In loving memory of Thomas William Gleason 1948-2016 - By Walter Lunt

"We miss you already, Tommy.” (Windham Town Hall staff)
 

To family and to those who knew and loved Tommy Gleason, he will be remembered as the guy with the big Irish heart and a passion for all things mechanical.

Gleason died of heart failure on May 11 while he and his wife, Nancy, were visiting an aunt in New Jersey. The sudden and tragic event left his family, friends and community in shock.

Hundreds gathered at three separate devotional services last Tuesday to remember and pay final respects to the family man, town councilor, engineer, mechanic, handyman, gardener and all-around good guy who always had time to say hello, lend an ear or help out.

Nancy Gleason said the outpouring of support at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Town Hall auditorium was “Beyond my wildest dreams.” She singled out eulogies delivered by Tommy’s older brother, Tim, and by Windham Town Manager Tony Plant as particularly inspiring. That was Tommy, “…they hit the nail on the head,” commented his younger brother, Todd.

“Everything was done with class and dignity,” said Nancy. But the procession from Town Hall, through Windham, to the church was the most moving and impressionable for her. The hearse, limo and police and fire vehicles departed past a line of town workers holding a sign “We miss already, Tommy,” and proceeded over Windham Center Road, River Road to Newhall, Gray Road to Foster’s Corner, and then Route 302 to the church in North Windham. Town workers stood in solitary beside their freshly shined vehicles at the public works garage, public safety building and fire house. One family member commented on the procession, “He (Tommy) is standing on the roof of that lead fire truck, smiling and waving and loving every minute of this.”

Gleason was born in New York City. He developed a penchant for building and fixing at age 12 when he helped his father rebuild the family home in Queens. He repeated a similar task with his own family years later when he and wife Nancy upgraded a historic farmhouse in Windham.

After high school, Gleason pursued a career in bio-chemistry, attending St. Francis College in Biddeford (now University of New England). 

“He was a whiz in math and science,” according to Nancy. Finding limited opportunities in that field, he returned to New York and found his calling in mechanical engineering. After a few years of operating cranes and other heavy equipment he became director of training for the trade that was his passion. He taught newbies in the classroom and on the job.

By the 90s, Tommy and Nancy were ready to leave the stress and crowded living of New York. Recalling his days in Biddeford and later in Portland attending engineering seminars, Tommy moved with Nancy and their two daughters, Melanie and Kathleen, to Gorham, and later to Windham. Soon after the move, Tommy became interested in local politics while protesting an inventory tax. It was during this time he met Lane Hiltunen. The two became fast friends and political pundits, often attending and speaking out at local municipal meetings. 

“When we showed up at the meetings you’d hear people say, ‘Here come the two troublemakers’,” Hiltunen said. Their banter and opinions soon took to the airwaves on Standish community radio station WJZF – 97.1. For two years The Tommy and Lane Show featured guests and gab and covered all topics from local roads to international relations. It was during one of their once a week, two hour broadcasts that Lane assigned a nickname to his broadcast partner. Station owner and producer, the late David Patterson, had playfully inserted sound effects of explosions and gun fire under Tommy’s more opinionated remarks, earning him the title Tommy Gun.

Soon after the radio show ran its course, Gleason decided to make a run for local political office. His first attempt at a seat on the Windham Town Council ended in defeat, but a second try in 2010 was successful.

“He wanted people to be happy with their government,” according to Hiltunen, “he’d give you the shirt off his back, but he wouldn’t give you somebody else’s shirt.” And people weren’t intimidated by him. “His constituents were not afraid to call him.”

Fellow town councilor David Nadeau found it difficult to discuss his close relationship with Gleason. “How do you explain a friend?” he said. But he did discuss two of Gleason’s more passionate issues: Budgets and rural character.

