Longtime area resident shares experiences in letters - By Elizabeth Richards

Fred Collins, 88, has many stories to tell, and often shares them through letters to the editor in The Windham Eagle. Collins is committed to keeping history alive by sharing his recollections and insights.

Collins was born in 1926. When he was four years old, he was given up for adoption due to family health issues and financial concerns. He became a ward of the town, and lived with the Libby family on a small farm in Windham. Everyone was expected to work, and since there wasn’t much a small child of four could do, it became his job to keep the wood box for the old iron stove full. Collins said he likes to remember these times, to help keep everything in perspective. 

As a child, Collins attended the one-room Friends School and Church at the Friends Church. In 1938, when Collins was 12, he joined the Boy Scouts, an organization that would remain important to him throughout his life. Now in his 75^th year in scouting, Collins has been a scoutmaster and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to the Boy Scouts of America in December of 2000. 

Collins said that his involvement with Scouting has been a highlight in his life, bringing many benefits.

The skills he learned earning his swimming lifesaving merit badge were put to use when he was just 13. He was at a Sunday School picnic by the Pleasant River when a girl on the outing got swept to the other side of the river by the current. He went in after her, and after a tough start, was able to bring her to safety. He then saved another girl who had come in to try and assist him and also been caught up in the current. “That was a highlight of a life, saving somebody’s life,” said Collins. “You do a good turn, it will return to you,” he said. He said he uses that experience often when he talks with Scouts, to show that everything they do in Scouts will be useful someday.

Collins was just sixteen years old when he was drafted into the military during World War II. In moving from Westbrook to Windham as a young child, his records had been lost and when he went to school two years had been added to his age. He was sent to get a birth certificate from a gentleman in Westbrook, who asked him how old he was. When he said his records showed he was eighteen, the man asked him if he was sure he wanted to be 18. Collins said, “I could have changed it to 16 and finished high school, but I figured if they need me in the service, I’ll go.” 

Collins joined the Marines and was sent to Iwo Jima. His Scout training served him well once again, and he saved a man who had a gaping chest wound by using large safety pins from the machine gun bandoliers to pin the wound together, then carrying the man to the sick bay tents. As they moved to the tent, he said, he told the soldier in front not to change his stride. With each step they took, a bullet was going right between the legs of the man in front. Collins said telling these stories means a lot to the kids he speaks to. 

“You can hear all kinds of stories, but if you’ve got somebody that was there, it means a lot more,” he said. Collins is one of many WWII veterans featured in “Neighborhood Heroes: Life Lessons from Maine’s Greatest Generation,” by 18-year-old Westbrook High School student Morgan Rielly. The book will be released in early June.

After being discharged from the Marines in 1946, Collins returned to Windham and finished high school. He married his wife, Geneva, in 1949. In 1950, Collins was called back into military service to fight in the Korean War. When he returned, he briefly considered a restaurant career, but instead ended up at SD Warren paper mill, where he worked for 23 years.

At the same time, he began a home painting business, which he operated for 55 years. When his wife inherited some property in Westbrook, the Collins decided to open a small nursing facility. They put an addition onto the old farm, and opened Rocky Hill Manor, which they ran for 25 years. It was here that Collins was able to indulge his longtime interest in cooking. The residents became his family, since he didn’t really have any, he said. 

Collins had a memory from when he was very young of attending a party with a large group of people. He often wondered about that memory, he said, and when he was in his late 60s, he discovered the truth. He did indeed have some family, including a half brother he had never known about, and had gone to visit them as a young child. After the family located him, Collins attended a large reunion in Sanford, and continued to spend time with his half brother afterwards. “I found a family,” he said. “That was good.” 

Collins and his wife had a big family of their own. They raised six children, and have numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. After having five bypasses over 13 years ago, he said he is pleased that modern medicine has been able to give him these years to see his grandchildren and their accomplishments in life. Collins said he feels he’s been very fortunate in his life, despite the difficulties he faced. “I think I have an angel on my shoulder. I’ve had some close calls,” he said. “You can’t take all the time,” he added. “It doesn’t hurt to give. Sometimes it’s good.”

These days, Collins spends a lot of time at the desk in a little room in his house. He does his writing on a typewriter, and the walls are filled with photographs and mementos. “This is my life,” he said. He has filing cabinets full of writing, from poetry to stories and articles he’s written for the Iwo Jima Survivors Journal based in Connecticut. 

