Open house, lunch at Windham's Friends Church - By Walter Lunt

For a long time the sign in front of the white, nondescript building at 374 Gray Road (Route 202) read Friends Meeting House. A club? Secret society? Service organization?  No, it’s a church -   specifically, a Quaker church – formally known as the Society of Friends.
 

Church elder Ron Wain was convinced no one realized it was a place of worship, so the sign was changed to clarify Windham Friends Church – A Quaker Meeting. Obscurity can be the inherent result of a basic Quaker tenet which calls upon its members to avoid “calling attention to themselves.” The building itself hides in plain sight. Church doctrine advises against adornments of any kind, whether clothing or architecture. Although a Christian gathering, there is no steeple, no bell, no stained glass - not even a Cross.

But the Windham Friends Meeting has decided it’s time to reach out to the community.  Church leaders will hold an open house on August 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In addition to a free lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and desserts, the public will learn about its unique history and its mission. Families are welcome.

Pastor Janice Beattie says the get-together has a dual purpose. In addition to those interested in the Friends, or Quaker beliefs, she hopes residents will drop by to learn about the Friends’ early influence in the development of the Town of Windham. “Friends is a historic Windham church that is still viable today,” she said. People rightly associate Quakers with the so-called silent meeting, long periods of introspective prayer seeking the wisdom of God. But many of today’s Quaker meetings employ more traditional services delivered by a minister, in addition to brief periods of silence. “We’re now more like an old community church,” according to Beattie.

Church treasurer Julie Moore worries about the dwindling congregation. “We have about 30 members with only about 10 or so that are active.” Like its plain exterior, the worship service emphasizes simple, brief, soft-spoken sermons. Moore is convinced there are many believers who would find sanctuary at the Windham Quaker Meeting, but who simply don’t know about it. “It’s a wonderful group of people,” she said, “and visitors to the open house can expect a warm welcome, good food and answers to their questions whether related to local history or Quaker beliefs.” No sermons.

 

David and Susan Palmer of Windham are more recent members. Asked how and why they got interested in the Friends, David said they attended a history presentation sponsored by the Windham Historical Society. After hearing about the early Quaker influence, they decided to drop in on a Sunday service and “fell in love with the place.”

Elder Wain said, “We’re all about the basics of the original Christian church without the layers of formality put in by man. I think Christ would be happy with the way we worship.” <

 

Pic: Some of the members of Windham Friends Church and their grandchildren dressed in traditional Quaker garb as they participated in the Windham Summerfest Parade in June.

Julie Moore, Treasurer

Back Row L-R:  Edward McCue and Ron Wain

3rd Row:       Christine McCue and Sandra Wain

2nd Row:       Isabelle Gilman, Julie Moore and Janice Beattie

Front Row:     Devin O'Brien, Kimberly Kehlenbach, Jack McGinn and Samuel

McGinn

Super Hero Addy readies for battle - By Michelle Libby

Four-year-old Adalynn Madsen found out three weeks ago that she has a rare form of Leukemia that affects only four out of one million people. On Tuesday she started chemotherapy with her mother Jessica (Jess) by her side at Dana Farber in Boston. 
 

The three week journey has been a whirlwind for the Madsens, Addy, her mom Jessica, her dad David and her 7-year-old big sister Casidhe. After constantly being sick and not feeling well, David demanded that they draw blood at her doctor’s office. 

Addy in the purple dress with her family.

“When they were walking up the driveway [Addy] needed to be carried. Her scrapes and bug bites (like all children are covered with) weren't healing. Addy would turn down a challenge to race from her little cousin (if you know Addy, that's a pretty big deal). Addy's spunk just didn't seem to be there,” said family friend Leigh-Anne Fortin.

The next day, the Madsens were sent to Maine Medical Center in Portland and were met with an oncology team.

Addy has MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome) and will require a bone marrow transplant. The final decision  at MMC was to send Addy to Boston for treatment. According to Addy’s aunt, Anne Manning, Maine Medical Center hadn’t seen very many, if any, cases of MDS. They conferred with doctors from all of the US and in Europe to help get the correct diagnosis, Manning said.    

Addy and her mother will live in the hospital for six months and then when Addy comes home, she will have to stay in her home in Raymond for another six months while she’s recovering.

 

Addy on the right with her superhero sidekicks, her cousins.

Addy has had two bone marrow draws and will need to find a donor that matches her bone marrow which will cost between $10,000 and $15,000, which insurance will not cover. Jess is a school teacher in Poland and she has taken a leave of absence without pay to be with her daughter. David works for the Town of Lewiston and will continue to work except on Fridays when he and Casidhe will travel down to visit Addy and Jess.   

