Monetary donations needed to provide healthy meals for Windham/Raymond students by Lorraine Glowczak

Only monetary donations accepted in order to ensure nutritional items and menus are similarly based

Nearly 40 percent of the students in the Windham/Raymond schools receive free or reduce-priced meals as a result of their family’s financial challenges. The students are provided these meals during the school year. 
 

However, the weekends and school and summer vacations prove to be more difficult for these same students whose meals are not provided to them on a regular basis. A few of the RSU#14 staff are working together to do something about these challenges, through efforts of two programs, the Backpack Program and the Village Fund.

Samantha Cowens-Gasbarro, RSU#14 Chef and Nutrition Coordinator and Marge Govoni, School Board Member and Coordinator of both programs, are working together to help serve the students in need. “Research indicates that children who grow up in food insecure households often lag behind in terms of cognitive, emotional, and physical development,” explained Cowens-Gasbarro. “We want to help those students succeed.”

The Backpack Program began in the 2011-12 school year and is specific for the elementary school children. It provides foods to supplement children in need over the weekends and school vacations during the school year. “This program was previously funded by donations from Hannaford’s and members of the community,” explained Govoni. “A few years ago the donations from Hannaford’s ended. In order to continue to serve 150 children each weekend during the school year, we need more members of the community to support our program. We are reaching out to local businesses asking for additional sponsors to this program.” Our major contributor presently is Windham Weaponry and their employees.

When the program began six years ago, it provided meals for approximately 50 students. This has increased in number, with 150 elementary students from both Windham and Raymond schools being served.

The Backpacks contain a breakfast, lunch and dinner options as well as snacks. They are discreetly distributed to the students by teachers or staff in each school and are packed every Tuesday by volunteers at either Windham Middle School or Windham Primary School. Only monetary donations are accepted to ensure the nutritional items and menus are similarly based and meet the needs of the child. 

The Village Fund Program is a program specifically geared to the high school students. Beginning as a grant for food insecure students that could not afford to buy lunch, the program became the Village Fund in 2015. “In the past, high school staff members have given their own money to help students, who are food insecure, buy lunch,” stated Govoni. “We are hoping to take the financial burden off of the staff by raising money to put towards this fund.”
 

Govoni and Cowens-Gasbarro explained that by raising $2,000 for this upcoming school year, the program could provide 665 meals to students in need throughout the school year.

“A small donation would go a long way in this Village Fund considering each school lunch costs only $3.00 for a complete meal that includes main entrée, fruit, vegetable and milk,” stated Cowens-Gasbarro. 

One hundred percent of the donations go toward both programs and no administrative cost or fees are applied.

There is a quote that states, “Small acts, when multiplied by a number of people, transform the world.” Help transform the lives of the RSU#14 students whose lives can be made a little easier with a nutritional meal that is not always available to them. Govoni said “We cannot make these programs work without the help of our very generous businesses, organizations and residents of Windham and Raymond. We are very grateful and cannot thank those who have contributed monetary donations or volunteer their time to help make these programs successful.” 

If you would like more information on one or both of these programs, contact Cowens-Gasbarro at scowens-gasbarro@rsu14.org or Marge Govoni at mgovoni@rsu14.org. Cowens-Gasbarro can be reached by phone at 892-1800, ext. 2029 and Govoni at 892-7192.

To make a donation, ensuring that the food insecure children of the Windham and Raymond communities are nourished and well fed, mail check or money order noting which program you are donating too, to the following address: School Nutrition Program, Attn: Samantha Cowens- Gasbarro, 228 Windham Center Road, Windham,04062.

Windham family experiences the real meaning of Veterans Day by Lorraine Glowczak

Lea Hennigar, friend Shiba and daughter Brooklyn

On Sunday, October 29 Lea Hennigar of Windham and her daughter, Brooklynn along with their friend, Shiba welcomed World War II and Korean War Veterans at the Portland Jetport as they returned home from an Honor Flight Trip to Washington D.C.
 

“I wanted to show my daughter what Veterans Day really stands for,” explained Hennigar. “It’s not only a day off, it is a day of true honor for the troops of the past and future; it is the respect we hold in our hearts for the freedom we have.”

The Honor Flight Network Program was the idea of a retired Air Force Captain, Earl Morse who wanted to provide opportunities to veterans by giving them a chance to see the memorials in Washington D.C. that are dedicated in their honor. 

The first Honor Flight took place in May 2005 from Springfield, Ohio where 12 World War II Veterans were given the chance to see the World War II Memorial. 

Since then, the Honor Flight Network has expanded to include other areas and local hubs. Honor Flight Maine is part of that network and is the non-profit organization that provided the trip for the veterans returning to Maine on October 29.  

