Groundbreaking for Windham's Village Green - By Walter Lunt

Amid the construction noise of C.R. Tandberg’s heavy equipment, representatives of the Windham Historical Society, Windham town officials, including the legislative delegation, business people and community residents gathered last week to celebrate the next big step toward the creation of Windham’s Village Green history park. The complex, to be located on a two and one-half acre field between the town hall and the society’s old town house museum, is slated to become a multi-unit museum and living history center dedicated to preserving the stories and artifacts of Windham, from early settlement (1734) to the present.

Society president Linda Griffin broke ground with a gold shovel and in prepared remarks reviewed the past five years of planning, engineering, fund raising, permitting and just plain dogged determination. Griffin acknowledged and thanked an extensive list of volunteers, benefactors and supporters that helped bring the project to this stage. 

The park got its start with the purchase of property abutting the society. The two and a half acre piece included the homestead of the late Julia Reeves, an 1855 Greek revival house fronting Gray Road (Route 202). Donations and proceeds from the sale of an earlier historic house owned by the society paid for about a third of the $168,000 cost of the Reeves property. Rental income from the house helped to cover the mortgage, and smart budgeting enabled the society to make extra payments toward the principal. After only five years, the society now owes only about $23,000. The park will, in time, support 10 or 12 separate structures, each with its own historic purpose.

Current construction will result in the completion of a driveway, parking lot and drainage system. In addition to the old town house museum (1833), two small libraries from earlier times have been moved on to the site, and an old shop is nearing its conversion into a one-room schoolhouse.

The map shown was the original conception of Village Green, taken from the Society’s five-year plan begun in 2011. Minor changes have taken place.

The former South Windham Library, recently acquired and not pictured here, will feature displays relating to South Windham. Each of its four walls and a proposed future ell will feature photos, artifacts and written histories of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, early mills, the rail line and depot, hose and hose reels used during the time of horse drawn fire wagons, and other topics related to what once was Windham’s Main Street.

The Old Grocery museum is slated to be moved to Village Green from its present location on the corner of Windham Center Road and Route 202. It is fully equipped with early Windham artifacts and occasionally open to the public. The building will feature the wide variety of original household items it once sold as a general store, including tools and hardware, penny candy, clothing, animal feed and grain, and food and foodstuffs. Early photos show men sitting around a stove in the typical fashion of early general stores.

Eventually, an addition to the current town house museum is anticipated. It would include a lecture hall that could accommodate up to 100 people. Historical programs presented by the society often attract audiences beyond capacity. The facility would also have a climate controlled room to properly preserve old documents and sensitive artifacts.

The Old Town House museum will continue to house the society’s offices and, in addition to archival work, be used for historical and genealogical research. 

The old Windham Center Library, formerly located beside the Old Grocery museum, was moved to its present site many years ago to preserve its historic status. Plans include the re-creation of the early library with many original volumes and card files. Other possibilities include historic clothing (especially appropriate given that the building was once a tailor shop), period furniture, the trade and tools of Windham’s early doctors and the history and artifacts of the town’s native Indian population.

Originally conceived to accommodate the Society’s annual plant sale and its future orchards and historical gardens, the so-called potting shed is under re-consideration and its status uncertain.

A disassembled New England style barn sits covered and protected on the Village Green grounds. The aging post and beam structure was donated from another location in Windham. The Society will seek grant money to re-assemble it in the park. Its use will be a display area for large items such as carriages, machines and antique vehicles. Warm weather lectures and community gatherings are envisioned, as well as classes, demonstrations and even dances.

A pole barn would accommodate open air demonstrations and displays, such as antique farm implements.

The society plans a reconstructed post and beam blacksmith shop with a coal-fired forge and hand cranked blower for repairing artifacts and creating metal tools and equipment. Society blacksmith Sam Simonson will conduct demonstrations, and perhaps give lessons, of 19^th century blacksmithing methods.

Formerly a gun shop, this building is under renovation and being transformed into a late 19^th century one-room schoolhouse. Project coordinator Dave Tanguay has helped to gather desks and benches from Windham’s early Quaker and other schools. He envisions a fully equipped and authentic school house complete with an early American flag, lanterns, pot belly stove, teacher’s desk with hand bell, water bucket and dipper, and a slate chalkboard. Lectures and even old-fashioned schoolhouse lesson experiences for young and old are anticipated. Thanks to an Eagle Scout project, an addition to this building was constructed in 2014 to serve as a “cloak room.”

Currently rental property, the 1855 Greek revival house will likely be one of the last units to be developed in the Village Green. Eventually, the interior will be converted into an authentic Victorian era home with period architectural styles and furnishings.