“He wanted to move Windham forward through planning a smart budgeting. He believed in long range planning, anticipating problems down the road, and setting budgets that would reflect that,” Nadeau explained. He said crisis management was not his style. And Gleason was an ardent supporter of Windham’s 21^st Century Downtown plan designed to improve traffic and pedestrian movement and sense of place in North Windham. Wife Nancy affirmed her husband wanted to maintain Windham’s rural character.

Tom Bartell, Windham’s Economic Development Director, remembers serving on the town council when Gleason attended the meetings regularly. 

“You start out thinking this guy’s an adversary,” he remembered, “but then you realize our intentions are similar.” He was speaking from the standpoint of working out the differences. “He respected good government and liked a good debate.”

More recently Gleason was the council appointed member of the Windham Economic Development Corporation, which Bartell now directs. “His common sense and clear thinking was a calming factor. His construction background added perspective” when big projects were under discussion. His attitude was “Let’s not get this one wrong. This is very important. He was a very practical thinker.”

Council chairperson Donna Chapman’s feelings echoed those of others who worked closely with Gleason. “He was an awesome, big-hearted man.” She said even if you didn’t see eye-to-eye with Gleason you knew he respected your views and was always ready to work through problems. 

Chapman helped spearhead the “dignitary funeral” for Gleason. “It’s a fitting way to send him off.”

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Hiltunen reflected on Gleason’s misfortunes. “He been down a lot, but he always gets right back up.” A few years ago, the car he was driving was struck by a drunk driver, leaving Gleason with months of convalescence and the loss of some feeling on his left side. “I would tell him,” said Hiltunen, “I’m not standing close to you if you’re carrying a hammer in your left hand.” Gleason twice suffered from a lung infection and was undergoing dialysis. Worst of all was the death 12 years ago of his younger daughter, Kathleen of a brain tumor at the age of 24.

Asked about their life together, Nancy recalled their first date, which didn’t happen. “He stood me up to go with his friends to a race at National Speedway on Long Island. He called me the next day to ask when we could go out. I told him “How about tonight? Or never.” They did go out. And their next anniversary would have been their 45^th.

Maine Stage Academy highlights anit-bullying in new "Stand Out" show - By Michelle Libby
 Hawkes Family Farm Stand to close - By Walter Lunt

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Hawkes Family Farm Stand to close - By Walter Lunt

"You never know, this could be our last year.” A phrase uttered many times over the past couple of decades by the Hawkes family while serving customers at the familiar farm stand located south of the Foster’s Corner rotary in Windham. This year, it’s a settled fact. 

“I get teary eyed when I tell my regular customers,” said proprietor Florence Hawkes. “We thought it was the end back along, but we were able to keep going. It had to happen sometime – this is it.” 

Hawkes explained that after her husband, Frank, died in 2004 the future of the decades old vegetable/fruit stand was in doubt until their son Bob stepped up. Investing 60 to 80 hours a week, he almost single-handedly kept the operation going, from the greenhouses, the multi-acre growing fields on Windham Center Road to the farm stand itself. But this year, a promotion at his full time job will preclude him from committing the time needed to keep the 84-year-old farm stand going. Bob was the third generation family member to operate the farm and road side stand.

Florence said she feels bad for the scores of faithful customers who’ve relied on the stand for fresh produce for so many years. 

“I want you to tell them that we are very sorry. We had wonderful customers who came from far and wide, year after year.”

What’s been the reaction of customers so far? “They talk about the corn,” said Florence. Hawkes stand is renowned for its several varieties of corn on the cob, along with advice on how to prepare it. Some prefer the large ears, some like them tough, but most have a favorite variety of sweet corn, all grown near the top of a hill off Windham Center Road.

In addition to corn, customers had come to rely on different kinds of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squashes, along with peas, beans, eggplant, carrots, beets and beet greens. Some fruits and flowers were also sold. The stand opened at 10 a.m. for a reason. All the produce was guaranteed fresh that day. Early morning was set aside for picking. 

