” she said. “They passed that torch and that responsibility to us.”

“We need to help take care of people and help spread that kindness,” Rumo added.

Rumo spreads that same kindness through her work as a Psychiatry Technician at Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook, where she serves as a resource and mentor for new technicians.

“After 40 years at SHH, even with the different roles and jobs I’ve had here, I feel like there is experience and authenticity in my training when the new techs know I’ve been doing the job I’m training them to do for as long as I have,” she said. “I love it. I would never claim to know everything as I’ve done a lot of different jobs, so I hope that I’m a resource and a motivator for people.”

Another organization Rumo dedicates her time to is Out of the Darkness, overnight walks in communities across the nation to spread awareness of suicide, sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Through the events, she has the chance to interact with patients and their families outside of the hospital.

“They love seeing Spring Harbor because that’s what we do- we try to help people find their light and hope and purpose again,” Rumo said. “Former patients come over and celebrate wins, or we give them hope when they need it. The mental health population deserves it. Sometimes they feel like they’ve been voted off the island of society.”

Throughout her volunteer efforts, both in the community and professionally, Rumo has discovered a universal language.

“What I’ve learned through both work and life – it doesn’t matter if you speak the same language,” she said. “Everybody understands a smile and they understand kindness and the energy around them.”

And, as Matthews said, Rumo’s energy is infectious.

“You can’t help but get excited around Karen,” she said. “She brings that ray of sunshine that we all need in our lives.” <

Local Revolutionary War patriots subject of historical presentation

By Ed Pierce

As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday this weekend, contributions made by Raymond and Casco patriots to the cause of liberty are easily overlooked. But thanks to a new presentation being offered by the Raymond-Casco Historical Society, the bravery of Revolutionary War patriots living in Raymond and Casco will not be forgotten.

Sue Pride of Raymond will highlight the lives and
service of 28 Revolutionary Way patriots during a 
free program at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 6 at the
Raymond-Casco Historical Museum, 1 Shadow
Lane in Casco. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Sue Pride, the Collections Manager for the Raymond-Casco Historical Society Museum, will discuss and highlight the lives and service of 28 Revolutionary War patriots from the area during a free public program at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 6 at the museum, 1 Shadow Lane in Casco.

Her presentation includes a richly illustrated PowerPoint talk focusing on the remarkable stories of early local settlers who answered the call to defend America long before Maine became a state.

Pride was inspired to create the presentation while sorting through the historical society’s collections to organize them. It prompted her to research how Revolutionary War veterans ended their journeys in Raymond and Casco.

“This year is the 250th birthday of the United States, and I thought the museum should do something to bring Raymond and Casco into it. I thought we must have some veterans.”

In conducting research, Pride found that some patriots were living in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775, and responded immediately to the alarm of the Lexington and Concord opening of the American Revolution. Others were already living in the district that would become Maine, and they enlisted shortly afterward and marched to Cambridge to join American troops during the Siege of Boston.

When the Revolutionary War for American independence from Great Britain erupted, Raymondtown, now known as the towns of Raymond and Casco after the communities split in 1841, was part of the Cumberland County Militia territory, with its members serving under the command of early settler Captain Joseph Dingley of Raymondtown. Their membership roll was used as a recruitment tool for soldiers to join the Continental Army once it was founded and placed under the leadership of the Continental Army’s General George Washington in June 1775.

“Before the army, it was just the militias fighting,” Pride said. “Lexington and Concord were fought by the militia.”

The area’s sparse population at the time meant that not many men from Raymond enlisted and Pride’s research found four residents who had traveled south to fight. However, she has discovered at least 28 Revolutionary War veterans are buried around Raymond and Casco, which shows the influx of former soldiers locally after the war ended.

“Many of the 28 patriots later served under Capt. Richard Mayberry, taking part in the Saratoga Campaign, a turning point in the war, and enduring the harsh winter encamped at Valley Forge alongside General George Washington’s troops,” Pride said.

Her new program will also touch on the broader story of Maine during the Revolutionary War, including the Battle of Machias, which is often called the first naval battle of the war, and the devastating burning of what is now known as Portland in 1775.