Hennigar learned of this program through a friend of her mother’s, who got to participate on an Honor Flight in 2014. 

“He is now 92 years old and still to this day he speaks of this experience,” Hennigar explained. “He encourages anyone and everyone to be a part of this; for the honor that he felt was incredible and the journey of memory lane [and] his fellow comrades, was touching, sentimental and a true life touching experience.”

Hennigar’s daughter and her friend also felt honored to be a part of such a memorable and somewhat emotional event, making a welcome sign as the Maine vets returned. “People took their hats off, shook hands, wore red, white and blue,” Hennigar continued. “The tears of these men and woman were touching.”

As stated on the Honor Flight Network website, an estimated 640 World War II Veterans die each day. As a result, the program will continue do whatever it can to fulfill the dreams of the veterans helping them travel to and see the memorials in their honor for free.

Subsequent to the World War II Veterans, efforts will then focus on the Korean War and then Vietnam War Veterans, honoring them similarly. 

For more information about Honor Flight Maine, email at MaineHonorFlight@gmail.com or call at 207-370-7210. 

Remember to honor the veterans this Saturday, November 11 by attending the Veterans Day Program and Open House, hosted by Windham Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643. The event will begin at 11 a.m. and the public is invited to attend. Refreshments will be provided.

Second annual Fall Festival at Windham Primary was a fun family event by Jennifer Davis

Saturday, October 28, Windham Primary School held its second annual Fall Festival from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. which welcomed many members of the community, both young and old.  Michelle Jordan, Volunteer Coordinator, led the event.
 

This year’s festival featured many activities including: face painting, crafts, a scarecrow contest, pumpkin decorating, selfie booth and a scavenger hunt. The atmosphere was inviting as music from D. J. Dave welcomed all who arrived. “I am so excited for this event,” said Lincoln Davis, first grader at Windham Primary School. “I like the leaf pools the best.”  

People in attendance found activities occurring throughout the school building and the playground. The dunking station was a hit attraction as people gathered to watch Corey McAllister, Primary School Secretary and Dr. Kyle Rhoads, Primary School Principal, get soaked. With every successful hit, laughter could be heard all around from the crowd of people who had gathered.  “I get really excited for the event because families are having fun and staff and parents volunteering are having fun, too,” Rhoads said.  “The afternoon flies by!”

Inside the cafeteria, the PTO was set up with a bake sale and free apple cider and popcorn was available for everyone.  

There were also about 10 tables setup to welcome pumpkin decorators that included many pumpkins to choose from, big and small.  Paisley, a kindergartener at Windham Primary, was there with her dad, David and brother Charlie. She did not have much to say, but her smile while she was decorating her pumpkin spoke volumes to the amount of fun she was having at this event.

Windham Public Library was present at the event and there was also a scarecrow contest.  The winner to the scarecrow contest will be announced at the end of this week. 

Outside, attendees could find selfie- boards set up to take pictures that would act as a reminder of the event and the great time that was had by all.  

Neighbors, friends, classmates, and co-workers mingled together creating a strong feeling of community. There were approximately 30 volunteers that came together to make this year’s event possible.  

Next year’s festival is already in the works, which is always made possible by the multitude of sponsors who donate time and money. 

“We will soon discuss as a committee how to improve the event,” stated Rhoads. “We want it to be bigger and better each year and be a true school community event!”

Local marathon swimmer proves it’s never too late to live your dreams by Matt Pascarella

Pat Gallant-Charette

Pat Gallant-Charette is not your typical 66-year-old grandmother. Not only is she a marathon swimmer, but she is a six-time world record-breaking marathon swimmer.
 

Last month, she spoke to students at Windham Middle School about being stereo-typed for being “too old” to do some of the things she’s done. She proved you are never too old to go after the things you want.

A Westbrook resident, Pat Gallant-Charette did not aim to become a marathon swimmer, or even a swimmer, until later in life. 

“[People] ask how I got into swimming, and it’s really kind of a remarkable story,” Gallant-Charette began. “I was a good swimmer as a teenager, got married at 21 and started having children. Then I got my BA in nursing and worked as a nurse.”

It was after tragedy that the idea of swimming came about. “My youngest brother, Robbie, at the age of 34, died suddenly…of a heart attack,” Gallant-Charette continued. “At the time, I was 46 and was absolutely devastated. He was such a remarkable young man. Robbie loved swimming; he was the captain of the Northeastern University Swim Team and won Peaks to Portland twice.”

