First annual Festival of Trees a holiday success by Lorraine Glowczak

The Fellowship Hall at Windham Hill United Church of Christ (UCC), 140 Windham Center Road in Windham, was a winter wonderland of 18 brightly decorated Christmas trees this past weekend.

As part of their first annual Festival of Trees fundraising event, the Windham Hill UCC’s Fellowship Hall was filled with good cheer and generosity from Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3, as each tree presented gifts wrapped in decorations of red and green. The trees, decorations and gifts were donated by local business, organizations and individuals.

“This was an amazing event to organize and be a part of,” stated Bob Turner, co-chair of the Festival of Trees. “I loved watching the kids come through the Fellowship Hall doors and see all the decorated trees with the gifts underneath. It put a big smile on their face.”

Some of those children, and their lucky families, were the winners in this event. Raffle tickets were available for 50 cents each or 10 for $5 for a chance to win one of the 18 trees. The drawing for the tickets began on Sunday at 4 p.m. and the winners received the tree itself, with its lights and ornaments, all of the gifts on the tree, and all of the gifts under the tree.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Marrae Kimball - tree donated by the Dental Office of Dr. Leslie Elston

Jennifer Drouin - tree donated by Windham Hill UCC International Tree

Lori Bailey - tree donated by Windham Hill UCC Tree

Selina Paine - tree donated by Spruce Salon

Angela Wheaton - tree donated by Aubuchon Hardware

Roger Grillo - tree donated by Windham Jewelers

Jen Twombly - tree donated by Hall Implement

Danica Potvin - tree donated by Shaw Brothers Construction

Donna Emerson - tree donated by Door Service Inc.

Michael Johnson - tree donated by Patman’s Redemption Agency & Liquor Store

Jill Mathiew - tree donated by Seavey’s Furniture & Appliance

Kelly Osborne - tree donated by C R Tandberg

Jen Moulton - tree donated by Windham Hill UCC Women’s Fellowship

Sarah McRea - tree donated by Katie Hazel & Susan Moore

Ellie McCallum - tree donated by Dolby, Blais & Segee Funeral Home

Tony Candelmo - tree donated by Bob & Bonnie Turner

Lindsay Hall - tree donated by Blue Seal Feeds

Tyler Defossa who received a gift certificate tree from the following donors:

Cabinetry Concepts; Chutes Family Restaurant; Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Pete Neelon; Mills & Company; MGM Builders/TLC Reality; NAPA Auto Parts; Rustlers Restaurant; Sullivan Tire & Auto Service

Co-chairs Bonnie and Bill Turner

Monies raised from this fundraising event will be contributed to local, national and international

missions including: Heifer International, the Root Cellar, Windham Food Pantry, the Backpack Program of the Windham Schools, H.O.M.E. Co-op in Orland, Maine, Church World Service, SERRV, and many other organizations. Funds will also benefit continued maintenance and programming for this church which hosts Food and Fellowship’s Monday Meals, Boy Scout Troop 51, Windham Lion’s Club. The Windham Hill UCC is also hosting programs of the Windham Public Library during its renovations.

Windham Hill United Church of Christ is an open and affirming church, welcoming all who attend. The church was founded in 1743 and has been central to the life of Windham throughout Windham’s history as a town. 

If you missed this year’s Festival of Trees, do not despair. “Although the exact date has yet been determined, we are already preparing for next year’s event,” stated Turner.

Community invited to join the 22nd Annual “Christmas In The Barn” event by Faith Lutheran Church by Lorraine Glowczak

Mistletoe, Santa and his reindeer, decorations of red on a green Christmas tree while chestnuts are roasting on an open fire – all bring to mind the visions of popular Christmas holiday celebrations. However, for many who follow the Christian tradition, Christmas also includes a sacred perspective that encompasses the celebration and birth of Jesus Christ.

Faith Lutheran Church of North Windham will host their 22^nd annual, free community event, Christmas In The Barn celebration on Sunday, December 10 at 1 p.m. at the Hartwell Farm at 443 Sebago Lake Road in Gorham.

