Then and now - Babb's Covered Bridge: A history and future by Walter Lunt

This is the second installment of a series on the history and the unique heritage of Windham, then and now

New England embraces a romantic fascination with its covered bridges. Once numbering in the hundreds, they were in the 19^th century, a practical means of conveyance. By the early 20^th century, suburbanization and practicality dictated that many be replaced by concrete and steel.

In the 1850s, more than 150 covered bridges dotted the Maine countryside. Today, only nine remain – two that had been destroyed, were replaced by exact replicas. The Windham/Gorham structure over the Presumpscot River was one of them. Historians disagree on the age of the bridge, as is evident in the historical photo/essay book series: “Images of America”. In “Windham: Images of American”, (Bell) states the original bridge was built in 1767. The “Images” series, “Gorham” (Fogg) records that the first construction occurred in 1763. And the “Images, Maine’s Covered Bridges”, (Conwill) maintains the bridge dates to 1864.

Almost certainly, there was a wooden span of some kind connecting the two towns during their early development in the mid to late 1700s. The disparity may lie in whether the bridge was closed-in or open. Earlier, open bridges may have been replaced with closed structures. Both types were common. A few, known as boxed pony trussed, had sides, but no canopy.

As noted by Conwill, “The historical record is never complete…most bridges disappeared early and their history is spottily recorded.” Windham’s early historians, Smith and Dole, are silent on the subject. Old town reports in both Windham and Gorham offer few clues, referring to expenditures like: “For work on the bridge.”

THEN: Babb's Covered Bridge, c. 1948

Babb’s Bridge can be awarded special mention however, for several distinguishing characteristics. Most historians agree it is the oldest of Maine’s covered bridges, and the shortest - with a span of just 66 feet. It is also the only queen-post truss covered bridge in the state. Truss systems are framing styles, usually adapted to the requirements of span and usage.

One question frequently posed by visitors and schoolchildren is, “Why were these bridges covered?” Some speculate it was to provide shade and protection from the weather for the weary traveler. Others maintain it was to keep snow clear of the bridge. Neither is correct. In fact, early town reports record expenditures to: “snow the bridge”.  That is, they hired an individual who would shovel snow onto the bridge for the accommodation of sleighs - the principal form of transportation “back in the day.” Early bridges were, in fact, roofed to prevent the decay of their wood construction.

Even covered, dangers persisted. The most common were wind, waves and wildfire. In 1767, what was then termed a hurricane, but more likely was a microburst or a tornado given the early descriptions, destroyed  “…all but the sturdy oaks”,  in ¾ mile wide swath from Gorham, over Duck Pond (Highland Lake) to Falmouth, and sending  almost the whole bridge downstream. Rebuilt, it became known as Hurricane Bridge. Floods upended the bridge on several occasions during the 1800s. It took the name Babb’s Bridge around 1880 after a Gorham family who lived nearby.

NOW: Babb's Covered Bridge, c 2016

In modern times, and still within vivid memory of many, Babb’s Bridge burned at the hands of arsonists in 1973. Residents and members of the Windham and Gorham Historical Societies teamed with the Maine Department of Transportation to engineer and build an exact replica, which was dedicated in conjunction with the nation’s bicentennial in July of 1976.

Today, the most recent threat to the historic bridge occurred over a two-year period in 2015 -2016. Vandals, intent on high-jumping off the structure into the water, removed side boards and cut holes through the roof. The bridge’s secluded location hindered adequate security.

In the early fall of 2016, following concerns expressed by local residents, the Maine DOT commissioned a nearly total make-over of the bridge at a cost of over $160,000 - once again, respecting its original design. State highway officials now say, that while they will continue to maintain the bridge, lack of manpower and funds make them reluctant to respond to fixes that result from vandalism.

Windham resident Gary Plummer has begun assembling local citizens and state legislators to form a, Friends of Babb’s Bridge Group, which will be aimed at providing increased security and heightened awareness.

“Babb’s Bridge is now in great condition,” says Plummer. He closely monitored the recent work and said it included cementing stone blocks that make up the bridge abutment. Water had collected in pockets between the stones and the freeze-thaw cycle had caused the blocks to move. 

