Construction underway for Dollar General - By Elizabeth Richards

Challenges arose during the proposal for development of a 9,100 square-foot building to house a Dollar General. Now, the project is moving forward, and projected to be completed in autumn of 2016.
 

An initial design for the building was rejected by the planning board early last summer due to concerns that the proposed design would spread North Windham style development south along the artery. Dollar General re-submitted a new design that featured a pitched roof and a set of “faux” windows that complied with the town’s building design standards requiring New England style architecture. This application was approved in a 3-2 vote in July of 2015.

Another potential glitch in the project arose when the Fire Department recommended an extension of the water main to the property for fire protection. This extension was cost prohibitive at $100 to $110 per foot, a final cost of between $160,000 to $180,000. As an alternative, the developer proposed use of a cistern, which would reduce the cost to approximately $20,000. Planning board minutes from July 27, 2015 reflect that Fire Chief Brent Libby stated in an email that a cistern was an acceptable option, as long as it was properly designed, maintained and certified.

Construction on the project at 367 Roosevelt Trail is currently underway. Heather McNally, Director of Code Enforcement and Zoning Regulations for the Town of Windham said that currently, all foundation inspections have been completed. The next phase and inspection will be the framing inspection. “We look forward to them opening, and they’re moving forward pretty quickly,” McNally said.

Nolan Miles, internal/external communications coordinator for Dollar General Corporation said that based on the current timeline, which could be altered by construction progress, a grand opening is anticipated in mid-fall of 2016.

Miles said that in choosing new locations, the company seeks places that offer customers an easy and convenient shopping choice. “We also take demographic trends, competitive factors, traffic patterns and community concerns into consideration. This was a great new location for Dollar General,” he said. “We look forward to offering Cumberland County residents a convenient location to purchase products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at low everyday prices.”

The store will have approximately 6 to 10 employees, he said, and he encouraged anyone interested in employment to apply online at www.dollargeneral.com/careers.

Small town family fun slated for Sat., Aug. 6 - By Elizabeth Richards

The Raymond Revitalization Committee is gearing up for the second annual Everybody Loves Raymond, ME festival, which will be held on Saturday, August 6^th in the Sheri Gagnon Memorial Park on Mill Street in Raymond.

Last year, the first festival was held on the Fourth of July, but it has been moved to the first weekend in August for this year. “We looked around to see what other towns were doing,” said committee chairperson Carrie Colby. “That was one day there weren’t a lot of other things going on.” 

The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with a parade that runs from Main Street to Mill Street. Events in the park kick off immediately following the parade and run until 2 p.m. The festival includes something for everyone, with local craftspeople and food vendors, a bouncy house and bouncy slide, dunk tank, face painting, and the 18-piece New England Jazz Band, which will set up on the park’s new basketball court and play from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event was started by the Raymond Revitalization Committee last year as a family festival, something Colby said Raymond hadn’t had in a long time. The objective of the committee is “to promote the idea of Live, Work, Play and Stay through community and business participation.”

Last year’s turnout was amazing, Colby said, with 500 to 800 people participating in the festival. This year, they are anticipating an even bigger parade and festival.

Colby said the committee is trying to grow the festival exponentially. They aren’t trying to add too much in one year,  she said, but plan to build it up year by year. “It’s a very family oriented, small town gathering,” she said. 

Volunteers are essential to the success of the event, and sponsorships are available at a range of levels, from sponsoring a festival booth ($100) to the premier level sponsorship ($1,000). 

Descriptions of levels and sponsorship benefits are on the forms, which can be found on the event Facebook page Everybodyheartsraymondme. The parade registration form is also available on the page. For more information, contact Colby at 232-5497 or cmcolby@maine.rr.com.

Local WWII Veteran gains a special gift - By Michelle Libby

Don Rogers is well known in Windham. The World War II Veteran, who is a regular at parades and Veterans’ events, recently received an eagle head cane from the Maine Woodcarvers Association as a thank you for his service. 

While at breakfast at Danielle’s Diner last month, Don and Norma, his wife, were approached by a woman who noticed Don’s WWII Veteran hat. She thanked him for his service. A few minutes later Herb Blake, who was eating breakfast with the woman, approached Don and offered to make him an eagle head cane. The project would take a few weeks, he told him. 

