The Windham Eagle

Monday, May 25, 2015

Local stroke survivor raises awareness through advocacy - By Elizabeth Richards

Caryn Pillsbury never anticipated that she would have a stroke. She was 29, in good health, and had not had any previous signs of problems. But on Christmas Eve 2008 she suffered an ischemic stroke in the basal ganglia region of her brain, caused by a blood clot.

Pillsbury, a lifelong Windham resident, is dedicated to sharing her story to build awareness of strokes, particularly in young women.

Pillsbury had no symptoms prior to the stroke. She just dropped to floor suddenly, unable to feel her arms, legs, or anything on her right side. Her son, who was seven at the time, was home with her but she was unable to communicate clearly with him. “I didn’t think stroke. That didn’t even cross my mind for a second,” she said. When her son asked if he should call someone for help, she told him no, thinking her symptoms would go away with time. After several hours, she was transported to the hospital via ambulance.

This is a vital piece of the story, she said, because if she’d known the early signs of stroke and sought treatment within three hours of the first symptoms, there is a possibility that a clot busting shot could have helped. But by the time she was treated, so much time had passed that the shot could have caused more damage than good.

Pillsbury spent seven days in the intensive care unit and another month at New England Rehabilitation Hospital, where she dealt with right side paralysis and aphasia, which is a loss of speech. She could clearly know the words she wanted to use, but they would not come out correctly when she spoke. For instance, once she thought she was asking for a coat hanger, but the words she was saying were “paper towel.”

Pillsbury has come a long way, but is still recovering. “I think I’ll always be recovering,” she said. Outwardly, people may not know something had happened to her, but she knows just what her challenges are. She still attends occupational and physical therapy regularly, “I take it one day at a time, doing what I can do and that’s all I can do,” she said. Pillsbury said the support of her family, the therapy she’s received, and the American Heart Association has played an integral role in her recovery.

The stroke has affected Pillsbury’s life in many ways, including ongoing difficulties with memory, speech and motor functioning. But rather than focusing on the negatives, she has chosen instead to have a positive attitude, becoming an advocate and spokesperson. In a recent speech, Pillsbury said, “In the blink of an eye, your life can change due to a disease or an affliction. Your goals, your dreams, and your priorities are forced to take a different turn. You are grateful for the little things, and worry less about big things. You leave behind the history of yesterday and determine how you will use today's energy.”

One of the most important messages Pillsbury is trying to spread is that stroke can happen to anyone, and everyone needs to know the signs to look out for. “The reason why I do this is that young people are really not aware that this could happen to them,” she said. “People need to know that it can happen to you, and these are the signs you need to look out for,” she said.

There’s a simple acronym that can help people identify a stroke. F.A.S.T. stands for Face drooping; Arm weakness; Speech difficulty; Time to call 911. “That’s super important. If there’s one thing that people can walk away with from reading this, if they remember F.A.S.T., then the job is done,” said Pillsbury.

Pillsbury’s efforts to build awareness have included You Tube videos, sharing her story with a news crew, making a commercial for the Heart Walk, and acting as a spokeswoman at the 2015 Go Red Luncheon.

She is participating in the Southern Maine Heartwalk, which will start at AAA of Northern New England and walk around the Back Cove path on Sunday, May 17^th. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. with educational displays, heart health education, family friendly activities and a heart healthy breakfast. The walk itself begins at 9:30 a.m, and festivities continue after the walk with activities at the celebration site, including a heart healthy lunch. Anyone interested in participating can register at www.southernmaineheartwalk.org.

Windham woman traces roots all the way back to Mayflower - By Walter Lunt

Louise Beal has lived in Windham for a long time, but her New England roots run much deeper – by almost 400 years. In her Tandberg Trail home, Beal prominently displays a framed family tree on her living room wall. Next to it, at eye level, is her most precious and glorious prize: The official certificate naming Beal a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.

Nearly eight years of genealogical research enabled Beal to present to the Society absolute and unqualified evidence that she is the 12^th direct descendant of one the most significant pioneers of the New World, Elder William Brewster. His likeness, highly familiar to generations of schoolchildren in numerous American history textbooks, was immortalized in the famous portrait by American painter Ferris which shows Brewster, clad in black and seated, preparing to sign the Mayflower Compact. Brewster was a political advisor to Governor William Bradford and the spiritual leader of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony.

Beal said her interest in family lineage began during a casual conversation back in 1982 when her aunt told her, with some degree of certainty, that the family was descended from William Brewster of Plymouth Colony, a tantalizing historical tid-bit that had been passed down through generations, without documentation. Beal promised herself that one day she would research the accuracy of the oral tradition.