The roof was stripped and replaced with rough cut boards and plywood, then topped with cedar shingles. Restoration was also completed on the sides and entrances.

Plummer hopes the Friends Group will increase awareness and appreciation of the historic nature of the bridge and encourage wary eyes on the activity there. He said police chiefs in both communities are committed to increased surveillance and,  “…we are also planning to install security cameras (which) have been shown to decrease problems.”

“My hope is that 150 years from now it will (continue) to be a stately structure.”  <

Local screen writer makes it in Hollywood By Lorraine Glowczak

It was just six years ago that Al Lamanda, a resident of Little Sebago Lake, decided to do what his high school teachers told him he did best: Write. Since late in 2010, Lamanda, who has successfully published 21 novels and two screenplays, with a third one on the way, just returned from Hollywood and a Red Carpet Event. His second screenplay, “American Violence”, impressed Hollywood director, Timothy Woodward, Jr. so much that it has been turned into a film of the same name. 

Lamanda (right) with actor Michael Pare

Released on February 3 in selected AMC theaters, the crime drama starring Denise Richards, Michael Pare and Bruce Dern is about a prominent psychologist, Dr. Amanda Tyler (played by Richards). Amanda wants to discover the root causes of violent behavior. As the film’s synopsis states: “Amanda receives, an opportunity to interview and analyze death row inmate Jackson Shea (played by up and coming actor Kaiwi Lyman-Mersereau.) As the interview commences, with Jackson's fate hanging in the balance, Amanda must determine whether or not a stay of execution should be granted.”

“It’s just like you would imagine,” Lamanda said, of his first Hollywood Premier. “The carpet really is red and there are photographers everywhere. There were at least 100 plus photographers that night constantly taking pictures. And that was even before Denise Richards arrived.”

The evening began with the arrival of Pare followed by Woodward and the rest of the actors and producers. Once the initial paparazzi fanfare was completed, the film and Lamanda were introduced and the first screening of “American Violence” commenced.

As with all Hollywood film screenings, an after-screening party occurred later in the evening. Here, Lamanda got the opportunity to meet and speak to the producers, actors and actresses including Richards. During his conversations with various producers and directors, Lamanda was asked to write another screenplay for a film consideration and that screenplay is in the process.

Actress Denise Richards as Dr. Tyler

Although his real focus is mystery and western novels, Lamanda who has authored such books as “This Side of Midnight”, “First Light” and “Dunston Falls”, came to screenwriting by accident. “A director friend asked if I would screen write a film for him,” Lamanda explained. “So, I gave it a shot. After opening and closing that film here in Maine, I thought I’d give it a try on my own.”

Because he was not traditionally trained as a screenwriter, he learned everything he knew from a book he checked out of the Windham Public Library.

Nominated for Edgar and Nero awards, Lamanda is working on his next screen play based upon his novel, “Sunset.” He will also be promoting three new books due to be published by the end of this year.

Lamanda’s rapid success bids some advice for other writers, who dream to be where he is now. “Perseverance, discipline and time management are skills one needs to be a writer,” Lamanda begins. “That - and, don’t listen to the ‘experts’.”

Initially told he could not be a screen writer because he did not go to school to learn how to do so, he did it anyway. He was also told he should have an author’s website to be a success. For those who wish to follow his blog, you may be disappointed. “I want to focus on the things I enjoy. Creating and maintaining a website takes away the time I want to spend on writing,” Lamanda explained. He also does very little public speaking.

“American Violence” will be in theaters until March 4th, 2017. At that point, the film will be available on DVD, Netflix and at Amazon.com.

Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals Seeks Volunteers and Votes By Elizabeth Richards

A few years ago, the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals wasn’t using any volunteers. Now, their volunteer program boasts approximately 275 active volunteers, and has seen more than a thousand volunteers pass through the program since it began.

Meris Bickford, CEO of MSSPA said that when she first began working for the MSSPA as a lobbyist and attorney, there was a lot of anxiety about volunteers working at a farm organization.

