Library presentation by Windham authors aims to boost family relationships

By Erin Rose

Maneuvering through joining a new family can be tricky, but Windham residents Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport and Teri Rapaport will present tips and tricks to make building relationships easier when they talk about their book at the Windham Public Library from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sep. 16.

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, left, and Teri
Rapaport, both of Windham, are authors
of the book 'Advice From My Mother-in-Law
That I Actually Want,' and will offer a free
presentation from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday,
Sept. 16 at the Windham Public Library.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

The duo wrote “Advice From My Mother-in-Law That I Actually Want,” to help give guidance to other families as they come together through marriage. Teri joined Wendy’s family after marrying Wendy’s stepson Bruce 25 years ago. Both couples live near Little Sebago Lake.

“We have been talking about writing a book for years. We each had different ideas about how to handle situations,” Wendy said. “It was really fun to always talk, and through the years as we kept on sharing ideas with each other, it just became clear that we needed to share it with others, too.”

One of the most essential elements to both the duo’s collaboration and to building a relationship with a new family is humor.

“We have laughed our way through all of our conversations,” Wendy said. “Humor is a coping mechanism for both of us, and we want it to be for the readers too.”

The presentation will include discussions of one of the methods that can help people relate to other members of a new family, including in-laws or stepchildren.

“We came up with the idea of ‘PEST’ control – persistence, empathy, self-control, and tolerance,” Wendy said, noting that it’s essential to start using the method as the relationship is built through the ‘BEFORE’ approach, ‘healthy boundaries, empathy for oneself and the other, pre-emptive forgiveness of each other, noticing the originality of each other, and resiliency with disappointment and energy, to keep going,” Wendy said. “The other powerful thing that we urge is seeing each other as unique people. “What is your similarity? What do you like about each other? After all, someone that you love also likes both of you, so there must be something in common.”

Not only did the writing process help the two become closer, it also helped them relate more easily to extended members of the family.

“I think it reminded us to treat others as we want to be treated and respected,” Wendy said. “Writing helped us be better people in some situations since we had to practice what we preach.”

That spirit showed in the pair’s collaboration, as they worked to respect each other’s opinions throughout the year-long process of developing the book.

“We discussed and collaborated and laughed and validated each other’s opinions and if we needed to, we took time,” Wendy said, adding that at times, a tossed coin made the decision. “There’s already so much respect between us that if we had a different opinion, then we were going to think it through from the way the other looked at it. That sense of empathy and respect is something so powerful.”

The impact of the book is already being shown through interactions with readers.

“We had one reader that was struggling with her new mother-in-law and decided to use our tools of empathy and began to change the way she looked at situations,” Wendy said. “They’ve been getting along better.”

This is Wendy’s sixth book, as she has written other books in the past during her career as a Clinical Psychologist, and she said the writing process on this book was “profound” because of Teri’s involvement. Wendy is also an Associate Professor at the University of Maine Graduate School. Teri works in the dental field in Portland.

“I loved that it was fun coming up with ideas and talking about our past and looking at old pictures,” Wendy said. “Everything came alive.”

More details about the presentation can be found on the Windham Public Library’s website at https://www.windham.lib.me.us/. Refreshments will be available. <

Windham Hill UCC to celebrate gift of new Allen organ with concert

By Ed Pierce

Having long been admired for its unique architecture, Windham Hill United Church of Christ is about to host a musical event that is sure to be remembered for years to come.

Windham Hill United Church of Christ's new Allen organ
was gifted to the church by the Prides Corner Congregation
in June when that church closed. A special concert to
dedicate the new organ will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday,
Sept. 11 and the public is invited to attend.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Following a generous gift to the church of a new Allen organ, the community is invited to a dedication service for the organ at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. The evening will feature a variety of music, including organ selections, piano and organ duets, percussion, hymns, and choral music.

Windham Hill UCC was Windham’s founding church and was built in 1835. Through the decades it has witnessed many firsts in the community. The church was prominently featured in a 1935 edition of National Geographic magazine and in 1964, a carillon was played from the organ with speakers installed in the church belfry.

“The service will be an opportunity for the congregation and community to celebrate the gift of music, and the important role music has played in the life and worship of Windham Hill UCC throughout its long history.,” said Rev. Sharon Rankin, Windham Hill UCC pastor.