“It is a quiet celebration of our Christian belief in the birth of Jesus in a setting of what, under the similar circumstances, he may have been born in a barn like this one,” stated Jo Hartwell, owner of Hartwell Farm and parishioner of Faith Lutheran.

Although technically, no animals appear at Christ’s birth in the stories of the gospels of Matthew and Luke in the Bible, but more modern traditions show cows and donkeys at the stable. The Christmas In The Barn event will not only include cows and donkeys, but Hartwell stated one can also expect to see chickens, goats and horses to make an appearance with Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the angels.

The event, which will be performed "tableau style", is a Christmas pageant with scripture readings, reflections and children in costumes that will include Christmas carols, led by Faith Lutheran Music
Director, Dave Hansen.

It is also a gift to the community from Faith Lutheran Church. No monetary donation is expected, just an interest in participating in a live community event of a Christian Christmas tradition as it shares Christ’s birth in a stable.

“Christmas In The Barn is Faith Lutheran Church's gift to the Windham community,” stated Jane Field, Pastor of Faith Lutheran. “It's a tradition that's been carried on at the Hartwell farm for more than 20 years. It offers folks the chance to come together in a setting that recalls the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born; it's a real working barn, with hay bales, a donkey, a horse, goats, chickens, and cows. There, in that very simple and humble place, we tell the story of the first Christmas as children in costumes portray Mary, Joseph, shepherds and angels. Adults from the Faith Lutheran congregation will serve as narrators, reading scripture passages from the prophet Isaiah and the gospels of Luke and Matthew.” 

Children from Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook will play the roles of Mary, Joseph, the

shepherds and the angels. Three men from Faith Lutheran will play the Wise Men while three adults from Faith Lutheran will act as the narrators. “Pastor Karen Indorf [of Trinity Lutheran in Westbrook] and I will offer brief reflections and explanations after each scripture reading,” explained Pastor Field.

Based upon past attendance, over 125 people from Windham, Raymond and the surrounding communities enjoy listening to the story of that famous birth in Bethlehem that occurred approximately 2000 years ago. Individuals enjoy the pageant while sitting on hay bales, singing to popular religious carols and sipping hot chocolate to keep warm. “Dress warm,” warns Hartwell. “There is no heat in the barn."

Whether you are a Christian or not, the mission is to bring the Windham and Raymond communities together during the holiday season. “People are invited to come and enjoy the ambience of the barn, the Christmas story and to join in with the Christmas carols,” stated Melinda Zimmer-Rankin, parishioner of Faith Lutheran. “Everyone can enjoy the simple things of drinking hot chocolate and embracing the season – whatever the holiday season means to them.”

For more information regarding the Christmas In The Barn event, contact Hartwell by phone at 671-2189 or by email at jojohartwell@gmail.com.

Superhero Addy’s family gives to other families by Michelle Libby

Addy Madsen is officially in remission

When one is a superhero there are bound to be challenges. For Addy Madsen of Raymond, her challenge was beating leukemia. 
 

In June of 2015, Addy was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia that usually strikes the elderly, but after two rounds of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor, she is home and adjusting to being an adventurous first grader. In January 2016, she was officially in remission. 

Doctor’s appointments continue to be scheduled to follow her organs, because post-transplant kids can have late term effects from chemotherapy, said Jessica Madsen, Addy’s mother. 

“In the beginning it was so much to wrap your head around. You have all these ideas in your head about cancer. Since that time, we are so much more educated on cancer and survival rates. We feel really lucky. That’s what’s driving us to help other families,” Jessica said. “It’s a club you never want to be a part of. Early on we really struggled. I wanted to let people into her journey. I didn’t know what we were getting people into, but I wanted the page to give people hope.” 

With the knowledge the family learned, and the monetary support, they were able to make the most of the treatment that Addy received in Boston at Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. They also receive care through Maine Cancer Network.  

