Windham prepares for Annual Town Meeting on Saturday

By Ed Pierce

The Annual Town Meeting in Windham represents a fundamental and important part of governance and has since the town adopted its current form of town council form of government in 1975.

Windham voters will gather at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13 in
the Windham High School Auditorium for the Annual Town
Meeting for 2026. Decisions made by voters will determine
approval of the town's annual budget as put forward by the
Windham Town Council.  PHOTO BY KEIH MANK    

The meeting affords every registered voter in Windham an opportunity to express their opinion and vote on town warrant articles and the town’s annual budget for the coming year. This year’s Annual Town Meeting in Windham will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 13 in the Windham High School Auditorium at 406 Gray Road in Windham.

Last year a total of 130 Windham residents and members of the Windham Town Council attended the 4 ½ hour meeting and questioned nearly all the 30 proposed town warrant articles. 

The meeting was not without controversy as voters initially voted not to approve a warrant article regarding the town’s operating budget to fund General Government for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. Many of those voters left the meeting after that, only to discover that the operating budget warrant article was brought back to the floor for consideration and subsequently passed.

This year, Windham Town Manager Robert Burns is presenting a total budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 of $55,788,720, up 10.1 percent from last year’s budget of $50,865,671. Of that 10.1 percent increase, voters attending the town meeting will be making decisions about 27 warrant articles comprising the municipal budget, which is a 4.9 percent increase. Voters have already approved the proposed RSU 14 budget during a referendum on Tuesday, and that budget included an increase of 13.4 percent from last year. 

Burns said Windham’s lone potential Town Capital Project for the 2026/2027 year is the MacIntosh Brook Culvert Replacement at a cost of $624,000 with $208,000 of that cost funded by a grant. He said that the budget increase was not the result of new municipal programs, projects or capital spending, but the cumulative effect of costs largely beyond municipal control, with more than 60 percent of a typical local tax dollar in Windham now going toward education, a share that continues to grow as state funding formulas have shifted funding responsibility to municipalities.

He said RSU 14’s proposed school budget increased by more than $4 million, while Cumberland County taxes will also rise by about 9 percent. For the owner of an average-priced Windham home valued at about $433,000, if the annual budget is approved by voters, the increase would be about $524 more in annual property taxes.

Funding requests include purchasing a new ambulance for Windham Fire-Rescue, new tasers for Windham Police, new servers, firewalls and software licensing for the Windham Police Department, the first year of a three-year Comprehensive Plan Update, Community Park Stormwater Treatment, creation of Forbes Lane Park, repaving of the Mountain Division Trail, and a Brine System and Calcium Tank for Public Works.

New equipment to be purchased if the budget is approved includes a Tilt Trailer, Mower, Dump Truck, Pickup Truck, Chipper, Asphalt Planer, and Used Bucket Truck. The town also plans various equipment rentals, supplies and materials, gravel road reconstruction, surveying, pavement assessment, paving and reconstruction work, roof repair for the Windham sand shed, Varney Mill Estates drainage, a wash bay upgrade for Public Works and continuing the Smith Cemetery expansion project.

Ongoing capital projects for Windham include the North Windham Wastewater Treatment Plant and Conveyance System, the North Windham Wastewater Treatment System Service Connections, the MaineDOT North Windham Moves Project Design installing connector roads, adaptive tech signals, and bike/pedestrian lanes, preliminary engineering of the Windham Middle School reuse to a community center, and the Gambo Property road installation and Public Works Laydown Yard. 

Voters will decide if $10,602,273 in miscellaneous non-tax revenues should be appropriated for the town budget including Local Road Assistance, Boat, Snowmobile, and ATV Registration Fees, Homestead Exemption Reimbursement, Tree Growth Reimbursement, General Assistance Reimbursement, Veteran’s Exemption Reimbursement, and any State or Federal grants or other funds as anticipated to be provided by the Maine State Legislature or Federal Government, toward the total Municipal Budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 as recommended by the Windham Town Council.

Should voters reject the proposed town budget, warrant articles for funding for each town department and services would then have to be considered.

The final five warrant articles for voters to decide upon involve expansion of public sewers, issuance of general obligation bonds for the town’s grant match portion of the MDOT North Windham Moves Project, including the costs of planning, design, permitting, construction, utilities, site work, paving, landscaping, or improvements necessary in connection with the construction of that project, and issuing bonds for town debt service. <

Overcoming adversity a source of pride for WHS graduate

By Ed Pierce

Resilience isn't always about being unbreakable and sometimes it’s choosing to wake up, breathe, and put one foot in front of the other despite obstacles thrown in your way. Kendra Eubanks knows all too well what it means to be resilient but as she crosses the stage at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Sunday to receive her Windham High School diploma, her journey will have been worth the effort.

Kendra Eubanks has triumphed over bullying and racism to
graduate from Windham High School and is planning to
become a civil rights attorney following college. She
helped create the Black Student Union at WHS and at the 
age of 17 gave a TEDx Talk about dealing with adversity.
PHOTO  BY ED PIERCE
   

As a biracial child, Kendra was bullied and tormented at a middle school in Portland because of her ethnicity.

“As a biracial person from white and black backgrounds, I wasn’t black enough for the black students,” she said. “Their resentment grew into intimidation, and the harassment became so severe that school administrators asked me to eat lunch in the teachers’ lounge for my safety, away from my peers in the cafeteria.”

The bullying continued to worsen at school until one day she was summoned to the principal’s office and told to bring all her belongings. The principal told her and her parents that the school could no longer protect her, and they recommended that she attend another school.

Fearing for her safety, her parents uprooted Kendra from her school and the only community she had known and enrolled her in school in Windham where she didn’t know anyone and was one of only a handful of black students in the school district.”

“I had to meet new people, new teachers, new classes; it was the hardest thing, but I made it through,” Kendra said. “My parents and sisters Shayla and Kiera helped me by supporting me through all my challenges. Being able to talk to them about everything really helped me through some stressful moments.”

At first, it was challenging for her in Windham because of a lack of diversity among students.

“I wasn’t white enough for the white community,” she said. But unlike her previous school experience, she found support from WHS teachers, administrators and a growing sense of belonging among other students of color.

As a freshman at Windham High School, Kendra met another black student, Afomiya Timerga, and together they created the school’s Black Student Union, a group dedicated to educating others, sharing experiences, fostering inclusivity and bringing the school together.

“BSU is not just for black people,” Kendra said., “It’s about making everyone feel connected, being kind and supporting one another. We want to show that diversity is a positive thing and what we can do better when we all work together.”

Being involved with the group opened a lot of doors for Kendra and established invaluable connections for her. It also inspired her to want to go to law school and become a human rights lawyer after college.

“My role models are Michelle Obama, because of how confident and passionate she is; she is just an amazing soul,” Kendra said. “Then both my parents, Amy Edgecomb and Dajuan Eubanks. They are both so hard working and care about their jobs and balance their life out while having kids and a family.”

Windham High School administrators and teachers have marveled at how far Kendra has come and her potential in life.

Despite being only 17 at the time, last November Kendra was invited to give a TEDx Talk at the University of New England’s Portland campus about overcoming adversity, embracing resilience, and discovering the strength that comes from self-advocacy and community. Her message was she doesn’t want people to feel bad for her but to see how she overcame her challenges and how much good came out of everything. 

