Dancing with the Staff kicks off with entertainment and laughs - By Michelle Libby

The eighties were alive last Thursday night as couples took the stage at Windham High School to kick up their heels to raise money for Project Graduation 2015, a chem free overnight for graduates. From Superintendent Sandy Prince and his partner Darcie McDuffie to Manchester School favorites Danielle Burian and Michael Martin, the dances were lively and entertaining.

“It’s just a good time for everybody,” said RSU14 cameraman Gary Harriman. “The people who come and the people who participate have fun.”

This year, Dancing with the Staff added in student dance couples, which also drew in younger audience members. 

“I just enjoy watching the staff,” said audience member Noelle Fone, who never misses a DWTS performance. 

Each couple had their own cheering crowd, but no more than Burian and Martin, who had florescent green T-shirts for all of the Manchester School staff in attendance. They danced to “Walk This Way” by Run DMC. 

Director of Windham – Raymond Adult Education Tom Nash was the master of ceremonies and kept the show moving right along. Although Nash was not dancing for the first time in years, he did manage to squeeze in a little number with two women he pulled out of the audience. 

“It’s fun and funny,” said audience member Joyce Logan. 

Beth Gaudet from Center Stage organized choreographers for all couples who needed one and also worked with her own studio and the Center for Creative Movement in Gorham as they performed a handful of group numbers. 

Former state senator Gary Plummer, Rep. Mark Bryant and Rep. Patrick Corey were all on hand to help encourage the audience to vote – To vote for their favorite dancers by putting money in a bucket with their name on it. Senator Bill Diamond and daughter Karyn Tocci won the People’s Choice award and Emily Gagne and Emma Gresh came in second. 

 

Judges, there for the comic relief more than points, were Stephanie Bubier, Kim McBride and Jack Giampino. 

Elizabeth Bubier and Tianna Bubier danced to “Wake Me Up” by Wham. “You hit the jackpot with that jaunty, jingle,” said McBride. 

Adam Manzo and Kelly-Anne Rush danced to a 80s mash up. “They win just for the music,” said one audience member. McBride gave them the “stash award” for Adam’s moustache. 

Heather Libby and Rod Nadeau danced to “Love Shack” but Libby’s dress stole the show in this number. “They looked like they were having so much fun,” said judge Bubier. 

Diamond and Tocci did some “Old Time Rock n Roll” and were not above using all of the grandchildren to ask for votes. 

For student couples, Hawar Haddadi and Aiyanna Maciel did a self-choreographed Michael Jackson number including sparkly gloves. Gagne and Gresh danced to an 80s mix and ended with umbrellas with “It’s Raining Men.” Melissa Agneta and Griffin Jacobson held out for hero with Jacobson dressed in Superman attire. Pat Leavitt and Eliza Palow danced to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Cassidy Mullins and Madi Roberts had original choreography and danced to a few songs. “I could give it the square root of -1. It’s unreal,” said Giampino.  Meagan Griffeth and Matt Roy shook it to “Busta Move”. 

Superintendent Prince and McDuffie, who danced to “Flashdance”, “Maniac”, “Another one Bites the Dust” and “Whip It” were eliminated at the end of the performance, but the rest of the couples will be moving on to the finale on April 15 at 7 p.m. at the Windham Performing Arts Center. “Mr. Prince shaking his booty…I can never unsee that,” said McBride.

Windham man donates kidney to save a mother's life - By Elizabeth Richards

If you could save the life of a stranger, would you? Josh Dall-Leighton, a 30-year-old Windham man is doing just that. Dall-Leighton is scheduled to donate one of his kidneys to 24-year-old Christine Royles, a woman he’d never met before he saw her plea for a kidney painted on her back windshield.

In December of 2013, Royles fell ill. After having flu-like symptoms for a few weeks, she went to Maine Medical Center, where it was discovered she had kidney failure. Royles had not been sick previously, and they didn’t know then what caused the kidney failure, she said. She began dialysis on Christmas Eve 2013, and was later diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases - Lupus and ANCA Vasculitis. 

In July 2014, Royles began home dialysis, which she does each night for 10 to 10 ½ hours. She was also put on the national transplant list for a kidney. In November, Royles took matters into her own hands and asked for help in a unique way – by writing a new message each week on the back windshield of her car. She received approximately 50 inquiries as a result of these messages and a local news profile. One of those inquiries was Josh’s wife, Ashley Dall-Leighton. 

