Local residents turn out in large numbers for several hotly contested races and issues - By Michelle Libby

Election polling stations in Windham and Raymond were well attended and citizens were voting for a variety of reasons, according to exit polls. 
 

“It’s our civic responsibility – that’s what makes our country tick,” said one voter about why she came out to vote. 

In Windham there were 7,782 voters, which means 65 percent of registered voters voted.  Many voters, 2,266, chose to vote absentee in Windham. Absentee ballots had to be delivered by 8 p.m. to the town clerk. Four years ago, for the last gubernatorial race, 612 fewer voters voted. This year there were 611 newly registered voters, said Windham town clerk Linda Morrell. 

In the only contested local Windham race, incumbent Thomas Gleason defeated David Lydon.

At the Raymond polls, residents voted 1,324-940 to spend $20,000 to explore what it would cost and look like to disband from RSU14. Sixty percent of voters voted in Raymond for a total of 2,350 including the absentee ballots, according to Raymond town clerk Sue Look. 

In Raymond, Susan Collins, Paul LePage, Chellie Pingree, William Diamond and Michael McClellan won by large margins. In district 67 representative race, Bonnie Titcomb Lewis beat out Susan Austin 292-268 with 31 votes left blank. 

“I came out to vote for Bill Diamond. He always came into my school and that stuck out in my mind,” said Kayla DiRenzo. 

In Windham, Susan Collins, Paul LePage, Chellie Pingree, William Diamond, Mark Bryant and Patrick Corey won their elections. 

Nate Schrock came to vote because of the governor’s race. “I feel like it’s time to move ahead with stuff that’s based in reality. People are ready to work together. There’s been a history of quotes not based in fact that’s gotten people worked up.”

“It’s my civic duty,” said Alexei Popov. “Governor is the most important (race) to me. There’s a lot of competition because I support one side more than the other.” 

New voters took the opportunity to register at the polling station. State Senator Gary Plummer’s granddaughter, Mariah, registered and voted for the first time. 

“I brought my son over to vote for the first time,” said Jim Cannon. “It’s important especially in this election because things are so tight and there are some issues that hit close to home. Minimum wage. Comments by LePage made about transgendered students not to be in our high school.”  

The bond questions in Raymond and Windham went the way the bonds did for the state except question 5, which voters said “no” to money to modernize and expand infrastructure in a biological laboratory. The bond did pass. 

Hannah Poland, voted because of her concern about question 1. “I voted no. It’s been a Maine tradition for a very long time. The bears will take over the population.” 

 

Official results for all Windham races can be found at www.windhammaine.org and Raymond results are at www.raymondmaine.org.

Don Campbell entertains to a full house - By Elizabeth Richards

On Saturday, November 1, 2014 Don Campbell & the Don Campbell Band presented An Evening of Dan Fogelberg to a full house, wrapping up the 2014 Music with a Mission season at the North Windham Union Church. 
 

Campbell circulated in the lobby prior to the show, welcoming concert goers with a handshake and a smile. His warmth and friendliness created a relaxed atmosphere that remained throughout the performance. The intimate atmosphere of the church created a feeling of connection and fellowship not found in larger venues.

The evening opened with Tom Dyhrberg, a member of the band, performing Gordon Lightfoot’s “Sundown,” followed by a selection of other songs by the Canadian singer/songwriter. Dyhrberg’s versions were very true to the originals and his voice so similar that it was almost like listening to Lightfoot himself. 

After Dyhrberg finished, Campbell took center stage to perform Folgelberg’s  hit “Make Love Stay” with just a guitar, before asking the band to take the stage for the rest of the show. Campbell told a story of being just 15 years old, and hearing the music of Dan Folgelberg for the first time. That changed his life, he said, and was when he first realized he wanted to be a songwriter. When the legendary performer passed away in 2007, Campbell knew he wanted to honor his influence by recording some of his songs. What resulted was a double CD, Kites to Fly. 

Campbell’s style is a perfect complement to Folgelberg’s music. He put his own spin on the songs rather than trying to mimic the artist exactly, resulting in a show that was unique and interesting, yet comfortable and familiar all at the same time. Campbell arranged a blend of top hits and lesser known songs  that were just right. This is a show that would please any Folgelberg fan, and very likely make a fan out of many who were not previously followers. 

