Triple B Party with a purpose kicked up more than its heels - By Michelle Libby

Last Saturday night, close to 400 people gathered to celebrate Riding to the Top, a local therapeutic riding center that helps people with disabilities reach their highest potential through the healing power of horses. 
 

The Triple b stands for boots, band and BBQ and it lived up to its name. People from all over the area turned out in their western wear, hats and boots included, to eat BBQ from DennyMike’s and dance to live music featuring Under the Covers. In between the dinner and dancing, slide shows featuring the participants in the program and the horses were shown and a mission based auction was held. 

A mission based auction is a different kind of fundraiser where everyone wins for exactly what they want to win for. The biggest winner this night was the riders and the horses. People gave generously starting at $5,000 and incrementally dropping the amount until $50 and lower. 

For the riders, who could be anyone between the ages of three and 83, the attendees raised close to $36,000 and for the 16 horses the total was close to $37,000.  The average cost to take care of the horses, just for well care, is $75,000 for one year.  

A signed, authenticated Tom Brady Patriots jersey was auctioned off in the traditional auction manner and raised $2,100. 

Auctioneer Elizabeth Holmstrom has been holding auctions for Riding to the Top for 15 years. “It’s my absolute favorite event because of the lives they touch and the lives the horses touch,” she told the audience. Her energy, passion for what she was doing was obvious from the creative songs she sang and the jacket she created covered with lights so people could see her better. 

RTT parent Bo Bigelow spoke about his young daughter and the therapy she has received at the farm. “With a child with special needs, there are so many curveballs and because of those never ending curveballs the constants are the parts of life that are not curveballs and we build around those fixed points. RTT is one of those constants.” 

When Tess started at RTT, she could not walk, was non-verbal and each day her father carried her out of the ring. “Gradually something clicked,” he said. Now, a year and a half later, the 5-year-old is walking independently. 

“What are the right words to say to the people who have taught your child to walk?” Bigelow asked. “Thank you for being a constant and a star to navigate by. For seeing my daughter as a whole person, seeing that she has a will and a talent you can tap into.” 

For this one story, there were more families in the audience with their own story, ready to share with anyone who asked. 

There was a boot contest and raffles featuring a Thos. Moser rocker, trips to Sugarloaf, Migis Lodge and more. 

The evening raised close to $115,000.  

“The Triple B is our largest fundraising event of the year. We receive no federal or state funds - our events, volunteers and donors keep our doors open and riders in the saddle. I am humbled by the generous support of our sponsors, donors and volunteers who gave so generously of their time, talent and treasure to make this year’s Triple B the best ever!” said executive director Sarah Bronson.

Donations can be made year round at www.ridingtothetop.org/support.

Take care of your health. Breast Cancer Awarness Month

This month, The Windham Eagle would love to share some tips with you from  BHG360° Bankers Healthcare Group, For more info, visit these sites. 

Here's a couple links they might be interested in:

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The Windham Eagle wants all of our readers to take care of their health. 

The Daytime Players present second weekend of performances - By Elizabeth Richards

This weekend brings an opportunity to see the Daytime Players in action at the Schoolhouse Center for the Arts. The group presents their second weekend of “The Days Are As Grass,” a collection of eight short dramatic comedies about time, aging, forgiveness, sex and the human spirit. 
 

The Daytime Players began at the Schoolhouse Center in 2003, with four original members, including this show’s director, Jerry Walker. Originally, he said, the group performed short plays and excerpts from larger works in nursing homes, senior centers, and for church and other groups. The Daytime Players had grown to include more than 20 people before disbanding a few years ago.  

With multiple directors and performers, Walker said “There were sometimes two or three shows going on at the same time, or rehearsing at the same time. We met during the daytime, and it was a lot of fun.”

The group came back together last winter, performing “The Days Are As Grass” at the Magic Lantern in Bridgton. They decided to reprise the performance at the Schoolhouse Center for the Arts with many of the same cast members, as well as a few new additions. Walker said that since that first performance, with performers spending more time with the pieces, the cast have grown in their roles. “It’s a delightful show,” he said.

Rehearsals for the show, which has several short pieces that involve only one or two performers, have been primarily independent. 

“This is what’s great about the Daytime players,” said Walker. “You don’t have to set up an eight week schedule and go five nights a week. We depend upon the actors to come prepared and it really works out quite well for all of us.”

