Sawyer’s Variety Store closes By Walter Lunt

From trolley stop to the 21^st century, the “South Windham Landmark” concludes 107 years and four generations of the Sawyer family.

Sawyer's Variety was a primary trolley stop when it opened in 1910.

A handwritten sign on the storefront window of Sawyer’s Variety in the Little Falls neighborhood of Gorham/South Windham announceed, simply and sadly, the end of a familiar and beloved institution; patronized by generations of residents who needed a few groceries, a cup of coffee or conversation. 

“If there’s anything you wanted, they had it,” said long-time South Windham resident Dave Tobin.

The aging wood frame building “on the Gorham side of the bridge in South Windham,” as many residents referred to the location, has a long and storied history. Founded by Cora Sawyer in 1910, it was known as much for being the neighborhood gathering spot for local news, gossip and storytelling, as it was for the general merchandise sold there.

Tobin said the original building may have been moved there, possibly from Windham. It served as the “waiting room” for travelers using the Portland-Westbrook-Windham trolley before the age of buses. “Originally it was supposed to go into South Windham, but it never got all the way there,” according to Tobin.

Co-owners Kelly Finocchietti and her brother Craig Sawyer said the times are changing and the business was getting to be “a little too much.”

“It feels like the local ma and pa stores are dying,” said Kelly, who has worked at the store for over 20 years. She cited difficulties with vendors who now require minimum merchandise orders far above what small variety stores can handle. And, she added that some have stopped deliveries outside their normal route. She said a major construction project on Main Street/Gray Road in front of the store several years ago caused a precipitous drop in customers, “And we never really got that business back. Closing is bitter sweet. We’ve had a hard time letting go,” said Kelly, referring to the closing. “I get kind of emotional (thinking about it). I locked the door for the last time on January 3. Then I (hid) behind the counter for a while just to recover.”

Tears emerged again as she reminisced about earlier times and the subsequent closure. What’s next? Kelly said she hopes to find something where she won’t have to work weekends. Craig has found work in Windham.

Tobin said he remembers Cora Sawyer, who opened the store almost 107 years ago, still running the store in the 1930s. “Cora, like everyone else back then, was frugal. She sold peanuts by the pound. When she’d weighed them out, if it was just a little bit over (the requested weight) she’d snap a peanut in half and eat it.” Eventually, her son, Hall Sawyer, Sr. ran the business until the 1950s. By 1956, Hall Jr. had taken over and hired John Mayberry and Harry Ingells to build an addition, nearly doubling the store space, and seemingly tripling the amount of merchandise. A sign on the store front advertised: Pipes, Ammunition, Clocks & Watches, Popcorn and Tintex; the latter item being a brand name for a fabric dye used heavily during World War II. Tobin remembers mothers coloring non-burlap grain bags and converting them into clothing.

Arlo Guthrie’s lyric, “You can get anything you want…” would indeed have been a fit description for the goods and wares at Sawyer’s Variety in the mid-20^th century. Family members recall everything from fresh garden vegetables and homemade jams to clothing, penny candy, popcorn and ice cream.

Richard Nickerson Scholarship Concert showcases alumni talent By Elizabeth Richards

Despite snowy weather, the 20^th annual Richard Nickerson Scholarship Concert on Saturday, January 7 was a rousing success, with 13 acts featuring solos, duets or trios, and three numbers by the largest alumni chorus to date.

Not only was this the 20^th anniversary, but the excitement of Dr. Nickerson being recognized as one of 10 national finalists for the Music Educator Award made it a truly special evening.

Energy was high onstage, and the enthusiasm of the audience was apparent throughout the concert, with frequent comments on the talent of the performers overheard.

This anniversary concert drew one third of prior scholarship recipients to the stage, including the very first recipient, Dr. Elisabeth Marshall, who performed the solo in Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum” with the alumni chorus.

Master of ceremonies Kim McBride kept the concert flowing smoothly with witty commentary as she introduced each performer. The acts were well balanced between upbeat and ballads, serious and silly themes. Although performers select their own material the goal each year is to offer a variety of styles, according to producer Janelle LoSciuto. “We do try to balance it out so that there’s a little bit of something for everyone,” she said.

This year’s concert did just that. All of the performances were well done, particularly since some of the alumni no longer perform on a regular basis. Celli Spaulding showed off her considerable talents, which include songwriting, guitar and vocal performance, with a sorrowful original song titled “Hollow Love.” Two songs from the immensely popular “Hamilton” stood out, including a touching rendition of “Dear Theodosia” performed by Jameson McBride and Avery Topel, and a lively rap “My Shot” performed by Kevin MacKaye. Matthew Scala’s animated performance of Andrew Byrne’s “A Contemporary Musical Theater Song” accentuated the silly nature of the song and prompted laughter in the audience at the start of the show.

The alumni chorus had over two dozen participants this year. Listening to their performance, it was hard to believe that they came together for just one rehearsal prior to the day of the concert.

