River Road project to begin in early 2014 - By Elizabeth Richards

After several years of planning and public meetings, the reconstruction of 5.9 miles of River Road from Route 202 to Route 302, which includes the addition of a roundabout at Windham Center Road, will go to bid by early next year. Ernie Martin, the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) project manager said, “We’re finally there. It has been a long process, longer than expected but for the most part we’re ready to go. I’m excited to get people out there working so people can see that it is going to happen.”  
 

There were skeptics early on – people who had seen the rebuilding of River Road discussed and dismissed in the past. But through a process that began with a project advisory committee, continued with public hearings, and will soon be advertised for contractor bids, the end result will be a safer commuter route from the Portland area to Windham.  “It’s always good to get something done that we promise – I’m looking forward to it because it has been long process, it has had a few bumps in the road but I think in the end it will be a good road,” said Martin.

Currently, the MDOT is finalizing the plans, and is in the middle of the right of way process, which entails contacting property owners and meeting with them to talk about the impacts on each property and working out details. 

At least one River Road resident isn’t happy with the effect the road project is going to have on his property. Bill Doughty’s house is currently shielded from the traffic on River Road by a nicely landscaped group of trees, which are projected to be removed to make way for drainage. “It is this place, those trees. It’s why I bought it. As you can see, it’s my buffer zone to the River Road,” said Doughty.  “[The design] will dump me right on the street. That’s not why I bought this place,” he added.

The project will leave Doughty’s house completely exposed to the road, as well as cutting a corner off edge of his lot, taking down a stone wall. Doughty pointed to the woods across the road from his lot, “You see what’s across the street?  Nothing!” he said. “They can keep the center of the road where it was depicted when it was horse and buggy, or why don’t you just move it over a little bit, put the center on that side. Take that and leave my trees,” he added. 

Doughty believes in the rebuilding of the road, and said he’s seen many accidents near his house in the winter. “I agree with what they want to do,” he said. He doesn’t agree with how they are doing it. When public meetings were being held, he said he couldn’t attend due to work commitments. He said he tried to call, but his phone messages were never returned. “Now that it’s beyond the changing point, then they answer my phone call,” he said.

 

Doughty, who has owned the property since 1993, and made many improvements to the house, including building decks and a garage, as well as additional landscaping, says he has a feeling of helplessness about the situation. “It just seems like this is out of my hands, and I’m going to lose a significant part of the worth of this house,” he said.  

When asked about right of way issues, Martin said “Obviously as we go to do a project of this magnitude, you’re going to run into things.”  Often, trees are a big problem, he said. With highways that haven’t been rebuilt for decades, if ever, you often have to look at roadway drainage, he said. And this sometimes means the ditch lines are in the trees. Sometimes, he added, the trees are in the state right of way, not on private property. Because of federal and state dollars being spent, and federal guidelines, they are sometimes limited as to what they can do, he said. “It does have its difficulties, but the intent of the department is to work with each individual property owner the best we can and hopefully we can meet their needs. Sometimes it’s difficult depending on the situation,” he said. 

The project will make the road safer, with better sight lines and a corrected profile to eliminate the runoff that happens with the current road in winter. The 5-foot shoulder will allow law enforcement a safe place to pull speeding vehicles over. The addition of the roundabout at Windham Center Road will also help keep speeds down. “That is going to become a traffic calmer. People have to slow down to navigate the roundabout. I think that’s one way to slow them down,” said Martin. 

Martin said the public advisory committee process they went through with the town of Windham was very beneficial, allowing people who live on the road, and key community leaders, an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. “That was very key to me because they gave me what we then designed. I can’t speak more highly of the folks that were on that advisory committee,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better process or better people on the committee to help guide us to where we are today.”

Once the right of way process is complete, the project will be advertised for about three weeks. Upon submission of required documentation by the contractor, the project will be awarded, and then construction can begin. This process can take a few months, Martin said. When the project has been awarded, clearing or utility work could potentially happen quickly, if the winter is mild. Construction for the full project will have a two year timetable, and is projected to be complete in approximately November of 2015. “As we button up our design, we’ll look at it a little closer and finalize that date before we put the bid package out,” said Martin.

Martin is pleased to see the project finally coming to fruition. “We’re getting ready to finally get this thing to the finish line and get some dirt moving, so people can see that. I know they’ve been patiently waiting.”