The room overlooks a large garden where he can watch the birds at birdfeeders. He said he also enjoys mowing the large lawn that surrounds the property. Collins said he doesn’t sleep much, thinking about what’s going on in the world. He leaves a pad of paper beside his bed to capture inspiration when it comes to him. “I have a great feeling for the constitution and trying to keep America on track. In a subtle way, I like to put that on paper,” Collins said.

Local man encourages people to go bald for children's cancer fundraising event - By Michelle Libby

Dan Jackson hasn’t had any direct personal experiences with childhood cancer, but he felt the need to be involved in doing something for others and felt called by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. 
 

Once a year people volunteer to have their head shaved, called a shavee, or donate to someone who has volunteered or donate outright to support the foundation that looks to close the funding gap for the treatment of childhood “kid” cancers. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $127 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants.

Jackson said that through his work as a special education teacher at RSU14, he has had two of his students pass away from cancer. 

There are four St. Baldrick’s events scheduled around Maine. One of them in May is in Orono, Jackson said. 

University of Maine sophomore Andrew Tyler is a shavee for the first time this year. “Being that it is Maine Day at UMaine which it is a day of volunteering and giving back, I am shaving my head to stand in solidarity with all those with cancer and raising money for childhood cancer research,” he said.

At the southern Maine event on June 1, at Jimmy the Greeks in South Portland, there will be professional licensed hair stylists standing by to do the shaving. Melissa Carlberg from Escape Hair in Windham is one of the shavers. 

“We’ve invited over 1,000 people and 20 have confirmed they will be there,” said Jackson. Six people have agreed to have their heads shaved. 

“It’s a great case of something unique and different,” he said. There will also be raffles for those in attendance. It’s not only shavees who will be at Jimmy the Greeks on June first, but others who want to donate, support, or to observe the fun. 

 

“We are looking for individuals and teams to get excited about shaving their heads and helping to Conquer Kids' Cancer! Getting started couldn't be easier. Register as an individual or start a team with your co-workers, family, friends or neighbors. Got a competitive side? Fundraise against your boss, in-laws or softball rivals to see who can raise the most money in donations. Prizes will be awarded to top fundraising individuals and teams at the event.

Jackson said his tentative goal is to raise $10,000 with $1,000 of that coming from him personally, but he said he’d be happy with whatever the event can raise. “People are very supportive,” he said.

To donate to the event or a specific shavee, visit www.stbaldricks.org and find the community tab and then click event, type in Maine and find Jimmy the Greeks 2014.

Participants will receive a t-shirt and the satisfaction of knowing they made a difference.

Worldwide a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes, and one in five children diagnosed in the U.S. will not survive. With only 4 percent of all federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, St. Baldrick’s Foundation volunteers, supporters and donors are needed to continue the battle against this devastating disease.

Volunteers are needed and can contact Jackson at jacksoda70@gmail.com. The event also has a Facebook page under Greater Portland St. Baldrick’s.

Facts about childhood cancers from St. Baldrick’s website 

-         Childhood cancers are not related to lifestyle factors, and little can be done to prevent them.

-         Some cancers almost never strike after the age of 5; others occur most often in teenagers.

-         Even when kids get cancers that adults get—like lymphoma—they must be treated differently. Children are not simply smaller adults!

-         Many adult cancers can be diagnosed early. In 80 percent of kids, cancer has already spread to other areas of the body by the time it is diagnosed.

-         There are over a dozen types of childhood cancers, and countless subtypes, making it more challenging for researchers to find cures for every kid.

Windham author Russell Warnberg writes about murder and mayhem - By Michelle Libby

One day Russell Warnberg woke up and said he was going to learn to use his computer. What he wrote that day was the opening paragraph to his first novel. 
 

For five months he wrote every day. When he was finished, he submitted it, like so many other aspiring authors. “I never expected it to happen. It was just something ot leave for my grandchildren,” Warnberg said. However, he was offered a contract for his first book “Edge of Redemption.” On March 20^th his latest novel was released, “The Chalk Line Killer,” published by Fountain Blue Publishing. He is now working on his fourth book, which is set in Windham.

His books are murder mysteries most of which are centered in Maine. His detectives, like Cole Sullivan his lead character, are “really good guys,” he said. They have normal backgrounds. They just deal with serial killers. 