Alley, and son Frank, opened the farm stand in 1932. Originally located at the state owned rest area, now closed, near the Nash Road intersection, Florence said the building was moved up the highway to its present location in 1948 at five in the morning. “In those days you had to wait for traffic to go by.”

Hawkes Farm Stand will no doubt be remembered for more than just fresh produce, however. Hundreds of Windham kids have worked the farm over the decades, particularly in the 50s and 60s when the Hawkes’ produced strawberries and apples as well as the garden variety vegetables. They benefited with extra spending money and regular lessons in work ethic. 

One young worker, in his later years, recalled an incident with Frank’s father, Alley. The elder Hawkes had strongly suggested that the lad use two hands to complete a certain barn task. Later, in the fields picking beans, the boy sarcastically asked his boss if he should use two hands to pick. Alley sardonically replied, “No, but you don’t have to work here either.”

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Ancestors of the Hawkes family were among the founding families of Windham in the 1700s. Later, the so-called Old Grocery at Windham Center, now a Windham Historical Society museum, was established by Frank’s great grandfather, the first Alley, who ran it with his son, Frank. Frank’s son, the second Alley, ran the dairy and vegetable farm on Windham Center Road and started the Route 302 road stand in 1932 with his 14-year-old son, Frank. From the late 40s on, Frank and Florence grew the business together until 2004. Florence, son Bob and daughter Diane have carried on, until now.

Maine Stage Academy highlights anit-bullying in new "Stand Out" show - By Michelle Libby

In a performance titled “Stand Out”, students from Main Stage Academy sang, danced and acted their message against bullying and encouraging third and fourth graders to be the author of their own future and have the power to decide what they will be. They also made a pledge, “I can choose not to be defined or limited by bulling or the negative opinions of others.” The eight themes presented were given to the attendees and asked parents to discuss the themes with their children. 

The talented students from Main Stage range in age from 10 to 15 and attend schools in Windham, Gorham and Cumberland. They have been working on this performance since January, when Suzy and Brice Cropper, owners of Main Stage, talked to those performers about bullying and their experiences with it. From there, Suzy and Brice wrote and choreographed the show using specific stories from the actors to help make the point.

“I like doing this because I’ve been bullied a lot. I like teaching other people it’s okay to be different,” said Daphne.  

“A lot of bullying starts younger and grows. Look at yourself. Are you bullying? Then change,” said Kaila. 

The message throughout the show is that if we dream big and work hard, we can make a difference in the world. 

“We are all writing a story every day…the story of our lives,” said one actor in the show. 

The energy was electric as the show built a pyramid of needs from safety to friendship to self-esteem. With audience interaction, the dancing and positive messages written at a level that 8- and 9-year-olds can relate to. “When I’m speaking, I’m really connecting with the audience,” said Alana. 

“A lot of people want to dream big and be a better person. It’s okay to be different. You don’t have to follow in people’s footsteps,” said Samantha. 

The company is going to perform at schools in Gorham, Cumberland and New Gloucester for school aged children to spread their message about standing out. 

“I like how a lot of this is all different genres. If people are bullying you can push away, it’s not going to matter at all. You should never feel down on yourself. And, it’s always important to help other people,” said Emma. 

The only boy in the group is Will. “I chose to be here. I like to sing and people said I had a good singing voice. I wanted to make friends with girls, too. I’m definitely standing out,” he said. “I was bullied because I sing and not play sports. I show other guys that if you like singing you can stand out and join other things,” he added. 

The message about dreaming big and standing up for what you believe resonated with Amy Cropper. “It tells people that you don’t have to do what you’re told just because you’re a kid.” 

Throughout the show Suzy has used “teachable moments” to encourage the students. “You’ve made those choices to stand out,” she told them. 

There will be one show for friends and family at Gorham Middle School at 7 p.m. on May 27. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. 

One girl who was currently being bullied about her acne said it was hard to cope with it. “I feel really safe here. We’re just a group of friends doing what we love.” 

