Lakes Region Explorer to resume regular bus service soon

Lakes Region Explorer bus service is
 expected to resume within 10 days,
but with a scaled-back ridership because
of social distancing restrictions.
(Submitted photo)

By Ed Pierce

A decision to resume regular service for the Lakes Region Explorer bus is forthcoming as the state slowly lifts coronavirus travel restrictions between local communities.

The Lakes Region Explorer offers service along Route 302 from Bridgton to Portland, with stops along the way in Naples, Casco, Raymond, Windham, and Westbrook. Operated by the Regional Transportation Program, bus service in the area has been mostly shut down since March because of travel restrictions imposed to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“Safety first will guide our decision to restart the Lakes Region Explorer and our paratransit services,” said Jack De Beradinis, the executive director of the Regional Transportation Program. “We will notify the public shortly, probably within 10 days of so, regarding the startup of the Lakes Region Explorer.”

De Beradinis said RTP will probably reduce its daily weekday service to three round trips for the Lakes Region Explorer.

“Specific information regarding the Explorer service will follow shortly.”

According to De Beradinis, prior to the pandemic, the Lakes Region Explorer was providing about 10,500 trips annually.

“The first run leaving Bridgton at 6 a.m. and the return trip leaving Portland at 5:30 p.m. have been the runs most used,” he said. “I anticipate that our service will be restored gradually over the next few months and the agency will prevail through the challenging times.”

The bus capacity for the Lakes Region Explorer is 24 ambulatory seats and placements for two wheelchairs, but because of preventative social distancing as a result of the pandemic, the number of passengers may be limited once service resumes.

“We will need to restrict ridership between six to 10 riders at one time in order to maintain the minimum six-foot distance,” De Beradinis said. “In the summer we usually transport more than 15 riders at one time on these two runs.”

ADA transportation for those with disabilities offered by RTP in the Lakes Region has continued since travel restrictions were imposed by the state in March.

“The demand has been very limited, and we use taxis to transport these riders unless an RTP van is required,” De Beradinis said.

RTP has also pledged to riders and local communities to provide seasonal Saturday service between Memorial Day and Labor Day, although it will be limited along with other services because of coronavirus health concerns.

The fare for the Lakes Region Explorer for a one-way trip is $3 with discounts for monthly passes, seniors and students. Those who cannot afford the fare can ride free of charge.

Currently RTP has suspended all rider fares through June 30 and will not bill the towns it serves with the Lakes Region Explorer for the period of April1 to June 30, De Beradinis said.

Established in 1976, RTP was formed by combining the transportation services provided by the Portland Chapter of the American Red Cross, York-Cumberland Senior Services and the Social Services of the Greater Portland Transit District. It is a United Way agency providing low-cost transportation to the elderly, social service agency clients, the economically disadvantaged and persons with disabilities throughout Cumberland County and serves a total of 27 communities. <

Windham begins ‘soft opening’ with focus on safety, service to residents

By Lorraine Glowczak

As the COVID-19 state restrictions slowly lift, Windham’s Town Hall has officially taken steps to open its doors to the public as of Monday, May 18 and will continue to do so until further notice.

The hours of operation will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and will include a maximum capacity of 15 customers at one time in the building. Other measures are in place to protect all involved with this ‘soft opening’ to avoid exposure.

“Our main goal is to keep both town employees and the residents as safe as possible,” Windham Town Manager, Barry Tibbetts said. “To do so, there are many procedures we have put in place to guard against the spread of the virus.”

The preventative actions include staff not only wearing masks and gloves as well as providing a greeter at the door to maintain the required social distancing measures, but wet mats with a chorine solution also will be placed at the door’s entrance and employees will have their temperatures taken upon arrival to work. (Police/EMS/Fire employees’ temperatures will be taken twice a day because of their extent of public exposure).

Private offices will be closed to the public and all important and necessary meetings that must take place in person will be held in conference rooms where proper social distancing can be adhered to. Additionally, all paperwork will be processed with ultraviolet (UV) wands and set aside for three days.

“We will process all registrations, paperwork and incoming mail with UV wands which can kill most of the virus instantaneously,” said Tibbetts. “Once it goes through that process, everything will be set aside for three days to eliminate any possibility of spreading COVID-19 onto the employees.”

In addition to these safety precautions, Tibbetts said that Ion Air Purifiers have been installed at Town Hall. Windows will be open and fans have been placed around the hallway areas to create a fresh airflow to prevent any lingering droplets of coronavirus.

Protective shields have been installed for both the staff and residents. Tibbetts said that 6-foot spacing is being used between all visitors.

Should anyone who experiences any symptoms after visiting the Windham Town Hall, please notify town management so it can alert town staff. If you forget your mask, they will have some available for visitors.   

“For those who do not want to wear a mask, we will offer special in person appointments from 8 to 9 a.m.,” Tibbetts said. “I am certain no one wants to get sick. We are only as safe as we collectively want to be.”

For further questions or information, contact the Town Manager’s office at (207) 892-1907 or [email protected].

Windham Community Garden prepares for growing season

By Elizabeth Richards

With the weather finally turning warm, the Windham Community Garden is open to gardeners, as long as they follow some specific protocols.