This show has revived interest in restarting the Daytime Players on an ongoing basis at the Schoolhouse Center for the Arts. There will be an organizational meeting on October 21^st from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The group is looking for new members to be involved in all aspects of theater, including performing, technical crew, lights, and more. The only requirements for getting involved are to have an interest and time available during the day. “If you have no experience, you’ll have experience by the time you’re finished with us because we have a great group of people to instruct and help people get started,” Walker said. All ages are welcome.

“The Days Are As Grass” will be performed at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 17^th and Sunday, October 18^th. Tickets, available at the door or by calling 642-3743, and are $10.

Lions Club hosts fourth annual craft/vendor fair - By Michelle Libby

The Windham Lions Club is raising money to help with their programs which include purchasing glasses and hearing aids for kids, eye screenings for all incoming kindergarteners and participating in the “Speak-Out” student presentations. For the fourth year they will hold a craft/vendor fair at the North Windham Union Church, 723 Roosevelt Trail. There will be crocheted items, repurposed kitchen items, bird houses, tote bags, dog treats, Avon, Halloween treats, jewelry, Scentsy, quilts, handmade cards and more, a total of 14 vendors. 
 

In addition to the craft items, the Windham High School Leo Club will have a table of items to raise money for the Madsen family, whose 4-year-old daughter is in treatment for a rare form of leukemia.

“We do eye screenings for incoming kindergarten students, close to 250 of them. We take pictures of their eyes and a doctor looks at it,” said Eileen Frost, the coordinator of the craft fair. 

There will also be a raffle for many items and gift certificates from the community and the winners don’t have to be present to win. There will also be a 50/50 raffle for that day.  

Admission is free, but donations of non-perishable food items are appreciated. 

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be a hamburger and hot dog luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

The Lions Club has 22 members and is always willing to accept new members. Their future fundraisers and community events are the breakfast with Santa at the Windham Veterans Center on December 12^th and Stuff the Bus at Windham Hannaford on December 5^th. 

For more on any of the events or to join the Lions, call Eileen Frost at 892-7530 or visit them on Facebook.

My School Color Run raises money for school supplies - By Jim Beers

On what was an absolute perfect Maine autumn day last Sunday, the Raymond Elementary School, (RES), held it's first "My School Color Run" to help benefit students and teachers with school supplies at RES. Along with a silent auction, as well as plenty of refreshments, the school's soccer field was a hive of activity before the start of the race. Approximately 240 walkers, joggers and runners of all abilities took to the starting line in hopes of making a difference for the school and its supply needs.

Event organizer and RES teacher Susan Cherner-Brackett was overwhelmed by the number of participants. "Just a perfect day today and to see so many of the community here to lend a helping hand is truly amazing! We are just so excited by the turnout," she said. It did seem that most of Raymond/Windham was there to either help with the event or be a part of it in some way. The Raymond PTO was there with a great refreshment table, and a host of local businesses donated items for the silent auction. 

The event kicked off sharply at 1 p.m., and it wasn't long before the first competitors navigated the 1-mile course and started to cross the finish line. The race was held on the school's property, starting on the soccer field, then moved to wooded trails before ending up back on the field. So many volunteers lined the course to help out with water, snacks, and of course--spraying the participants with color as they went through the "splash zones". With ages ranging from pre-school kids to grandparents, fun was had by all who were there to participate. 

Top three finishers were seventh grader Boden Sabasteanski, seventh grader Keegan Brooks, and third grader Carter Engelman. Top female finisher was seventh grader Molly Cochrane. Once all competitors completed the course, there were plenty of treats and well-wishers on hand to greet them at the finish line. 

After announcing the top finishers, Cherner-Brackett directed everyone to the middle of the soccer field to throw their color packet into the air. On the count of three, the area and everyone in it was immersed in a cloud of color. RES assistant principal Deb Hutchinson was overjoyed by the turnout.

"So wonderful to see the whole community come together for this event. The funds will go to materials for our classrooms and teachers,...just fills my heart, couldn't have been a better day," she said. 

The event raised $3,300.00. 

"Such a successful day, what a great community event. A big thank you goes out to all our volunteers from the Raymond/Windham community, as well as all the local businesses who donated for the silent auction, they truly made this event happen," added Cherner-Brackett. The hope is to do it bigger and better in the future.