The sound they produced spoke to the talent of Windham High School music alumni and to Dr. Nickerson’s ability to bring a group together through his enthusiastic conducting. The group performed not only the Mozart piece, but a beautiful rendition of “Voyager’s Promise” and an upbeat, toe-tapping, hand-clapping version of “Aquarius (Let the Sunshine In).”

The Richard Nickerson Scholarship fund was started by parents of the Windham Chamber Singers in 1997 in appreciation of Dr. Richard Nickerson, director of choral activities at Windham High School. Each year, a $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who plans to pursue music in some way during his or her college experience. The Richard Nickerson Scholarship Committee has awarded nearly $20,000 in scholarships to 26 graduates, who all continue to be involved with music in their lives.

Putting together the concert was a task that started early this year. “I started in February, knowing it would be the 20^th anniversary, which we wanted to be really special,” LoSciuto said.

She began with an email to all alumni who had received the scholarship, which resulted in a great turnout of recipients. In September, she emailed other alumni to fill out the show, which she said ideally includes about 16 solos, duets or ensembles in addition to the alumni chorus.

Because it was a special year, the choral pieces were selected by Dr. Nickerson this time around.

“Everyone who came, and everyone who is not here, is pulling for him. They all know what an honor it is, and they understand 100 percent why he was selected,” LoSciuto said. The winner of the award will be announced in February.

LoSciuto would like to invite other members of the community to get involved in next year’s show by joining the scholarship committee. In addition, she said, “I want people to mark their calendar for next year. We are always the first Saturday in January. I want that place packed!”

A new way to look at resolutions By Elizabeth Richards

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. There was a time, long ago, when I jumped on the bandwagon along with everyone else every New Year’s Eve, promising to lose a certain amount of weight, complete a big project I’d been putting off, or exercise every day. Inevitably, along with most other Americans who make resolutions, these lofty goals would fail. A recent article in Forbes Magazine said that only 8 percent of Americans who make New Year’s Resolutions achieve the intended results. 

But feelings of frustration about failed resolutions aren’t the reason I don’t make them anymore. Failure is one of the best ways to learn. And one thing I learned from the failure of New Year’s resolutions is that there’s a better way to set goals. Instead of waiting for one specific night each year, why not set goals all year long?

The beginning of a new year can seem like the perfect time to start something new – and it can be, but so can any other day of the year. Timing is far less important than methods, and the most important thing is to have a plan. Resolutions, after all, are simply words. But a plan is more concrete. A plan has words and actions. And when you lay out a plan with specific steps, you aren’t frustrated when you don’t reach the end goal quickly.

Which brings me to another issue I have with resolutions, they often focus on the end results rather than the journey. But the steps along the way are so much more important than the overall outcome. If I am only focused on losing ten pounds, I might not be able to celebrate the fact that I’m choosing fruit over cookies, my energy levels are much higher, and my jeans are fitting better.

Finally, while resolutions are typically an individual thing, goals can be shared with a group of like-minded people all setting the same intention for their lives. I am incredibly fortunate to have an amazing group of people who help keep me motivated, push me when I need it, hold me up when I need support, and never let me give up. 

It’s a group I found accidentally, when I set the solitary goal of taking up jogging. A friend got wind of my plan, and told me to join a group at the track. “It will be fun,” she said. That first day, it was anything but fun. I arrived and they were doing sprints. Trying to do sprints on the first day of running is like trying to finish writing a novel in a day – totally unrealistic and somewhat crazy to attempt. If I had been on my own out there, I likely would have walked away, telling myself once again that running is just something I can’t do. 

Instead, I found encouragement. I ran a quarter of the way around the track, and was celebrated. I heard people calling my name, and had a coach there telling me I could, indeed, do it. Support makes all the difference. Three and a half years later, I regularly run in 5K races. Running races was never part of my original goal, but it has been an amazing part of the journey.

It really all comes down to commitment. A resolution is easy to say – following through on a goal is hard to do. And when you choose when to begin, you can be sure you are truly ready, instead of trying to force it because it happens to be January first.

None of the goals I’ve set for myself in recent years have been too ambitious, requiring huge amounts of time, special equipment, memberships or money. Instead of pressure to follow through (and guilt if I don’t) I give myself the gift of patience, of persistence and commitment. I know that if I take a step backwards, all is not lost. I can begin moving forward again the next day. And that’s better than empty words any day.

Glowczak takes the helm by Michelle Libby

Glowczak takes the helm at The Windham Eagle

By Michelle Libby

On January first, Lorraine Glowczak became the managing editor of The Windham Eagle, replacing editor-in-chief Michelle Libby, who left to pursue other opportunities. Glowczak who is originally from Kansas has lived in Maine for 19 years and in Windham for two years. She became a staff writer for The Windham Eagle last year. 

“Lorraine is very thoughtful and energetic,” said publisher Kelly Mank. “She is a great addition to our team.” 