“It’s been incredible to watch Kendra grow as a leader,” said WHS Assistant Principal Philip Rossetti. “She’s been a tireless advocate for her classmates. Her willingness to educate peers and staff on equity issues has led to a lasting change in our culture and climate. She has left a positive impact on WHS.”

This fall Kendra will be attending the University of Maine, where she will be studying Political Science before heading into pre-law studies.

She credits WHS teachers Tianna Burton and Jen Dumont for helping her to start the Black Student Union at Windham High School and guiding her along the way into more of a leadership role among students.

“I am very passionate and care about people and my dreams and aspirations,” Kendra said. “Graduating from high school I have made my little self very proud because the little me who got bullied did not think she was going to make it to graduation, but I did, and I’m so proud of myself.” <

MSSPA dedicates new intake barn in Windham

By Ed Pierce

Abused and neglected horses now have a “Safe Place to Land” to heal and recover as the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals has officially opened and dedicated a new 2,400-square-foot intake and quarantine barn on its farm in Windham.

Guests tour the new 'McCulloch Family Barn' during a 
dedication for the new equine intake barn and facility at
the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals
in Windham on Sunday, May 31.
PHOTO BY RICHARD SAWYER

MSSPA Advancement Director Peg Keyser said as the number of horses arriving at MSSPA has surged in recent years with many coming from cases of severe neglect, abuse, or with significant medical challenges, the urgency for a dedicated space where incoming horses can receive care they desperately need continues to grow.

She said the new intake and quarantine barn is designed to offer every horse a safe and supportive beginning to their journey of healing.

“The horses coming into this new barn are in quarantine and as you can imagine, many horses come to us with challenging health concerns, and often with no medical records or medical history,” Keyser said. “Many have not had much,if any, vet care. All horses are quarantined for 28 days while they receive an intake exam, do necessary bloodwork, receive vaccines, and begin their journey to rehabilitation.”

A horse will not be integrated into MSSPA’s resident herd until staff there have a thorough understanding of its health challenges and have begun the process of re-feeding, caring for, and returning the horse to optimum health.

“Even after quarantining for 28 days, some horses will stay in the McCulloch Family Barn if they have medical challenges that keep them from joining the resident herd,” Keyser said. “Some need more time simply to get strong and gain weight.”

A $1.5 million fundraising campaign was created last spring to build the new intake barn and facility under the leadership of Kathy Woodbrey, MSSPA’s Executive Director and it immediately got a huge boost when MSSPA received a matching gift of $500,000 from the McCullouch Family of Southern Maine who were extended the opportunity to name the new barn as the “McCulloch Family Barn.”

Dave McCulloch and other members of his family were on hand Sunday, May 31 as the new barn and intake facility was dedicated. During that event, MSSPA staff, volunteers and community supporters got a chance to tour the barn and explore what it has to offer.

The barn and its paddocks and adjacent pastures sit on seven acres at the farm. It has eight stalls, with two stalls each opening into one of four corner paddocks. Each corner paddock also has two run-in enclosures – three sided, covered open enclosures, so that while horses are out in a paddock, they have a place to go into to get out of the elements, sun, rain, and snow.

“Many of the horses that come to us have lived outside 24/7, so unless they are critically compromised or ill, they do well outside with a run-in shed for protection around-the-clock,” Keyser said. “This barn gives us amazing flexibility to accommodate horses in all stages of health and to also receive larger groups of horses. Now we can do that safely and efficiently.”

She said that the fencing was designed and installed so there is no nose-to-nose contact between paddocks.

“We even re-did much of the pasture fencing so that those large pastures also feature no nose-to-nose contact,” Keyser said. “That entire corner of the farm gives us many options to receive small and large herds of horses in varying stages of health.”

According to Keyser, the MSSPA’s goal for each horse is rehabilitation and a new home, but if no suitable adoption is found, horses may live out their natural lives at the organization’s farm.

During the dedication ceremony, Keyser said MSSPA has teamed up with the Safe Voices Domestic Violence Program of Lewiston to create a “Safe Shelter” program to offer respite care to the horses of domestic violence survivors who need to house their horse somewhere while they flee an abusive situation.

“We are very proud of this program, and we have already welcomed one horse whose owner was able to leave her abusive situation and work to re-establish a new residency,” Keyser said. “That horse left the farm last week to re-join his mom. Those incoming Safe Shelter horses will also be housed at the McCulloch Family Barn.” 

Along with the Safe Voices program, MSSPA teamed with RedRover and Greater Good Charities for grants to secure funding and support of the “Safe Shelter” program.

For 154 years, the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) has been a sanctuary for Maine’s most vulnerable horses including those rescued from abuse, neglect, and heartbreaking circumstances. Its mission is to provide refuge, rehabilitation, and placement of seized equines. MSSPA does not charge for its shelter services and seeks no reimbursement from any public source. Horses cared for by the MSSPA come from Maine law enforcement officials and most of them have been abused or neglected.

The new intake barn was funded thanks to 269 donations and gifts, Woodbrey said.

J.M. Brown was the contractor, sitework was done by Shaw Brothers Construction and fencing completed by Main Line Fence. The site plan was done by Andy Johnston at Atlantic Resource Consulting, and the Owners Representative was Blaine Buck at Cordjia Capital Investments. <

First-ever ‘Eagle Plunge’ calls attention to school Unified sports and Special Olympics Maine

By Matt Pascarella

It was perfect weather for what will hopefully become an annual event as Windham High School held its first-ever “Eagle Plunge” on Wednesday, May 20.

Windham High junior Bailey Ward takes the 'Eagle Plunge'
at Windham High School on Wednesday, May 20. The 
'Eagle Plunge' is a fundraiser for Windham High's Unified
sports programs, the Best Buddies program and for
Special Olympics Maine. PHOTO BY GARY HARRIMAN 

The purpose of the event was to raise awareness and funds for Windham’s Unified sports programs, their Best Buddies program and Special Olympics Maine. The event was an enormous success and raised more than $2,000 for WHS Unified teams and Special Olympics Maine. Members of Windham’s Police Department, the WHS Student Council, Unified sports teams, the Best Buddies program and student volunteers all worked together to stage the event.

“Sergeant Jim Cook from the Windham Police Department approached me back in the fall with an idea he had seen at a conference of high schools and police departments hosting a polar plunge to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics and Unified Teams,” said Windham assistant principal Vanessa Michaud. “We decided to call it an Eagle Plunge to make it specific to Windham High School. This event was the first plunge done with a mobile pool.”

Windham High became the first school in the state to hold a plunge fundraiser on school grounds.

Planning for the event officially started back in January. Sergeant Cook and Jessica Talbot of the Windham Police Department, WHS Special Education teacher Connor McNeill, WHS School Resource Officer Justin Hudnor, and Michaud, who is a co-advisor for WHS Student Council, all worked to plan the event.

Once they had the approval of RSU 14 and the Windham Police Department after sharing the initial proposal, they shared information with Student Council members, Unified sports teams and the Best Buddies group. Student support was overwhelmingly positive.

“I wanted to get involved with a school’s Unified teams/program because I like creating an environment where everyone feels included and supported,” said senior and Best Buddies member Belle Pinto. “I think it’s important for students with special needs to have the same opportunities to make friends, be part of a team, and enjoy school activities. I think this was a very successful event because it helped to spread awareness to everyone who came out to watch. It helped us fundraise money to help our school’s Special Olympics program and going to worldwide Special Olympics program. It was a fun way for the kids to do something fun and get out and make tons of new friends. It was so fun for everyone there as well, the music and everything made it so amazing. I really do hope that they keep going with this after this year.”