Priscilla Payne, Secretary of the Windham Community Garden committee, said there are 80 beds available, and they are going quickly, with just a few left to be rented.

“We are getting off to a slow start due to the colder weather but there are green things beginning to show up,” she said. “We have a solid group of returning gardeners and some new gardeners. It seems like many more folks are looking to provide their own food during these times of Covid-19.”

Because of COVID-19, the committee has developed protocols designed to protect the safety and health of both the garden community and the community in general. These protocols were sent in a document to all gardeners and include some standard guidelines as well as some specific instructions around tool cleaning and usage.

The general protocols include not coming to the garden while sick or if you think you may have been exposed to the virus; wearing a mask and maintaining a social distance of at least 6 feet if other gardeners are present; bringing personal gardening tools if possible; and carrying disposable items in and out, leaving nothing behind in the garden.

While at the garden, people are expected to have the following supplies on hand: face mask, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, gloves, a trash bag, and a spray bottle containing a bleach and water mixture.

Payne said that the committee will depend on the honor system for enforcement of protocols at times.

“Committee members cannot be at the garden all the time and so we are depending on the gardeners to police themselves,” she said. “The committee members will model the correct behavior.  For example, yesterday I went to the garden and there was another gardener there, so I wore my mask and we stayed more than 6 feet away.”

Gardeners using tools that belong to the Community Garden must wash and sanitize these tools both before and after use.  They are also asked to use disinfectant wipes or a bleach solution on the combination locks before and after use, on hose sprayers and faucet handles before and after use, and on the gate handle before and after entering.

With these protocols in place, the Community Garden is open and ready for gardeners – and with most beds already rented, it’s clear that gardeners are ready too.  “It looks like it’s going to be a busy year,” said Payne.

For more information or to sign up to participate, visit website  http://www.windhamcommunitygarden.org/rent-a-bed.html  <

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Call the Legal Services for the Elderly Helpline at 1-800-750-5353 for assistance.

Services are free and confidential.

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Windham launches new way to celebrate SummerFest, but event spirit remains

By Matt Pascarella

The good news: the Summerfest Committee is committed to having fireworks and a celebration at a later date, once it is safe to do so.

The other news: Last month, because of the pandemic, the Summerfest Committee made the decision Summerfest will be a virtual event held on the Summerfest Facebook page.

Previously known as Old Home Days, Summerfest has always been a great way for residents to celebrate Windham. This free, family-friendly event lets everyone gather to kick off the start of summer.

Due to Covid-19, public events of more than 50 people are prohibited into June, July and August under Governor Janet Mills’ timeline to reopen the state.

“We decided to err on the side of caution and try a virtual event,” said committee co-chair Robin Mullins.

The Windham Parks and Recreation Department’s mission is to create a sense of community and unity through people, parks and programs. Like many of us, since the pandemic, the department has had to change the way they do things, but they haven’t stopped doing them. They are a profession dedicated to providing worthwhile activities for people’s leisure – even in these uncertain times.

Some of the event activities include:

• Hometown Hero award (sponsored by Modern Woodmen of America): Download the submission
form at www.windhamsummerfest.com. The deadline for nominations is May 29. Modern Woodmen Hometown Hero will be announced at the June 9 Town Council Meeting.

• Old videos and footage of past Summerfests: You can post to the Summerfest Facebook page or if you are not on Facebook, submit photos to Parks@[email protected] – please provide your name and they will post your submissions on the Summerfest Facebook page

• Weekly photo contests

Leading up to Summerfest, there will be weekly themed photo competitions on the Summerfest Facebook page or email your submissions to Parks&[email protected]. Please provide your name and they will post your photo on the Summerfest page.

photo contest Themes:

• May 16 to May 22 – Pets & Livestock

• May 23 to May 29 – Memorial Day – Honoring Our Veterans

• May 30 to June 5 – Windham’s Lawns, Gardens and Great Outdoors

• June 6 to June 12 – Windham Eagle Spirit Week

• June 13 to June 19 – Celebrating Maine’s Bicentennial

• June 18 to June 22 – Summerfest Participants Showcase: Past years organizations, nonprofits,
businesses, community groups, vendors, crafters, parade participants, bands and performers will be invited to share their profiles/websites/information on the Summerfest Facebook page.

• More to come

“The Summerfest committee is dedicated to working together to make this the best virtual event possible. It’s certainly not what we wanted, but it’s the hand we have been dealt,” said Mullins.

As always, the committee plans to give it their all.

“Summerfest’s mission is Bringing Unity to the Community,” said the liaison for vendors and crafts Barb Maurais. “The committee felt that it was important that we continue our Summerfest tradition and celebration even with the social distancing restrictions. Since we wouldn’t be able to gather, the 

Virtual Summerfest will be our way of bringing Windham residents together especially during the celebration of Maine’s Bicentennial.”

The weekly winner will be determined by the most “likes” on her/his photo and will receive a very special prize from Windham Parks & Recreation.

Would you like to get involved – from a safe distance? Please visit windhamsummerfest.com and reach out to any of the committee members or the Parks and Recreation Department for ways to help.