“I found one veteran who only served three days and never served again, but he was at Lexington and Concord, so it was a pivotal three days,” Pride said. “I think there were four who were living in Massachusetts and marched to Lexington and Concord.”

She also found a story of one soldier who was captured by the British and then held in the notorious prison ships afloat in the harbor of New York City, which were decommissioned or damaged ships that were used to hold prisoners in overcrowded conditions, where many died due to illness or malnutrition. He survived to be discharged from the army six months after his service was meant to have ended. Pride also discovered two men buried locally that died while serving. One drowned after falling from a floating bridge and the other died of fever.

Both Dingley and his son Samuel volunteered for military service at the start of the Revolutionary War in the company of men from Raymond and Windham and returned to the fast-growing Raymondtown as Captains, a title that Joseph retained for the rest of his life, even though he later held the rank of Colonel in the militia.

The 28 patriots highlighted in Pride’s presentation came to reside locally and helped to build and shape the community’s legacy.

“As the nation marks its 250th birthday, the Raymond-Casco Historical Society emphasizes the importance of honoring their service and recognizing their influence on the region’s early growth,” Pride said.

To learn more about Raymond and Casco’s role in the Revolutionary War, visit www.raymondcascohistoricalsociety.org or find them on Facebook. <

Bridge replacement work starts in Windham

By Ed Pierce

After a lengthy delay, a 26-foot steel girder bridge on William Knight Road over the Pleasant River is being replaced.

Bridge replacement work has started on Varney's Bridge
on William Knight Road in Windham. The $2.2 million
project will create a new new bridge with $1.5 million
in funding from MaineDOT and the remainder on a 
bond authorized by Windham voters in 2023. The bridge
is expected to be completed by Oct. 12.
PHOTO BY  MELISSA CARTER 

While making repairs on Varney’s 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.

Size, complexity and increasing age were key factors in making the decision to replace the steel girder bridge. 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.

Windham Town Engineer Mark Arienti said 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.

“For example, when the town plows, it has to stop at the bridge, turn around, and then go the other way,” Arienti said.

Right now, there are concrete abutments that support the current bridge, which is a steel structure and scouring from the river has caused erosion where the concrete makes contact with the water. There has also been rusting on the steel supports which need to be replaced. The bridge has lasted quite a long time, but Arienti said it has aged because of erosion and corrosion of the concrete foundation and abutments and needed to be replaced.

Because Varney’s Bridge had been upgraded and repaired numerous times over the past three decades and its structural issues persisted and continued to worsen, members of the Windham Town Council in 2021 determined that replacing the existing bridge to be the most cost-effective method to ensure the safety of the community upon the recommendation of the town manager.

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. That study was completed in the summer of 2022, and the results were forwarded to the MaineDOT.

Using the MDOT 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.

When the new MDOT Three-Year Plan for upcoming projects to be undertaken by the state was released in January 2023, some $1.5 million in funding from the MaineDOT was authorized for a $2.2 million project with the town picking up the remaining $700,000 for the project.

Under the direction of Arienti, Windham then developed preliminary and final design plans in accordance with standards in the latest editions of MaineDOT’s Bridge Design Guide and followed Standard Specifications and Standard Details requirements. Those design plans included a specific plan for the project, a bridge profile including cross-sections, and geometry for approach design.

The plan also featured design computations, load ratings, and evaluation information for the new structure meeting MaineDOT specifications. That included development of an engineering estimate of construction costs and creating a final plan for review by the state.

During Windham’s Annual Town Meeting on June 17, 2023, a warrant item was approved by voters to contribute $700,000 to complete the bridge replacement project. 

A public meeting was subsequently held to obtain community feedback about the project, and the town set about coordinating the project with utilities in the area. That was followed by MaineDOT and the town preparing a set of Design Plan Impacts listing all design features, topographical details and impacts associated with the 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 were submitted to replace the bridge, which was originally built in 1950.

Work started on the existing bridge demolition and replacement on June 15 and could take up to 120 days to complete.