She said that featured musicians for the organ dedication will be the Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney and Paul Stickney, along with the Windham Hill UCC Choir and guest singers.

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney has served several churches in Maine as their organist and choir director including several UCC congregations. He is a minister in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) and is pastor and musician at the Newfield Congregational Church in Newfield. He currently serves as the chaplain for the United Church of Christ Musicians Association and writes a monthly blog called Epiphanies from the Mill House on the United Church of Christ Musicians Association website. He also is a member of the planning committee for the United Church of Canada’s new hymnal “Then Let Us Sing!”

Paul Stickney is the Minister of Music for Windham Hill UCC.

New Allen organs produce a rich and lavish sound and are constructed with fine precision by the Allen Organ Company, founded in 1937 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The company is a leading builder of high-quality digital and classical church organs. It pioneered the use of digital technology in liturgical instruments, producing organs known for authentic pipe-organ sound, reliable solid-wood consoles, and advanced acoustic engineering.

These new church organs combine advanced tone generation technology, unique features, build quality, and product longevity.

Windham Hill UCC is at 140 Windham Center Road in Windham.

“We welcome everyone to this special evening of music, celebration, and community,” Rankin said. “All are warmly invited to attend.”

For more details about the organ dedication service at Windham Hill UCC in Windham, call the church office at 207-892-4217 or send an email to [email protected]. <

Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby nearing

By Ed Pierce

For many fishermen, competing in the Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby is the perfect way to wrap up a summer of fishing on Sebago Lake and also help out a good cause as well. This year is no exception as the 11th Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby will be conducted out of Port Sebago Resort’s Main Marina area in Casco on Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday Sept. 13, on the weekend following Labor Day.

Last year's First Prize winner winner of the
Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby with a
9.15-pound 29-inch lake trout was John 
Sailhamert, center, shown with members of
the Sebago lake Anglers Association. This
year's derby will be held on Saturday,
Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13 on
Sebago Lake. SUBMITTED PHOTO     

Fishing activity begins at 6 a.m. on both days with the official weigh-in station at the marina area closing at 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. An awards ceremony will be held shortly thereafter on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Hosted every year by the Sebago Lake Anglers Association, event organizers say that this is a community-based fishing derby focused on families and children but experienced fishermen and guides with clients are welcome to participate.

Cash prizes will be paid to the top three places by weight in the event, as well as a prize for the biggest fish caught on Saturday, three prizes for any Togue submitted in the Togue lottery, and one prize for the smallest Togue, caught by hook and line.

All Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife rules for Sebago Lake fishing apply. Only fish caught during the derby’s legal fishing hours will count toward prizes.

Participants do not have to fish both days, and they do not have to be present to win a prize if a fish is legally entered and checked in by staff within the established time limits for the derby. Prizes for those who will not be present during the awards ceremony may be picked up at Port Sebago Resort’s Main Marina during business hours for 30 days after conclusion of the derby.

Fish that derby participants don’t want to take home may be donated for an area church’s fish fry, or to a local food pantry. Receptacles will be available to do that, and a fish-cleaning station will also be provided.

Anglers are reminded that there is no minimum length for togue and no bag limit on togue less than 26 inches. Anglers can possess one togue measuring 26 inches and above. Participants do not need to fish on both days of the derby to qualify for prizes.

Anyone interested in registering for the 11th Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby can do so by picking up a registration card at the following locations: Hilltop Mini Mart on Route 302 in Raymond; Jordan’s Store on Route 114 Sebago; or Dag’s Bait and Tackle on Minot Road in Auburn. Online registration is available in advance at https://tickets.simplederby.com/sebagolaketoguepikederby/tc-events/tickets/

Same-day registration is possible starting at 5 a.m. at Point Sebago Resort by the gas dock. You must have your derby ticket for the official derby weigh-in station.

The cost to participate is $35 for adults and $15 for kids under the age of 16. All anglers on board a boat participating in the derby must be registered to claim a prize. The Weigh-in Station will be located at Point Sebago Resort Dock in Casco.

Proceeds from the Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby are used to pay out the prize money and buy Youth Lifetime Fishing Licenses for Maine children.

To learn more about the 11th Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby, visit the Sebago Lake Anglers Association’s Facebook page. <

Rehearsals nearing for Lake Region Community Chorus

By Ed Pierce

The Lake Region Community Chorus is looking for singers for its new season.

