WMS wlecomes new principal and renovates Field Allen - By Michelle Libby

Amidst construction, summer cleaning and summer camp, new Windham Middle School principal Drew Patin is setting his agenda and getting to know his new school and new community. 
 

Patin, who just moved to Gorham after working at Sanford Middle School for 13 years, had been holding out for a principal position in the area, so when the principal position at Windham Middle School became available, he jumped. 

“Middle school is my wheelhouse,” Patin said. “Windham was a great choice. It has diversity, working class, down to earth, supportive of kids and the schools.” 

Patin spent some time in Windham at the end of last school year, introducing himself to the students on step-up day and getting to know the staff. 

His philosophy on education is being kid-centered and having fun, using the three “r’s”, relationships, rigor and relevance. 

The relationships he plans to foster are those between teachers and students and also including the parents. Patin hopes to improve on the school and home relationship, so that there is a team to make sure students are in the right place and to help them get there if they have delays. 

“The staff is very student centered and caring,” said Patin. 

The relevant “r” is for relevant, engaging curriculum. Patin sees a strong program that works on problem solving and teamwork and learning to get along with one another. 

Rigor is teaching at the appropriate level and challenging kids by “taking kids where they are and bringing them to the next level. And, have some fun while we’re doing that,” Patin said. 

He was glad that his perspective lined up with what superintendent Sandy Prince had in mind for the role. Patin wants to keep kids engaged before, during and after school and is interested in using the community as a classroom. 

To Patin, that means bring in community members to speak to classes, and to understand the connection between the community, the schools and education. 

Middle school is a rough time for many students, and Patin would like to change the “bust-out-of-here” mentality to the “I had a good time in middle school” statement. 

A topic of conversation for Patin will be to discuss how to make the classroom different and make it fun for the students. “I want every kid to go home and have had a good first day experience and be excited to go back. That’s what we’re looking for.” 

Improvements are being made to the physical school and to the outlook of the school. Patin hopes to have more after school activities to engage students beyond the school day and increase student supports after school. The STEM (Science, technology, engineering and math) program in the school is getting renovations and the applications of those fields go back to Patin’s goals to increase problem solving in the curriculum.   

Windham has great opportunity for the arts from its strong music and chorus programs. “I feel it’s strong and healthy here,” he added. He plans to continue to have programs that encourage the arts. The more, the merrier, he said. 

Patin is interested at getting feedback from students, parents and teachers. “We can all get better from feedback. More efficient,” he said. 

Using new media and a new website, Patin plans to do a video parent letter to encourage parent participation in the school. 

“We build trust with each other, solve problems together and support one another. The kids will see me a lot. It’s important that I’m visible and around.” 

In addition to the new principal, Field-Allen is getting a makeover this summer. The three year project will make the school safer and cleaner for the sixth-grade students who will be housed there. New tile, new carpet, an outdoor facelift with new windows all make Field-Allen more appealing inside and out. In addition to the sixth grade, one applied arts class and the sixth grade special education class will be in Field-Allen. 

“Bill Hansen understands the importance of the building to the community,” Patin said. “I don’t have a doubt we’ll be ready for the first day.” 

On August 26, there will be an ice cream social between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. behind Field-Allen School to help middle schoolers get back into the groove. 

The first day will be September 1. To give feedback or to talk to Patin, email dpatin@rsu14.org or call 892-1820.

The Windham Veteran Center - "all for one and one for all" - By Don Swander

In my opinion, the best way to understand the creation and existence of the Windham Veterans Center located at 35 Veterans Memorial Drive in Windham, is to picture in your mind a three legged stool.

Having three supporting legs indicates that if any one of those supporting legs become weak, fails to provide the necessary support, or attempts to undermine the strength of the other legs – the Windham Veterans Center will topple and fall and (as we know it) cease to exist.

One supporting leg is the American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 – the current commander is Mel Greenier. Another equally supporting leg is the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10643 – the current commander is Willie Goodman.

The final supporting leg is the Windham Veterans Association Inc. (WVA), which acts like a military “Headquarters Company” regarding the building and the land. The current president is Dick Small.

The WVA owns the building called the Windham Veterans Center and all the land which includes the Veterans Memorial Park established and dedicated in 2005 and the Veteran’s Memorial Garden established and dedicated in 2006. Both the park and the garden were dedicated in honor and memory of all Veterans on Veterans Day (11-11 at 11 in 2005) and (11-11 at 11 in 2006). All six branches of American Armed Forces were recognized by display of their individual branch flags.

The American Legion leg is made up of all veterans who have become members of Legion Post 148 and the VFW leg is made up of all veterans who have become members of VFW Post 10643. Each “post” calls the Windham Veterans Center “home” and each post uses the hall (WVC) to conduct their post business and social events. Each “post” has its own set of officers and each “post” conducts their business according to the rules and regulations controlled by their individual “charter” with their state and national organizations.

However, the Windham Veterans Association (WVA) leg is made up of all the Veterans who are members of American Legion Post 148 and VFW Post 10643. This combined group of veterans has its own set of officers who conduct the business related to the ownership of the building and the land. This combined group operates under the rules and regulations in the by-laws of the corporation created to operate initially as a “Veterans only” 501(c)19 non-profit corporation. However, as a plan to change the non-profit status to 501(c)3, the Windham Veterans Association has recently revised their by-laws to include people as WVA members who “do not” belong to either Am. Legion Post 148 nor VFW Post 10643.