Maine Special Olympics Special Events Coordinator CC Pelletier helped organize the fundraising site and facilitate the event.

Members of the Windham Fire Department were also on hand for support and to help fill the pool for plungers.

“The Eagle Plunge is a positive, community‑building event that brings people together for a meaningful cause, raising funds and awareness for programs that strengthen communities and promote inclusivity,” said Cook. “When officers participate, they build genuine connections with the community, which is essential to creating a safe and welcoming place to live, work and play.”

According to McNeill, the money raised will go to support program costs and needs for Unified sports and Best Buddies. Specific examples include purchasing an adaptive hoop for basketball or portable scoreboard for their bocce team along with team gear. Having fundraising events allows them to become more self-sustaining and provides opportunities for them to further what they can do in Unified Sports and Best Buddies.

The “Eagle Plunge” was a chance to bring visibility to the impact that these programs have on the participating individuals.

Michaud said these events create opportunities for students to build relationships outside of their usual social groups, learn from one another’s experiences, and develop empathy and respect for differences.

“Seeing the students interact with one another and rally around their fellow classmates who benefit from Best Buddies, Unified Teams, and Special Olympics was truly inspiring,” said Cook. “When that kind of support and unity happens, the entire community benefits.”

He said that when students feel seen, heard and included they are more likely to engage positively in school, build confidence, and contribute meaningfully to the community. WHS reinforces the message that that every student matters and that our differences strengthen our school community while helping students develop important life skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and compassion.

“This event was great because we had beautiful weather, great fundraising, and all the kids and spectators had a blast,” said McNeill. “However, more importantly I think it highlights what great people we have in the communities of Raymond and Windham. Between the police department, fire department, and the students and staff at RSU 14, this is a community that loves to support each other and celebrate what makes our towns great. I think a major factor in the success of Unified Sports, Best Buddies, and Special Olympics is making the greater community aware of how valuable and important these programs are.” <

Monument honors McDonald’s legacy at Windham Veterans Center

By Ed Pierce

Carroll McDonald believed that the greatest legacy that one could pass on in life was not wealth or material things accumulated, but of character. McDonald certainly left that behind and on Memorial Day, his friends and family remembered him by unveiling a monument in his honor at the Windham Veterans Center.

A new monument at the Windham Veterans Center honors
the life of the late Carroll McDonald of Windham, the last
World War II veteran in town, who died in 2024 at the age 
of 99. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

McDonald was the last surviving World War II veteran living in Windham when he died at the age of 99 on Nov. 14, 2024. Born on his parents’ dairy farm in South Windham on March 1, 1925, from an early age he was fascinated by airplanes, and it was something he never lost sight of.

He graduated from Windham High School in 1942 and started classes at Northeastern Business College in Portland that fall, but by the next summer McDonald decided to accept a commission in the U.S. Army Air Corps to become a pilot before being drafted and assigned any job that was needed.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, he was sent to a U.S. Army flight school in Alabama and then assigned for training as a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida. McDonald received his flight wings in 1944 and spent the remainder of the war in Fort Myers flying P-51s, a long range, single-seat fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War.

“I joined because it was an opportunity to be well-trained and a chance to fly every single day,” McDonald said.

Though discharged from active duty in 1945, McDonald continued service and in 1951, while fulfilling his military commitment in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant during the Korean War.

“Flying P-51s was the best experience I could have ever hoped for. It was a top-of-the-line aircraft and was really very fast,” he said. “Here I was just a teenager, and I was flying one of the fastest aircraft in the world and serving my country during wartime. It was simply an amazing time.”

Following his active-duty discharge in 1945, McDonald returned to Windham and attended business school using the GI Bill. He joined the U.S. Post Office as a rural postal delivery driver, a job he worked at for 32 years, delivering mail in South Windham and on River Road until retiring. He also continued to pilot aircraft while serving as a mailman and would finish his mail route by 2 p.m. in the summers and then drive to Naples where he would fly sightseeing trips for tourists around Sebago Lake.

During his time on active duty in the military, McDonald married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Steeves and they raised a son, David, and a daughter, Karen.

Upon his retirement from the U.S. Post Office in 1980, McDonald volunteered for more than 20 years delivering Meals on Wheels to area seniors. He also became a member of the Presumpscot Lodge of Masons, Windham Hill Church, and Windham Historical Society. He also remained active in the Rural Letter Carriers Association and was elected to serve as State President for that for two years in the 1970s.

McDonald joined American Legion’s Field-Allen Post 148 in 1951 in Windham and eventually served as Post Commander and performed many other duties for the group through the years.

In an interview with The Windham Eagle in 2021, McDonald said he wouldn’t change a thing about his military service or his love for his fellow military veterans.

“I still think it was the right thing to do,” he said. “I am very positive about my time in the military. I enjoyed the structure, the discipline and was very pleased with the training I received. I’m lucky to have served and proud of what we accomplished.” 

Of everything he accomplished during his lifetime, McDonald said he would like to be remembered most as a pilot and for his military service in the defense of America and the freedom it stands for.

Carroll's granddaughter, Maureen Hopkins, and her mother and Carroll’s daughter, Karen Hopkins, were on hand when the monument was dedicated at the Windham Veterans Center. The monument features a drawing of P-51 Mustang airplane for McDonald. <

MSSPA donkey foal’s name fits fiery personality

By Erin Rose

After more than 400 votes and many comments on Facebook, the newest donkey at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) has a spicy name to match a fiery personality.

The donkey foal born in April at the Maine
State Society for the Protection of Animals 
in Windham has been named 'Pepperjack'
following a vote by the public on social 
media. The foal's mother, Diane, was
part of a group of donkeys and miniature
horses that were surrendered last fall
to the MSSPA. COURTESY PHOTO 

The public chose “Pepperjack” from a list of five names, which were selected by the MSSPA staff from names proposed by the organization’s Horse Heroes, monthly donors who support their work and receive special updates from the MSSPA. Members of the public were asked to vote via a link on the MSSPA’s Facebook page.

“’Pepperjack’ was by and large the runaway winner,” said Peg Keyser, MSSPA Advancement Director. “It also means we get to call them ‘Jack and Diane,’ which will be meaningful to music fans.”

The foal’s adorable features, including oversized ears, and impish personality have enraptured the staff at the MSSPA.

“He is the cutest thing in the whole world,” Keyser said. “His ears are adult sized and the rest of him is just catching up.”

Diane delivered the male foal (also called a “jack”) in the early hours of Monday, April 20. She is part of a group of five donkeys and two miniature horses known as the “Thanksgiving Angels” who were surrendered to the MSSPA in November 2025.

The staff suspected the 15-year-old donkey was expecting but had been waiting for a blood test to confirm the news when Pepperjack arrived in the night.

“When donkeys get close to delivery, they typically get a little uneasy, dribble a little water from their udders, they get a little waxy on their udders, and none of that happened,” Keyser said. “She was completely chill with no indication of any uneasiness or anything like that.”

When staff came in to start the morning routine and feed the animals in the outdoor paddock, they were shocked to find an extra inhabitant in the pen.