Lisa DiBiase settles into her role as Mrs. Maine America - By Michelle Libby

Lisa DiBiase, Portland resident and contributor to The Windham Eagle, spent nine days in Arizona competing in the Mrs. Maine America competition at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. After signing up and winning Mrs. Maine in the span of one month, then traveling for the national Mrs. America pageant, the whole trip has been a whirlwind for DiBiase.

“It was amazing, so beyond expectations. It’s a cliché, but it was surreal. I met so many beautiful, sincere women,” she said. She couldn’t find enough adjectives to describe them all. “With 52 women in a room, we were all waiting and waiting, wondering when were the claws coming out?” They didn’t, was her answer. 

“I feel I have a friend in every single state. I could call any of them up and say, ‘I’m in Kansas, where should I go, want to meet up?’ and they would welcome me and my family,” DiBiase said. 

While in Arizona, DiBiase toured the area, had lunch with the mayor and practiced routines until her feet were exhausted. 

“After wearing heels for nine days, my hamstrings and back were so sore,” she said. “It was busy, exhausting busy. I was up at 5 a.m. every day and rehearsals went until 10 p.m. some nights,” she said. 

DiBiase is married to Matt DiBiase and they have a six-year-old son, Jordan, who is proud of his mother. DiBiase said that Jordan helped her with her catwalk and knows that Ne-yo’s song “Let’s go” is her pageant song.
Matt is “really, really proud. He has a better appreciation for women when they beautify themselves,” she said. 

For the next year she will give back to the Mrs. Maine organization though her volunteer efforts at ribbon cuttings, parades and anywhere else someone would like Mrs. Maine to be. “I will continue to do volunteering in the community,” she said. She also wants to work on her platform, which is with the Portland Recreation Department. 

“I’m bringing to them the value of eating healthy, being active and having fun along the way,” DiBiase said. She said she would love to be a spokesperson for the 5210 program encouraging people to exercise as a family and to have fun. 

While getting ready for the competitions, DiBiase and her family have participated in Crossfit Beacon in Portland, which was also one of her major sponsors. “I worked out every day and did sit ups every single workout,” she said. She also had personalized workouts with coach Kellie, many of which focused on squats. 

“It’s expensive to be in a pageant,” DiBiase said. She borrowed dresses from former contestants, her coaches and from Ashley Lauren Designs who let her borrow an evening gown and two cocktail dresses.

“It costs a lot of money. It’s like a third job and you don’t get paid for it,” she said. “It’s not something I’ve tried to do,” she said. She had never done a pageant before when she won Mrs. Maine. “Not many people can go out and go to a national competition (on their first try),” DiBiase said.
She also learned about time management. Between her job and family, she had to try to keep everyone happy. 

“I used all the resources of Mrs. Maine to pull it all together,” DiBiase said. She brought her hair and makeup artist, Jessica Candage, with her to Arizona to help with everything from extra eyelashes to foundation.
“I couldn’t have done it without her,” she said. 

Debra Pronovost, the director of Mrs. Maine America, was very good at knowing what DiBiase needed. She made lists that DiBiase could check off. “I’m a list girl. Her support and her tenderness all the time – always giving me complements was phenomenal.” 

Christie Cantara, Pronovost’s right hand, collected gifts for all 51 contestants, a gift for the mayor and a gift for the president of the hotel. There was a soup, chowder and cracker basket, Wendy Hazen Designs stationary gift bags and small gifts from a variety of local businesses like Mooseville Chapstick, Wild Blueberry Association of North America, L & L Pops and Land’s End Gift Shop. Ropes Maine sponsored DiBiase as well as Falmouth Dental Health whitened her teeth. Christine Blake Designs designed her snowstorm costume.
Once at the competition, she said that the owners of the pageant spoiled them with cute little gifts. 

DiBiase’s secret to success was hiring a coach and doing what they said. She hired Randi Preis of Confidence by Randi to help with her interviewing and walk. “She was my coach for Mrs. Maine and I won,” DiBiase said. “In life, go to someone who’s an expert, and consult with them. Also have a great hair and makeup artist,” she said. 

As far as a future in pageants, DiBiase is finished. “One and done,” she said. “I don’t want to change the experience I already had.” 