“The more I’m exposed to the Windham and Raymond community, the more I see the people here are really amazing. I really enjoy the people I’ve met,” Glowczak said. Her goal in taking on this new role was the opportunity to become a part of the community and to expand her writing opportunities. 

Glowczak prepares for her first Windham Eagle publication.

She has no immediate plans to make big changes to the newspaper. “As I become more acclimated to the paper, I might see things that need a small change or tweaking,” she said. She is willing to listen to the community and what they, and The Windham Eagle team, agree is a positive direction for the paper. 

Glowczak has a degree in leadership and organizational studies, but has wanted to publish her stories for a while. Last year she wrote a beekeeping series for The Windham Eagle depicting the challenges she faced as a beekeeper. “I liked going to Italy, but I did not like being an Italian beekeeper,” she said with a laugh. 

When asked what she’d bring to the position, she answered, “My enthusiasm about getting to know the community as well as my love of the written word and keeping it positive.”

The Windham Eagle is looking for columnists and writers who have a passion to report on what is happening in the community. To be a staff writer, send a resume and clips to Glowczak.

“As a managing editor, my approach is supporting, motivating and encouraging reporters to write what they are passionate about."

When Glowczak is not at The Windham Eagle, she enjoys reading, walking and anything in nature. She loves to explore not only Maine, but all of New England.

“I enjoy being with friends and family and spending quality time with the people I love.” Glowczak has been married for 15 years and just adopted a beagle mix from Maine Lab Rescue.

“The small cottage on the lake where we live feels like home. I feel like I’m finally home in Windham.”

To send a letter to the editor, offer story suggestions or any other business, email Glowczak at Editor@TheWindhamEagle.com.

Windham Fire and Rescue's Santa Run helps five families - By Michelle Libby

With trucks covered in Christmas lights, sirens blaring and Santa on board, fire fighters led by Lt. Garvin “Chip” Jones pulled up to five different homes to deliver gifts, food and gift certificates to brighten the holiday for five single parents and their families last Sunday. The five families were chosen by the Windham Food Pantry and the fire department collected around 250 gifts from area businesses to help with the Santa Run. 

The weather cooperated as three trucks, close to 50 people and one Santa delivered presents from one end of Windham to the other.

“It went really well,” said Jones. Each family received a box filled with food, an envelope of gift cards from area businesses to use for themselves or their kids, and gifts already wrapped to go under the tree. 

“The first family was just blown away. They had even made cookies for Santa,” Jones said. Although the parent knew they were getting a visit, they didn’t realize until the trucks arrived how elaborate it would be. “The trucks looked gorgeous. They didn’t think it was going to be this extravagent,” he added. “The kids were in awe of Santa.” 

The second and third families were equally blown away. “They couldn’t believe the amount of stuff coming into their house,” Jones said. 

Getting ready for the Sunday night event took a full month of planning and lots of help from the community.  Saturday night two dozen people wrapped gifts. On Sunday, dozens of people including students who live and work in the fire stations, decorated Haz Mat 2, Engine 5 and the Haz Mat Rehab Bus, which took them many hours. There were around 4,000 lights on Engine 5 and between 5,000 and 6,000 lights on the Haz Mat trucks. 

Gifts were donated by employees at Dominos and waitstaff at Buck’s Naked BBQ. Between 35 and 40 businesses donated as well. Cash donations were turned into gift certificates for local businesses like Renys, Marshalls and restaurants in town. Even Sunday morning, items were trickling in to be delivered that night. 

“It’s a great time,” said Jones, who had been doing something like this since he lived in New Jersey. In Maine he’s been in charge of the Santa Run for six years. “Every year I build on it. We started with two families, then three and four families. This year we did five families,” he said. 

One parent told Jones that she bought her daughter a jacket around Thanksgiving and that was all she was getting for Christmas. He was glad that wasn’t going to happen now. 

“Usually they’re single parents with one or two kids who work one or two jobs and barely are keeping the heat and lights on,” Jones said. “It’s just a big gratification. That’s why I keep on doing it.” 

Jones is thankful for all the support the Santa Run gets from the community, especially the following businesses: Hannaford, Marshalls, Man Cave Hair Lounge, Smitty's Cinema, Reny's, Friendly's, Bucks Naked BBQ, The Nail Spa, Cleaning Genies, Domino's, Applebee's, Pizza Hut, Benny's Barbershop, Windham Jewelers, Auto Zone, Bull Moose, U.S. Cellular, Shaw's, Pet Life, Advanced Auto, DQ, Rustler's Steakhouse, G & K Motors, Hall Implement, Little Caesars, Windham Primary School, Danielle's Sebago Café, Mr. Bagels, McDonald's and Hair Gone Wild. Special thanks to Dena's Lobsterhouse, comedian Crazy Jake and Atienza & Chebuske Dentistry as well as the private donations dropped off by the public, members and families of the Windham Fire/Rescue and Gorham/Windham Professional Fire Fighters Association and Santa Claus.