The existing garage will likely serve the park as a storage and repair facility.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the “gazebo on the green” will function as a comfortable place for visitors to meet, converse, read, or simply reflect. It would serve as a centralized spot for weddings or a musical performance.

The orchards, pictured near the parking lot, already have a start. Long time society member George Ricker has donated several heirloom apple trees and has helped train other members to oversee their care.

 Griffin sees the Village Green as a destination park. “Right now people have to travel to Augusta, Norlands or Willowbrook,” she pointed out. “We want to be not only a museum with stand-alone displays, but also a living history center.” Reflecting on the distinction, Griffin said visitors will be able to engage in a one-room schoolhouse experience, not just look at it. Presenters in full period costumes will demonstrate and invite visitors to participate in spinning, weaving, caning, tending herb gardens and canning. Kids can participate in making ice cream, turning the crank, chopping the ice and spooning the salt. “Nobody wants a stuffy, touch-free atmosphere,” said Griffin. “Let’s revive the industrial arts using“And best of all, we’re within walking distance of the schools. Imagine the possibilities.”

Ongoing information on the creation of Village Green can be accessed at www.windhamhistorical.org. 

Windham Historical Society held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, June 25, for its new expansion called The Village Green, planned to be a living history center. Shown here, from the left: Windham Code Enforcement Officer Heather McNally, State Rep. Mark Bryant, State Rep. Patrick Corey, Maine Sen. Bill Diamond, Windham Historical Society member Lyn Tanguay, WHS Vice President Dave Tanguay, WHS member Jim Hanscom, Windham Town Manager Tony Plante, Peter Godsoe of Norway Savings Bank, Town Councilor Chair David Nadeau and WHS President Linda Griffin. Also present but not in photo: Town Planner Ben Smith, Asst. Town Planner Amanda Lessard, Technology Service and Reference Librarian Barbara Kelley; Adult Services Librarian Sally Bannen and Tim Tandberg and his construction crew. 

Photos by Brian Brigham.

Everyone hearts Raymond and July 4th celebration happening this Saturday - By Michelle L

This weekend Raymond hopes to put itself on the map with a celebration like other area towns hold, but this one will feature everything Raymond. 

“People are looking to do something around the fourth,” co-organizer Carrie Colby said. This event gives them the opportunity to see what Raymond has to offer. 

“It will be very modest,” said Danielle Loring, the other co-organizer and an employee of the Town of Raymond. “We want to do it right.” 

At 9 a.m. the day begins with the recognition and presentation to a Civil War Medal of Honor awardee 154 years after the start of the Civil War. There will be a ceremony at Riverside Cemetery, 168 Plains Road. 

At 10:30 a.m., there will be a Fourth of July parade from Main Street to Mill Street featuring Raymond softball, antique cars, Boy and Girl Scouts and other local entries. At the Sherri Gagnon Park, 63 Mill Street, there will be vendors selling a variety of items. Food like hot dogs and hamburgers, popcorn, bake sale items and more. 

“Lots of people volunteered,” said Colby. “We’ve had great support from the fire department and the sheriff’s office.”

Raymond Village Library is sponsoring a bounce house for kids and Boy Scout Troop 800 is making a monkey bridge for anyone to cross. There will be a dunk tank with opportunities to soak teachers, coaches and kids. There will be other fun events at the park. 

“We are keeping it scaled back so we can start small and build,” said Colby. 

At 12:30 p.m. the pie eating contests begin with three age divisions, sponsored by the Good Life market, RRC and Village Donut Shop. The winner of each category wins a prize. 

“The businesses and residents we’ve talked to are excited,” said Loring. The support from businesses in Raymond has been tremendous, they said. They have received $3,500 in pledges from 15 businesses and more than 20 are helping out with resources, Loring said. The event received no money from the Town of Raymond, but will receive services from public works and other town services. 

The event is free to attend. 

With the weather looking good for Saturday, Colby and Loring are optimistic about a strong turnout. After all, everyone “hearts” Raymond, ME.

Veterans Park dock is in - By Michelle Libby

A dock has been put in at Veterans Park in Raymond to allow people on the lake and from Frye Island to have a place to leave their boats while walking to Raymond’s business district. The dock is big enough for two boats to tie up at a time. It was added to decrease the amount of erosion when boats were pulled up on the shore. 
 

The dock was donated by Panther Run Marine, Bill Coppersmith of Fisherman’s Catch and other local businesses, according to Raymond’s director of development Danielle Loring. 