At the time, her 16-year-old son was on the Westbrook High School swim team and she considered herself a spectator mom while she cheered on her son at swim meets. He decided to swim the Peaks to Portland as a tribute to his uncle and she wished she could do the same. “You can if you try,” her son said to her.

 

Her son’s remark inspired Gallant-Charrette, but it took effort and courage to reach that goal. “You get filled with a lot of self-doubt about your swimming ability,” Gallant-Charette said. “I didn’t like swimming in the ocean. I spooked easily. I’m only going to do [this] one time, and that’s it. I trained, it took me over a year before I even qualified.”

Then she qualified for the Peaks to Portland, she recalls the day in detail: “I remember standing on the island, here I was 47, and filled with self-doubt, I’m looking at all these young, slender athletes and I’m thinking, ‘Pat, what the heck did you get yourself into?’ Then I said to myself, ‘I don’t care if I come in last. You’re here as a tribute to Robbie. Just finish the swim because it’s the last time you ever have to swim in the ocean again.’”

Something happened on that first swim in the Atlantic. “As I was swimming across Casco Bay, something special happened that morning. I saw the beauty of Fort Gorges… a lobster boat went by and the seagulls up above, and it was just incredible. It was beautiful! Any fear [of open water] was gone, and all those young fast swimmers were probably at the finish line, so I didn’t have to worry about [competing against them]. And when I finished, my brother, Robbie’s widow and her now 4-year-old son greeted me at the finish line. I said to my husband, ‘I really enjoyed this, I’m going to do it again.’”

She continued on with the Peaks to Portland swim on an annual basis and by the time she reached the age of 52, Gallant-Charette noticed that her endurance improved significantly. “I was stunned,” Gallant Charette stated. “I didn’t think I could improve at the age of 52.” 

Gallant-Charette decided to swim Sebago Lake which is twice the distance of Peaks to Portland. When she finished, she wasn’t tired. After another year of training and swimming across Big Sebago and back, she told her husband, “I think I’m one of those endurance athletes.” Her husband suggested she swim the English Channel. Gallant-Charette thought that was a great idea. 

She did swim the English Channel but it took a lot of self-coaching and training. In August 2001, she jumped in and swam the channel. Gallant-Charette shares a moment from that swim. “It was about the 16th hour of the English Channel and I could see France, and I said to myself ‘I don’t care how cold this water is, I’m going to make that finish line! And I did. Once I saw France, it was like, the worst is behind you, what’s another 2 miles?’”

For the fourth time since she turned 60, Pat has been selected as one of the nominees for the Women’s World Open Water Swimmer of the Year. She is among 12 nominees worldwide. Says Gallant-Charrette, “To be among these talented women I feel very humbled and honored.”

For the time being, it seems Gallant-Charette is enjoying the ride - or the swim rather. She doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. “I really love the sport of open water swimming. My pet peeve is when people say, ‘when are you retiring?’ I have no intention of retiring from this sport. My intent is to bring this as far as I can.”

Windham Historical Society celebrates the present with a tour of the past by Lorraine Glowczak

At the first stop, Friends Meeting House

The Windham Historical Society celebrated its 50^th anniversary with two historical tours on Saturday, October 21. The tours included stops at historical sites that made an important contribution to the growth of the town.
 
The two tours were offered at 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and were fundraising efforts for the Historical Society. “All proceeds [from the tour] go to the Village Green,” stated Haley Pal, a Windham Historical Society member. The Village Green is a work in progress, with the vision of becoming a Living History Center, to be established in the near future.

The tours hosted a total of 60 individuals and began at the Windham Historical Society, 234 Windham Center Road. The building that the society now calls home was built in 1833 and served as the first Windham Town Hall. 

The first stop along the tour included the Friends Meeting House on Gray Road. Sometimes referred to as The Quakers, this church was the second religious group to settle in Windham, arriving before 1774. 

The Quaker belief system is committed to nonviolence as well as equality among all individuals. As a result, Quakers were involved with the Underground Railroad. It was discovered by those on Saturday’s tour that Elijah Pope, a Quaker and dentist of which Pope Road in Windham is named, offered his basement as part of the Underground Railroad for slaves who were making their way to Canada and on to their freedom.

Another famous Windhamite that was mentioned along the tour was Thomas Chute (Chute Road).  He was the first settler of Windham and well-known community member that served as a deacon and town clerk. One can visit a monument in his honor on Chute Road near Sweat Road.

Payson Smith Home

Another significant stop along the tour was the Parson Smith House. It was placed on the National Register for Historic Places in 1973. The Parson Smith House (c 1764), located on River Road near the Windham Correctional Facility, was home to Windham’s second settled minister, Rev. Peter Thatcher. The house was handed down for five generations, eventually being willed to the Historical Society for the Protection of New England Antiquities (now Historic New England) in 1953. It is now a privately-owned home, but tours are available by appointment.