The message that caught the attention of the Dall-Leightons said that her 2-year-old son needed a healthy mom. Josh said that when he saw the message, he immediately asked Ashley to text Royles to start the process. 

“It was that simple to me,” said Josh. “It was about saving a life.” And it was also about keeping a mom around for her child, said Josh. The Dall-Leightons have three boys of their own, 11-month-old twins and a 5-year-old. Their twins were born prematurely, and one has a rare brain condition. Josh said he couldn’t imagine his son growing up without his mother, and that inspired him to want to help Royles and her son. “If I can help and I can keep her here for him, I’m going to do that. It’s not just for her, it’s for him.”

Royles directed the Dall-Leightons to the transplant center to begin the testing process. After filling out the initial medical packet, a fair amount of time passed, Josh said. Then, they received a voice mail that he was a match, and things began to move quickly from there. The surgery is tentatively scheduled for May 19th.

While Ashley said she got a little nervous after learning more about the procedure, she supports her husband completely in his decision. Josh has never wavered in his desire to donate. While he understands that it can be overwhelming to family and friends who are concerned for him, he said “It’s honestly about saving a life, so there’s no question. I’m a match for her, I’m going to help her.”

Royles said that people at work thought her method of soliciting help was weird and creepy, but she had a feeling that it could work. And she didn’t want to wait the two to three years she was told it might take to find her a kidney. She said that she is surprised that Josh is donating to her, particularly since they have three kids and he will have to take unpaid time off for surgery and the three to six week recovery period.

Because he will be taking leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Josh’s job as a correctional officer at the Southern Maine Re-entry Center, a part of the Maine Correctional Center, is secure. But due to the needs of his children, he uses sick time as soon as he earns it. Therefore, the time he needs off for this procedure will be unpaid unless a decision to deny the use of the sick bank is reversed. 

The community is rallying with fundraising efforts including a pancake breakfast fundraiser at Applebee’s in South Portland, where Royles works. The breakfast will be $10 per person, and is scheduled for Sunday, April 12^th from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. A GoFundME page has also been set up 

(http://www.gofundme.com/ped87w), and with the attention the story has been attracting, over $6,000 had been raised by Wednesday morning.

The story of Josh Dall-Leighton’s selfless act has spread quickly in recent days, from stories in the Portland Press Herald and local news outlets to Today.com and Reuters. This type of attention to the story was unexpected the Dall-Leightons said, though Ashley said that she and Royles had a goal to raise awareness on the issue of organ donation. 

Josh said he didn’t know donating a kidney while alive was possible, and if he hadn’t seen the message on Royle’s car, he wouldn’t have even thought about it. “I hope it does raise awareness and that more people will want to step up and at least get through the testing process,” he said. “We all need to help each other out. It’s a crazy world out there and we can’t do it on our own.”

Both Ashley and Josh are Windham High School graduates. After graduating they moved away, but Ashley said that Windham was at the top of the list when choosing where to raise their family, and they returned. Both of the Dall-Leightons said that it’s important to show the positive aspects of life, and they hope that Josh’s donation will change the lives of more people than just Royles. “I want my three boys to understand that the world isn’t such a scary place, and that you can make a difference in somebody else’s life. I don’t want them to just hear that from me. I want them to have seen it,” Josh said.

New pre-release center to be built near existing prison in Windham - By Michelle Libby

Last week two meetings were held to discuss the plans for the new 23,000 square foot women’s pre-release facility that is slated to be built on River Road in front of the Maine Correctional Center (MCC) in South Windham. 
 

Dr. Joseph Fitzpatrick, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections (DoC), led the meeting along with the architect on the project from SMRT, the warden from MCC and Amanda Woolford, director of female services. 

 

The pre-release program allows women with three years left on their sentence, who have good behavior, the opportunity to transition to the pre-release program. Through this facility they continue to get training, therapy and management, however they are no longer behind bars and are encouraged to work in the community. 

“This is extreme low risk. It’s called community level of custody and there is no risk to the community, but a lot of benefits,” said Fitzpatrick. 

The building will have state of the art security, cameras and alarmed doors. Two officers will be on all the time. They are attempting to pilot a tablet system where they can monitor the facility from anywhere on site. There will be one access point at the main lobby. 