Campbell’s admiration for Folgelberg was evident in every story he told. The non-profit organization he chose to benefit with this concert is the Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer. Prostate cancer is the disease that took Folgelberg’s life at the young age of 56. In addition to ticket sales, a special fundraising raffle was held as well, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the coalition. 

Music with a Mission committee chair Jim McBride and Minister of Music Dr. Rick Nickerson are pleased with how the series has evolved and the impact they have had to date. In many ways, said Nickerson, the second season was easier, and they are already looking forward to the 2015 season. 

McBride said the first year was a learning experience. “I think the community was open to the idea but not quite sure what to expect. They’ve come to understand that we’re bringing in really good quality acts, and it’s truly a community fundraiser.”  Before Saturday’s concert, the 18 concerts in the series to date had raised over $15,500 for the church and community causes. “Our church is thrilled to have people come through the doors and to be able to give back to the community as well,” said McBride. 

Attendance at the series has been good, even for acts without huge name recognition. Nickerson said “Over the past two years, one of the things we’ve learned is what the community wants. There are certain styles of music that they just love.”

McBride added that part of the fun has been mixing it up, rather than sticking with one genre of music. Bluegrass has been very popular, he said, and the committee is planning a really great bluegrass act in the 2015 lineup. The new season will begin in January 2015.

Windham Center Stage Theater trains the next generation of directors - By Michelle Libby

Windham Center Stage Theater (WCST) is known for training actors, singers and dancers both adults and children through its performances held in the gym at the Windham Town Hall. This fall WCST offers “Almost Maine”, a story about a town “that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States.” The play takes place one winter night in a town called Almost. The residents find themselves falling in and out of love with the characters in the play. 

The play, written by Mainer John Cariani from Presque Isle, will be directed by Windham’s own Allison Sample, who after graduating from Sesquehanna University with a degree in Physics, returned to play Sandy in WCSTs summer production of Grease before taking on the title director. 

“Everyone has experienced at least some of the emotions in the show and can connect with some of the scenes. There’s comedy and heart wrenching moments,” Sample said.  

Sample grew up in Windham and performed in many WCST productions. She also worked on plays at Windham High School. She directed short films, but this will be her first time directing a stage show. 

“It all happened in a bit of a whirlwind,” she said. Her plan was to propose a different show to direct for the spring, (Harvy) but when the call came that WCST needed a director, Sample stepped up. 

The cast she is directing has nine actors. She’s also receiving help from another WCST stars Giovan Corsetti and one of Windham’s veteran directors, Rob Juergens.

“Casting was the worst part,” Sample said. She was limited in her pairings because of the cast she had, but she made it work with the help from Juergens. “It was good to have his insight during the casting.”

“(Cariani) is a Mainer. It’s not Downeast…it’s the county,” said Juergens. This show was a good opportunity for a new director because of the show’s flexibility, and low budget. He refers to himself as a consultant offering support when a new director questions herself.” 

 “It’s been a good group to have as my first directing experience,” she said. Sample admits that she doesn’t know all of the answers and she changes her find, but the cast is very flexible. 

The director is responsible for primarily what happens on the stage. “I like to let them run through the scene to see what they want to do before I make corrections. It’s more natural that way,” Sample said. The producer, in this show Laurie Shepard, works with more logistics and keeping the lines of communication open between all of the key people in the play. Juergens and Sample had a three hour meeting before casting the show to discuss the play, Sample’s vision and character development, Juergens said. 

“I enjoy seeing the scenes come together, Sample said. Her theater background also helps when it comes to working with actors. She knows things that will work and won’t work in a certain scene. With years of being up on stage and doing a lot of shows and working with directors she has stored up “What works for them” information. 

Juergens said that Sample will gain confidence as she goes along. “It’s an emotional piece you’re putting on stage. Have confidence that we did it and they’re going to like it,” Juergens said.   

Almost Maine has been easier to costume, she said. They asked people to go home and find their winter clothes to wear on stage. The set was created by Sample’s father, Sample and Corsetti. 

WCST is run by a board of directors and Sample said that they are a little nervous about debuting a new director, but they are very supportive of what she needs.  

The most important thing is for the audience to “feel good about it in the end. It’s really a fun show, although really emotional. It’s not a show you’ll leave down trodden.” 