“We are really grateful for Addy, her doctors and her outcome. We just want that for every kid facing cancer,” said Jessica.

The Super Hero Addy Foundation set up for Addy “started when she got sick. Cancer is expensive,” said Leigh-Anne Fortin, who set up the account. “It was a way for people to help. We set up a Go Fund Me account and held a benefit two years ago. It helped Jess, Dave and Cassidhe.” The fund was a way for those who wanted to help, but didn’t know what to do, to express their support. 

Jessica left her job as a middle school dean to take care of Addy, while she lived in Boston for her treatments. The family had to do extensive cleaning, put in air filtration systems and other modification to the house. 

“It’s super expensive to do when a child has a brand new immune system,” said Jessica. When Addy was discharged she had 20 different medications. Jessica was her fulltime caregiver. “After our experience, I can’t imagine going without that support,” she said.

“We had a huge backing and we thought, we have something here,” said Fortin. “We decided let’s

keep it going. Let’s help other families with whatever we’re able to do.”

Last year, the family held a Santa fundraiser and brought in almost $14,000. With help from the Jimmy Fund, the Madsen’s were put in touch with a family from Maine whose child was undergoing a stem cell transplant. Jessica called it humbling and said it took her right back to the place she was when taking care of Addy. 

“It was hard to hear their story. We have this common bond. It’s the sense of building a community,” Jessica said. Money that the foundation raises will support pediatric oncology patients in Maine. 

This year’s fundraiser the All that Glitters is Gold black tie gala will take place on Friday, December 8 at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland, from 7 p.m. to midnight. There will be a guitarist and a DJ as well as silent auction items like airline tickets, Sunday River passes and more. There will be a photo booth and a live auction. “It’ll be a fun night out. A great bonus to know you’re helping someone,” said Leigh-Anne who helped organize it with Teresa Esposito Dalton. Their goal is to raise $25,000 at the gala. “It’s a huge help for those families,” she added. Tickets are $60 per person.

“All ticket sales go back to the foundation,” said Jessica. “It’s the positivity I like about it. Cancer is pretty terrible. It’s not fair what these kids have to go through. These kids are amazing. We’re never going to cure cancer with our foundation, but mortgages or electric bills still have to be paid.” 

“This way they can concentrate on what’s important,” said Fortin. Sponsors for the event are Yankee Ford/Brunswick Ford/Rockland Ford, MGM Builders, Homestead Mortgage, Spiegel Scrap Metal, Martin’s Point Healthcare, Naples Marina and Maine Elevator Specialists.

Addy is a typical first grader with an unusual story. She likes lipstick and high heels. When she talks about having cancer, she said “When I was bald.” Jessica described it like a child saying, “I broke my arm.” Addy says, “I had cancer.”

“She’s kind of moved on with life,” Jessica said. “She’s spunky, sassy and loves gymnastics. She misses her time at Boston Children’s Hospital. She thinks it was like a hotel.” 

This summer Addy met her anonymous donor, when Brad Myers flew up to Maine to spend time with the family. Addy threw out the first ball at a Sea Dogs game and Brad was the catcher. It was a great reunion. 

“Brad is such an awesome part of this story,” Jessica said.

To register for All that Glitters is Gold to help children and families facing pediatric oncology, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/all-that-glitters-is-gold-tickets

A Thanksgiving reminder to enjoy what we have, where we are now - despite challenges By Linda Gregoire

Linda and John Gregoire

The following is a letter that the editor, Lorraine Glowczak, asked the author to share with our readers. The editor offers the following introduction to that letter:

As most of us busily prepare and shop for the traditional Thanksgiving feast, we also tend to hurriedly go about checking off the “to-do” list that is a mile long. Sometimes, between the demands of work, family and other community efforts, we can get swept up into all the stresses placed upon us, losing sight of things that we deem important; gratitude and gathering with family (in whatever way family looks for you).

Linda Gregoire of Windham recently shared a letter with her friends regarding her own life as she and her family prepare for Thanksgiving 2017. Although I suspect she does not need an introduction to most of our readers, here’s a little synopsis for those who may be new to the Gregoire family journey.