“Kenny, one of our staff members, came around the corner to begin to deliver the morning breakfast, and did a rub-your-eyes double take as there was little Pepperjack,” Keyser explained, saying that the staff have a group text chat, which exploded with talk of how many speeding tickets would be issued to the team that morning as everyone raced to the facility to get a look at the new baby, who was already walking around and nursing.

“The vet said he was born probably very early morning, likely 1 or 2 a.m., just like they’ve been doing since time eternal,” she said. “By the grace of God, everything went seamlessly.”

In the winter, staff started noticing Diane growing in unexpected ways and suspicions began to grow that the herd would soon expand.

“Around February or March, Diane started getting quite round and everyone noticed,” Keyser said. “She was round in a way that looked like she was carrying a baby and wasn’t just her putting on weight.”

Determining when donkeys are pregnant is challenging, as they carry babies for 11 to 14 months, meaning Diane was likely pregnant when she was surrendered to the care of MSSPA last fall.

“We had zero idea when she got pregnant, so this could have been in April or even maybe July,” Keyser said.

Prior to being surrendered, the two intact males of the farm’s Thanksgiving Angels, Kevin and Finn, were able to freely mingle with the two intact females. While Olive, the other female donkey of the group, arrived with a six-month-old baby named Yahtzee, Keyser explained that “a week after having that baby, she’s available to get pregnant again.”

The staff are now watching Olive even more closely, as they suspect she may be expecting a new baby.

“It’s too early to say for sure, but we’re hoping for a Christmas donkey,” Keyser added, noting that the MSSPA is waiting for the results of a blood test to confirm the pregnancy.

From information received by the MSSPA, they believe this may be Diane’s third baby meaning she was well-versed in the process of delivering the foal.

“She is an amazing mom. He was checking things out, nursing well, and she would push him in the right direction to guide him,” Keyser said. “We reveled in the sight of the paddock, but Diane, God love her, was just saying ‘it’s no big deal.’”

One of the biggest struggles for the Thanksgiving Angels has been developing a positive and healthy relationship with humans, including trusting their caregivers to halter and lead them. None of the equines were handled much prior to their surrender, so the staff at MSSPA have worked hard to build bonds to allow for easier handling.

“Diane was so unhandled and un-handleable that two staff members would each have a lead and try to lead her from the paddock to the barn, and she would drag them,” Keyser said, adding that she wanted nothing to do with humans.

Hours of work from the staff and from Chris Lombard, a professional horse trainer who donates his time to the MSSPA when able, and their limitless patience, helped show Diane how to trust the people around her.

“Diane was such a dramatic transformation,” Keyser said. “She became affectionate, curious, gentle; she began to trust humans.”

“When you have the gift of time to spend with these horses, and they begin to realize that they’re in a different place, a place where they can start to trust that the humans here are nice to them, you can really see the difference,” she said. “Their eyes start to brighten, they become curious. They come to the fence as opposed to standing in the back corner of the paddock and making very clear they don’t want to have anything to do with you.” 

“It’s inside all of these horses; it just takes time, patience, love and skill to peel those layers back,” Keyser said.

Diane has regressed slightly in her amazing progress from becoming a mother, but Keyser said it is to be expected.

“That’s because she’s a protective mom,” she said. “She’s not as interested in engaging, but now she’s allowing staff to be with her and be with the baby.”

“All of that training, we had no idea how important it was. Had she had this baby and she hadn’t been handled, it would have been very different,” Keyser said. 

Interest is high in donkeys, but none of the now six donkeys from the Thanksgiving Angels have been adopted yet, due to each of their own unique situations and needs. Olive was only recently weened from Yahtzee, and if she’s expecting again, she will remain under the care of the MSSPA until delivered. While there has been some interest in adopting her, Diane also will remain with the center until Pepperjack is weened and the two can be separated. Finn and Kevin have been gelded and are working to recover from that procedure before being considered for adoption.

The two mini horses from the group have found a new home together after spending some time at the MSSPA to lose some weight.

“It was unusual for us, as they were quite overweight,” Keyser said. “They were like meatballs with legs. They lost a good amount of weight and have been adopted together.

The 501(c) (3) charitable organization uses a combination of donations, bequests, grants and fundraising to provide care and support for equines that have been abused or neglected. Volunteers provided more than 10,700 hours of service to the MSSPA last year. Visitors are welcome to the MSSPA’s facility on River Road in Windham on “Summer Sundays”, which run from May through October from 11 a.m.-2p.m.

For more details about Pepperjack or Diane, or about donating to the MSSPA to support the duo or its other equines, visit www.msspa.org <

WHS sophomore to undertake grueling ‘Ultimate Murph Challenge’ to honor sacrifices of military veterans

By Ed Pierce

Lt. Michael Murphy was a U.S. Navy SEAL officer who tragically lost his life while taking intense Taliban fire to radio for help for his pinned-down squad after his team was compromised and surrounded by enemy forces near Asadabad, Afghanistan in 2005. His story has inspired Nate Plati, a Windham High School sophomore, to undertake The Ultimate "Murph" Challenge, an intense CrossFit workout and fundraising event conducted every year on Memorial Day.

Nate Plati, a Windham High School
sophomore, will undertake the 'Ultimate
Murph Challenge,' an intense CrossFit
workout to raise money for the Windham
Veterans Center on Memorial Day. The
event honors the late U.S. Navy SEAL
Lt. Michael Murphy, a Medal of Honor
recipient who lost his life protecting his
team in Afghanistan in 2005.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Plati plays varsity and club soccer, serves as a class officer and student council member, is a member of the WHS leadership team of Best Buddies, and assists with Unified athletics. He’s also a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.0 GPA, is a devout Catholic attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and is passionate about fitness and ultra-endurance challenges.

His future plans are joining the U.S. Army Reserves, participating in ROTC throughout college, and serving America in the military following graduation.

“I first thought of the idea of creating the Ultimate Murph after hearing about the Original Murph Challenge, which is a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 pushups, 300 squats followed by one more one-mile run,” Plati said. “I then made the decision to create the Ultimate Murph as a challenge to push myself to my limits and promote the importance of doing hard things. With the Ultimate, I’ll be doing the Original Murph 10 times so a total of a 20-mile run, 1,000 pull-ups, 2,000 pushups and 3,000 squats.”

The Original Murph Challenge was designed to be a grueling test of both physical endurance and mental grit and is usually performed while wearing a 20-pound weight vest.

Jeff Cook of Windham, a retired US Navy, SEABEE and the Commander of VFW Post 10643, says that Plati reached out to him a few months ago and wanted to help veterans in Windham.

“He is committed to excellence and making Windham a better place. As a young man with aspirations of attending West Point, I feel we need to help Nate the best we can,” Cook said. “Very seldom do you find a young person with this kind of drive. He has already raised thousands of dollars on his own that he will be donating to the veterans’ organizations in Windham.

Cook says that Plati taking on the Ultimate Murph Challenge holds special significance to him.

“This hit home with me as I was attached to Navy S.O.COM and worked for the SEALS teams and was listening to the radio commands as Lt. Murphy’s mission took a bad turn and everyone died accept Marcus Luttrell only a few miles away from my Forward Operating Base,” he said.

According to Cook, having Plati perform the Ultimate Murph Challenge is something he created on his own and working with school athletics and WHS administration, to date he has raised just over $3,200 toward his $5,000 goal.