“We are all in it together,” said Manning. David and Casidhe will live with Manning and her husband while Addy is receiving treatment to make transportation and other care easier on the family. 

Addy is a fun loving 4-year-old who loves to swim, and go frogging with her cousin. In a recent video after receiving a transfusion she had enough energy to dance to Taylor Swift’s song “Shake It Off”, which then became a theme song of sorts for her. Bracelets have been made that say “#Shakeoffcancer” and “Super Hero Addy.” 

“It’s such a heartfelt thing,” said Manning. “All of the wishes, thoughts and prayers give her super powers. The community matters.” 

On August 15^th, there will be a fundraiser at Point Sebago in Casco. The family rented out a room for music, dancing, cocktails, appetizers and auctions. All money raised will go directly to the medical and incurred costs for Super Hero Addy’s treatment. Tickets can be purchased online through Eventbrite at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/super-hero-addy-night-tickets-17753551350?ref=esfb. Donations can also be made through a GoFund me page http://www.gofundme.com/9sf734d9s  

“Your donation is to help her family while Addy shows cancer who is boss. You will help with the costs of treatments, the costs for things not covered by insurance, to replace the carpet in the house when Addy comes home, and to also help the family while Jess is in Boston with Addy,” said Fortin on the GoFund me page.

To follow Addy’s story visit the Super Hero Addy Facebook page. To send messages, email ldalton95@maine.rr.com or call Anne at 650-0582.

Successful fundraising campaign - By Elizabeth Richards

The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) had a very successful “Buy a Bale” fundraising campaign this year, raising $103,700. “Buy a Bale” is just one of the ways the community can support MSSPA, New England’s largest horse shelter. 
 

The facility on River Road houses the main operations for MSSPA. It was built in 1972, starting with six stalls, according to president and chairman of the board, Marilyn Goodreau, who has been part of the organization since that time. “It became evident that there were a lot more horses than were going to fill the six stalls, so in 1989-90 we built the big building,” she said. Currently the River Road facility can house up to 45 horses.

With foster care and other donated space, the organization has had as many as 90 animals in their care at once, added CEO Meris J. Bickford. Currently, their head count is 57 animals.

“We have structured ourselves in a way that we can expand and contract our capacity as we need to,” said Bickford.

MSSPA was originally founded in the city of Portland in 1872 said Bickford, with a primary mission of providing after service care for the horses that pulled fire engines and streetcars in the City of Portland. When the need for these horses became obsolete with the advent of the gasoline engine, the organization faded, but in 1972 Lawrence J. Keddy became the president, and wanted to do more. His personal generosity and hard work revived the Society and helped shape it into the thriving organization it is today.

The Society receives animals when law enforcement officials in the state have investigated abuse/neglect complaints and seized the horses from their owners. “The state doesn’t operate any animal shelters,” said Bickford. “They have no place to put them.” That’s where the Society comes in. 

Horses at River Road receive top notch care, provided by a mixture of paid staff, a robust volunteer program, and inmate labor from the prison across the road. The property spans 124 acres, providing enough turnout space so every horse can go out for part of each day unless there is a medical reason preventing this Bickford said.

 

The Society uses 20,000 bales of hay per year to feed the animals they care for. About half is made from their own hay on the property, with the rest being purchased. Funds raised from the Buy A Bale program pays for making and buying this hay. Each year, their budget for hay is approximately $100,000. This year’s campaign exceeded that goal with tremendous support from the community.

“Windham is a wonderful community for us to be located in,” said Bickford. “We get a lot of support from the businesses and individuals here.” The Society is also active with humane education in the schools in Windham, making presentations and sometimes taking a horse to school. School groups often do some fundraising for the Society as well. This year, for example, the Manchester School fifth graders did a “Hearts for MSSPA Horses” campaign and raised over $500, said Bickford. 

Before and after photos of horses posted in the barn clearly illustrate the difference the Society makes to these animals. Their goal is to rehabilitate the horses, train them if needed, and find them a permanent home. They have been quite successful in this goal, said Bickford. In the last twelve months, approximately eight horses have been placed. Finding homes can be tricky, considering that a horse is an expensive proposition. A basic yearly budget to care for a horse is estimated at $3,000/year, and that doesn’t account for any emergencies or health issues that may arise.