On December 17, 2007, Linda’s husband, John was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). According to the ALS Associations, ALS “is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. A-myo-trophic comes from the Greek language. ‘A’ means no. ‘Myo’ refers to muscle, and ‘Trophic’ means nourishment – ‘No muscle nourishment.’ When a muscle has no nourishment, it ‘atrophies’ or wastes away. ‘Lateral’ identifies the areas in a person's spinal cord where portions of the nerve cells that signal and control the muscles are located. As this area degenerates, it leads to scarring or hardening (‘sclerosis’) in the region.” www.alsa.org

This hardening and atrophy eventually affects the muscles in the mouth and throat, making the ability to eat for the person with ALS difficult or non-existent. As a result, feeding tubes are put in place to provide the nourishment needed. Five years after his diagnosis, John was required to use a feeding tube.

Linda and John agreed to share her note with our readers on how they will enjoy their Thanksgiving feast in the midst of the challenges ALS presents. 

May the following letter provide a reminder to us all, no matter our own individual difficulties, to be joyful, happy and most importantly – grateful- despite it all.

“I was asked yesterday by the caretaker who installed a new tube feeder how we handle holidays that are celebrated with food. We all want to do whatever we can for our loved ones with a feeding tube to make life easier and normal, so I really appreciated her thoughtful question.

The last 10 Thanksgivings we’ve been faced with small incremental changes that we’ve adapted to because that’s what you have to do with ALS. I always say, ‘if you don’t go with the flow, you get caught in the rip tide.’ If anyone has had the experience of a rip tide you know what I mean - the more you try to fight it, the worse it gets. If you trust and swim in the flow, you’ll be safe. 

So, this morning after I started John’s feed and he fell asleep peacefully while his tummy was being filled, I realized how at peace he is with his current situation. In the beginning with his new tube, we struggled until we got him on a healthy formula. He still ate for pleasure by mouth, so a bowl of pistachio ice cream was eaten while formula was finding its way into his tummy. He had the best of both worlds.

I think the two saddest days for him was when he could no longer eat steak, one of his favorite meals. That came early on, as it’s so hard to chew. 

The next saddest day happened about a year ago when John would sneak a hand cut French fry when Matt [our son] and I ate at Elevation Burger. He choked so bad I almost thought of calling for help. However, once the choking passed he looked at me and shock his head ‘no.’ I asked, ‘No more for now, or no more forever?’ Tears welled in his eyes and I knew - no more forever. We both cried. 

The one thing he still can take by mouth and never chokes on is a small piece of communion bread and a sip of “wine” (grape juice) at church and, God willing, he’ll be able to forever. 

The families' dogs are thankful, too.

So as Thanksgiving approaches, it made me think how we’ve handled the holiday meal. We gather at my sister’s with as many family, friends and dogs as we can squeeze into her home - which can be 20-25 people and up to 9 dogs. 

The food has been mostly grown and raised by my sister and brother-in-law, which is a labor of love. It’s prepared with everyone in mind with oyster stuffing for some and regular stuffing for the rest of us. We all share in bringing what we can, enjoy each other’s company and catching up on life. Then we gather at the table, elbow to elbow and we remember our family that’s with us in spirit and give thanks for those we still have with us to love. 

John is seated at the table with his own spot and place card as he enjoys his ‘dinner’ too. He’s the only one allowed his electronic device because it’s for speaking and he’s the self-appointed one to keep track of the football game for the entire table. That’s as important as cooking the turkey.

We chat, pass food, laugh and, of course, we eat. 

Thanksgiving Dinner is more about who’s around the table then what’s on the table. We feed our bodies and enjoy the food but more importantly, we feed our souls with love and thanks for all we have. 