Apple picking season in Maine - by Becky Longacre

There’s nothing like picking apples to kick off the fall season in Maine. Apples make people think of crisp cool air, crunchy leaves under foot and everything yummy from warm apple cider to chilled apple cheesecake. Apple picking as an industry has been around since the 1600s. The most beloved apple varieties in New England are McIntosh, Macoun and Cortland. In the Windham-Raymond area there are plenty of orchards to choose from to pick your own from early September to mid-to-late October. And this year has been a great one for the apple crop. Each orchard has its own charm and riches. Here are five of them with their signature benefits.

1.) Meadow Brook Farm located conveniently on Route 85 in Raymond has 20 acres of land with a picnic area and a bakery. They also have fresh apple cider and are open on the weekends.

2.) Terison Apple Orchard on Whitney Road in Cumberland is open on weekends. It was originally opened in 1946 but closed for some years and is now reopened. Feel free to bring your dog to the orchard with a leash. They offer McIntosh and Cortland varieties and have a bakery.

3.) Thompson’s Orchard on Gloucester Hill Road in New Gloucester offers hay rides, has a bakery, fresh cider and a cute shop with handmade goods.

4.) Libby & Son U-Picks on Sawyer Mountain Road in Limerick offers not only the traditional apple favorites but crab apples as well. They are open daily and have a great, informative website at www.libbysonupicks.com.

5.) Randall Orchards on Randall Road in Standish is the largest orchard in southern Maine, hosting 100 acres of trees and offering 25 types of apple varieties. They make their cider in a turn-of-the-century wooden press. The manager, Scott Neal said, he believes the weather has been great for the apple crop. “I think the growing season has been optimum,” he said. “[The apples will be] picked today and delivered tomorrow”…. “I got 21 Hannaford stores” … “I think what we got going for us is we got something fresh.” They don’t spray their apples to make them appear ripe. “That press in there is a turn-of-the-century press.” The press is largely made of wood and Scott said that a press should help to infuse more flavor into the cider. “There should be a wood flavor to the cider,” he said. Cider will be on the shelf on Friday.
The weather this year has produced apples in abundance so get some and enjoy. 

For more information about the apple orchards in Maine, check out www.maineapples.org and www.pickyourown.org.

* * *
   
Put those apples to good use! Here are two apple recipes:
1.) Classic Apple Sauce
a. Peel and cut a ½ peck of apples and place in a large pot
b. Add 1/3 cup water
c. Add ½ cup sugar
d. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg
 
Directions: simmer covered, stirring occasionally for about 15-20 minutes and let cool before packing.
 
*This recipe can be altered for those wanting to reduce their carbs by omitting the sugar and increasing the cinnamon and nutmeg to taste.
 
2.) Apple Stuffed Chicken
    a.) 4 chicken breast, halved
    b.) 2 tablespoons sugar mixed with ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    c.) 2 apples, peeled and cut into slivers
    d.) 1 cup apple cider mixed with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and salt to taste.
   
Directions: pound chicken to1/8 inch thickness. Coat apples with cinnamon-sugar mixture and fold the chicken slices around the apple mixture, securing with a toothpick. Cover and cook over medium-low heat 20-30 minutes, turning once, until juices are clear. Meanwhile, slowly simmer the cider-cornstarch-salt mixture until it bubble and pour over stuffed chicken.



   

           

Celebrating 20 years with old talent and older cars - By Michelle Libby

 The Windham Raymond Athletic Booster Club is ready for its 20^th annual auto show, which will be held this Sunday behind Hannaford at the Windham Mall. There will be 29 categories of cars, trucks and special interest vehicles. It’s one of those don’t miss events.

This year cars will register on Sunday starting at 7 a.m. with a suggested cost of $5 per car. All proceeds will benefit the athletic teams in Windham and Raymond. Awards will be presented around 1:30 p.m. Spectators are invited between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 per adult, $3 for students and seniors and children 5 and under are free. The event will take place rain or shine. There will be plenty of fair food available to purchase. 

Being the 20^th year of the car show, coordinator Dan McGowan decided to bring back coordinators from past years to revamp the show to create the fundraiser it should be, he said. 

His fellow coordinator of the auto show is Debbie Schkrioba, who was in charge of the show in 2009.  “We want to go back to the original format and transfer knowledge to the new boosters, who didn’t have experience with a show. We’re bringing back old boosters to make this a viable fundraiser,” Schkrioba said. 