If you have questions please email: [email protected]

And of course, follow Summerfest on Facebook for updates and ongoing coverage of the exciting  (and different) happenings. <

Introducing new managing editor: Ed Pierce to take the reins next week

Ed Pierce is the new Managing Editor of
The Windham Eagle with the May 22 edition.

By Lorraine Glowczak

It was 45 years ago when Ed Pierce launched his professional career in journalism, beginning with the United Press International wire service as a reporter in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

From there, he has landed in many other professional reporter and editorial positions around the U.S. that include more than 13 publications. His latest position was as Executive Editor of The Journal Tribune in Biddeford. In 2019 he decided to retire. However, Pierce discovered that retirement did not suit his personality.

“There are only so many things you can do on your wife’s ‘to-do’ list,” Pierce said. “I was starting to miss being a part of a community and to report on important stories that matter.”

Reporting on and writing stories have come to Pierce naturally but his initial goal during his early teens was to be a basketball coach at Syracuse University near the town where he grew up. But it was a writing contest he entered in October 1966, sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

“My junior high school English and Social Studies teachers encouraged me to enter the 1,000 word-essay,” Pierce said. “The subject required was citizenship and patriotism.”  

Out of 3,500 essays submitted around the U.S., Pierce won first place. This earned him and his father an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to present and read his winning essay to his U.S. Senator – who happened to be Bobby Kennedy.

“When I was finished presenting my essay to Bobby Kennedy, he asked me what I wanted to do with my life,” Pierce said. “I told him about my thoughts on becoming a coach. He then said to me, ‘Someone who writes like you should consider a career in journalism. As a politician he could propose and enact all the laws imaginable. But the one thing I can’t do as a politician that a journalist can do is to move people emotionally and make a difference in our society.”

Obviously, Pierce took Senator Kennedy’s advice to heart and has dedicated his life to journalism, gaining accolades and winning many awards along the way. His years of experience has taught him many valuable lessons on success.

“The keys to being successful in journalism are simple. First of all, you have to be accurate for without that as a journalist, your credibility is at stake. Second, you have to be reliable, resourceful and have a strong instinct about what is important in gathering information to tell a story. You must always be on time because the news doesn't wait or happen on your timetable. Most importantly, you have to always be objective. You cannot ever try to impose your own opinions or suppositions about the news. The First Amendment was included in the Bill of Rights for a reason and that is to ensure an independent press and the freedom to communicate freely. Therefore, I see it as an obligation to remain objective at all times as a journalist.”

As most reporters who enter the field of writing, it is the goal to contribute to the lives of others and make a difference in the world in some small way. Pierce shares one story that he considers his most memorable.

“When I was working in New Hampshire, the governor at the time, Maggie Hassan, was invited to speak at the New Hampshire Veterans Homes,” Pierce said. “I was assigned to cover the story. While I was there, I met a veteran, George Nichols, who found out I was a reporter and he asked if I could help him obtain his Purple Heart.”

Nichols was a medic during World War II and was at the Battle of Anzio Beach in Italy. Nichols was charged with carrying wound soldiers from the beach to the medic tent. He did this 18 times before mortar shrapnel impaled his right leg. At one point after he was wounded, his First Sergeant told him that he would be put in for a Purple Heart for being wounded in combat.

“He was discharged without ever obtaining the Purple Heart and it had been his goal to attain the honorary award,” said Pierce. “He had been appealing his local and state legislators but to no avail.”

Nichols was denied the Purple Heart because his military records were damaged in a fire at the repository warehouse located in St. Louis, Missouri in 1973. And therefore, no documentation was available to authenticate his wounds.

“I told him that I wouldn’t be able to help him obtain his Purple Heart, but I would be willing to share his story with other and hope somebody would do the right thing,” Pierce said.

Pierce’s article was picked up by the Associated Press and was read nationwide. The owner of the Boston Globe, who was also the majority owner of the Boston Red Sox, reached out to Pierce explaining that the Red Sox would be celebrating Armed Forces Day and would like to invite Nichols to throw the first pitch.

“Nichols told me that he attended a Red Sox game for the first time in 1929 and it was a dream of his to throw the first pitch,” Pierce said. “I wasn’t able to help him get his PurpleHheart, but I was at least able to help him reach another dream.”

Nichols died one year later.

Feature stories such as these as well as positive and solutions-based new coverage is important to Pierce’s personal mission. His journalistic principles align with the mission of The Windham Eagle newspaper.

“Readers have a right to expect timely articles about all of the accomplishments that students, teachers, staff and school programs have made or will make in the future,” Pierce said. “They also should expect to read about how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent by Windham and Raymond governments and by county and state governments and how programs operated by those governments work. The newspaper should be a go-to informative resource for when and where road and bridge projects will take place; changes in church leadership or worship times; veterans gatherings; interesting feature articles about local residents; scout projects; shining a spotlight on local businesses; and basically anything newsworthy in the community that has an impact upon the day to day lives of people who live here. That is how I will approach this job. I will answer every email and every phone call courteously and promptly and do my best to continue to make this paper worth reading.”