So, for all our tube feeders, join in the feast and give thanks and feed your soul on love and life. This is what I’m grateful for everyday of the year, not just the days of November. Happy Thanksgiving to you all and God bless you all.” Linda Gregoire

Editor’s note: As we enter the holiday season of giving, please remember to give a financial contribution in the amount that works for you on “Giving Tuesday”, November 28. Give a donation to your favorite non-profit organization or consider giving to John and Linda’s non-profit, Hope-JG. Hope-JG is dedicated to helping families living with ALS and other neuromuscular diseases, live life to its fullest by leveraging existing world class technology, supporting technical innovation and biomedical research. www.hope-jg.org.

Jordan-Small Middle School “adopts” a school hit by the hurricanes in the U.S. Virgin Islands by Jennifer Davis

The Sprauve School prior to hurricane damage

This year has brought with it many devastating storms that have affected many parts of our country. One area that was hit especially hard was the Virgin Islands. Although the storm itself is gone, these areas still need help to recover. Jordan-Small Middle School in Raymond is offering that help by “adopting” the Julius E. Sprauve School on the island of St. John in the United States Virgin Islands. 

 

The Sprauve school is home to 350 students, grades K-8.  During Hurricane Irma, the Sprauve School was heavily damaged. The damages worsened when Hurricane Maria passed through the island a week later. The school was so damaged, that the students had to miss over a month of classes while the school made repairs. As of today, the school has reopened but the students must do split sessions, as parts of the school still remain unusable. Of the damages, many if not all of the school supplies were destroyed.

Randy Crockett, Principal at Jordan Small Middle School along with Kelly Crockett and another colleague wanted to find a way to help. Having visited St. John on several occasions, Randy and Kelly Crockett had a personal interest in helping. “We wanted [to] find a way to let the staff at the Sprauve School know that people are aware of their needs; that they had not been forgotten,” Crockett said. 

After some work, the Jordan-Small Middle School Guidance Counselor was able to connect with someone at the Sprauve School to get the process going to adopt the school and help supply the school with much needed materials and supplies for the students. “Our goal is to have a box of supplies with notes from our students [delivered] to each of the classrooms at the Sprauve School before the holidays,” Crockett said.

Each year, Jordan-Small works on community service activities, and this year adopting the Sprauve

Sprauve School after hurricane damage

School is going to be the main event. The fifth graders at Jordan-Small are going to be at the heart of the project. The students have already made signs to promote the adoption of the school and they will play an integral part in sorting the supplies donated.  

As mentioned, the goal for Jordan-Small is to have a box of supplies delivered to each classroom before the holidays. The biggest struggle they are currently facing is getting these supplies to the Sprauve School.  

As of right now, they must choose between a very costly delivery or a very long delivery time.  The staff at Jordan-Small is looking for suggestions that will make the shipping of these supplies get to the staff and students in a timely, cost effective manner.

Jordan-Small Middle School will be accepting donated supplies as well as monetary donations through December 8th. Items to be donated can be brought directly to the Jordan-Small Middle School.  

Monetary donations should be made payable to the Raymond PTO and mailed directly to the Middle School at 423 Webbs Mills Road, Raymond, ME.  

If you have any questions on the items needed, please email Randy Crockett directly at rcrockett@rsu14.org.  

There will be another opportunity to donate in the future through Raymond Elementary School in January.  “It’s all geared toward the kids,” Crockett states. “We want to make sure that Sprauve School knows that they have not been forgotten.”

Be The Influence: A village that works together can move mountains by Lorraine Glowczak

Local youth have an active role in Be The Influence

It’s an African proverb that has gained popularity since the mid-1990s from the book title of the same name, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Be The Influence, a Windham/Raymond collaboration of individuals and organizations that work together to reduce substance abuse in the community is a successful example of that proverb.
 

The concept of Be The Influence (BTI) began in March 2014 as a group of Windham and Raymond community members joined forces to raise awareness and address the concerns of substance use and abuse. As a result of the Drug Free Community Federal Funding, the BTI coalition was officially formed and began to focus its attention on the youth within the community.

The BTI vision is to provide support and resources to students as well as communicate a consistent drug-free message, assuring students that they live in a community that cares about them.

