Talented woodworker shares his passion to help and inspire others by Lorraine Glowczak

Bob Berry made this ukulele for his daughter

Bob Berry, grounds-keeper, maintenance employee and woodshop teacher at Windham Christian Academy has a passion for woodworking and craftsmanship. He shares this innate skill with not only the students at the academy but with others who are fond of creating music.
 

Recently, to help the music program at his alma mater – the Lakes Region Middle School, Berry donated five ukuleles so music students could pursue their dream of starting a ukulele band. Berry made each of the musical instruments by hand. 

“My childhood friend is now a health teacher at Lakes Region High,” explained Berry. “He knew that I was making ukuleles with the students at the Academy, so he approached me about a way to make the instruments for the students at Lakes Region.” 

Realizing that arts programs in almost all schools lack funding, Berry wanted to support the students in the only way he knew how. “I gave them away,” he said. His friend paid for the parts that Berry has to order to make the instrument complete - such as the frets, strings and bridges. But Berry’s time, energy and

craftsmanship, as well as the purchase of the wood, was his donation.

Berry’s road to workshop teacher at a Christian school was a long, arduous one. Being a student who fell through the cracks of the educational system in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Berry never learned how to read or write. School was difficult for him. The one class Berry excelled in was his high school woodworking class.

A sample of his craftsmanship

“I saw my woodworking teacher’s passion,” reflected Berry, “and somehow I caught that same enthusiasm.”

Due to the educational challenges Berry faced, he quit high school and went on to work in the fields of construction and cabinetry; perfecting his technique and craft in woodworking for the next 15 to 20 years. His life was filled with disappointment, hardships, drugs and alcohol. During an especially low point in his life, he and his current wife were invited to Windham Assembly of God. It was there he changed his life for the better.

“The instant I decided to walk with Jesus, I knew I had to learn how to read and write,” Berry said. “I didn’t know that was going to be a part of the deal,” he joked.

He participated in his local Adult Education Program. “When one Adult Ed Teacher interviewed me as part of the program introduction, I showed her photos of many of my woodworking and cabinetry work[s], when she asked about what I had done with my life thus far,” Berry began. “She took a look at all the photos and said to me, ‘You are lying. Anyone who cannot read and write could not be able to build and produce something as professional as this.’” 

Bob Berry (second from left) in front of the tree at Thrive Coffee House

After two years in adult education, he received his diploma. “I learned how to write by writing journals with two of my teachers – including the one who initially didn’t believe my woodworking skills,” Berry said. “I also began reading the Bible as well as other books. I have read the Bible in its entirety every year for the past 26 years. This one thing has changed my life unbelievably.”

Once his life began turning around, Berry started working in the grounds-keeping and maintenance departments at the academy. He had heard that a few students at the academy wanted to build a boat as part as the senior project; so he gathered his woodworking tools and found the wood necessary to teach them how to build their boat. One of these boats was entered in the Portland Boat Show and caught the attention of a Rhode Island entrepreneur who owns the Pirate Cove Marina in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

The owner of the marina had always wanted to own a coffee shop and had envisioned putting a tree inside the shop. She admired Berry’s craftsmanship on the boat displayed. “She approached me about making a tree to put in her coffee shop,” Berry said, befuddled. “So, I got a few of the students to work with me on it as part of their senior project and we built a tree. It is now in the Thrive Coffee House in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.”

And, thus, Berry’s career as a woodshop teacher began and he has been teaching the students for the past 10 years. However, the big projects of boats and trees were getting a bit overwhelming. About a year ago, he saw a student with a ukulele and thought that might be a much easier project to pursue. “I looked online to see how to make the instrument,” Berry said. “And we have been making ukuleles ever since.”

Word has gotten out about Berry’s talent for creating the popular and beautiful sounding ukulele and he is asked often to create and make special instruments for many within the Greater Windham Community. 

He has no plans of becoming an instrument-making entrepreneur, but if you have questions or would like to talk with Berry about his passion for woodworking, he is happy to do so. Feel free to contact him at fearnot58@icloud.com.

Windham High Social Studies class takes active role in civic engagement by Lorraine Glowczak

Students Emma Hodgeman, Brittany Woods and Libby McBride take a moment from their busy schedule to share their thoughts on today's issues. They pose with Ms. Rush (right).

