Local moms facilitate support group where all parents are welcom - By Elizabeth Richards

When parents support each other, everyone learns something. This is the underlying message behind a local parent support group facilitated by Windham residents Katherine Lydon and Nicole Schmid. 
 

The group is open to all parents but has a particular focus on special education, and many of the people who attend have children with special needs. A year ago Lydon and Schmid, who each have a child with Autism, attended a six week special education class that RSU 14 had set up with the Maine Parent Federation. That class was helpful to both women, and they wanted to extend the experience and set up an ongoing system of support for parents in the area. 

Lydon and Schmid began the group by reaching out to the other parents who had taken the class. From there, they have expanded primarily through word of mouth. “Every time we have the chance, we tell people about the resource,” said Lydon. 

The meetings are set up to have a specific topic of discussion each month with topics ranging from IEP’s to Internet safety, with much more in between. Some meetings focus on issues specific to parents with children who have disabilities, and others apply to any child. This month, for instance, the speaker is Officer Matt Cyr, who will present information on drug abuse among school aged children.        

Some months the topic is narrower, with an emphasis on special needs. In May, for instance, Ann Long from the Maine Parent Federation will talk about transitions to and from high school and the resources available for kids with developmental delays or specific disabilities. “We’re trying to give parents a heads up as to what might be coming up ahead and how to prepare for that,” said Schmid. “It’s all about knowledge, and transitions are really scary,” she added. 

The support group is also a great place to bounce ideas off other parents, and see what information they might have to offer. “It’s so amazing what you can learn. You don’t think of a certain avenue when your child is struggling, and someone else who has gone through a similar thing says ‘Have you tried doing this?’  That information can change your world,” said Lydon.

There are approximately 30 people on their support group list, but attendance varies by month. “When new people come in, you just see the relief on their face, that there’s somebody who understands how much of a struggle this can be if you don’t have anyone to talk to,” said Schmid. “We’re all in this together. Everyone needs someone to talk to,” she added.

Parents with children of all ages are welcome, said Lydon. They have resources available on a wide range of disabilities and topics. The monthly discussions are chosen based on feedback from the group about issues that may be challenging them.

The group is intended to offer support to any parent who needs it, from any community. “I just want people to know we’re here,” said Lydon. She said she often hears from friends about people who have a child with a new diagnosis who don’t have any idea where to go or what to do. “With the support group you can come, you can cry,” she said. “It’s okay. We’re here, we understand.” 

 “It’s that friendship circle you always hear about,” Schmid added. “We all get it that our kids are going to have a different struggle than a typical child. Everybody has struggles, but theirs is going to be a little bit different because it might be a communication thing, or a physical disability – it’s something that you’ve got to make a special plan for. If people can come to meetings and just share the good things and the bad things, it makes all of us grow quite a bit,” she said.

The parent support group meets on the third Thursday of every month at the Windham Public Library. Meetings are typically from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m, but occasionally begin earlier if the presenter needs extra time. The upcoming meetings on April 17^th and May 15^th will begin at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, or to RSVP to a meeting, contact Katie Lydon at lydon_katherine@yahoo.com or Nicole Schmid at nicole_boosh@hotmail.com.

Chiefs announce retirements - By Michelle Libby

Between fire-rescue chief Charlie Hammond and police chief Richard (Rick) Lewsen they have a combined 54 years keeping Windham safe. Although neither will retire until the beginning of next year, they both are looking forward to making some changes in their lives.

“It’s going to be an adjustment not having a pager and cellphone attached to my hip. I’m going to turn my scanner off at home. At two a.m. I’m not going to be listening,” said Hammond. 

Hammond informed the town manager last Monday of his plans to retire. He said he would probably leave on January 2, because it’s a Friday and he’d get a long weekend, he joked. 

Hammond also spent 24 years teaching at Little Falls School in Gorham where he was a teaching principal. He said he has no plans, no bucket list of things to check off once he retires. 

“I’m not going to leave the State of Maine. I’m not going to Florida,” he said. “I’m going to sit home in a soft chair and read. I know I can get up and have lunch or sit all day watching the snow fall and read.”