“The atmosphere is to see older cars all souped-up and refurbished. With vintage cars, they are remembering their childhood days,” said McGowan.

This fundraiser in the past has helped to provide each team at the high school and middle schools with a $500 stipend for equipment or things like refs, coaches and training. The money has to be approved through the athletic director Rich Drummond. Booster money has also helped with purchasing wrestling mats, sheds for the golf team and ski trips for the ski team. In past years, the boosters worked to get the baseball team new dugouts and the swim team purchased bleachers to have extra seating at meets. The boosters also provide four scholarships to senior athletes. “We try to be even,” said McGowan. 

“It supplements the athletic budget. It supplements things they couldn’t have,” said Schkrioba. 

At some schools each sport has its own booster organization, but in Windham Raymond, the boosters support all teams. Money earned at booster events go into a general fund, said McGowan. “It’s all for one, and one for all,” he added. 

The auto show has been helped by local auto mechanic Frank Jimino, who although he has no children in the school, he has been coordinating the judging since the beginning. 

“None of this would be possible without Frank Jiminio,” said Schkrioba. “By no means could any of the boosters have done it,” she added. 

This year in recognition for all of his efforts, the best in show trophy has been renamed to the Frank Jimino/Lorriane Jordan best in show. Lorraine Jordan was one of the first organizers of the auto show. 

The show has changed locations for the last few years. However, they have found a place that works for them behind the Windham Mall.   

The Windham Raymond Athletic Boosters Club is an all volunteer club.

“It’s all made possible by parents who volunteer hours,” said McGowan. “The car show is all run by parent volunteers and fall athletes all donating their time.”

Sponsors for the auto show are Napa, Windham Weaponry, Paul White Tile. From large to small business the support from the local community has been great, said McGowan. There will also be raffles and a 50/50 raffle.

Playground construction commences at Windham Primary School - By Elizabeth Richards

Construction has begun on one of the two planned playground pods for the new play area at the Windham Primary School. The new plan consolidates two current play areas into one larger one on the A House side of the Primary School property. When complete, the area will include not only the two steel play equipment pods, but also two swing sets, a basketball court, baseball field, grass play area and a walking path, according to Michelle Jordan, who is the playground coordinator for a parent group committed to fundraising for the project. 

Jordan said the playground will replace outdated equipment that was installed 23 years ago when the school was built. Additionally, she said, the equipment will eliminate the issues that come with a “one size fits all” playground. “The new play areas will be designed to accommodate kids of all sizes and needs in grades K to 3,” she said. This will include having equipment at varying heights and ADA accessible platforms. The new area will also be fenced in all around, addressing safety concerns caused by the current areas, which are open to parking lots, roads and the high school athletic fields, said Jordan.

The original goal was to have this first playground pod installed before school began, said Jordan, but Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permit delays meant that the construction must happen while school is in session. “Thankfully, we’re able to fence off part of the play area so that the kids can be in school and use the space, but at the same time we can have construction happening alongside of it,” said Jordan. The hope is that the new equipment will be installed and ready to use by early October, she added.

The manufacturer selected, Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, will be doing the base installation of the first playground pod, to put in support posts, and then there will be a “community build,” Jordan said. They will be looking for members of the community to help put the play set together, in order to save money on the project. This will happen towards the end of September or early October. After that, the goal is to have the remainder of the project completed next summer. 

Fundraising efforts for this project began in March of 2013, and to date close to $30,000 has been raised. Even over the summer, fundraising efforts continued, bringing in over $3,000. Fundraising events have included a beach party with silent auction and basket raffle, restaurant fundraisers, an online auction, and a Pennies for Playground penny drive. The playground fund has also been a beneficiary of events held in the community, including 5K runs, and Music with a Mission at the North Windham Union Church. They received a donation through Walmart’s community giving program, and local companies have sponsored some pieces of the playground. All of these efforts allowed more than half of the $50,000 goal to be raised in just five months. 

The playground equipment will cost $125,000 total. “The school budget will pay for the overall project and our fundraising will help offset the costs,” said Jordan. “It will also allow us to put more into the area than if we had to rely on school funds alone.” 