The reconstruction work requires a full road closure on William Knight Road and local detours have been put in place for traffic and emergency vehicles for the duration of the bridge replacement. The project is expected to be completed by Oct. 13, 2026. <

Unique interactive exhibit asks library visitors to grab art and explore

By Erin Rose

Visitors are welcome to touch and explore art in a new exhibit by artist and Windham resident Tony Prizio on display until the end of July at the Windham Public Library.

A unique new hands-on exhibit by Windham artist Tony Prizio
at the Windham Public Library features a collection of 500
different works ranging from as large as a sheet of paper to
as small as an index card and will be displayed through
July 31.  PHOTO BY ERIN ROSE  

“A lot of artists say, ‘don’t touch my stuff, that’s why it’s on the wall,’ said Sally Bannen, Technical Services Librarian. “This is very different. He really did create it to be interactive.”

Prizio has curated a collection of 500 different works ranging from as large as a sheet of paper to as small as an index card, and divided them into different easels, crates and boxes. Visitors are asked to take a crate or easel and go through the selected art pieces to see what sparks their inspiration or starts their mind thinking.

“I’m encouraging people to pick up one of the crates, and take a seat and thumb through them,” Prizio explained. “Art is instructive; it’s supposed to bring you out of the shell you’ve built around you so you can expand your view to see.”

The works range from photographs, both new and from the past, to collages, pen and ink and watercolors, and include some realism, pointillism, and pieces for the viewer to interpret. They are on top of the stacks on the second floor, as you exit the stairway, along with some works hung around the area.

“Some of the pieces, to one person they may look incomplete or just an idea, but to other people it may look like a cool piece,” Bannen said. “It does really make you look at things.”

The artist hopes that viewing the pieces will help others expand their mind as to what art may be, and potentially inspire them to start to create works of their own.

“It’s as simple as a scribble or a doodle on a piece of paper that’s representative to the way you’re thinking or what’s on your mind,” Prizio said.

“People say they ‘can’t draw a straight line with a ruler’ or ‘I can’t draw a tree.’ There are plenty of pictures and photographs of trees,” he said. “So, do your thing instead of trying to imitate what you saw at a museum.”

Prizio was inspired to shift to smaller canvases after retiring and needing to create in a way that considered his smaller surroundings.

“I used to be able to paint in a large barn and in an attic space, and now, I live in an apartment, so I don’t have a ton of space,” he said. “I started making a lot of desktop items in paint, collage, pen and ink, and drawing.”

Retired after a career in construction, Prizio has spent his life making art and even majored in painting and sculpture at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, New York.

“I did not make my living that way [through art], because you can count on two hands the number of people who have actually made successful living from painting or sculpture,” he said. “Throughout it all, and I’m 76 years old, I’ve painted and made drawings and whatnot the whole time.”

Exhibits that infuse artwork into the library’s stacks help bring art to those who may not otherwise have access, Bannen said.

“It’s important especially since not everyone can get into places like galleries or museums,” she said. “To be able to look at and interact with art because you just happen to be at the library, and here’s something like this, whether you’re looking at art on the wall or sitting down and interacting with it, I think it’s important.”

“That might be the only time that someone is exposed to it,” Bannen said. “Like Tony says, if it gets someone thinking about ‘hey maybe I can do this,’ I think that’s great.”

Prizio is a longtime visitor to the Windham Library making the exhibit more meaningful for the staff who have gotten to know him over the years.

“I love getting anyone in to show their work at the library, but it’s extra special when it’s someone you’ve interacted with and chatted with, and you find out there’s an aspect to them you didn’t even know about,” Bannen said.

The exhibit will continue through July 31. More information can be found on the library’s website at https://www.windham.lib.me.us/. <

Windham Raymond Adult Education celebrates graduates who overcame obstacles with resilience and hope

By Masha Yurkevich

For the 18 graduates recognized last week during the Windham Raymond Adult Education commencement ceremony, earning a diploma represented much more than completing coursework. It marked perseverance, renewed confidence and the courage to pursue a different path.