He hopes to take a few college classes in municipal government to learn new things.

Lewsen also announced his plans last week to retire in April 2015. 

“It’s time to stop racing and time to get out and give it to the younger folks,” said Lewsen.

Lewsen has been Windham’s police chief since 1989. He has seen the department grow up and become a strong department. 

“Drug enforcement is on everybody’s table,” he said. Windham has one office who was assigned to the DEA task force last fall. 

When he first became a police officer, he worked for the sheriff’s department patrolling the Naples Causeway as a 19-year-old. “I had to be 21 to buy ammunition. I had to send my mom up to buy my ammunition for my gun,” he said with a laugh. 

His hopes for the police department going forward is that the department can add new officers and give more specialized jobs like evidence technician. The department has 26 sworn officers with one of those at the academy this session. 

Lewsen graduated from the police academy in the fall of 1972. When he started patrolling Windham streets he was a contract deputy with the Sheriff’s Department. This was before there was a Windham Police Department, he said. Windham Police Department started in 1976 with four sworn officers.

Town manager Tony Plante commented on the two, saying, “Both Charlie and Rick should be proud of the work they’ve done, and their legacies of public service. Their deep knowledge of the community will be hard to replace, but we have time to conduct the search for their successors in a deliberate, thoughtful way.” 

“It will be a significant change for the departments and the community,” Plante said. 

He said he would be consulting with the Council about the process in the weeks to come, but that it likely would involve input from the community, department members, and other stakeholders, developing a needs assessment and candidate profile before seeking applicants. Candidates would also undergo a thorough screening, interview and evaluation process. Appointment to either of these positions by the town manager will require confirmation by the town council.

The process could take between six and nine months and Plante hopes to have extra time to effect a smooth transition of leadership. 

“I have a bucket list of seven or eight things to do to complete my task (as the fire-rescue chief),” said Hammond. 

“Their retirements will mark the start of new chapters for the police and fire-rescue departments, a chance to build on what’s been done so far and help guide the town into the future,” Plante said.

First night of Dancing with the Staff full of fun - By Jessilyn Austen

On Thursday night, Windham High School's Project Graduation 2014 along with the RSU14 staff put on an outstanding performance in round one of "Dancing with the Staff". With staff members from a variety of schools and one member of local law enforcement participating, it was a night to remember for those in attendance. Eighth grade teacher Lisa Hodge and Raymond Elementary School Math and Reading Interventionist Brian Rounds kicked off the evening with a bang as they danced to Surfing USA. For their efforts, they received a score of 9, 7 and 7 from the evening's judges, teachers Jennifer Breton, Rob Juergens and Kim McBride.

Throughout the evening's eight performances, the audience was treated to the hysterical commentary from the judges along with their scores on the evening's dances, but ultimately the top-four of round one was decided by those in attendance. Besides school employees, the students also did not miss their opportunity to perform as several students showed off their dance skills with performances from several local dance studios, culminating with a special dance at the end which included students, staff and the audience all dancing to YMCA, the Chicken Dance and the Macarena. 

As the show went on, the audience was treated to a variety of dances from country line dancing by fifth grade teacher Andrea Lavigne and fourth grade teacher Adam Beal to hip hop with second grade teacher Aileen Pelletier and her husband Kurt Pelletier, who is the former Windham wrestling coach, just to name a few. Officer Rob Hunt of the Windham Police Department joined ELL teacher Darcie McDuffie on stage. Officer Hunt was a wonderful sport dressing up in a hula costume for the show but at the end of the night, only four could claim top spots, which will offer them an advantage at the April 10th finale. Claiming the top-four spots in round one were fifth grade teacher Lavigne and fourth grade teacher Beal, teachers Beth Bubier and Tianna Burton, Shelly Cook and Jason Lanoie, and secretary Debbie Hall and Windham Adult Education director Tom Nash. 