In addition to easier access for boaters, it also is an option for fire/rescue personnel when transporting emergency patients from the lake or Frye Island. 

The dock will be in from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

Photo: Rev. Joyce Long and three boys from the Casco Village Church Vacation Bible Camp took some time to use the new dock at Raymond’s Veterans Park on Tuesday afternoon.

Summer reading fun at the Windham Public Library - By Elizabeth Richards

Summer reading isn’t just for kids at the Windham Public Library. This year there are programs for all ages centered around the theme “Every Hero has a Story.” The program runs from June 15^th to August 28^th, and includes Bingo games, special events, and a chance for children to earn a special summer reading certificate.

One of the changes in the summer reading program this year is the addition of a new age group for children in grades 4 through 8, rather than having one children’s category from birth through age 10, said Windham Library director Jen Alvino. This means that there are four age groups – young children, juniors, teens and the adult program. 

“We wanted to make sure we weren’t missing that group,” said Alvino. “They’re doing a bingo sheet like the teens, but it’s geared towards that 7 to 10 age group. We’re pretty excited about that,” she said.

The summer reading program is a collaborative effort between the children’s room and the adult section of the library, Alvino said, and planning for it began in January. The library will be participating in the Summerfest parade, riding on an antique truck restored by the husband of a library staff member. 

For the juniors, teens and adults, there will be a bingo card with a variety of tasks to complete. “It’s fun for people to try something different. The bingo sheet really helps people stretch,” said Alvino. 

When a row on the bingo card is finished, participants will win a book. Towards the end of the summer, there will be other prizes and drawings for completing the whole sheet. Prizes have been donated by community partners, said Alvino. 

“It’s nice to collaborate with the community businesses and also the schools,” she said. The high school has loaned the library copies of books on their summer reading list to be sure more kids have easy access to these books. 

There are a variety of activities planned at the library in the summer months. The children’s room will offer craft days, story times, take home activity sheets, a creative writing club and a letterboxing trail. For teens, there will be puzzle challenges, movies, and an opportunity to explore life after high school with a college transitions coordinator. Adult activities include book group meetings and a weekly showing of Downton Abbey. 

There are also a number of special events including a tea, Magic of the Steelgraves, an ice cream party, hero parade, pet show, yoga for children, a scavenger hunt, and a Bedtime Math end of summer star party. The summer reading program concludes with an Every Hero Has a Story Carnival featuring games and activities on the back lawn on August 27^th. 

For a full calendar of summer activities, including dates and times, visit the library website at http://www.windham.lib.me.us/ or call 892-1908 for information.

Library director one of 40 to attend leadership Institute - By Elizabeth Richards

Windham Public Library Director, Jen Alvino, will head to Itasca, Illinois in August to participate in Leading to the Future, a four-day leadership institute offered by the American Library Association. Alvino was selected from a highly competitive national pool to be one of 40 participants from around the country.

The institute will be led by leadership experts Maureen Sullivan and Kathryn Deiss. Alvino said the association tries to bring together librarians from different parts of the country, with different professional responsibilities and from different types of libraries to form a diverse cohort.

Alvino attended leadership training led by Sullivan in 2005 through the New England Library Association (NELA). At that time, she said, she was at a very different place in her career. She had not yet attended graduate school and knew she wanted her career to take a different direction. 

“At that time that leadership training was a real trajectory for me to go to graduate school, advance my career and take on a bigger leadership role,” she said. 

Since then, she has attended graduate school, and had jobs with increasing responsibility leading her to her position as library director in Windham. She was also the president of NELA, and is on the American Library Association council. Her goals in attending this institute are different this time. She said she’s hoping to gain knowledge around how to get out into the community and be a voice at the table. She wants to learn how to hear what the community needs from the library, and how to address those needs. 

Windham is in the midst of strategic planning and creating a comprehensive plan. There are many conversations about how the town is growing, and where the town is going, she said. “I really feel strongly that this institute will help me not only address the library needs, but also participate more in those conversations about where the town is going, how we’re growing, and what the community members need not just here in the library but elsewhere in town too. It’s really exciting for me,” she said.

The competitive application process began in April, with a letter of approval from Town Manager Tony Plante. Alvino submitted her resume along with answers to several essay questions about what she was hoping to get from the institute as well as what she could offer to others. 

“They create opportunities for you to connect and to keep those connections throughout your career which is really nice,” said Alvino. The connections outside the community bring a different perspective to the work, she said. 

Alvino is the only librarian from this region to be selected for this year’s institute. The closest participant on the list, she said, is from Connecticut. “I’m excited to broaden myself that way too, to meet some people that I haven’t met,” she said.