Windham High School Seniors in Ms. Kelly-Anne Rush’s Social Studies class had a surprise visit from the Windham and Raymond delegation on Friday, March 23 as a part of a class assignment. The students had an opportunity to express their concerns surrounding certain issues to the five legislators who represent both Lake Region communities.
 

“The class assignment was to compose a letter to their representative expressing concerns they had and what they would like to see changed,” explained Rush. “What the students didn’t know was that they were preparing the letter to speak to their representative in person. The delegation had reached out to me and I invited them to visit the class. Only the class didn’t know that.”

The students were, in fact, surprised by their classroom guests but didn’t hesitate to jump at the opportunity to express their concerns to the attentive legislators: Senator Bill Diamond, Representative Sue Austin, Representative Mark Bryant, Representative Jess Fay and Representative Patrick Corey.

Three students in Mr. Rush’s class took time out of their busy schedules to reflect upon and share their experiences. Of the many concerns expressed, school safety was at the top of their list. 

Student, Brittany Woods, reflected upon the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that occurred on December 14, 2012 and how it made an impact on her. “I was in middle school when the Sandy Hook shooting occurred,” Woods began. “It was my first real experience regarding something of this magnitude and how it could possibly affect me personally. I remember feeling very eerie about going back to school after that shooting. I wanted to let the legislators know that we need to find ways for these fears to subside.”

Student, Emma Hodgeman, also expressed her thoughts about school safety. There were two major concerns she had. One of those apprehensions included safety at the doorways during morning arrival. “All doors are open, and we come in as a large group at the same time. Although teachers are at the doors and Officer Fournier [School Resource Officer] is at one entrance, it does not prevent someone who is not a student to come in through the doors with us. People can easily walk in with the morning crowd and not be noticed.” Hodgeman said. “I want to find a way for school arrival to be more secure.” 

The Windham and Raymond delegation pose with Ms. Rush

Hodgeman continued with her second concern. “I also think the student building passcode should change every year. I don’t think it has been changed for a long time and this is very concerning to me.”

Student Libby McBride spoke to the delegation about gun control. “I don’t think we should eliminate guns, but I do think we should place harsher limits on guns.” McBride stated.

Solutions to the safety concerns were discussed. The conversation between the students and the delegation included what the students could actively do to prepare for an emergency. One solution considered, was to keep informed on the most recent safety protocols. The students came up with the idea that these up-to-date protocols could be established and identified by the students in the required Health class during their sophomore and senior years. The class would then share those security procedures to be practiced by the school on an intermittent basis.

The experience the students had with their legislators was a positive one. “They had an engaging conversation with us like we were real people,” McBride said. “They were actively writing down our

ideas as we stated them.”

Woods concurred with McBride’s statement adding, “They enjoyed listening to us and actively cared about our opinions. In the present political climate, it feels as if our voices are not taken seriously nor heard, but I felt heard by them.”

In his letter to the editor of The Windham Eagle newspaper, published March 30, Sen. Diamond stated this about his visit to the class. “Listening to these impressive seniors who are about to end their high school careers and move on to the next step in their lives, was an inspiration to say the very least. Their sincerity and true caring for the school system and for their fellow students was striking. 

Above all else we, as legislators, came away from this session with a renewed spirit and confidence in the future of this next generation of leaders. I only wish their parents and grandparents and the community could have witnessed the commitment, dedication and insight demonstrated by these amazing students.”

Rush is also very proud of her students and stated that in the past 10 years, there has been a resurgence in the educational curriculum to include civic action, community involvement and financial literacy. “I’m very proud of how my students are learning quickly and taking an adult approach to civic action.”

McBride proves that mature actions currently take place by these young future contributing members of society. “It's very important to know that it’s one thing to post a complaint on Facebook or to protest against certain issues, but to make active changes one needs to register to vote, contact their legislators and get involved. We [the students] are doing that. We are not just complaining or playing on social media. We are making a positive impact and true change.”

If one believes that class activities such as this have little impact for future action, one could be not be further from the truth. In the 2016 election, Ms. Rush received an email and picture from a former student.

The picture was a voting ballot. The email said, “Hi, Ms. Rush. Here’s proof that I voted.”

Ms. Rush’s response - “And this, my friends, is what makes teaching worthwhile.”