“I am a true believer that to succeed in life you must be able to do hard things and push yourself beyond your limits,” Plati said. “If you can overcome physical adversity, challenges you face later in your life become much more manageable. I believe no group accomplishes this better than the United States military and I am a huge supporter of the people who serve our country.”

Plati will break the challenge up into 11 parts. Each part will consist of a 1-mile run, 20 sets of 5 pull-ups, 10 pushups, and 15 squats, and each set has a minute of rest. After doing this part 10 different times, the final 11th part will consist of a 10-mile run.

He will be doing the event on the Windham High School Track on Memorial Day, Monday May 25 starting at 6 a.m. and running until about 4 p.m. with spectators and supporters welcome and greatly appreciated.

“I believe the hardest part will be after the first 10 parts,” Plati said. “Mentally it is going to be difficult knowing I have done 1,000 pull-ups, 2,000 pushups, 3,000 squats, and run for 10 miles, and still have another 10 miles to run. I am going to overcome this by remembering that I am doing this challenge for something greater than myself.”

Passionate about the U.S. Army and hoping to attend West Point after high school to become a combat engineer officer in the Army, Plati says that he would love to serve a full 20-year military career. 

“I enjoy the thought of an intense physical job with structure that will allow me to push myself, as well as open up many opportunities for me,” he said. “At the same time helping people and serving my country is a true passion of mine.”

He’s been training for this challenge six to seven days a week since the middle of January while still focusing on his high school studies.

“My favorite subjects are math and history,” Plati said. “I like problem solving in math and I love to learn about how the world works around me in history.”


As far as the Ultimate Murph Challenge goes, Plati says the key takeaway he wants people to remember is the importance in doing things greater than yourself especially to help those around you.

“Two quotes that have gotten me this far are ‘Do it for those who can’t, and to honor those who did’ and ‘1 Peter 4:1 Therefore since Christ died in the flesh for us, for you arm yourself with the same thought and purpose. For whoever has suffered in the flesh is through with sin,’ he said.

Plati believes the public should support and donate to his Ultimate Murph Challenge as a measure of respect for those Americans who have worn the uniform of the United States in the defense of freedom.

“This is about giving back to our veteran community who served our country and put their lives on the line so we may be free,” he said.

To learn more about Nate Plati and donate to his Ultimate Murph Challenge, visit https://givebutter.com/plati-murph-challenge. <

From rookie to role model: WHS mock CSI unit creates a full circle return to the scene

By Lorraine Glowczak

“When will I ever use this after high school?” It’s a question that teachers have heard echo through classrooms for decades. From math equations to lab reports to literary analysis, students often wonder how today’s lessons will matter in their future. But what happens when learning moves beyond the classroom and into the real world – where students are exposed to the ways math, science, and English are not only useful, but needed to succeed?

Corporal Hailey Penney, a 2022 Windham High graduate now
serving in the Maine Correctional Center's Special
Investigations and Intelligence Unit, returned to WHS as 
an expert in the annual Mock CSI event, a career-connected
curriculum she participated in as a student four years ago. 
She helped student 'rookie' detectives refine their\
questioning skills and share how others can follow a 
similar career path. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

To help students see the real-world value of their learning, Windham High School teachers John Ziegler (math) and Adrianne Shetenhelm (alternative education English) launched a hands-on interdisciplinary unit in 2016. The collaboration brought their classes together for a mock CSI experience that challenged students to apply math, writing and critical-thinking skills to a simulated crime scene.

“As the project proved its impact over the next few years, the partnership grew to include Lauren Ruffner’s science, along with real-world support from the Windham Police Department and the Windham Fire Department, transforming the unit into a fully immersive learning experience,” Shetenhelm said.

This collaborative interdisciplinary unit continued again this year on Thursday, April 30 with the “crime” occurring in the parking lot at the Windham Veterans Center. But what made this year’s unit so special was a meaningful turning point when one of Shetenhelm’s former students, Hailey Penney, a 2022 WHS graduate, joined in on the collaboration.

“A full-circle moment for me this year was having Hailey back on the scene, four years after she was in the unit as a student; she came back as an expert,” Shetenhelm said.

Penney, now Corporal Penney, works for the Maine Correctional Center in the Special Investigations and Intelligence Unit. She was invited to join mock CSI day to help the “rookie" detectives and evidence techs in refining their questioning techniques. She talked about her career pathway and how other students may follow a similar path if they are interested.

“After contacting the Maine Correctional Center to see if we could have someone speak to our students, it was clear that Hailey would be the perfect choice,” Shetenhelm said. “Hailey's superiors spoke so highly of her capabilities and her speedy progression in the field. I was not surprised, and I am so proud of her.”

Corporal Penney said that she doesn’t remember being interested in law enforcement before the mock CSI event. “I believe this is because of my prior lack of knowledge as to what law enforcement officers do. Being introduced to WPD Detective Andrews and Sergeant Fournier and learning about what they do in their careers significantly changed my perception. I was inspired to make a difference.”

She added that being a part of a “real-life crime scene”, gathering information and interviewing witnesses and suspects sparked an interest in her that she didn’t know she had. “Before this, I remember feeling as if I had not found my passion yet. I am very grateful that I was involved with this event because I’m not sure if I would have considered a career in corrections or law enforcement otherwise.”

Being an expert now, Corporal Penney said that she enjoyed talking with the students about her story and how her career became a passion.

“There were so many students who were engaged in this event and open to speaking with me. I gave two students Maine Department of Corrections challenge coins because I was very impressed with their thought processes and efforts that went into this year’s mock CSI unit,” she said. “My hope is that students were able to take something away from our conversations and have a better understanding of law enforcement, like I did when I experienced the CSI event.”

It’s Shetenhelm and Ziegler’s hope for their students too. As a result, they plan to continue this annual career connected learning as long as they can. To do so, they will begin to write a new “crime” this summer.

“Each year, we write a new narrative over the summer and recruit staff volunteers and actors in the fall,” Shetenhelm said. “We begin working with the WPD and other experts to ensure the story is realistic. By the fourth quarter, the unit begins—preparing English students to investigate and interview witnesses while math and science students learn to analyze evidence. On the day of the field trip, one question remains: Have we prepared them enough to connect the dots on their own, just as they must after graduation?”

Shetenhelm says that they hope to team teach with Corporal Penney again next year.

“I couldn't be prouder and more honored to be a part of her story and to be working alongside her,” Shetenhelm said. 

Raymond voters to weigh short‑term rental ordinance aimed at balancing tourism and neighborhood peace

By Dina Mendros

As short‑term rentals continue to expand across Maine’s lake communities, Raymond residents will soon vote on a proposed ordinance designed to regulate the fast‑growing industry. Supporters say the measure would protect neighborhood character and ensure accountability, while critics argue it adds unnecessary oversight for responsible property owners.

Raymond residents will vote on June 9 on a proposed
Short-Term Rental Ordinance that would establish a
comprehensive registration and enforcement system
for any dwelling rented for fewer than 30 consecutive
days to ensure they operate safely and responsibly.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

The proposed Short‑Term Rental (STR) Ordinance was placed on the warrant by a 2–1 vote of the Raymond Select Board and will be voted on by residents June 9. It outlines a comprehensive registration and enforcement system for any dwelling rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days and Select Board Vice Chair Kaela Gonzalez said the goal is not to eliminate STRs but to ensure they operate safely and responsibly.