Twenty-three years later, when her last grown son had left the household, Beal entered her maiden name into a search engine on her computer. From there, an eight year journey of research began. The investigation through genealogical records, marriage, divorce, birth and death records revealed the lives of long ago family members that now bring pride and admiration to Beal’s modern day family. “There are no horse thieves,” Beal boasted. “They were landowners, politicians, constables, church-goers and fishermen – lots of fishermen, and all captains of their own vessels.” One was a Capt. Doggett who died as he “stuck to his post” when his ship, the Olympian, sank after being broadsided by a steamer in heavy fog in 1913.

Has Beal finished her research? “No,” she replied, “this is a passion that’s turned into an obsession. There’s more to learn.”

“A lot of people don’t know who they are, but I do. And I can prove it. Now I can pass this on to my children, my grandchildren and my great grandchildren.” Beal turned to a picture of great granddaughter Scarlet (shown here), who is the 15^th direct descendant of Elder William Brewster of Plymouth Colony.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

The changing of the guard - By Michelle Libby

Last Thursday after all of the parties had been had and the training was done, Windham Police Department and Chief Rick Lewsen turned over command to incoming Chief Kevin Schofield at a formal change of command ceremony.

Having never attended a change of command ceremony I was moved and impressed by the attention to detail and the emotion of the day. After 38 and a half years of law enforcement service, Lewsen was given a proper send off.

“Rick Lewsen has seen his fair share of challenges and change,” said Town Manager Tony Plante. He pointed out the men and women in front of him. This, he said, was Lewsen’s legacy.

When Lewsen spoke, he pulled out a note written by Plante in 1996. Lewsen said the look on Plante’s face was worth keeping that letter. He also quoted a letter from Plate dated April 27, 2015. “Thank you for your service, guidance, council and trust.”

Lewsen wanted to leave three core values with his troops: Professionalism, courtesy and trust. “When you pin your badge on to come to work, remember the three core values – they served me well,” he said.

Sgt. Jason Andrews, who arranged the ceremony, spoke about the company flags that military men carried into battle. He who held the flag, held the power. So when the Windham Police Department flag was handed to Lewsen, who passed it to Schofield, I was very moved by the symbolism of it.

“You should have a great amount of pride. The torch has been passed on. Please enjoy your well-deserved retirement,” Schofield told Lewsen.

After Lewsen shook hands with everyone including Grinko the K-9, he was driven home in a line of police cars with blue lights flashing, and under the ladders and flag suspended over the road put there by the Windham Fire Department. During the procession, people stopped to wave, the Hall’s stood on the side of the road across from Hall Implement to say thank you.

I was lucky enough to ride in one of the cars behind the chief with Windham Public Library director Jen Alvino who said, “I appreciate the respect and the ceremony.”

When the chief arrived at home where his wife Karen was waiting for him, he gave one last sign off on the radio. It was broadcasted back to the police station. “Windham one to county. Windham one is 10-7.” And with that, he was officially off duty.

Congratulations Chief Lewsen. Thank you for your service and sacrifices for our community.

Windham Primary School gathers a crowd for its grad re-opening at the new playground - By Michelle Libby

Hundreds of people and children turned out last Saturday to celebrate the completion of the outdoor play area portion of the new Windham Primary School playground. With music by the third grade chorus and local musician Rick Charette, singing to the delighted squeals of the children playing on the equipment.

The project was completed with money from the school and through fundraising efforts from the playground committee. In total $50,000 was raised through many individuals and organizations over a 13 month period. It took 18 months to build both playground “pods”.

A granite bench was donated by the family of Candace Woolston along with money for the playground. Candace was a former teacher at WPS who passed away from cancer. Her parents, Bill and Barbara Wills, drove from upstate New York for the ceremony and were joined by many family members, including Woolston’s husband and two sons.

“Candace was all about being a teacher and very resilient,” said her father who will turn 92 in June. “I want to teach she said, and she did. She’s a great loss for us.”

“It’s a special moment in time,” Barbara Wills said.

Eagle Scout candidate Josh Libby presented a check for $700 that he raised to build a sandbox on the playground as his Eagle project for Boy Scouts. “It has been a big hit,” said principal and master of ceremonies Kyle Rhoads.

When the students saw the playground for the first time, “It was like a miracle had happened,” said playground committee member Michelle Jordan.

Aubuchon Hardware helped to sponsor the event. There were drinks, cotton candy and popcorn for all who attended. Superintendent Sandy Prince addressed the crowd, and other dignitaries from Windham and RSU14 were on hand to celebrate with the primary school.

The last phase of the primary school project will be to create a basketball court, put in a grass field, a baseball diamond and fence the entire area in. “It will require funding through the budget process,” said Jordan. The playground fund hopes to use money they raised and will raise for more seating and a backstop for the baseball field. Another Eagle project will happen over the summer, Jordan said. This one will involve painting new games on the tar.