Windham Raymond Adult Education recognized 18 graduates
during its 2026 commencement ceremony held on Wednesday,
June 10 at Windham High School. Three students earned high
school diplomas and 15 completed the HiSET high school
equivalency program. Top row, from left, are Kynzlea Trefethen,
Logan Thompson, Alex Barnhart, Caleb Brown and Trey Soksrey.
Middle row, from left, are Emily Willings, Ellissa
Steeves-McCormick, Tre'jon Williams and Eitan Freiden.
Bottom row, from left, are Allyssa king and Makayala Cormiea.'
COURTESY PHOTO     

 

Windham Raymond Adult Education recognized 18 graduates during its 2026

commencement ceremony held on Wednesday evening, June 10 at Windham High

School. 

The graduates' stories showed determination in the face of significant challenges. One student completed her final HiSET exams just days before giving birth to her daughter. Another will enter military service shortly. Another student had already begun taking community college courses before graduation and is enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in forensic science this fall.

Giuffre-Renaud said many students arrive believing graduation is out of reach.

"I want our graduates to know how much we are in awe of what they have overcome to reach this milestone," she said. "I want them to know what it feels like to be seen and to feel special for the right reasons."

Many participants overcome barriers that extend beyond academics. Transportation is often a challenge after students leave traditional high school and lose access to school buses. Others struggle to obtain government-issued identification required for HiSET testing or juggle employment while trying to complete coursework.

The commencement speaker this year was artist Charlie Hewitt, who echoed those themes throughout his keynote address.

Windham Raymond Adult Education Director Thomas Nash said he invited Hewitt after hearing him speak at a statewide wellness summit last winter.

"His genuineness, approachable nature and his powerful message of remaining hopeful in times of turmoil, stress as well as in our everyday lives resonated with me," Nash said. "I thought his message would be well-received by our graduates and their families and friends."

Known nationally for his illuminated "Hopeful" public art installations, Hewitt spoke about growing up in Lewiston, pursuing his dream of becoming an artist in New York City and eventually returning to Maine to begin a new chapter in his life. His message centered on determination, resilience, and choosing hope during difficult times.

The ceremony also recognized exceptional student achievement through the presentation of the Scholar of Distinction Award to Eitan Freiden. Freiden earned his HiSET while taking advantage of multiple educational opportunities offered through Windham Raymond Adult Education. In addition to completing pre-college course work that included a college success class in partnership with Southern Maine Community College.

Freiden also completed a statistics course through York County Community College's Early College program and is now pursuing an Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification through YCCC that will lead into an associate degree in behavioral health.

Windham Raymond Adult Education graduates are now embarking on a variety of next steps. According to Maine College and Career Access Coordinator Jessica Trimmer, members of the Class of 2026 are enrolled in programs including forensic science, behavioral health and business administration at York County Community College, Central Maine Community College and Southern Maine Community College. Several graduates are exploring apprenticeships and careers in skilled trades, while another has chosen military service.

Support from Windham Adult Education does not end when students receive their diplomas. 

Through the Maine College and Career Access program, students receive individualized college and career advisement designed to prepare them for post-secondary education and employment. Services include career interest inventories, pre-college courses in math and writing, assistance completing college admissions and financial aid paperwork, as well as resume and cover letter support.

For Nash, adult education creates benefits that extend throughout the community.

"When adults go back to school, whether to learn English, finish a high school equivalency, pick up a trade or master digital tools, the benefits ripple far beyond the individual student," he said.

He noted that adult education strengthens the local workforce, fosters connections among people from diverse backgrounds and contributes to healthier communities through improved literacy.

As one graduating class celebrated its achievements, Giuffre-Renaud was already looking ahead.

"There is no rest for the weary," she said. "I am already enrolling students who will work this summer to also sit on stage and celebrate their graduation next June."

For the graduates on Tuesday night, however, the focus remained squarely on the accomplishment before them – proof that with persistence, support and hope, a second chance can become a life-changing opportunity. <

Municipal budget passes during Windham Annual Town meeting

By Ed Pierce

In a 2 hour and 45-minute Windham Annual Town Meeting, just 102 registered voters determined the fate of the Municipal Town Budget proposal for 2026-2027 on Saturday, June 13 at Windham High School.