“A Short‑Term Rental is defined as a permanent dwelling unit that is rented to guests for a period of time less than thirty consecutive days for compensation,” Gonzalez explained. “STRs must register annually, provide septic data, and proof of insurance. Some of the rules include providing a 24‑hour emergency contact, occupancy limits, off‑street parking, and displaying Good Neighbor guidelines.”

Raymond, like many Maine towns, has seen a surge in short‑term rentals as platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo attract seasonal visitors. The ordinance’s stated purpose emphasizes the town’s desire to preserve “the peace and quiet character of residential neighborhoods” while acknowledging that many property owners rely on rental income.

“To preserve the fabric of residential neighborhoods and to protect the safety of existing residents and visitors, the Town of Raymond believes the operation of short‑term rentals must be monitored,” the draft ordinance reads. It goes on to stipulate that the proposal aims to “balance the desires of the property owners who wish to rent their properties… with the desire for residents wishing to preserve the character of their residential neighborhoods.”

Gonzalez says that Raymond is not alone in pursuing STR regulation.

“Many municipalities are creating and passing similar ordinances,” she said. “The Select Board directed the Planning Board to create a draft ordinance. After a lengthy process with the Planning Board, it was brought to the Select Board for consideration.”

If approved, all STR owners – existing and new – would be required to register annually with the town.

Registration would include:

• An application and fee

• Septic system information or proof of public sewer connection

• Evidence of insurance

• An inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer

A registration certificate would list the approved occupancy and must be displayed inside the rental.

The ordinance also outlines performance standards. Occupancy would be capped at two overnight guests per legal bedroom or the septic system’s permitted capacity, whichever is lower. Owners must provide off‑street parking for all guests and supply a local emergency contact able to respond promptly. Subletting and event hosting that interferes with parking would be prohibited.

The ordinance establishes a complaint process through the town’s Code Enforcement Officer, who would maintain records and determine whether violations warrant suspension or revocation of a registration. Violations - such as operating without registration, excessive noise, trash issues, or advertising higher occupancy than allowed - could result in fines, with each day counting as a separate offense.

Supporters say this structure gives residents a fair and accessible way to address problems.

The Raymond Short‑Term Rental Initiative, a local advocacy group, argues that the ordinance “restores accountability to you, the environment and the community.” The group says that with the ordinance in place, “the town has a way to collect critical data on this expanding industry, provide guidelines for them to follow, and recourse if they fail to operate properly.” They emphasize that residents would finally have “a method of recourse that won’t cost you a fortune to pursue if you’re being negatively impacted and ignored by an unresponsive STR owner with deep pockets or their unruly customers.”

The group also contends that responsible STR owners stand to benefit: “These minimum standards will improve the industry in town, allowing owners to charge a premium and promote the continuity that standards bring to the market.”

As Raymond prepares for its vote, residents face a choice that will influence the town’s character, economy, and quality of life for years to come.

The complete text of the proposed short-term rental ordinance can be found online in the Raymond Voter Guide at raymondmaine.gov/news/voter-guide. Voting takes from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 at the Jordan-Small Middle School Gymnasium at 423 Webbs Mill Road in Raymond. Also on the ballot are Municipal Election of Officers, Select Board (two 3-year terms; one 1-year term to fill a vacancy), Budget-Finance Committee (one 3-year term; two 1-year terms to fill vacancy) and RSU 14 Board of Directors (one 3-year term); the Annual Town Warrant; RSU 14 Budget Validation; and the State Primary. <

Veterinary student finds confidence through bodybuilding

By Ed Pierce

When Mikayla Baiguy first started lifting weights during the pandemic, she had no idea it would eventually lead to a bodybuilding title and winning her pro card in the sport.

Mikayla Baiguy, a 2019 Windham High School graduate,
placed first in figure novice and first in figure open, 
earning her a pro card, while competing in the OCB
Blaze of Glory bodybuilding competition in Bridgeport,
Connecticut in April. She will earn a Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine degree at Tufts University this month and hopes 
to become a veterinarian in New England.
SUBMITTED PHOTO     

Baiguy, Windham High School’s Class of 2019 Valedictorian, is wrapping up work this month to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Tufts University and she also competed in two bodybuilding competitions this spring. In March, she placed second in figure debut and figure novice and was third in figure open at the OCB Shamrock Classic in Durham, New Hampshire, then followed that up by placing first in figure novice and first in figure open, which earned her a pro card, at the OCB Blaze of Glory in Bridgeport, Connecticut in April.

It’s an interesting hobby for Baiguy, who hopes to become a small animal general practice veterinarian in either Maine or New Hampshire upon graduation from Tufts.

“When I first started lifting, I never imagined that I would end up here or how much this sport would mean to me. I started lifting during COVID-19 as a way to get out of the house and stay active,” Baiguy said. “At first, I felt so out of place in the gym, but the longer I went, the more I started to enjoy it. I slowly started educating myself on the bodybuilding lifestyle, including both lifting and diet. The more I learned, the more invested I became, and started to fall in love with the process.”

Baiguy says that she never considered competing in a bodybuilding competition until about two years ago, mainly because she had not had enough time to develop her physique to a point that she was confident to step on stage.

“Once I did get to a point where I was thinking about it, I went to watch my cousin compete in her first show. I had so much fun watching her, and she had such an amazing experience; that was when I decided for sure that I wanted to go for it,” Baiguy said. “I started making plans, picked a show date, dialed in my diet and workouts, found a coach, and never looked back.”

In competing for the first time, she said she decided to enter the bodybuilding events this spring with no expectations.

“My only goals were to look like I belonged on stage and enjoy the process,” Baiguy said. “I never imagined that I would end up with my pro card at the end of it. As proud and excited as I am for the win, this prep has meant so much more to me than just that. I have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people in the bodybuilding community, forming connections and lifelong friends through a shared passion for this sport. It has shown me how lucky I am to have so many friends and family in my corner cheering me on throughout the process.”

She said bodybuilding has taught her so much about herself and pushed her past limits, both mental and physical, that she never knew she had.

“I love this sport because it is proof that results are a direct reflection of the work that you put in, that as long as you keep showing up, you cannot fail,” Baiguy said. “This discipline is something that I have been able to translate to all other aspects of life as well. This sport has become a safe place for me, giving me consistency and structure when the rest of life feels overwhelming or out of control, and for that I am forever grateful. I am so thankful for everything this life has given me so far and cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

According to Baiguy, bodybuilding has never felt like a burden or something that interferes with her academic studies.

“If anything, it improves my academic performance by giving me an outlet to take a break from the stress of school and provide me with a better work-life balance. Some weeks are busier than others when it comes to academics, and I may have to flex my gym schedule a bit or skip a day here and there,” she said. “But at the end of the day, success in bodybuilding isn't about any single day, it's about the consistency and time put in over many years. I love this sport, so it's never been difficult to make it a top priority in my life in addition to academics. That being said, I don't have the same flexibility with my gym schedule during prep as I do in the off season. I purposely planned my prep for a time I knew that I would be slightly less busy with school so that it interfered with my academics as little as possible.”

She’s found that nutrition is essential to bodybuilding success.