“Institutionally, there was a mindset that it was too dangerous to use volunteers,” she said.

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However, when trying to successfully manage a nonprofit organization, “Volunteers are truly the lifeblood of such an organization,” Bickford said. At the MSSPA, the annual budget hovers around one million dollars. Bickford said they could never raise enough money to pay people to do all the work that needs to be done. “Our volunteers and the programming that we have with them are absolutely essential to the daily operation here and also to the longer term growth,” Bickford said.

Prior to using volunteers, she said, MSSPA was fulfilling their primary program goal of rehabilitating and rehoming animal - primarily horses, which have been abused and neglected. But many other things essential to running the organization were not being done. “All of the organizational energy and finances were going into that one thing,” she said, “while board development, creation of a website, a regular newsletter, and building and field maintenance weren’t happening.” 

Now, the MSSAP has a robust volunteer program that allows for each task to be attended to. “We have a great group of volunteers who come in and actually work in the barns,” Bickford said. Volunteers clean stalls, wash feed buckets, and all the other chores that must happen every day, whatever the weather. “It’s a lot of work. Those volunteers who do that are really critical to helping our paid staff,” Bickford said. The paid staff is small, usually only two or three people per day, and having volunteers to do some of the work frees them up for the jobs that require more skill and experience.

There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for people who are less comfortable with horses or unable to do the physical barn work, as well. Volunteers can help maintain the organization’s database, prepare thank you letters to donors, help organize events, assist with the website, social media and newsletters. “There’s a whole range of communication that has to happen as well, and I have one paid person whose primary responsibility is to manage that - she couldn’t possibly do it all,” said Bickford.

Some of the volunteers do an extraordinary amount of work. For example, there is one gentleman who not only helps mow grass and maintain flower beds, but has also taken on helping to manage the Dunkin Donuts Coin Collection program the organization participates in. This is a large job, Bickford said, that requires not only driving from store to store each week to collect the coins, but also being trustworthy enough to handle money. “Here’s a guy who does it all. He’s great,” said Bickford. “We have a number of super high functioning volunteers like that. Without these volunteers, we just couldn’t do it. We just could not get done all of the tasks that are essential for making us successful,” she said.

Volunteers come mostly from the local community. Some are performing mandated community service hours, and many come from the correctional center across the street. “We have a very collegial relationship with the correctional center. We use inmate labor in the barns every day.”

Volunteers of all ages are welcome at MSSPA. Those under 16 must volunteer with a parent or guardian, and from 16 to 18 can volunteer on their own with parental consent. The process to become a volunteer includes an application - preferably online, but paper applications are also available. MSSPA also recruits groups of volunteers from large employers in the area for some of their larger projects.

Volunteers are needed every day, so scheduling around personal availability works out well. “We match you with something you want to do at a time that works for you, bring you in and train you on that job, then let you have at it,” Bickford said. Often, experienced volunteers are used to help train new volunteers. 

Bickford said one thing she loves to do is get to know each volunteer. “I like to know my volunteers even though we have a lot of them because I am so grateful for their support here,” she said.

Bickford said she feels fortunate to have MSSPA located in a community as supportive as Windham. Currently, there is another way the community can help. This year the MSSPA is on the written ballot for the Bangor Savings Bank Community Matters More program, with a chance to win a $5000 grant. While they have launched several successful write-in campaigns and won $1000 each time, they couldn’t get on the written ballot. They were told the program focus was on people, not animals. People can vote online at:  www.msspa.org, in person at any Bangor Savings Bank branch, or at the farm on River Road from 1 - 4 p.m. daily. Maine residents of any age are eligible to vote from February 1 to February 28, 2017.

Windham High graduate combines education with life experiences abroad By Stephen Signor

Caroline Ireland (left) poses in front of a building being constructed

Well before Caroline Ireland graduated from Windham High School in 2015, her immediate future had already been mapped out. It began at an early age when she was in the girls’ youth group Challenge, run by Regnum Christi, a movement of the Catholic Church. Through this movement, 

Ireland joined Mission Youth as one of many missionaries that serve communities in the US and abroad in their specific needs.

