42nd Street tap dances onto the stage at WHS - By Michelle Libby

In a major undertaking, the cast and crew from Windham High School under the direction of Rob Juergens, hits the ball out of the park with a musical that keeps toes tapping and Broadway songs on the lips for days. 

 

Two years ago it was announced that WHS would be doing 42^nd Street in order to give people who wanted to audition the chance to take tap dancing lessons. And over the last two weeks, the show came together with lights, sets and costumes. On opening night, the curtain went up on actors who were confident, bold and ready to dance for almost two hours straight. 

The story of 42^nd Street is described as a play within a play and is that of fresh-faced Peggy Sawyer (Emily Gagne) just off the bus from Allentown, Pennsylvania. Her nerves make her miss the audition for the 1933 show Pretty Lady directed by famous Broadway producer Julian Marsh (Jake Nobel).

Star Dorothy Brock (Jennifer Bernier) is asked to audition for the role, but bringing new meaning to the word diva, Brock is outraged at the insinuation that she can’t handle the role. Meanwhile, Peggy meets up with some of the “hoofers” and shows her dance moves to them. When Julian asks for one more dancer, Peggy is right there to accept the offer. 

Some drama with Dorothy Brock takes place between her old boyfriend Pat Denning and her “sugar Daddy” Abner Dillon. 

On opening night, someone bumps Peggy who trips and crashes into Dorothy, knocking her to the stage. Julian fires Peggy on the spot and cancels the rest of the show.

Dorothy's ankle is broken, and the show may close. The girls in the chorus tell Julian that Peggy Sawyer can fill the lead role, so he runs to the train station to stop her from returning to Allentown. He convinces her with a little song called “Lullaby of Broadway”. 

The rest of the story…is on the stage at the Windham Performing Arts Center this weekend only.

The cast was amazing and versatile, playing different parts in different shows. 

Senior Emily Gagne as Peggy Sawyer played the New York newbie with wide eyed optimism of someone who has the talent to be that one in a million that goes from nobody to star in the blink of an eye. Gagne indeed went from the chorus to Broadway star on the stage at WHS. Her tap dancing showed the amount of work she put into the show, looking flawless to the untrained eye.   

Jake Noble as Julian Marsh was convincing as a seasoned producer in his sharp business suit and dapper hairstyle. 

Dorothy Brock was played by senior Jennifer Bernier, who amazed the audience with her clear voice and considerable talent as an actress. I wanted to root for her as much as I wanted to give Peggy Sawyer a chance at stardom. 

Other standouts were Andrew Shepard at Bert Barry, Ali Wintle as “All the way Annie”, Jackie Gleason-Boure as Maggie Jones and Andrew Cooper and Ellie Joseph as Andy Lee. 

Behind the scenes were a crew of 20, costumers helping with the more than 300 costumes and numerous changes as well as a pit band of 12.

The music was amazing and had me checking the program to see who was the outstanding trumpeter. Under the direction of Richard Nickerson, the pit band drove the show from before the curtain went up until the curtain call. The pit included Sandy Barry on the sax and clarinet, Randy Crockett with trombone, Gabe Curtisbrown doing percussion, Kris Dow playing French horn, Cora Dykens on the clarinet, Scott Gordan wows on the trumpet, Daniel Juergens on drums, Seth Martin handles bass, Margaret McGovern on violin, Betty McIntyre on piano and David Young on guitar. 

If you like musicals, dancing and amazing singing, this is the show not to miss. 

The show closes after this weekend. See it Friday and Saturday, November 21 and 22 at 7 p.m, and Sunday, November 16 at 4 p.m, at the Windham Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children and seniors. Call 893-1742 for reservations or email fallmusical@gmail.com. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Residents create a community vision in first of two forums - By Michelle Libby

Approximately 50 people attended the first of two forums to help provide vision and a direction for the Town of Windham last Thursday night at Manchester School. 
 

“After the charter, the comprehensive plan is the second most important document a town can have,” said town planner Ben Smith. With a population of 17,000, Windham’s growth is slowing, but it’s still going up. By the year 2020 it is estimated that there will be over 19,000 people living in Windham. 

The night was about getting ideas out on the table of what Windham needs and things Windhamites want to protect through four worksheet exercises in small random groups.

Knowing where the town has been is important to know where it should go. 

From the last census there has been a population age shift, but not a lot of movement in or out of the community. The growth has been of the 20- to 40-year-olds who are in the “family mode”. Children under 10 also grew in numbers. Single family homes dominate. 

“Housing is just like before, but more so,” said Smith. In 2000, about 20 percent of the town’s valuation was commercial and industrial. Today it’s about 16 percent, according to census information. 

The top five jobs in Windham are in retail, restaurant and hotel, healthcare, public administration (corrections) and manufacturing.  

Windham can not control global impacts, but it can control future housing and commercial building. “We’re starting with a blank slate,” Smith said. 

The information gathered at this vision forum and the one on Saturday, November 22 will be sent to the review team and was held to give the community the opportunity to tell the committee what they think. The purpose isn’t to answer questions, Smith said. “I was surprised at how many people I know here,” said resident Michelle Jordan. “It’s rewarding to feel like you’re part of the process.” She also liked that the mixed groups gave new insight to the various demographics that Windham serves, from the elderly to the working family. 

The plan is scheduled to be completed by early 2017. Before then there will be many opportunities for the community to weigh in with their opinions, said Smith. In a year, all of the information gathered to that point will brought together and the top 20 issues will be presented at community forums and the top five or 10 things to focus on will be discussed. After that it must go through the town council and their vetting process, he added. 