The budget that was passed in June allocated funds for the other construction happening at the Primary School, including a bus loop, parent drop off loop, new parking area and road widening, as well as the first phase of the playground project, said Jordan. In order to complete the full play area next summer, additional funds from the school budget will be required. “By continuing to raise money, we will be able to help offset what is needed to help ensure the project is completed next year,” Jordan said. 

At this time, no specific fundraising events are scheduled. “At this point, what we’re really looking for are people who are interested in making a donation or sponsoring a piece of the playground. If somebody wanted to sponsor a swing, or a slide, we’re looking for anyone who might be interested in making donations in that regard,” said Jordan. The group is taking September to allow people to settle back into the school year routines before setting up other specific fundraising events. “It takes a while to get back into the routine of things,” said Jordan.

Information on the project is posted on the Windham Primary School Playground Facebook page, or can be obtained by emailing Jordan at wpsvolunteer@gmail.com.

Security upgrades change appearance of school entrances - By Elizabeth Richards

Security upgrades in the Windham schools have changed the way visitors can gain access to the buildings, increasing the level of security for these buildings. Bill Hansen, director of facilities and properties for RSU14, said that the school department is transitioning from having very open buildings, where visitors had to be trusted to check in at the office, to more secure buildings with controlled access when students are present.

The project is a result of a Community Oriented Policing Services grant that was awarded to RSU14 in September of 2011. The $165,450 grant paid for $150,000 of physical plant changes, as well as a risk assessment and staff crisis management training, said Hansen.

“Summer has been a mad dash to make the changes to the physical plant,” said Hansen. It was a large task, indeed. The high school, primary school and Manchester school now all have visitor vestibules that are connected to their offices. When visitors enter, they must speak through a “teller” window to staff before they are allowed access to the building. The middle school has an entry lobby in the front, and one in the back, and visitors communicate with the office via an Aiphone, which has both audio and video, in order to gain access. This is due to the placement of the middle school office in the interior of the building. 

Hansen said they looked at reconfiguring the middle school office at the same time as these security upgrades were occurring, but the $100,000 cost was prohibitive at this time. Field Allen School, which now houses sixth graders, does not have a visitor waiting area. Visitors must first check in at the middle school, and then communicate via the Aiphone at Field Allen, where staff will already be expecting them, Hansen said.

Although the physical changes are significant, one of the goals in the project, said Hansen, was to try and make the new entrances look as if they had always been that way. 

The doors at all the schools have been locked since the tragedy occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in December of 2012, Hansen said. This new process for visitor entry adds another layer of security to the buildings. Student doors will be unlocked at arrival and dismissal, and an automated system will lock the doors for the remainder of the school day, said Hansen. 

After hours, some doors will need to be unlocked to allow for community access, since the school, a public building, is used for many afterschool activities and events. The goal isn’t to discourage that kind of use, Hansen said, but to control who is entering the building when there are students present.

There is also a shift occurring from a key system to an electronic access system, where staff will use key cards to gain entry to the building. There will be a separate card reader for student IDs at the high school, so that juniors and seniors with privileges can leave campus during free periods and re-enter using their ID badge. Because there are also cameras at each entrance, students will not be able to use another student’s badge to gain entry.  

The extensive camera system installed throughout the school buildings allows building administration, as well as Hansen, to monitor activity everywhere in the buildings. Hansen can even do so from his desk at central office. Each entrance has a camera, as well as an Aiphone, so that the office can see anyone entering the buildings. Prior to this year, some schools didn’t have any video access, said Hansen. 

“Our focus is on access control and video coverage,” Hansen said. The project is in the start up phase, he said. Cameras are up and running, which was the first step. Next will be automating the doors, which is happening now, and then they will move to full card access. “It’s been going pretty well. There’s been a learning curve as I’m getting to learn the system, how it all works and getting the programming set up. We’re all working hard together to make it happen,” he said. 

Because they will transition to the automated system over time, he added, they can learn as they go and address any issues that arise. The goal is to have the system fully operational sometime in October, said Hansen.
Hansen said that many school systems are moving in the direction of more controlled access to their buildings.  

The initial risk assessment was conducted in spring of 2012, and suggestions from that included the physical changes as well as staff training. The school department is working with Scott Parker, a certified emergency manager based in Bethel, to conduct this training.

Parker said he didn’t have to do much in the way of initial security assessment due to the risk assessment that had already been completed. He conducted a hazard analysis, not only of the school, but of the surrounding area, then conducted training for administrators and leadership staff. At RSU14, the staff asked to be trained to a higher level than what is required for their positions, said Parker.