The last of multiple stops included the once successful Gambo Gunpowder Mill on Gambo Road. The mill was active during the Civil War and provided a large percentage of the gunpowder needed during that time. It also provided work opportunities for individuals in the surrounding New England areas. Although the financial gain was significant, so was the cost of life due to many factory explosions. Today, one can explore the area to find artifacts left from that time period.

“The people that attended the tours seemed to enjoy it,” stated Pal. 

Those who attended the first tour did seem to enjoy not only the stops along the way but the new knowledge they received from the historical information that was shared. “The Fall Historical Tour was such a nice way to get together with my daughter and friends, enjoying some of our favorite places in Windham; learning more about our town’s history, and enjoying a beautiful fall day,” tour participant Donna Emerson said.

A perfect Autumn day at the former Gunpowder Mill location

Emerson’s daughter, Mary Emerson agreed. “Everyone on the tour was extremely knowledgeable. My favorite part of the tour was learning about the Quakers and seeing inside Friends Church. A lot of people do not understand how interesting Windham’s history really is and I encourage more people in the younger generation to take advantage of tours like these to understand the town you live in.”

Saturday’s weather contributed to the tours’ success. “Saturday was a perfect autumn day to view some of Windham’s historic places with friends,” Lisa Fisher stated. “During the guided tour we learned about the beginnings of Windham, and the people who made it.  We saw houses of worship and Parson Smith’s home. We listened to the river flow under Babb’s Bridge and enjoyed the foliage and sense of antiquity at the Gambo Gunpowder Mill. I hope the Historical Society does another tour soon.” 

Pal stated that the success of this past Saturday’s tour is indeed creating conversation among the Historical Society members and they are strongly considering another historical exploration next year.

For more information on the tour, the history of Windham or to become a member of the Historical Society, contact the society at 207-892-1433 or www.windhamhistorical.org.

“The Addams Family”: An unusual musical about life and love by Elizabeth Richards

"The Addams Family” isn’t your typical musical, but anyone familiar with the characters and television show it’s based on wouldn’t expect it to be. The themes explored are universal - family relationships, misunderstandings, reluctance to accept change and the conflicting feelings that arise as children grow and develop into their own people - especially when who they become departs from what is expected. The cast of odd characters highlights the emotions that arise from these themes in an amusing - and sometimes twisted way.
 

The Addams are not a “normal” family. They embrace darkness, misery, torture and death in a way unlike most - and that’s a lot for a wide-eyed family from Ohio to process when they arrive for dinner. Love itself is an odd concept for Wednesday Addams to process, and she, along with most of her family, has a hard time with the idea. Uncle Fester, however, embraces the idea of love and works with a large cast of dead ancestors to keep the two young people together. 

As you might imagine, there’s plenty of room for misunderstanding, deception, frustration and upset, which plays out in a series of scenes featuring members of the bewildered Beineke family, the Addams family and the young lovers. 

At the Sunday matinee on October 15, a large crowd gathered at Windham Center Stage Theater to support the community production. While the first act felt a bit disjointed, and the musical accompaniment often overpowered the performers’ voices, the second act brought everything back into focus. The band was quieter after intermission making the story much easier to follow. The action really picks up in the second act, and scenes move quickly toward the final resolution. 

Although only ten of the thirty roles were speaking parts - the ensemble of dead ancestors added a lively element to the show, and the full company numbers were engaging and entertaining. The amazing costumes highlight each ancestor’s unique personality, and the movements and expression of these cast members added interest and diversity to the show.  

The show is peppered with hilarious one-liners that sometimes take a moment or two to catch, particularly with the intentionally unexpressive tone the Addams family favors. The cast did a great job conveying the personalities and conflicting emotions of each character. 

A few members of the cast stood out. Rob Hatch as Uncle Fester brought great energy to the stage, a beacon of light in gloomy surroundings. Ali Gordon as Grandma added a great touch of humor to her scenes. John Ulmer as Pugsley convincingly conveyed the sense of jealousy and loss that comes from the prospect of a sibling leaving. And Ed Haibon as Lurch, though mainly silent, filled the stage with his presence.

This show is about family, and though the Addams and the Beinekes couldn’t be more different, both families face the same challenge - accepting the changes and transitions of life as children grow up - and adults grow apart. Each family has underlying issues that come to light, pushing the young couple apart in the process. Will love prevail? You’ll have to attend a show next weekend to see for yourself!

Upcoming performances of “The Addams Family” are on Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at www.windhamtheater.org or at the door.