Raymond grows with the digital age but maintains its small town atmosphere by Lorraine Glowczak

The Town of Raymond has begun providing a variety of options for residents to obtain information about town activities and events through various multimedia choices. To reach as many people as possible, the town has expanded information sharing on such platforms as YouTube, Facebook, an updated website and electronic newsletters as well as new digital, web-based signs.
 

“Our goal is to inform folks regarding the services the town delivers and provide a better understanding of the many opportunities available to them,” stated Town Manager, Don Willard. “More importantly, we want to highlight why our town is a great place to live.”

A quick glance at the updated town website demonstrates at least five reasons why Raymond is a good place to call home. There are five videos (with more on the way) featuring important information that showcases the services and employees of this quaint small-town municipality.

In the inaugural videos you will learn a bit about Willard’s background and his interest in local government or hear Raymond Fire Inspector, Captain David Mains speak about the importance of smoke detectors. You will also hear Sue Look, the Town Clerk, talk about the new digital web-based signs located at the town hall and public safety building.

“It used to be [on the old sign] that I would spell out one letter at a time regarding each committee meeting,” Look explains in the video. “Now, I can put all the information on the new sign from my computer or cell phone.”

The new signs are one of the ways Raymond residents can access information. In the video, Look further explains why this new technology is important. She stated that it came in handy during the wind storm this past October. She could easily go online to put up emergency messages on the digital sign such as where to get potable water, warm water and shelter. With this technology, she didn’t have to travel on roads with downed power lines to post the messages – she was able to post the information from the safety of her own home.

Bill Blood at work

The three to five-minute videos are filmed by the town’s professional videographer, Bill Blood. “The reason why videos work so well as a source of information is that this medium is one of the ways a lot of people like to get their news these days,” Blood stated.

Blood is an experienced videographer who worked for a public access station in Portland for over 16 years. He also does freelance work, including making documentaries that take him to places like Hawaii. “Bill has the experience and professionalism that will contribute to the production of high quality, informative videos,” Willard said.

Blood, who has lived in Raymond for 20 years, admits that because of his interviews with the various Every time I create a new video I learn something new about the town and the state I live in,” explained Blood. “This is one of the reasons that I have worked in this line of business for nonprofits for over 20 years now. Not only am I giving back to my community, but I am continuing to learn more about the community, its government, its culture and its people. This gives me greater satisfaction than any amount of money can buy. ”The videos, digital signs and website not only provide important messages to Raymond residents but for visitors and tourists as well. “We want to share with our out-of-town visitors the many benefits of living in Raymond and the abundant recreational opportunities here,” Willard explained.

officials and staff, he is constantly learning new things about the area. “

The new technologies and updated website have not put a strain on the town’s budget. “We know how to do a lot with a little,” explained Willard. “Raymond spends within our means and always has an eye toward providing a better level of services without increasing taxes.”

Even though new and updated technologies are being used to share information with residents, Raymond is still a personable small town. “All of our staff strive to have a positive dialogue with our citizens as they do business in the town office,” Willard said. “We provide a friendly and approachable atmosphere. We still operate in the small-town way.”

To view the videos, visit the Town of Raymond website at www.raymondmaine.org

St. Ann’s Essentials Pantry provides for those in need by Michelle Libby

Deacon Wendy and Dick Rozene in front of the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Wendy wants to get the word out about the St. Ann's Essentials Pantry to help more families and the elderly in need.

For almost three years, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Windham, has been serving families by providing personal and household items that EBT cards and the food pantries in the area don’t cover.

Under the direction of Deacon Wendy Rozene, the pantry has served over 100 families, with approximately 30 attending monthly.

The idea for the Essentials Pantry came when someone dropped off rolls of paper towels into the collections basket at a church service after having read an article in The Windham Eagle about items that the food pantry didn’t provide. Rozene noticed the donation and thought about the same article which she’d read. She got permission to start an initiative through a grant she applied for from the Dioceses of Maine for $3,000, which gave the pantry its start. Rozene bought shelves and loaded them for the first day. 

Since then, the pantry continues to offer a place for people to get the items they can’t get anywhere else, like paper towels, dish and laundry soap as well as toothbrushes and paste. 

The pantry is free to those who meet the location requirement.

“The pantry is open to all people from Windham, Raymond, Casco, Standish and the lakes region. The first time they come they need proof of residency such as a CMP bill with their name and address on it,” said Rozene. 

Rozene has a list of personal hygiene and cleaning products that are acceptable to donate and ones that are not welcome, like liquid laundry detergents and liquid deodorants. “Toilet paper is essential,” Rozene said. Shampoos, bars of soap and stick deodorant are other items distributed. 

 

Donations come from parishioners, public donations, cash donations, and the St. Ann’s budget, which kicks in $250 per month to help round out the products that will be given away. Rozene has been talking to other churches about contributing to this mission. She said she tried to get other churches to buy in from the first day, and she’d like to team up with them. 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help and other churches have taken collections for the pantry and donated items and cash. Some joint services between churches at Thanksgiving and other times have donated all of the monetary offerings to the pantry. One ecumenical service raised $350 in cash, which was enough for three months of products, said Rozene. 