MSSPA is a no kill shelter. “The only time animals are euthanized here is when there is a medical necessity that it takes place because they have incurable suffering,” said Bickford. “Otherwise we tend to spare no expense in terms of getting them what they need to make sure that they recover as fully as possible. Those that can’t be adopted out remain here for the balance of their natural lives.”

The annual budget for MSSPA is around a million dollars per year, and the organization receives no government funding. The Society is a 501(c)(3) public charity, and receives funding from membership dues, donations from individuals and businesses, grant funding, and fundraising efforts including Buy A Bale, and a Support a Stall program, which allows someone to donate on a regular basis and have a stall in the stable designated as “theirs”. This allows people to build a relationship with the animals at the facility, and is a great option for someone who doesn’t have the capacity to adopt, but wants to help in an ongoing way. “If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a metropolis to run a horse rescue facility,” said Bickford.

The facility is open to the public daily, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. from June through August, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. the remainder of the year. There is no admission cost, and the public is welcome to bring a picnic lunch, walk the property and see the animals. Anyone over the age of 16 can volunteer at the facility, and younger volunteers are allowed with a parent/guardian. For more information on the Society, visit www.msspa.org or call 892-3040.

Windham's Odd Fellows/Rebekah Hall to be sold - By Walter Lunt

Windham’s Odd Fellows/Rebekah Lodge on Roosevelt Trail near Varney Mill Road may soon be sold to real estate developer Kaile Warren, who plans to convert the building into an upscale arts and community center. The former owner of the national Rent-A-Husband handyman chain has a pending agreement with Lake Pine Association, owners of the hall, which is currently operated as Pinea Rebekah Lodge. Warren says he will seek contract zone status for the property to accommodate plans that include community events and an approximately 1,200 square foot addition to the back of the building to be used as a theater venue.

 

Although a “work in progress,” Warren plans to name his venture FACE, an acronym for function, arts, culture and events, and foresees a high end premier location for theater productions, business seminars, a farmers’ market and a fundraising facility for local non-profits. A gazebo and garden would be added for weddings and similar celebrations. Culturally, Warren envisions opportunities for local artists and multi-cultural speakers to “broaden our understanding of each other.” He said fees would be assessed for each event depending on the type and size. 

Jonathon Miele, a member of the Windham Center Stage Board of Directors, said he sees advantages to the FACE venue over their present location in the Windham Town Hall gym, but hastens to point out that the full board has not yet addressed the issue.

The building, a large Quonset style structure in deteriorating condition, will undergo minimal changes in order to be “…sensitive to its history. It’s been an important part of the community and I want to maintain that tradition,” said Warren. He pointed to the three interlocking ovals over the front door (friendship – love – truth). “I’m going to keep that.” Along with some interior renovations, Warren plans an Odd Fellows/Rebekah history wall, or corner, that would display information and artifacts relating to the Order’s nearly 60 year history.

Janet Waterhouse, a Lake Pine Association trustee, said the all-male Odd Fellows terminated its meeting about 10 years ago due to the aging of its members. The women of Pinea Rebekah continue to function but, according to Waterhouse, the expenses and maintenance are now “…too much, given the age of most of our members,” which now numbers only eight to 10. The organization contributes to Windham charities through various fundraising activities. The last official charitable act (from the current building) will be the delivery of teddy bears to Windham Police for children involved in scary situations, such as car crashes. Waterhouse said the Rebekahs will continue to function in a rented hall or in private homes.

 Referring to the current building, “It’s hard to give it up.” Despite the move, she said, the members and trustees will likely be pleased with Warren’s plans to maintain it for community service. And she added that she is pleased the architectural integrity will remain largely unchanged, recalling that the original Odd Fellows, known as Lake Shore Lodge, were Windham farmers who planned the structure to look barn-like.

One significant change to the front of the building would be the elimination of the long handicap ramp that stretches across half the front of the hall and down the side. Warren is proposing an elevator accessible from the parking lot.

Warren feels the contract zone designation, which will be subject to town council and planning board approval, is critical to the success of FACE. He maintains the current residential/commercial zone is restrictive to the visitor/parking ratio and to the setback requirement for the planned addition. Planning Director Ben Smith agreed the FACE plan would “be a great use for that building,” and that a contract zone would allow the town to deal with only that property without affecting the rest of the area. Warren expects to submit a contract zone application to the council this week. If accepted, the proposal would go to the planning board which would conduct a public hearing. If approved, it would then require final approval from the town council. 

Warren anticipates the process would take at least 90 days and is hopeful that renovations and construction could begin over the winter.