Currently Parker is working on developing a plan and protocols to follow. Then, he will train the School Emergency Team (SET) for each school. Teacher training will occur, culminating in a “tabletop” exercise, which is a facilitated discussion on a specific potential scenario.

Parker said another element is making sure that the 911 center in Windham has all of the critical information that they might need from the plan. In the fall, he said, he will conduct a drill at one of the schools.

The physical changes at the schools have added another level of defense, according to Parker, but that alone isn’t enough. “If you don’t know the protocols or what to do, it doesn’t make any difference if there’s a lock on the door,” said Parker.

Lakes Region Senior Center finds interim home at Sunset Ridge - By Elizabeth Richards

In September of 2011, a regional senior center opened in the former Little Falls School. Founder Glen Lynds spearheaded the effort to create a place for seniors after the closing of Tim Horton’s in Windham. The building they ended up with was ideal in meeting the needs of area seniors, members said. But just shy of their two year anniversary, a bond passed to renovate the building, and the Lake Regions Senior Center had to vacate.

After an extensive search for a new location, the group has landed at the Sunset Ridge Golf Links on River Road in Westbrook. The new space offers a lot of windows for natural light, a beautiful view, a large room for socializing, and use of the glassed in gazebo, where the card players gathered on opening day. There is a snack bar available with coffee, tea and a variety of choices. The group is also able to bring snacks into the space. For a fee, members can also play pickleball and golf. The group does not have to worry about set up or take down, they just need to leave the room as they found it, board president Blanche Alexander said. This was a big consideration in looking for a new space, she said, because it is difficult for the members to have to set things up daily.

The rent at the new location is $200 per month, said Alexander. While this is a very reasonable cost, the group had fallen under the department of recreation while in Gorham, and was not charged rent, so fundraising efforts will be increased.

The center has held bake sales, book sales and garage sales in the past, as well as a popular monthly luncheon that draws 30-40 people. These luncheons will continue in the new space, and the price will increase slightly to help with fundraising efforts, said Alexander. Each luncheon is potluck and has some kind of theme. For the first one in the new space, scheduled for Monday, September 16th, they are keeping it simple said Alexander, and will feature appetizers rather than main dishes. The public is welcome to attend the luncheon. Financial contributions to the senior center are welcome.

Although Alexander said that the location is very nice, and the owners of Sunset Ridge have been welcoming and kind to the group, the board still hopes that they might be able to move back into the Little Falls School when renovations are complete. The central location and accessibility of the building are top reasons why that space was a great home for the center, said Alexander. “We have been so grateful to the town of Gorham for what they have done for us,” said Alexander.

Gorham Town Manager David Cole said via an email message that the town council has not yet decided what the building will be used for. Alexander’s husband, David, who is also a member of the center, spoke before the town council on Tuesday night, to let them know they had found a temporary space, and to ask the council for consideration for a room in the Little Falls building when renovations are complete. The senior center board has discontinued looking for a permanent location until they hear what the Little Falls building will be used for, though they will keep their eyes and ears open, said Alexander.

 The center fills a need for many older community members, offering a place to call their own, to come and socialize instead of sitting home alone, said Alexander. “It’s a wonderful thing to have,” she said.
Member Ethel Blake said she enjoys having a place where there are people who enjoy the same things she does. “The first time I came in to the senior group they treated me just like a long lost sister,” she said.
Board member Cheryl Robbins agreed. “We’ve become one big family. It’s someplace to go and feel comfortable and see other people happy and enjoying the comfort. A stranger doesn’t stay a stranger very long with us,” she said.

Robbins said one challenge currently is just that they aren’t fully set up yet. Supplies like games and puzzles are still in trunks and cars. The group is thankful to John Smith of Little Falls Construction for storing their beloved piano, said Alexander.

Although they’ve only occupied the new space for two days, Alexander said, “We’re being positive and hopeful for our future.”  She said they had a great turnout on their first day in the new location, and everyone seemed to enjoy the new space. On their second day, a Wednesday morning, it was slower, as it usually is, according to Alexander. A weight loss support group meets at 10 a.m, and by 9:30 a.m, more members were coming through the door. The center is drop-in, which means people can just show up when they are able. Visitors are welcome.