“Don was pleased. He couldn’t wait to see him again,” said Norma. When they finally met up again, Don was thrilled. 

“It had his name on it. What a wonderful organization to present that,” she added. 

Herb Blake is the project manager for the eagle canes as a part of the Maine Woodcarvers Association, which provides eagle head canes for Maine Veterans with service related disabilities.

“We can’t keep up with demand,” said Blake. 

The personalized canes are made by 6 to 12 of the approximately 100 members of the organization. The canes, which are given at no cost to the veterans, cost about $20 in materials, but each craftsman put in between 20 to 30 hours to carve the eagle head depending on the amount of detail put into the cane, which is priceless. Each one is personalized by the artist. Donations pay for the materials, which include a rubber base, the cane stalk and the template for the eagle head. 

Personalization varies from flags to wood burning a unit number, medal or ribbons as well as the veteran’s name. Blake decoupages items onto the shaft of the cane for the ones he makes. 

When it comes to a WWII veteran, Blake doesn’t ask questions, he usually puts them at the top of the waiting list that sometimes contains 30 to 40 names. “He seemed healthy and active for his age, but still I put his name to the head of the list. It was the first time I’d seen him. He was wearing a vet cap and using a cane,” Blake said. 

Maine Woodcarvers Association makes and gives away close to 100 canes each year statewide.

“Quite a few do them for family or friends. Sometimes it doesn’t’ come through the project for me to take care of,” said Blake. “I do it to recognize the veterans and their service. We’re a non-profit and it’s our way of saying thank you.”  

Blake has seen Don since giving him the cane. The last time he watched Don shake the cane. “You don’t have one of these, do you?”

“It’s very rewarding to recognize someone and have them enjoy it that much,” Blake said. 

Blake works for Bath Iron Works and lives in New Gloucester. Woodworking is his hobby. Anyone who is interested in carving a cane and has carving skills or would like to donate to the program is encouraged to contact Blake. He will provide the materials and directions. Blake’s email is hblake12@maine.rr.com. 

Information about the program can be found at www.mainewoodcarvers.org.

Third Maine encampment draws history buffs to the Village Green - By Michelle Libby

The Third Maine encampment set up on the Windham Historical Society’s Village Green last weekend to demonstrate how soldiers and their families might have lived 155 years ago, during the Civil War. With tents, a campfire, a chef and a doctor, the small 1861 camp allowed visitors to walk among the area and ask questions of the infantry. Many of them played a character, but all of them are volunteers and have a love of history. 

“It’s a gift to the community. We didn’t charge admission. We wanted to educate about history. Three hundred Windham veterans fought in the Civil War,” said president of the Windham Historical Society Linda Griffin.

On Saturday, the regiment did infantry drills, firing demonstrations, musical concerts and more events all open to the public. On Sunday, there were many of the same types of events, including the arrival of doughnuts, which they used their bayonets to serve the treats. 

From the Third Maine’s Facebook page, they said, “Today we re-enacted the most delicious page of the 3rd Maine history - the delivery of donuts to the troops! The ladies of Augusta did this at the muster of the 3rd Regiment of Maine Volunteers in 1861. 155 years later the boys still love donuts.”

“It was very hot and there were a lot of other activities going on, but they still did it and enjoyed it,” said Griffin. The best attended programs were the drills where they shot the rifles. 

During one of the infantry drill and firing demonstrations, the almost 30 spectators watched as the regiment demonstrated how to fire the 11 to 13 pound rifles and how the front lines might have attacked during a battle. 

“As an officer I don’t want them thinking,” said David Gowen, the captain of Company A. He gave orders to the sergeant, who then ordered the soldiers. 

Firing a Springfield and Enfield replica muskets is a nine step process. The soldiers demonstrated the procedure for the crowd and fired into the field. The organized chaos was set up in a pyramid type fashion with the soldiers on the front line, then the sergeants passing orders on to them, then the captains of which there were fewer of and finally the generals on horseback who could see most of what was going on and they passed the orders down the chain to the front lines. The sergeants’ jobs were to make sure the men didn’t run away, according to Gowen. 