Ireland’s interest in serving others is obviously innate. “I have always been a very curious person. My curiosity has definitely prodded my passion for volunteerism. I think all humans have a unique story to tell and I am always eager to listen. My passion and interest in service/volunteering also stems from my family. My parents and older siblings have always volunteered their time in a variety of ways.”

Once in high school it would be through the organization of Mission Youth that the first taste of travel and service would take place. “I knew they offered international service trips for high school students, so when I was a junior at Windham High School, my friend Katherine (who I did Challenge with) and her mom invited me to join them in Haiti. Of course I wanted to go so in July of 2014 I embarked on my first international service trip,” shared Ireland.

Haiti proved to be a really shocking and quite the influential trip. While there, she was exposed to a brand new culture and a country that was living in extreme poverty. “At first it was hard to look past all the trash and filth. I remember being genuinely repulsed at first, but then when I opened my heart to the people there I could see the inner beauty,” stated Ireland.

One day spent at the Home for the Dying, simply massaging the women in need was enough to learn the value of and importance of the human connection. “That day the simple act of the human touch and connection truly moved me. I vividly remember that day and am so grateful for the intimate experience I had with those women and the lessons they taught me,” continued Ireland. 

A typical Haitian Day

As a senior, things really took off. It started with the search for college. “I was unsure of what to study because I like a lot of things. I have always been passionate about people. I know I have the skills to work well with people and communities,” said Ireland. It was this mindset that lead to the decision to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work. “I also believe I can grow as a human being in this field which is important,” continued Ireland.

Anselm College in New Hampshire was her choice. “When I was applying for colleges, I knew I wanted to attend a liberal arts catholic college. Also I wanted a school that was aesthetically appealing, had great food, and was challenging academically. Saint A's fit that description perfectly. Saint A's is incredibly hospitable and many people here are involved with service,” said Ireland.

Anselm was also chosen for its reputation and dedication to community service. But that was not the only reason. During school, Ireland works for the Meelia Center for Community Engagement (MCCE), a service/volunteer center on campus. “The Meelia Center is what sets Saint A's apart from a lot of other small liberal Arts Colleges and I'm truly grateful to work for such a meaningful place! Also Saint A's is home,” continued Ireland.

Just three weeks ago Ireland embarked on a trip to Guatemala. This one included her parents. “It has always been my dream to go on a service trip with my family, because now we can share in this unique and educational experience together,” explained Ireland. Saint Joseph's College in Standish has been offering trips run though Partners in Development (PID) for over 10 years and with her parents connected to the school - her mother the dean of students and her father a clinical instructor for nursing, a family trip came to fruition.

And so began the connection to PID. “It was a no-brainer when my mother asked if I would be interested in going. I immediately said yes. So, I didn't necessarily pick to work with PID, the opportunity sort of presented itself,” said Ireland, According to her, PID is an organization that truly brings about positive change. “While I was in Guatemala I learned more and more about this organization and I got to meet some of the sponsored children, work on the construction site of two dwellings, and truly see the impact this organization is making on these children and their families,” continued Ireland. 

There is always time to have fun

Now 19 and a sophomore, Ireland is adding to her life lessons while pursuing that bachelor’s degree in social work. This week she will be leaving the USA to further her studies in and around Orvieto, Italy for one semester. The time there will be spent learning, which includes travelling two days a week in other Italian cities to visit museums. Spare time will be spent exploring the rest of Europe. “In my free time or open weekends I hope to go to Ireland, France and other countries as well,” said Ireland. With a sister that lives and works in Israel, there are definite plans to visit her for Easter.

Although this may temporarily suspend performing service through volunteering, it remains a priority in her life. For others who may have a shared interest but are unsure about pursuing the rewards, “I think the best piece of advice I can offer, is to be open to new experiences. Be open to learning from someone who is different from you. Be open to learning about and engaging with a different culture from your own. Be in the present! Volunteering is a wonderful way to use your talents for good, as well as gain new insight and perspective from the people you are serving,” concluded Ireland.

To learn more about these volunteer opportunities visit: www.missionyouth.com/ and www.pidonline.org/programs/guatemala.