Girl Scout troops have made bars of soap, dentists have donated toothbrushes and toothpaste, but it is an ongoing effort and donations are always welcome.

St. Ann’s is hosting a golf scramble on Sunday, May 20 at Spring Meadows Golf Course in Gray. Proceeds from that will go toward the Essentials Pantry as well as other outreach programs in the community. The church is looking for teams of four to play or for prize donations. 

St. Ann’s Essentials Pantry runs the last Saturday of the month from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the church on the corner of Windham Center Road and River Road. Items can be dropped off at the church or call Deacon Wendy Rozene at 207-232-0841. For more information on the golf tournament or St. Ann’s programs, call Cynthia at 892-8847 or visit www.stannsepiscopalchurch.com.

Local musicians with a reputation for helping others organize fundraiser for two of their own by Lorraine Glowczak

The Bowden sisters are now cancer free

The popular and locally adored husband and wife dance and DJ duo, Flamin Raymin and Sizzlin Suzzin’, are known for offering their services free of charge, or at discounted rates, to help raise funds for those in need or who have experienced some form of disadvantage. 
 

The musical team will be providing their services once again on April 15 at Dena’s restaurant from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. However, this time, the people they are providing the service for are Jessica and Amanda Bowden - the two daughters of Susan Dupuis (aka Sizzlin Suzzin’).

The Bowden sisters will be participating in this year’s Tri for a Cure on July 22 and the proceeds of the dance benefit will go toward this organization, which raises fund for cancer research. The sisters are both breast cancer survivors.

Jessica was diagnosed with stage IIb, grade III invasive ductal triple negative breast cancer on June 16, 2010 and Amanda was diagnosed with stage III, grade III invasive ductal Er/Pr positive and Her2 negative breast cancer on March 30, 2015.

Jessica had a very aggressive form of cancer that often does not respond well to chemotherapy. “I did have to go through chemotherapy however, along with radiation therapy and multiple surgeries over the years,” explained Jessica. “I was diagnosed at 32 years old, 11 days before my 33rd birthday. I know my family well and did not know that we had a family history. My sister, myself and my mother all tested positive for the BRCA1 genetic mutation. This puts people (not just women) at a very high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.”

Amanda’s cancer initially began at stage two. “After my mastectomy surgery there were so many

lymph nodes involved (the cancer had spread to) that they had to up my stage to three.”

To help raise funds, they have joined together as a team for this Tri for a Cure Event – their second year to participate. “Our team is called Sister Survivors and consists of myself and my sister,” explained Jessica. “We will also again be representing Mercy Hospital and Breast Care Specialists of Maine. We both received our care through Mercy Hospital and are forever grateful for their wonderful, personalized and seamless care.”

A triathlon consists of running, swimming and biking. “My sister will be doing the swimming and biking leg this year. Last year we were on a relay team with another survivor and she did the biking, my sister the swimming and myself the running. She's excited to do both this year and have the team be just her and I. She's excited that the snow is melting enough so she can get training on the bike.”

To have faced cancer gracefully is not an easy feat. Jessica explains how she got through it all. “I'm a Christian so my faith helped to carry me through in addition to the amazing support I received from my family, friends and even strangers.”

The Bowden sisters were not alone in their cancer journey. The mother of two adult children who both had cancer has her own story to tell. “My part of this story, as a mother of two daughters diagnosed with breast cancer, is that of what a mother does,” began Dupris. “I was there for support and followed their lead. I went to their chemo treatments with them. Sometimes we would laugh and joke about it other times we just sat quietly. But, the biggest part of my story is how a very dear friend taught me to give my fears and my daughters’ cancer to the Lord. My faith in God is truly what carried me through. Since the girls’ cancer ordeal, I have seen their faith in God grow immensely. I am very thankful for that.”

“The thought of cancer never really goes away, and I think that has been the driving force in my girls taking part in breast cancer fundraiser events and being very open about their experiences. I am truly so very proud of them and amazed at the strength they possess.”

When asked if they had any advice for others who may be facing similar circumstances, each sister offered a piece of advice. “Stay strong and keep your sense of humor,” stated Amanda. “Don't be afraid to cry or not be strong for a day. Rest and let people help, no matter how difficult that is.”

Jessica agreed with her sister regarding a sense of humor. She also offered additional advice. “Stay positive. Find someone who has been through what you are going through and ask them anything and everything. There's something so comforting about talking with someone who's been through it.”

But more importantly, Jessica was very clear on one thing. “Do self-exams and take charge of your health. I know this isn't something that young women think they need to worry about, but I was only 32, my sister was only 34 and we have met other women who were in their 20s with no family history! Cancer doesn't care, at all.”

There are various ways to view the journey of cancer, depending upon the outcome – each person taking from it what they can to keep hope alive. The Bowden sister’s mother may have captured it best for their circumstances. “Although, a cancer diagnosis is very scary I have to say many wonderful things have come from it.”

If you are unable to attend the fundraising event and wish to make a donation to the Bowden sisters, visit their link at www.mainecancer.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=5974