Windham Town Manager Robert  Burns, right, explains a
warrant article to voters which was part of the 2026-2027
Windham Municipal Budget proposal voted on at the
Windham Annual Town meeting at Windham High School 
on Saturday, June 13. Moderator Gary Plummer listens as
Burns gives an answer to a resident's question.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE   

A total of 59 registered voters were in favor of passing the $55,788,720 budget, with 43 voters opposed. That’s a 10.1 percent increase from last year’s budget, which expires at the end of this month. The total municipal budget for the Town of Windham for 2026-2027 will be $37,033,996. There are 14,135 registered voters in Windham.

During the meeting, Windham Town Manager Robert Burns explained that RSU 14’s proposed school budget increased by more than $4 million or $13.4 percent and was passed by voters during a referendum on June 9, while Cumberland County taxes will also rise by about 9 percent for 2026-2027.

Burns said that the Town of Windham’s budget only increased by 4.9 percent or about $82 on a $433,000 home. Overall, he said the tax increase on that same $433,000 home will be about $524.

In reviewing the first 21 warrant articles at the Annual Town Meeting, Burns said Windham’s only Town Capital Project for the 2026/2027 year is the MacIntosh Brook Culvert Replacement at a cost of $624,000 with $208,000 of that cost funded by a grant.

He said that the budget increase was not the result of new municipal programs, projects or capital spending, but the cumulative effect of costs largely beyond municipal control, with more than 60 percent of a typical local tax dollar in Windham now going toward education, a share that continues to grow as state funding formulas have shifted funding responsibility to municipalities.

Burns said the town’s municipal budget proposal was the culmination of a process that started in January involving all town departments and then formulated by the town’s Finance Committee. Upon receiving the budget proposal from the Finance Committee, the Windham Town Council made further cuts to arrive at the figure presented to voters at the Annual Town Meeting.

After a lengthy discussion regarding the impact of property taxes upon the community and questions about the town's growth, former Windham Town Councilor Liz Wisecup proposed a motion that was seconded to amend Warrant Article 7, Windham’s proposed municipal budget of $37,033,996 by a 2 percent reduction.

Burns explained that if that amendment passed, cuts would need to be made and a new budget  formalized and approved by voters under state law no later than Aug. 11. He said that an emergency town meeting would need to be called to prevent town departments from shuttering July 1 without an approved town budget for the new fiscal year and that included police and fire protection for Windham. Wisecup’s motion was voted down and a show of hands to vote on the proposed budget was deemed to be close by Moderator Gary Plummer, who then asked for an actual count to take place by Windham Town Clerk Anthony Blasi and his staff.

Funding requests including purchasing a new ambulance for Windham Fire-Rescue by creating a bond, new tasers for Windham Police, new servers, firewalls and software licensing for the Windham Police Department, the first year of a three-year Comprehensive Plan Update, Community Park Stormwater Treatment, creation of Forbes Lane Park, repaving of the Mountain Division Trail, and a Brine System and Calcium Tank for Public Works were all approved by voters. 

Under the new budget, new equipment to be purchased includes a Tilt Trailer, Mower, Dump Truck, Pickup Truck, Chipper, Asphalt Planer, and Used Bucket Truck. The town also plans various equipment rentals, supplies and materials, gravel road reconstruction, surveying, pavement assessment, paving and reconstruction work, roof repair for the Windham sand shed, Varney Mill Estates drainage, a wash bay upgrade for Public Works and continuing the Smith Cemetery expansion project.

Ongoing capital projects approved by voters during the Annual Town meeting include the North Windham Wastewater Treatment Plant and Conveyance System, the North Windham Wastewater Treatment System Service Connections, the MaineDOT North Windham Moves Project Design installing connector roads, adaptive tech signals, and bike/pedestrian lanes, preliminary engineering of the Windham Middle School reuse to a community center, and the Gambo Property road installation and Public Works Laydown Yard.

Voters also approved recreational, Tax Increment Finance district, and unassigned funding requests as requested by the town during the meeting.

Windham Town Council Chair Mark Morrison said that the low participation of voters at the town meeting shows why a charter amendment is needed to change the budget process to a public vote by secret ballot like the annual RSU 14 budget vote every spring to increase participation. Morrison said the council hopes to have the charter amendment on the ballot for voters in November. <