For more on performances or to purchase tickets for the May 27^th show, visit www.mainstageacademy.com.

The boys of summer are back in town - By Walter Lunt
 Opening night for RSU14 art show exhibits talent from students of all ages - By Michelle Libby
 Future of Windham skatepark up for debate and discussion - By Anne Libby

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Future of Windham skatepark up for debate and discussion - By Anne Libby

On Monday, May 2^nd, there was a town meeting to discuss the state of the Windham skatepark, and whether to fix the old one, or create a new one. The meeting was open to the public, and nothing official has been decided. There were a few teens who use the park that came to help develop an idea of what they wanted in their skate park. 

One option for the new and improved skatepark.

“[The skate park] is an afterschool program for the kids,” one mother said. The people who were at the meeting all agree that something needs to be done as soon as possible to give the kids somewhere to skateboard, scooter and bike. To do that, the hope is to be able to save some of the original course and take out what is completely unusable. After reopening the skate park temporarily, the idea is to give more time for a development team to design a new course. Right now the debate is whether to create a concrete park, a wooden park or a mixture of the two. 

At this meeting it seemed the best option would be both concrete and wood. An idea that was also presented was the new park be created where the bike course section was supposed to be (directly behind the present one). This is not only to cut down on the noise for the neighbors, but also may create more space for parking.  

There has not been an estimate of a budget yet, nor a timeline for the creation of a new park. It is a priority for the committee to reopen what they can of the old park, to offer a place for the kids to skate again. 

The next meeting is projected for Monday, May 9. Watch for details. Everyone from the community is welcome to come and participate, especially students who use it and want to suggest ways to make it better.

Opening night for RSU14 art show exhibits talent from students of all ages - By Michelle Libby

Katie Skvorak

Monday night, the community and art lovers from Windham and Raymond gathered at Windham High School to celebrate arts and music throughout the district. Showing off art that yearly attendees have come to know and love, and demonstrating and displaying new projects and work from painting to sculpture to performances by the Windham Chamber Singers and the third grade chorus from Windham Primary School. 

“This is amazing the work the staff members put in for this,” said Christine Hessler, the director of curriculum, instruction and assessment for RSU14. 

This year’s art show featured new art projects from classes at every grade level.

The new wood sculpture class run by teacher Kim Chasse has been “real successful,” he said. “It offers something to these teenage boys who need to get their hands on stuff. Power tools, chisels. It really filled a void here.” The projects like sculptures, identity walking sticks and totem poles were a nice addition to the show. 

 

“There are some amazing pieces at each grade level and the variety is astonishing,” said Superintendent Sandy Prince. “I like the clay pieces. It’s great for the parents and kids to see the work. We do so much for other areas, it’s great to showcase the arts.” 

Another artist, Brad Randall, turned his passion for mixed martial arts into artwork about balance. “The work that goes into sculpting a piece is simplistic yet arduous. The pieces that come out are so interestingly different from what goes in that I feel they need to be different from the original even in terms of how the piece stands,” Randall said in his essay “Inside the Mind”. 

“A rainy day makes a great turn out,” said high school principal Chris Howell as he welcomed the attendees. “It’s great to see the faces that go with the artwork,” he added. 

 

Manchester School art teacher Angelika Blanchard felt the whole show came together really well and said that they were able to fit in what they had for art, but this year had more projects and next year they will need to find more tables. 

The art show was open every evening until Friday.

The boys of summer are back in town - By Walter Lunt

Ciccarone Field in East Windham bustled with activity as over 200 residents gathered for the opening day games of Windham Little League. Four games were played, but the day’s highlight was the visit of 26 special guests, members of the six 1967 inaugural teams: Bears, Lakers, Tigers, Seals, Hawks and Cubs. The veteran players returned to celebrate, rekindle memories and cheer on this season’s young players.