Now the countdown is on to the April 10th finale and the wait begins to see who will bring home the trophy and the "Dancing With the Staff" title. This year's WHS Project Graduation 2014, like many before it, would not be able to put on this wonderful production and raise the money needed for this year's Project Graduation without the continued support of RSU14 staff, parents, students and the local community, who put in countless hours with every fundraiser that they put together. The finale is Thursday, April 10th at 7 p.m. Be sure to come out, see the show and support WHS Class of 2014!

Chamber Singers Kick-off tour with Music With A Mission concert - By Elizabeth Richards

The Windham Chamber Singers delighted the crowd in their tour preview performance on March 29^th at the North Windham Union Church. The performance was a part of the Music With a Mission series at the church, with proceeds benefitting Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

Dr.  Rick Nickerson, conductor of the Windham Chamber Singers, said that a performance like this is the best example of giving back to the community. “There will be families in Windham who are warm because we sang,” he said. 

The students were excited and proud to be performing in their home community to kick off the tour. “It’s great to be starting off in Windham. We’re not going to have a crowd as supportive as this, or even a crowd as large as this, anywhere else,” said Windham Chamber Singers president Brad Meader. “It’s a really great experience to be able to show what we can do,” he added.  

Emily Gagne, vice president of the group said that the choir puts an emphasis on community and unity, not just among themselves but in the wider community as well. “I think it’s really significant and really important that we put on a performance for the people who support us the most,” she said.

The support of the town was clear.  Just minutes after ticket sales began, the parking lot was full.  “There’s nothing more energizing for the group than seeing a line of people outside waiting to see our concert,” said Meader. “Everyone is so thrilled, we have such a great community to come and support us like that.”

The chamber singers have a stellar reputation, and Saturday’s performance showcased the talent and diversity of the group. The choir displayed great energy and enthusiasm throughout the concert, along with an impressive vocal range. From a haunting chant to an African spiritual, each piece in the first half of the show was performed with animated expression, and the voices of the group blended to create just the right sound. 

The second half of the concert began with a Celtic piece, followed by a beautiful rendition of Caledonia, an Irish song about the love of where we come from. From there, things took a lively turn, with an Irving Berlin medley and two student arrangements that showed the comedic side of the choir.  It’s obvious that the members of the Chamber Singers are no strangers to the stage, and the medleys the students performed were spirited and entertaining. A piece inspired by Stomp and a silly spoof song from Spamalot rounded out the second half, and the choir received a standing ovation.  But they weren’t done yet.  Their final song, a touching rendition of Let There Be Peace on Earth, inspired another enthusiastic round of applause.

The tour is the culmination of a year of hard work. Nickerson said they begin rehearsing for the tour right after Christmas, and this year, the weather has presented some challenges.  Due to storms, the choir lost a lot of rehearsal time.  That didn’t slow them down, however. “The students have really stepped up. They’ve added rehearsal time and met on their own”, he said.  

Meader, who is a senior in his fourth year in the Chamber Singers, said “I think we’re all aware of what needs to happen and what we need to do to get to the performance ready point. So I think if we see something that’s not getting done someone will step up. Usually a lot of people will step up and fill the role that needs to be filled.”  

Gagne added, “I think we can all sort of see what we’re aiming towards and what we want to get to, because when we get there it’s absolutely incredible. I think the want to get there is powerful enough to make us step up and do the work it takes to get there.”

The group leaves on Wednesday, April 2^nd for five days of touring. “I think the whole group is just really, really excited,” said Gagne. “Starting in September when the choir first meets, everyone is already talking about tour, and so to be this close is so exciting.” The tour will take the group to New Hampshire, Vermont, and Montreal, Quebec.

Though the evening concerts are the heavily promoted performances, the choir also sings at several schools throughout the tour, sometimes putting on three to four concerts a day. Gagne said she thinks the school performances are some of the most important they do while on tour. “I remember being in third grade and the chamber singers came and performed for us.  I idolized the chamber singers then, and all I wanted to do was be in the group.  They were rock stars to me.  To travel and perform for little children reminds me of what I used to feel,” she said.