The Third Maine is an incorporated, non-profit, educational organization. According to their website they are “dedicated to preserving the memory of Maine's role in the American Civil War. Through living history events, battle reenactments, and educational presentations we work to teach others about what life was like for Maine soldiers and civilians during the years 1861 - 1865. We also strive to serve as a living memorial to all of the people who gave their lives during the war, and in doing so gave us these United States of America.”

Officers in the re-enactment company are elected by the members in the 50 to 60 person group.

“There’s less history interests in general in the country,” said Gowen, referring to the declining number in the audience and in the regiment. 

A family from Waterville read about the encampment and decided to stop by on Saturday. On the way home the children were interested in returning on Sunday. The man told Griffin, “If my children are interested I make sure it happens for them.” They returned and staying the whole day on Sunday.

The re-enactors commented on the loud cannons going off Saturday night, but they said they enjoyed the fireworks from Summerfest. 

To get involved with the Third Maine and be a part of living history it costs around $2,000, but the actors get years of service from their uniforms, Gowen said. He told the audience that although none of the gear used this weekend was original to the Civil War, this is good because the items last longer for the re-enactors. Soldiers used to drop a rifle when it jammed or broke. They would pick up a new one on the road, Gowen said. Now, the rifles are more durable and since each costs approximately $500 to $700 they aren’t disposable. The Third Maine marches in parades, sets up encampments, although Windham was their only encampment in Maine this season, does memorials and more. They have a form on their website for those interested in having them come to their event. The encampment was paid for by the Windham Historical Society. Next year they would like to try to have a Revolutionary War re-enactment group come. “We are really hoping it will help keep history alive to the community,” said Griffin. 

The Third Maine’s next big event is a re-enactment at the 155^th anniversary of the First Bull Run in Middletown, VA, on July 22-24.

Exquisite weater and Summerfest event bring the community together - By Michelle Libby

After much anticipation, Summerfest kicked off the summer season with a bang. Last Saturday, the day started off with heavier than usual crowds lining Route 202 for the Summerfest parade featuring organizations, floats, political entries, antique cars, the Shriners and so much more. The parade was longer this year and featured favorite entries and some new ones. Once the parade ended, the booths were open for business featuring food, fun and information. There was a row of crafters and another row for small food businesses like Naturally Jammin’. Other organizations like DARE and the Town of Windham’s comprehensive plan had tables to engage citizens in dialogue about what they do and their upcoming events. 

 

Non-profits served up food from the staple of frozen hot chocolate to pizza and sausage sandwiches, many vendors sold out of their products.

The day was highlighted by little things that happened. Windham Police officers played soccer on the field with some of the teenagers. Families brought Frisbees and played catch. Kids enjoyed running and playing with Flammin’ Raymond and Sizzlin’ Susan, their hula hoops and fun music. 

Everywhere people looked there was evidence of community involvement. State Representative Mark Bryant volunteered to be dunked in the dunk tank with is tie and dress clothes on. 

Entertainment and demonstrations went on all afternoon on the main stage and on a second stage at the far end of the field. There was an exciting K9 demonstration featuring K9 Vader from the Windham Police Department and his handler Officer Steve Stubbs.

The frog jump was a popular event with the winning frog cheered on by Dylan Hanrahan. The frog jumped 29 feet in 30 seconds. Dylan’s sister Brooke had the second place frog who jumped 17 feet 9 inches. 

As the evening rolled around the music heated up with JD Gilbert & The Night Train and Tickle. Singer Suzie Cropper from Main Stage Academy sang God Bless the USA just before the fireworks show began to the delight of the hundreds of people who packed into the school grounds. 

The committee chair Kelly Mank was thrilled with the turn out and the feedback she received that day and from the survey the committee put out on Facebook. There is still time to fill out the survey offering suggestions and constructive feedback at https://www.facebook.com/WindhamSummerfest/.

The committee is looking for additional volunteers to make next year’s Summerfest bigger and better.

Other members Tommy and Deb Matthews worked on setting up and organizing the booths and the parade. Robin Mullins led the fundraising for this year’s event. Niels Mank handled logistics, set up and other details. 

The committee’s needs for next year include more volunteers willing to take some of the work load and many volunteers on the day of Summerfest to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

The survey also asks for volunteers for next year for the parade, set up, clean up and more. It’s never too early to get involved. 

Next year Summerfest will be on June 24, 2017.