Kayla’s hopes and gratitude raise funds for medical research by Elizabeth Richards

Kayla (far left) with her parents David and Trista and brothers Bradley (front center) and Tyler photo by Natalie Berry

Over the past four years, Kayla Collins and the runners she has been partnered with have raised slightly over $62,000 in the Miles for Miracles Program for Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH). On Monday, April 16, Kayla and her family travelled once again to the halfway point at the Boston Marathon to cheer on Julie, Kayla’s runner in the 2018 race.
 

It was a frigid day, with cold driving rain. Julie danced her way down the sidewalk at the cheering section where Kayla and her family waited but was unable to finish the marathon due to hypothermia.  

This Sunday, the Collins family will travel to Boston once again, to cheer on Julie and a dedicated group of charity runners as they run the full course again. What began as a simple Facebook invitation to join her in re-running the course, posted by a runner for BCH who was unable to finish the race, has turned into “Boston 2.0” complete with water stops, medical support at the halfway point, and spectators.

Kayla has been part of the Miles for Miracles Program for four Boston Marathons, two New York City Marathons, and a couple of other running events. Although patients are not required to do fundraising, the Collins family is committed to giving back to the hospital that has done so much to make their tough journey a little smoother.  

Kayla said she participates in Miles for Miracles to help fund research, get the answers they need, and to help other kids.

David added, “It may not personally help Kayla or our family, but it could help others down the line. We do what we can to give back to the hospital, because the doctors and nurses, and all the staff, have helped us so much.”

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This year, Kayla set a fundraising goal of $1500, which she exceeded by almost $500. Julie, who must raise at least $3000 to participate, raised close to $12,000 this year. Last year, Kayla raised just over $2000 as well, making her the top patient partner fundraiser.  This year, however, patient fundraising took off, with the top patient partner raising over $15,000, David said.  According to the BCH website, the overall goal this year was $2,150,000 and they have raised $2,334,370.74 to date, well exceeding that goal.

Boston Children’s Hospital is where Kayla finally got a proper diagnosis for her rare genetic condition. At the age of 2 ½ years, she wasn’t walking or talking, but the diagnosis of severe autism that her parents were first given at another hospital didn’t feel right, despite being confirmed by the head of the department. David said they could see connection in Kayla’s eyes, even though she wasn’t able to communicate with them.  

In seeking a second opinion at BCH, they met Dr. Lisa Prock, who agreed that Kayla did not have autism. Dr. Prock helped the family navigate testing and specialists until they finally had an answer – one so rare, it doesn’t even have a name.

           

Kayla was the third person ever to be diagnosed with 7q11.23 duplication, and there are still only approximately 300 diagnosed cases of this condition, David said. Once the Collins had an accurate diagnosis, Kayla was able to receive extensive early intervention, which has allowed her to thrive. But there are still many challenges Kayla has faced over the years, including the discovery that she has an enlarged aorta. 

“Right now, we’re waiting for science and research to get to the place where the team can give us a new treatment option that they’ve never attempted to do before for a patient with her combination of conditions.  In the meantime, every day is a challenge for her, but you would never know,” said her mother, Trista, in a press release. 

In many ways Kayla is a typical 16-year-old student. Kayla is a sophomore at Windham High School, has her driver’s permit, and played on the JV field hockey team at WHS. Kayla said she also plays tennis, and plans to audition for “The Little Mermaid” at the high school this spring. She also has a big future goal: to attend St. Joseph’s College, major in biology and become a veterinarian. 

“Twelve and a half years ago, we never dreamed this was even possible. Without the care she’s received from a very dedicated group of medical professionals at Boston Children’s Hospital, she would not be doing what she is today,” said Trista.

David said, when they are at BCH for appointments, it is as if they are the only family there. This undivided attention is just one of the reasons the Collins family is dedicated to participating in the Miles for Miracles Program.

The family travels to BCH every two or three months for Kayla’s tests and appointments. They often make this required travel into an opportunity for family time, spending an afternoon with Kayla and her two brothers at the Science Museum, Aquarium or other Boston attractions after Kayla’s appointments, David said. 

“We’re incredibly proud of Kayla for her wanting to do something to give back to the hospital that is researching and working to save her life. These are not easy days for Kayla, but as a family, this gives us hope, and a way to do something small for the hospital that is saving us,” said Trista.