“It doesn't matter how long you've been training for, if nutrition isn't dialed in you'll never be able to build muscle efficiently or get lean enough to step on stage,” Baiguy said. “When preparing for a competition, it is essential to keep protein high to maintain as much muscle mass as possible. Common protein sources include chicken breast, lean ground beef or ground turkey, egg whites, Greek yogurt, and protein powder, among other things. Carbs and fats will start off higher at the beginning of prep and slowly drop down as you get closer to the show. Common carb sources include rice, sweet potatoes, oats, and fruit. Healthy fat sources include eggs, avocados, and nut butter. Having lots of vegetables is also important and can help with satiety because you can eat a high volume for relatively low calories. As far as drinks during prep, I stick to water, black coffee, and other zero-calorie drinks. The diet during prep is so strict; there is no room for extra calories in drinks.”

To best prepare for the events that she planned to enter this spring, Baiguy worked with a bodybuilding coach, Kevin Richards, for about 6 months from November to April while preparing for the competitions. Prior to that, she was entirely self-taught and had never worked with a coach or trainer. During her preparations, she would spend about two hours a day or between 13 to 15 hours every week at the gym. 

“Personally, I find it best to stay busy during prep, which was not hard for me, given my crazy school schedule,” she said. “Keeping busy allows less time to overthink the little things, less stress about the day-to-day fluctuations, less time to dwell on the feelings of hunger or overall burnout that your body is experiencing. Having a coach also took a lot of mental strain from me as far as not having to worry about my weekly progress throughout prep. I trusted him to make the necessary changes to get me where I needed to be. All I had to do was sit back and follow the plan. Having him with me on show day was also a huge weight off my shoulders because he was able to guide me through everything. I didn't have to worry about all the little details and timing of everything, so I could just relax and enjoy the day.”

As far as her future in bodybuilding is concerned, Baiguy hopes to continue to improve herself and expand her knowledge of bodybuilding, including both training and diet.

“I hope to have my pro debut at some point in 2027. I would love to continue to compete as long as I am able to but I don't have any specific expectations aside from continuing to grow and get better one day at a time,” she said. “I am going to take the rest of this year to allow my body to recover from this prep that I just finished and allow time for growth before my next show.” <

WMS Odyssey of the Mind team preparing for World Finals in Iowa

By Masha Yurkevich

Creative problem solving is an important part of everyday life that we are not always taught at school. However, Windham Middle School (WMS) Odyssey of the Mind students are working on creative problem-solving skills that will help them later in their life. After competing in the Odyssey of the Mind Nor'easter Tournament, the team placed first in their division, which qualified them for an invitation to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa State University from May 27 to May 30.

Windham Middle School's Odyssey of the Mind team who
will participate in the World Finals at Iowa state University
later this month are, from left, sixth grader Byrn Johnson,
eighth grader Fynnleigh Mayo, eighth grader Charlie
Johnson, eighth grader Devon Yates, sixth grader Cora
Miller and eighth grader Colin Miller.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

“Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving program in which team members present their solution to a predefined long-term problem at a competition that spans many months and involves writing, design, construction, and theatrical performance,” says Rebecca Miller, the coach of this team. “A spontaneous portion of the competition also has the team generating solutions to a problem they have not seen before. Creative problem-solving, perseverance, critical thinking, compromise, and teamwork skills are honed to make this experience successful and beneficial for skills applicable to their future careers.”

Placing first in their division Odyssey of the Mind Nor'easter Tournament was a very pleasant surprise for the team, given that they had also received an Omer Award for passing on a positive spirit by making and wearing clothes pins that they made.

While Miller is the coach, everything must be student created.

“I am more of the organizer, while the students are the ones who use the saws, nails, screws, and assemble everything on their own,” she said.

Team member Fynnleigh Mayo has been in Odyssey of the Mind for nine years.

“I started in kindergarten and have so much fun every year that I continue to do it. I am very excited for Iowa because of pin trading and competing with other teams from all around the world,” he says.

His teammates have experience too.

“I have been in Odyssey of the Mind for around five years, and I joined because I wanted to find a fun activity that would work my mind and be able to have fun with friends,” says Charlie Johnson. “I have been to World Finals before, and one of my favorite things was pin trading. I got to interact with lots of cool people and got to get many really cool pins from all over the place. I really recommend that people join Odyssey. It is a super fun and creative brain workout and can help you with things like teamwork, thinking creatively, and working with your hands.”

Cora Miller has been in Odyssey of the Mind since she was in kindergarten.

“It started when my brother had joined Odyssey of the Mind, and he came home talking about a cool project that he and his team did. Being able to compete against teams from all around the world is an awesome experience.”

“I have been in Odyssey of the Mind for five years, and I joined to build and create with my friends,” says Bryn Johnson. “I really love the pin trading in Odyssey, but my favorite thing is meeting teams from across the world and seeing other performances.”

Devon Yates joined Odyssey of the Mind in second grade and has been a part of it for six years.

“I joined because I had spent years watching my siblings compete and could not wait for the day I could take part, too. In Iowa, I am most excited to meet all the new people and make connections with everyone. I am so thankful for all the community support we have had to help us get ready for this trip; We are so excited to represent Windham at Worlds.”

The community has truly been a big support in assisting this team. However, they still need some help.

"To interact on a World stage with teams from all over the world is truly amazing," says Miller.

But it is also expensive. 

There have been ongoing fundraisers throughout the year to help with different Odyssey of the Mind finances, and there are more coming up. The Odyssey of the Mind team would be grateful to receive donations, gift cards, mileage points for hotel or car rentals, items for our trip, future fundraising events, or raffles, or to match funds raised at one of their upcoming events.

To donate to help the team, contact Rebecca Miller at 207-892-1840 x2460 or send an email to [email protected]. <

PowerServe: A decade of service through the Donnelly Family’s eyes

By Lorraine Glowczak

The special spring tradition of volunteering continues, bringing neighbors together once again and marking 10 years of service rooted in compassion, connection, and community. PowerServe participants will gather for another day of community service, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9, on the Windham Historical Society campus before volunteers disperse to their assigned community projects, and return at 1 p.m. for a shared lunch.

In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, PowerServe hopes
to complete at least 35 service projects with 250 volunteers
at its community service event on May 9 in Windham. 
COURTESY PHOTO  

0 Although the focus is community service, PowerServe has been more than a volunteer event. From the very beginning, the organization has also been a story about people, purpose, and the ripple effect of one teenager’s belief that caring for a community can create lasting change.

This annual volunteer-driven initiative continues to live out its mission of “caring boldly and serving strong.” Often described as a spark of light in the community, PowerServe began as a way to simply turn grief into action.

Launched in 2016 after the unexpected passing of 16-year-old Shane Donnelly, the effort started when Kristine Delano of YoungLife Sebago saw the impact on the students at Windham High School and the wider community and felt called to respond. Inspired by the power of community service, she created a day in early May 2016 to unite the community in kindness and connection in Shane’s honor.

For the Donnelly family, PowerServe is deeply personal – a legacy of compassion that began with a vision to help others and has grown far beyond what they imagined. Each year, they watch that spark spread, drawing in about 200 volunteers and strengthening community bonds through projects like yard cleanups, painting, and small repairs for Windham neighbors and nonprofits.

“When you lose a child, you enter a kind of grief you never imagined,” Shane’s mother, Kim Donnelly said. “But out of something so tragic, something unexpectedly beautiful has grown. People experience loss every day, yet what PowerServe has become is a reflection of community – where nearly two-thirds of the volunteers are youth and students serving alongside adults, all working together.”