Perhaps it wasn’t surprising that the Bears outnumbered visitors from the five other teams. The Bears were the league champions of that inaugural year. Sporting a record of 14-1 with three undefeated pitchers under coach Art Stevenson, the memories had not faded as several of the Bears engaged in good-natured ribbing with members of other teams.

“If those (baseball) experiences weren’t special, you wouldn’t see (all these guys) come back for a reunion,” said Gary Smart, who pitched 5-0 in 1967 including a no-hitter, and remembers a different time.

“Back then we found a field and played. We played just because it was fun – no trainers, no clinics or seminars – it was simple. Coaches wanted kids involved. Winning was not a priority. It was competitive but not too serious,” he said.

During the ceremony Little League Board member Shaun Morrison acknowledged the 50-year history of the league and introduced each veteran player, which was followed by enthusiastic applause from Little League players, parents and visitors. 

Singled out for outstanding dedication to the league was Bill Ciccerone, field caretaker of the Lowell Farm field that now bears his name. Perfectly manicured base lines and a pitcher’s mound framed healthy, thick grass. “It’s our own Fenway Park,” observed league vice-president Jason Farley.

After the call to “Play Ball,” shouted out by the 26 guests of honor, the first season game began: Dairy Queen vs. State Farm. The ceremonial first pitch was delivered by Dick Southard, a founding member and coach of Windham Little League.

“This is a nice set-up” he said later, referring to league work on behalf of the kids. “It’s (youth baseball) not going to die,” and then lamented the shorter season of modern times. “We used play all summer,” he said.

Seals player John Worrey remembers Southard as a “…good guy! He gave everyone a chance to play. No pressure – just go out and have a good time.”

In addition to handshakes and endless reminiscing, Bears utility player Alan Hodgton handed out photographs he had reproduced from their winning season. “(Baseball) played a key role in our lives,” Hodgton said.

Former Seals player Barry Jordan, who declared the games had forged “…a lifetime of friends,” has since served with Babe Ruth League baseball for 35 years, and is now a New England regional commissioner.

Lakers teammates Mike Bridges and Bob Smith said they enjoyed reconnecting with old friends. “We haven’t seen some of these guys in 50 years,” they said, “That was a fun time and (it developed) a love of baseball forever.”

Oddly, the most memorable game of that ’67 season did not involve official Little League play. It occurred after the season had ended. Because it was Windham’s first year of league play, charter regulations prevented the league from participating in All-Star play. South Portland had qualified to participate in the state championship game and needed a challenging team for a practice scrimmage. Windham’s Bears stepped up, and won 5-3.

In the category of most unusual memories, Bear player Hodgton remembers a game at Field Allen School. Play had to be stopped with the arrival of an unusual visitor. A goat, named Nanny, had wandered over from a nearby farm. Players chased Nanny around the field until it was finally corralled and escorted home.

Looking ahead to the 2016 season, league board member Morrison said, “It’s going to an exciting year, competitive for the Majors and field improvements for the Minors.”

While the veteran players were exchanging memories, the 2016 teams were making them. Winning teams for the day included State Farm, MPM Sealcoating and Camp Care. Ice Cream Dugout and C.R. Tanberg played to a 7-7 tie.

Drew Mathieu, age 12, playing for C.R. Tanberg said, “On the 50^th anniversary of Windham Little League I hit my very first home run…I hope to be back for the 100^th anniversary.”

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On his first day in Windham Little League, Kyle McCleese, age 11 (MPM Sealcoating), hit an inside the park home run, a triple and pitched three shut-out innings. “It was amazing. Coach said he didn’t care if we won or lost, just give it our all. I gave 100 percent,” said Kyle.

Sam Foley, with C.R. Tanberg, was impressed with the officiating: “Hey,” he said, “did you see the ump – he was in the Little League World Series.”

The day’s games and festivities were summed up by a Windham Little League Facebook visitor posting: “So proud to be part of this community. Amazing job everyone. Success!”