Mark Eyerman from Planning Decisions in Portland acted as the moderator for the evening. The attendees were broken into small groups, each with a facilitator from the review committee. “We listen to what the community has to say and take that under advisement. It’s up to the review team. There will be other opportunities to talk,” said Eyerman, in response to a resident who wanted to know how the information gathered would be used. 

After the first exercise, Shaun Morrison, facilitator for one table, told them, “In 20 minutes a group of seven is not going to solve everything.”

Top issues at this forum, which will be checked against the one on Saturday, were that people liked the schools and educational system, the rural feel, the convenience and accessibility (close to Portland, but not Portland), access to recreation and the opportunities for an active lifestyle, and community spirit and involvement.

Things to improve or change are infrastructure issues, business issues including filling vacant stores, community center, traffic/congestion/curb cuts, library services, protect farms and open space and recreational facilities. 

“It’s similar to 10 years ago. People have the same concerns,” said David Tobin, who has been involved in four comprehensive plans over the years. “Small town feel, rural, how to get through North Windham in the summer. In our group, everyone participated. Everyone had their oar in the water.” 

There is still time to be involved in this first step. The Community Vision Forum will be held on Saturday, November 22 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Town Hall gym. Be heard!

Veteran's Day honors those who serve and all Veterans - By Michelle Libby

On Tuesday at 11 a.m., Veterans from the area, state legislature members, town officials and community members gathered at the Windham Veteran’s Center to honor those who currently serve and those who have served. The event, sponsored by the VFW Post 10643, was attended by more than 200 people.

“Fewer than 10 percent of Americans can claim the title ‘Veteran’,” according to the VFW Post.  

After the presentation of the colors by Boy Scout Troop 805, the Windham Chamber Singers sang the National Anthem. Master of ceremonies Willie Goodman recognized the many Veterans in the audience.

VFW chaplain Roger Timmons gave the invocation. The keynote speaker was Chief Master Sergeant John Herrick who spoke about his experience with civilian soldiers in the Air National Guard. He himself started his career in the Air Force in 1986. In our state 12 percent of citizens are Veterans, which is above the National average, Herrick said. “We should stand proud. Our state’s citizens are and have done their part.” 

Herrick concluded his speech with a quote from Joshua Chamberlain. “The power of noble deeds is to be preserved and passed on to the future.” That was what Veteran’s Day is all about. 

Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars hosts a writing contest that gives students to write about topics having to do with patriotism and Americanism. The winners all earned cash prizes. 

Winners of the Patriot’s Pen wrote about “Why Veterans are important to our Nation’s history and future”. The winners are Alexander Momet, Alyvia Earle, Owen Flibbert and Harrison Boyle. Gardner Reed won the Voice of Democracy with his speech about the theme “Why I appreciate Americas Veterans. Each recipient read his or her entry out loud. 

Post teacher of the year was awarded to Patricia Gordan from Raymond Elementary School. 

After a final prayer, the audience retired to the Memorial Garden to dedicate a granite bench to Retired Colonel Stuart “Toby” Pennels and to recognize Veteran Fred Scott. The shining sun set the content and happy moods that surrounded the event. Boy Scout Dean Preston to conclude the event by playing Taps on the bugle. The American Legion Auxiliary provided refreshments.    

World War II Veteran visits his memorial as part of Honor Flight of Maine - By Michelle Libby

World War II Veteran and Raymond resident Pat Lawler, had an amazing experience recently when he was chosen to travel to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial. 
 

“It was the nicest thing I’ve ever experienced,” Lawler said. The all-expenses paid trip was sponsored by Honor Flight of Maine, which is available for any WWII, Korean or Vietnam Veterans. “I never spent 10 cents on anything,” Lawler said. 

Lawler, 88, was stationed on the USS Intrepid on the flight deck servicing airplanes for the Navy. He also worked for the fire department, called “damage control”. The Intrepid was the most hit ship in the fleet with seven suicide dives, he said. 

Lawler’s wife, Joan, traveled with him as a companion. She paid only $400 for her trip and it was considered a gift for the Honor Flight Network. 

Honor Flight Maine was started by Earl Morse to give Veterans a chance to visit their memorials. 

“According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 600 WWII Veterans died every day. Our time to express our thanks to these most senior heroes is rapidly running out.

Your help is urgently needed to make their last hopes and dreams of finally visiting their memorial a reality.”

Once the Honor Flight reached Baltimore, the fire department extended ladders over the plane to welcome them as they taxied to the gate. Then the veterans were treated to a motorcycle escort from the airport to the hotel, which Lawler described as “gorgeous.”

“It was a wonderful, wonderful thing,” he said. “They took us to all the war memorials and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.” Lawler said his favorite part of the trip was seeing the World War II Memorial because he was in that war. “Arlington is shockingly beautiful,” he added. 

Lawler said he had been to Washington before the WWII Memorial was built, but said that experiencing and traveling with a group of Vets made a lot of difference. 

There were wheelchairs available for all Veterans whether they needed it or not and there were attendants watching out for them all of the time, Lawler said. “There were men with no legs and all kinds of situations – they were right there for them,” he said.    

When the plane landed in Portland, the fire department was there to guide them to the terminal and before they exited the plane, there was a mail call and the 50 or so soldiers on the plane were given a pre-arranged packet of letters from their family and friends. “I had tears coming down my face,” Lawler said. 

The Honor Flight Network sponsored a total of 18,000 veterans for similar trips to Washington D.C. last year. For more information or to register a Veteran for a trip, visit www.honorflightmaine.org.