Shane’s sister, Maddie Donnelly, a senior at WHS, who was 7 years old at the time of his passing, said her brother carried a quiet, steady outlook on life that was rooted in the outdoors and a deep caring for others. 

“Whether he was talking about college, dreaming of becoming a Maine Game Warden, or simply enjoying time outside, he found a sense of peace and tranquility in nature,” she said. “He was also known for offering kind words and giving others the benefit of the doubt, always choosing compassion first.”

Maddie shared that his compassion for others truly lives on in the spirit of PowerServe, and she is determined to keep that spirit alive by spreading the word about the organization. This year, she did so through her Senior Capstone Project, a graduation requirement.

“It felt like an easy decision to choose PowerServe as my capstone topic,” she said. “Sharing PowerServe and helping people learn about it just made sense. It speaks to the kind of person Shane was and it feels good to make others feel good in his honor. He loved serving others and being outdoors – this is something he would have truly enjoyed doing.”

She said that PowerServe is not just about the projects being completed, it’s about the people being present with one another. It’s about connections.

“Watching volunteers and recipients sit down, talk, and truly connect is what stays with you, Maddie said. “Some of the most meaningful stories come afterward from neighbors who didn’t just receive help, but also shared time, laughter, and a sense of being seen.”

Maddie agrees with her mother, saying that she enjoys connecting with the recipients.

“Our conversations are so much fun and we create lasting memories,” she said. “Sometimes we spend at least an hour talking with each other. It leaves everyone feeling genuinely uplifted.”

As for the requests for assistance, the Donnellys say that it is often a friend, neighbor, or loved one who makes the request for others. 

“People who need help with gardens, painting, etc. generally do not want to burden family, and once we step in, we keep checking back to see how they’re doing, even helping them enjoy flower gardens they haven’t been able to tend to in years,” they said. 

PowerServe, which recently became an official nonprofit, allows all donated funds to stay in Windham, and is hoping to complete at least 35 service projects with 250 volunteers at its community service event on May 9.

“The more volunteers, the more projects we can do and the more people we can help, the better able to make a greater impact and difference in our community, which exemplifies Shane’s personality and would make him so happy,” Maddie said.

As PowerServe celebrates a decade of service, its impact is measured not just in completed projects, but in the relationships built, the gratitude shared, and the reminder that meaningful change often starts with a simple decision to show up and help.

For more details about PowerServe, to volunteer to help, or to request a project, send an email to [email protected]. <

Global Beauty Awards honor Windham fashion brand founder

By Ed Pierce

Katie Winchenbach of Windham believes she can change the world and is not letting anyone tell her otherwise.

Katie Winchenbach of Windham, founder of fashion'
brand 'Fearless by Katie Winchenbach' was honored
as the 'Best Rising entrepreneur' at the 2026
Global Beauty Awards in Seattle, Washington
on April 18, rec0ognikzing her growing impact
in the fashion and business world.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
 

Winchenbach, the founder of fashion brand “Fearless by Katie Winchenbach” was honored as the “Best Rising Entrepreneur” at the 2026 Global Beauty Awards on April 18 in Seattle, Washington, recognizing her growing impact in the fashion and business world less than a year after launching the brand.

Known for its high-quality, statement clothing designed for special events at more accessible pricing, the Fearless by Katie Winchenbach brand’s signature line of vibrant, colorful dresses, all under $300, reflects Winchenbach’s commitment to making confidence and standout style attainable for more women.

She said she is humbled by this recognition.

“This award means so much because it reflects the heart behind the brand,” said Winchenbach. “Fearless was created to give women that extra layer of confidence. Not just in how they look, but in how they show up in their lives.”

According to Winchenbach, she launched the Fearless by Katie Winchenbach fashion brand in 2025 with a clear mission of creating clothing that empowers women to feel confident, capable, and unapologetically bold. Her designs focus on flattering a variety of body types while helping women “own every room they walk into.”

Her journey to this point has been one of persistence and determination.

Winchenbach grew up in the small town of Milford, near the University of Maine in Orono, and moved to Windham in 2021 with her husband Jared. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maine, a Juris Doctorate law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hofstra University.

She became a corporate attorney while also working as a podcast host.​

“My mom always told me that I could be anything I wanted to be. I took that literally, becoming the first in my family to attend college and law school,” Winchenbach said. “Being a first-generation student challenged me, but it also inspired me to help pave the way for women like me who are chasing big dreams.​”

One of those dreams was realized when she entered and won the pageant title as USOA Mrs. Maine 2024, which gave her a platform to advocate for women’s empowerment, provide critical leadership opportunities, and to break down barriers to women’s success.

That led to her entering the National United States Mrs. 2025 Pageant representing Maine and she won that title too, cementing her idea of advancing women’s leadership, breaking barriers, and inspiring confidence in women of all ages.

She says that deciding to compete for the National United States Mrs. title gave her the opportunity to evaluate the impact that she was making on my community and challenged her to find new ways to tap into my passion for supporting rising women leaders.

“As a result, I created a podcast titled Lead Fearlessly in which I invite women leaders from all over the world to share their stories, their struggles, and their tips,” Winchenbach said. “My goal is to give women all over the world the leadership support that I once needed. This podcast has opened so many doors for me including giving me the opportunity to present my first TEDx talk on leadership and confidence, and a clothing line she called Fearless by Katie Winchenbach.”

During a recent television interview, Winchenbach said that as a 5-foot-1, size 12 woman, she wasn’t a “stereotypical pageant girl” so she had difficulty finding clothing that made her feel confident.

"That's what led me to start my own clothing line," she told the television interviewer.

In under a year, the Fearless by Katie Winchenbach fashion brand has drawn significant national and international attention, with runway showcases and partnering with Supermodels Unlimited at New York Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week, and her debut at Paris Fashion Week.

Now the Global Beauty Awards have paid tribute to Winchenbach and called further attention to what she is trying to accomplish. The Global Beauty Awards is an international awards program that celebrates excellence across the pageant, beauty, fashion, and business industries. It brings together professionals from around the world and recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and impact in their fields.

Winners of Global Beauty Awards are selected through a formal nomination and voting process involving industry members and peers.

Through it all, Winchenbach’s husband has been so incredibly supportive, not just of her pageant participation, but of everything that has resulted from that, including this latest award for her fashion brand. 

“He was front row in Miami when I launched my clothing line, he holds down the fort at home when I travel for appearances and events, and of course, he was right there in the audience when I won this national title,” she said. “I've poured a lot of time and effort into my podcast, my service work, and my pageant preparation. I wouldn't be able to do that without knowing he has my back.”

Despite all the acclaim and recognition that she has received, Winchenbach remains committed to uplift, empower, and inspire rising women leaders and it is at the heart of everything she does.​

“I think when you are in a male-dominated field like the legal profession it's easy to get caught up with trying to fit in and I definitely did that,” she said. “It wasn't until I started competing in pageants that I realized I wasn't being my full, authentic self. I have always loved fashion, modeling, and design. I actually went to undergrad with the goal of becoming a fashion writer. When I joined the legal profession, I felt like I had to leave that part of me behind, but pageantry made me see that wasn't the case. I finally found the confidence to show up as who I was meant to be. Now I'm proud to be a successful attorney and a podcast host, model, designer, and advocate for women.” <