The coalition is comprised of various members of the community that include: RSU14 staff and teachers, local law enforcement, town council members, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, prevention and counseling organizations, libraries as well as community and business organizations. 

Coalition members join forces because they want to make a difference and influence youth in positive ways.

“We work collaboratively to educate, engage and motivate the youth in making wise decisions and practicing healthy behaviors,” stated Laura Morris, BTI Director. 

Laura Kulaw, otherwise known as L.K., is a Heath Teacher at Jordan-Small Middle School and one of the many coalition members who also acts as a youth resource representative. She feels passionate about being a positive adult role model. “I believe kids need positive role models and direction,” stated L.K. “There is a lot of conflicting and misinformation out there regarding drug use and I want to help them sort it out with accurate facts.”

L.K. also stated that she enjoys educating students and having them get involved to make a difference too. “If we can educate and give them an active role, they can speak to their peers about the effects of substance abuse.”

Aimee Senatore, Executive Director of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce (SLRCC) is also an active coalition member. “I am personally involved because I have young children nearing the middle school age and want to do my part,” Senatore explained. “I want to not only educate myself but empower myself and my children with the knowledge and skills we need to be a healthy and happy family. Professionally, it is part of the SLRCC’s mission to foster strong communities within the towns we represent. Protecting our youth from substance abuse has a direct impact on the quality of the workforce in the years to come and the health of our communities as a whole.” 

Windham Police Department Patrol Captain, Bill Andrew is also part of the BTI coalition. Andrew participates because he wants to collaborate with others in the community, providing a positive and consistent message to the youth. “As a police department, we want to provide the same message on the street that is provided in the classroom and beyond,” explained Andrew. “To do that, we work collaboratively with BTI and have police officers and drug experts speak to students on an interactive level in their Health Classes. It’s important for the students to see and speak to the officers on a personal level on issues such as drugs without feeling threatened.” Andrew encourages students to make wise decisions and to consider the long-term effects of drug and alcohol use. “Using drugs will affect a student’s academic success as well as their athletic abilities and other favorite extracurricular activities,” Andrew stated. “I encourage them to think about their future, three to five years from now, and where they hope to be. It is very important that they understand the impact drugs have on their brains.” 

Although there are many conflicting thoughts surrounding drug, and specifically marijuana use, there is overwhelming scientific evidence that marijuana use among teenagers and the effect it has on their developing brain is of major concern. The American Psychological Association (APA) confirms Andrew’s statement regarding the use of mind-altering drug use and the developing brain.

Most experts agree that the fully developed brain occurs around the age of 25 (some say 21). As a result, the brain is still “under construction” and studies indicate that drug and alcohol use have an effect on that developing brain.

According to the APA, marijuana shows some promise for treating medical conditions. However, “At least some of those benefits are thought to come from cannabidiol, a chemical component of the marijuana plant not thought to produce mind-altering effects. But there's a lot left to learn about this and other chemical compounds in marijuana. What's clear, however, is that marijuana's signature high comes from a psychoactive component known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). And evidence is mounting that THC is not risk-free.” www.apa.org/monitor/2015/11/marijuana-brain.aspx

The above study also indicates that, “heavy marijuana use in adolescence or early adulthood has been associated with a dismal set of life outcomes including poor school performance, higher dropout rates, increased welfare dependence, greater unemployment and lower life satisfaction.”

 

There are many ways one can get involved and make a difference in the life of the Windham/Raymond youth. “It’s a community effort,” Andrew stated regarding the importance of becoming a coalition team member. “From the Police Department to the school board to various businesses – it takes all of us to make a healthy community.”

Any individual or organization can become a coalition member. All it takes is a passion to make a positive impact, no matter your area of expertise. “It takes a village, and anyone can make a difference,” Morris said. “Your expertise and interest can move mountains.”

To learn more, check out the BTI website at www.betheinfluencewrw.org or contact Morris at director@betheinfluence.org.