Currently the pre-release program is using a leased building in Alfred that is too small for the women and lacks space for programing. The facility does not have its own medical center. Women who need treatment must be transported to MCC for care. Almost 99 percent of the women come to the program with a trauma background. This program helps them more beyond the trauma. The women who come to the pre-release are motivated to integrate back into society. According to Woolford, they tell her “I have to prove this to my son.” 

“The facility wasn’t designed as a space for this. It’s a struggle every day,” said Woolford. It’s all inclusive care at the new location having access to medical, dental, mental health care and the culinary arts program could share food services with the main facility, she said. 

The new facility will have 68 beds to start with and have the option to add on 24 additional beds if necessary. There will be a kitchen, laundry and program space and well as a visitors’ area. 

“The program space is what I’m really excited about,” said Woolford. “It’s painful. We have 68 people in a tin can.” 

“This isn’t a show you this and sneak this in later,” said Fitzpatrick. “We’re presenting the whole thing A to Z.” 

The DoC came ready to present their best plan to the Windham community. Approximately 20 residents, the legislative delegation all came to listen. DoC had two women speak about their experiences having the women work for them, one at a horse farm and another at a group home for adults with disabilities.

“It’s been a godsend. Every one of the staff said how great it is to have them part of our culture,” said Gail Crowl. 

Of the 300 to 350 women who have been through the program, only 18.5 percent return.

“It’s an opportunity to help women,” said Liz Wisecup. The program is a relationship model to help them deal with society. 

The timeline on the construction is for full completion by December 2016. The building will cost just under $10 million and will be self-funded by the DoC through savings they have for capital improvements, said Fitzpatrick. With the reduction in overtime since Fitzpatrick came on almost a year ago, they have been able to realize the savings.  “It’s not a done deal, but I’m optimistic. It’s a win-win for the community and the women,” said Fitzpatrick.

“It’s going to happen and it’s necessary,” said Rep. Mark Bryant. 

There will be one more community meeting on Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Windham High School auditorium.

Maine Maple Sunday draws thousands for the liquid gold despite frigid temperatures - By Michelle Libby

Lyle Merrifield, owner of Merrifield Farms in Gorham stood guard over his syrup production, while thousands walked by the blazing fire and the steaming sap this past weekend. This Sunday marked the 16^th Maine Maple Sunday that Merrifield’s has participated in. Over the years the celebration and interest in the process has grown. 
 

“It’s been an excellent two days,” said Merrifield, who estimates that between 1,500 and 1,800 visited on Saturday and at least 3,200 to 3,500 on Sunday. “I’m amazed by how many people are around.” Despite the freezing temperatures, around 20 degrees, and the strong wind, people didn’t pass up the opportunity to stop by for ice cream with maple syrup over it, or to try maple cotton candle, or any of the other treats Merrifield Farms created using maple syrup. 

“It’s quite the production,” said Tony Ward. Penney Ward’s father used to make maple syrup and her brother still does. She said this was her first time going out on Maple Sunday. 

Production this year is almost three weeks behind, according to Merrifield. Normally by this time he would have boiled sap four times. That being said, he’s “expecting a really good, extended season.” The production is about the same as last year, he said. Merrifield has collected 900 gallons of sap so far and expects to collect between 7,000 and 8,000 gallons. 

“It’s an experience,” said Braedan Weil from Gorham. 

“It reminds me of childhood. I used to come here all the time as a child,” said Sara Steinmetz from Gorham, who said she used to cross country ski over to the farm. 

 

In addition to sampling the wares, visitors were able to purchase syrup made and bottled at Merrifield’s in glass or tin containers.  Merrifield keeps his product priced right he said, which keeps him in business. “There’s plenty of market for everybody. Every family should try (making syrup),” Merrifield said with a laugh. “It makes it easier for us to sell it. They realize how inexpensive it is.” 

There were also ox cart rides, and ice house, bar tours, cast iron cauldrons steaming over open fires to demonstrate how syrup used to be made and Sam Simonson a local blacksmith set up demonstrations for anyone who came by his stand. Chicken Wire (Jack Devereau, Jon Cooper and Jed Bresette) from North Gorham kept the visitors in line entertained with their upbeat tunes. “It’s a good family day. We entertain them,” said Merrifield. 

Merrifield Farms sells syrup year round at their farm at 195 North Gorham Road. 

“It’s the only time of year we get really good maple syrup,” said Judith Ahlquist of Scarborough, who enjoyed the farm with her daughter Elizabeth.