 Warnberg has lived in Windham for 35 years and spent 11 years teaching at Windham Christian Academy. Originally from Minnesota, he moved to Maine after getting is first job in Lewiston in 1970.

His time now is spent in his man cave surrounded by a TV, microwave, “Everything I need to be content with and my computer on my lap,” he said. “I read a lot. I think I could write one,” he told himself when he first began. 

“You have to be constant. You have to write every day at least one sentence,” Warnberg said. He averaged 500 to 1,000 words each day, so he completes his novels in four or five months. 

“You have to have some kind of goal,” he said. 

His goal is to write 10 novels before “it’s all over” and he turns 70. He is 66 presently. 

He has started work on his fourth novel at take-off of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-four, a Novel. “It’s not going to be pretty,” he said. 

Warnberg’s books can be found online in paperback, hard cover and ebook. He also has a website www.russellwarnberg.com.

  

Donna Morton named American Legion Post 148 teacher of the year - By Michelle Libby with contributions by Kristen Day

Fourth-grade teacher Donna Morton attended school in the same district that she will retire from this August after 37 years of teaching. Her legacy is one of dedication, encouragement and an engaging teaching style that makes her students and fellow teachers alike spout her talents. 
 

This spring two of Morton’s co-workers nominated for the American Legion Educator of the Year for the State of Maine. In that process, she was selected as the local American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 educator of the year. She will be honored at a Memorial Day celebration at the Windham Veterans Center. 

“A dynamo, always on the go, this woman does it all: Wife, mother of two, Scout leader, environmentalist, athletic, political organizer, grant writer and the teacher that every parent wants their child to have,” the proclamation read. 

Morton has a master’s in education and in computer technology. She has also raised more than $60,000 through grants for the Manchester and RSU14 community including the helping hands bridge that goes between the middle school fields and the Windham Public Library.  

“As a mother of one of her students, I am so grateful that we had the chance to experience her unwavering dedication, zest for education and love of teaching.  Her all-embracing attitude, commitment and complete investment in each child from beginning to end are remarkable,” said Ashley Debrosse.

Teachers that Morton has worked with recounted stories of her teaching, her contributions and her uniqueness. 

“After many long hours at school (after hours), no surprise to see Donna the next morning wearing a jumper she whipped up before retiring for the night,” said Izzy Booth who has known Morton more than 20 years. 

“She is one of the most resourceful and energetic teachers on the Manchester staff,” said aide Carol Thurlow, who has known Morton since 1965 when Morton babysit Thurlow’s two sons. 

In her resourcefulness, Morton requests water and milk cartons be sent into her class every year to use to construct an igloo in the classroom. 

Morton was designated by the State as a trainer for other teachers when computers were introduced into the classrooms with the statewide laptop program. 

“All of our 11 community days she has pulled off a slide show showing the students working on their project without a technical problem,” said art teacher Angelika Blanchard. 

 “Mrs. Morton’s tireless efforts to technology growth in all – students and faculty – are incredible. She is an Energizer bunny that doesn’t quit,” said fourth-grade teacher Kelley Williamson. 

As a positive force in the school community, Morton spends extra hours to make sure that things are done and done well, said Deb Luce, Morton’s fourth grade team partner. 

The whipped cream competition fundraiser developed by Morton is a fond memory for REACH teacher Jennifer Breton. “She brings a true love of teaching and the job of learning,” Breton added.

When school nurse assistant Vickie Clarke lost her house to a fire last year, “(Morton) was right there helping every inch of the way with her husband David. She is always giving of herself to others,” Clarke said. “She is very caring, calling parents of sick students or going to their home to visit.” 

Helpful is a word used repeatedly when Morton’s name is mentioned.  Her co-workers have never known her to say “no” to anyone who needs help whether it is school related or personal. 

Her teaching style is described as fun. “Mrs. Morton wants her students to not only learn as much as possible, but have fun doing it!” said fourth-grade teacher Melissa Azzaratta. 

“She really gives 110 percent to her kids,” said fifth-grade teacher Jennifer Ocean. 

In addition to all of her school related successes, including Marco, the moose, which travels the globe, Morton is involved in the Windham Land Trust, the Linus Project and creating adult education programs that inspire an active lifestyle. 

Morton will be missed by the hundreds of students she has taught over the years, but she has no plans to go quietly into retirement. She plans to travel, paint, hike and more in the next chapter of her life.