As of this date, we have two Windham people who have joined the WVA who are not members of Am Legion Post 148 nor members of VFW Post 10643. These “WVA only” members can attend all WVA meetings, voice opinions, make suggestions, serve on committees and work on projects alongside veterans on WVC and community projects. Their membership fee is $10 per year. Anyone interested in joining the WVA should call Dick Small at 207-310-0310. 

In review, contact information is:

If your contact reason is in regard to the building (WVC) or the grounds or our public function rental hall – call Dick Small, WVA President, at 207-310-0310.

 If your contact reason involves a question regarding American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 – call Commander Mel Greenier at 207-854-8616.

 If your contact reason involves a question regarding VFW Post 10643 – call Commander Willie Goodman at 207-956-7090.

 If your contact reason involves a question regarding the American Legion Auxiliary, call president Pam Whynot at 892-4720.

In conclusion, - Abbreviations we use:

WVA = Windham Veterans Association, Inc.

WVC = Windham Veterans Center

AL = American Legion

VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars

AL-AUX = American Legion Ladies Auxiliary

“WVA only” membership = people who join the Windham Veterans Association who are not members of AL Post 148 nor VFW Post 10643.

This article has been written as a public service message by:

Don Swander – contact 207-838-1455 (docaswan@aol.com), past president WVA, past commander VFW Post 10643 and current member of all three legs of the stool.

Windham Police honor guard takes the field at Fenway - By Michelle Libby

Windham Police Department’s honor guard represented Maine on Maine Day for the Red Sox game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Although the Red Sox lost 4-3, the memories the honor guard have will last longer than the outcome of the game. 

 

Detective Gene Gallant makes it to two or more games each year. When seeing the honor guards on the field, he thought that Windham good do a good job at that. “I thought, ‘How do we get into that?’” With the two year wait, some help from Sheriff Kevin Joyce and only a two week lead time when called. Gallant was excited when two weeks ago he received a call asking if Windham’s honor guard could come down for Maine Day. 

“Absolutely,” he told them. Eight officers went as the honor guard and there were a few guests who were also allowed on the field to take pictures. “I’d never been near the field,” Gallant said. 

 

Two things stood out for Gallant and the other officers participating, first was when the National Anthem finished playing, 38,000 fans erupted with applause. “On the field it was deafening,” he said. Instead of being ushered back the way they entered the field. “They are very protective of their field,” he added. The guard was lead through the stands with their flags and gear. 

Gallant recalled that people clapped when they walked by and told them “thank you.” 

Fenway gives a great fan experience, Gallant said, but being on the field was a totally different and awesome experience. 

Gallant plans to put Windham’s name on the two year waiting list again.  

Feed the Need kick-off raises money for 13 local food pantries - By Michelle Libby

Tuesday night, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce (SLRCC) kicked off its community coin challenge as a part of the Feed the Need community wide initiative to eliminate hunger in the Sebago Lakes region. 
 

“If we put out 200 jars and each one collects $100 that’s $20,000,” said Sheri Huff, who started the community coin challenge to make a difference for the local food pantries located in the area serviced by SLRCC. 

“One in four children go to bed hungry in Maine,” Huff told the group gathered for the kick off event at Windham Weaponry. For the next 10 weeks, jars will be placed around the community to collect coins and folding money. The final event will be Octoberfest, where everything is free, but accepts donations for the activities. In the past the event has been in the parking lot at Buck’s Naked BBQ, but this year, with the anticipation of expanding the event, it will be held at Camp William Hinds on Plains Road in Raymond. 

“We have excitement in store for everybody. We’ve grown so much that it’s too crowded, has limited parking and is too successful,” said Allan Faraday from Windham Weaponry which donated $10,000 to get the challenge rolling. At Camp Hinds, there will be more space and more possibilities for all age levels. There will be more food, waterfront activities and things like rock climbing, ropes courses and tomahawk throwing. 

“It will be big and exciting and raise some serious money for the 13 food pantries. We have a lot of work to do until October,” Faraday said. 

Businesses and families are encouraged to sponsor events like horse drawn carriage rides that will take people from the parking lots to the waterfront, a coloring contest, food or dessert. Community champions, those who sponsor at the $500 level will be added to a big board that will be displayed at Octoberfest. For those who donate $365, they are sponsoring a family of four for an entire year because $1 feeds a family of four for one day. 

There will be a yard sale and pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, the day of Octoberfest, at Camp Hinds. Quality yard sale items can be dropped off at Lee’s Family Trailer Sales and Service on Route 302 in Windham.   

The day will be longer, extending to 3 p.m. so participants can have a chance to experience everything. There will be seaplane rides and helicopter rides that day. So far 40 businesses have committed to helping at Octoberfest. None of the regular contributors dropped out despite the move to Raymond, Huff said. 

Gorham Savings Bank has volunteered again to count the money donated. Other businesses are encouraged to host their own events. Sebago Trails Paddling Company did a full moon guided paddle and raised $250. 

“The chamber [SLRCC] is so compassionate. It is businesses that step up that make this happen,” said Huff.