Sample hasn’t decided what she wants to do with her degree in Physics, but “nothing is off the table at this point,” she said. 

WCST encourages new directors, new actors and want the community involvement in all of their productions. 

The show opens on November 7 and runs for two weekends. For more information, visit www.windhamtheater.org. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors at the door

ALMOST, MAINE: It’s love. But not quite.

Governor LePage makes a visit to Windham businesses

Governor Paul LePage was in town last Friday to visit local businesses, meet with constituents and speak with Republican candidates. His first stop was at Hall Implement, which turned 56 years old this year. The governor also stopped by Lee’s Family Trailer Sales and Service, Windham Millwork and Lighthouse Imaging. From there he headed into Standish to visit places like Pit Stop Fuels, Standish Hardware and South Shore Marketplace. 

“It was a privilege to have him to take time out of his schedule to visit with us. We’re just a small piece of his support system,” said Beth Hall, of Hall Implement. 

Shown with the Governor (L to R) Kaile Warren, Hall Implement owner George Hall, Senator Gary Plummer, Governor Paul LePage, Dennis Welch and Patrick Corey. 

Windham breast cancer survivor shares her experience - By Elizabeth Richards

As breast cancer awareness month comes to a close, Windham resident Heidi Hutchins has a story to share and a milestone to celebrate. Heidi is a breast cancer survivor, who has been cancer free for five years this month.     
    

Heidi’s journey started in late 2008, when she went for a regular physical. She had just turned 40, and her doctor recommended a baseline mammogram. The first showed some suspicious spots, so she had a second, and a biopsy. She was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer, which is an extremely early detection, and in the world of cancer, a good diagnosis. 

At the beginning of 2009, Hutchins had a double mastectomy. “I figured I might as well get it all over with and not have to worry about it,” she said. But a week later, she realized it had only begun. Her diagnosis was very different than the initial one. “Overnight everything changed. It was quite devastating,” said Hutchins.

She was told then that her cancer was actually stage one, which is still early stage, but it was a very aggressive cancer, call HER2 positive. In this form of cancer, protein attaches itself to the cells, and they multiply very quickly. “Everything changed that day and I was facing something very different than I initially thought,” said Hutchins. 

Her journey took her through four rounds of chemotherapy, 37 radiation treatments, and a year of infusions of a drug called Herceptin which targets the HER2+ cancers. “That whole year, 2009, I spent battling breast cancer,” says Hutchins. And the rest of her life didn’t just stop. She had started a new job in Sept 2008, just before receiving her diagnosis, and she had two young boys, one in kindergarten and one in third grade that year. 

“It’s really hard on everybody. They had a lot of questions,” she said, adding that it became scary to the boys when they saw her lose her hair. “That’s when it becomes real because they see the physical changes in you. It was really difficult,” she said. At the same time, she said she felt like her children kept her normal. “You still have to maintain somewhat of a normal life for them, so it’s not too scary for them,” she said. She learned through it all that it was vital to lean on friends and family. She had great support from her parents, friends, and a church in town that brought meals and helped in any way they could.

Hutchins had a long road ahead, even after the treatments were over. She elected to have reconstructive surgeries, and also had an ovariectomy because the medication she was on wasn’t stopping the production of estrogen. Her breast cancer was fed by estrogen, and she feared it would return. Hutchins also has some lingering side effects from the chemotherapy treatments, including a severe ringing in her ear, called tinnitus, and some neuropathy that includes tingling or aching in her hands and feet. Still, she feels fortunate to be so far out from treatment. “It’s a small price to pay for my life,” she said. 

The effects of breast cancer last far beyond the treatments. “I want people to know that breast cancer is not just about removing your breast, having some treatments and then getting on with your life like nothing ever happened,” said Hutchins. “It truly affects your whole body,” she added. She has been on a journey of holistic healing since the ovariectomy, she said.

Hutchins said people need to know that early detection is key, and she urged women never to ignore a lump or put off a mammogram. “It definitely saved my life, there’s no doubt in my mind,” she said. 

On the other side of her journey, Hutchins is committed to helping others with cancer. That is what she spent the month of October doing, and she said it’s been wonderful. She has shared her story many times, and helped several close friends diagnosed after she went through her treatments. “It feels so good to be there for them, even though sometimes it means it’s another emotional journey for me to go through,” she said. “I feel like it’s important to be there for them.”