The senior center is open to people aged 55 and above. Activities include cards, puzzles, speakers on a variety of topics, luncheons and dinners. Their scheduled activities include cards and crafts on Tuesdays, a weight loss support group on Wednesdays, and games on Fridays, among other things. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. Winter hours will be voted on in an upcoming board meeting.

Connor Lajoie smashes American bench press record - By Michelle Libby

Connor Lajoie is entering his sophomore year at Windham High School, and already has earned himself an American record in bench press. On August 3 in his first contest, he broke the record for his age group and weight class in the bench press, lifting 280 pounds as a 165-pound teenager. The old record was 255 pounds. Connor still has another year in this age division. 

“My goal is to keep breaking my record over and over again.” 

Connor and his father both workout at the Dyna Maxx gym in Westbrook.
“It’s the most popular sport that people don’t know about,” said Chris Lajoie, Connor’s father, who also powerlifts. “Everybody trains those three lifts. Connor just takes it to the next level,” he said. 

“I’m not normal,” Connor joked. 

“You’ve got to be a little different to strive to keep getting stronger and stronger,” said Chris.

The three lifts Connor competes in are the bench press, squat and dead lift. Most athletes like football players all train using those lifts, but very few are like Connor and compete those, Chris said. 

Chris has been lifting since age 15 and he’s 49 now. “It’s just something about the sport,” he said. 

“I saw my brother and him going to the gym every single day. I went to check it out,” Connor said. 

Training is a full-time after school activity. Connor and his father hit the gym four days a week, three hours a day. “When he leaves the gym, he’s pretty worn out,” said Chris. 

Connor said he pushes himself and sometimes his family has to tell him to slow down. 

“I see that I have possibilities to lift this much. That’s what motivates me,” he said. 

“If I stop lifting for a week, I start to feel ill and sick because my body needs it,” Connor said. 

Competing in power lifting isn’t just going to the gym and lifting weights. There are three judges watching everything from feet positioning to making sure the athlete doesn’t lift his butt off the bench. For competition he is required to wear a singlet so the judges can watch his form. He also wears a belt and wrist straps to protect his body. A bench shirt, which is a tight shirt, protects his chest muscles. 

“The biggest pride I have in weightlifting is doing it drug-free,” said Connor.
Chris, who is also a 100 percent drug-free lifter, benched 675 pounds, breaking a record at that time. 

The people who do the performance enhancing drugs, “don’ stop to think about the young people. They don’t think they’re influencing the teenage kids. It’s sickening,” said Connor. 

When asked what Connor does for fun outside of school, his reply was, “This is it.” He wrestled for a few years, but “I thought, I want to powerlift. I kept thinking, how will this affect my lifting?” he said.   

At the gym his main goal for every workout is “to have nothing left in the tank,” Connor said. 

Training for three hours means that he has to train smart with good coaches and experienced powerlifters, said Chris. 

“They don’t treat me any different as anyone else. I’m a powerlifter just as they are,” he said. 

In October, Connor hopes to break the American record for the squat lift and dead lift. At his age, records don’t get broken very often, Chris said. 

Connor has no plans to stop powerlifting and looks to his father to know he can do this for a long time to come. 

“It can be a dangerous spot, pushing yourself to the limit without crossing that line,” said Chris who has had many surgeries and injuries. 

The final part of Connor’s workouts include eating right. Connor drinks Creatine to build muscle mass and eats a lot of protein, he said. 

“I acquired the love and the passion and I developed it. It gets in your blood,” said Connor.  

His next competition will be in Westbrook in October.

School is back in session!

Wednesday was back to business for the students of RSU14 in grades 1 through 9. Students boarded the buses and arrived at school to see the smiling faces of their teachers and administrators. Thursday was the first day for the rest of the students. 

There are a number of changes to the physical look of the schools and to the staff in each school. New security features have been added to Windham Middle School and Windham High School. 

Windham Primary School has increased the number of teachers it has by six. Fundraising for the new playground is still underway. 

Windham Middle School has six new teachers and has relocated the sixth grade class to Field Allen where the seventh-graders have been for years. They also are introducing iPads instead of the MacBooks. 

Windham High School has five new staff members. Another change this year was that school pictures were taken on Thursday so that students will have their identification cards early to be able to use with the new security system.

Bus Routes for RSU14