The first rehearsal for the Lake Region Community Chorus
will be held at 6:20 on Monday, Sept. 7 at Bridgton
Academy and anyone wishing to sing is welcome to
to register and participate. COURTESY PHOTO 

This singing group is made up of about 60 members from 12 surrounding towns in the Lakes Region including Windham and Raymond. The first rehearsal for the chorus will be on Monday, Sept. 7, in the Twitchell Chapel at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton. There are no auditions to participate but some experience in choral singing and reading music would be helpful.

Rehearsals are from 6:20 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday evenings. Registration begins at 6 p.m. on Sept. 7, and there is a $30 registration fee to help cover the cost of the music. Registration will also be held on Sept. 14.

Lake Region Community Chorus is conducted by Jan Jukkola, Susan Stockwell and Charles Oehrtmand and accompanied by Patrick Speckamp. It welcomes sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses with programs made up of a variety of pieces from many musical genres and styles. There is something for everyone and designed so singers and audiences have an enjoyable time at rehearsals and performances.

Concerts for the upcoming winter season featuring the Lake Region Community Chorus are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6 at Lake Region High School in Naples.

The chorus is a vibrant and dynamic non-profit organization providing choral programs for the Lakes Region of Maine community. Its history is short because it’s a relatively new organization. The chorus had its first meeting in February 2013 to discuss the possibility of forming a choral group in the Lakes Region.

It was amazing how quickly everything seemed to come together, and with Laurie Turley as its original conductor, chorus members performed their first concert in June 2013. Since then, the original group of 36 singers has grown with each season.

The LRCC is a community of voices joined together in song and its purpose is to provide an opportunity for individuals with an interest in singing to share their love of choral music through regularly scheduled rehearsals that will culminate in community and outreach performances. It also strives to enhance each member’s ability to sing by teaching vocal exercises and techniques and to enrich their choral experience by providing a wide variety of musical selections that will increase their knowledge and appreciation of choral literature.

Each year the Lake Region Community Chorus performs two concerts with one in early December and features seasonal holiday music, while the other is a springtime concert generally falling in mid-May.

With the generous support of Bridgton Academy, the concerts are performed by the chorus in the Twitchell Chapel on the Bridgton Academy campus in North Bridgton. All the chorus members would like to thank Bridgton Academy for their help and support and providing them with rehearsal space and a concert venue. They would also like to thank their enthusiastic audiences and local sponsors for making this such a worthwhile experience. 

Each Lake Region Community Chorus concert is free but donations to help cover the expense of music and operating costs will be gratefully accepted.

If interested, come and join the Lake Region Community Chorus, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. as they lift their voices in song. This year’s Winter Concert is sure to be remembered long after the final chords sound.

To participate, contact Jukkola for more details by email at [email protected] or call 207-647-2584 or visit the Lake Region Community Chorus website at lakeregioncommunitychorus.org <

Free outdoor concert features Polished Brass ensemble

By Ed Pierce

Great ideas live on forever and that was the inspiration for a new brass concert coming to Camp Timanous in Raymond.

Polished Brass, a nine-musician ensemble of the Maine Pops
Concert Band, will present a free concert called 'Echoes
Across the Water' at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 
Camp Timanous in Raymond. COURTESY PHOTO

Polished Brass, a nine-musician ensemble of the Maine Pops Concert Band, will present a free concert at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Camp Timanous called "Echoes Across the Water." Music played during the concert features Americana favorites, Broadway and movie tunes, big-band-era selections, and several classics.

The free outdoor concert will offer a unique opportunity to enjoy live music from the shore or from the water. Guests may arrive by land and bring a lawn chair or blanket, or by boat and anchor in the cove. Picnic suppers are welcome; attendees are asked to carry out what they carry in. Golf cart transportation will be available from the parking lot to the grounds near the beach for those needing accessibility assistance.

Audience members are welcome to come by land or by water: people can sit near the beach or bring their boats to the cove to listen. In case of rain, the concert will move indoors to the camp's barn.

“The ‘come by land or come by lake’ idea is partly inspired by the ‘boat concerts’ I participated in the late 1960s as a camper at Amherst Summer Music Center, now the site of Kingsley Pines,” said Arthur McClanahan of Raymond, who manages Polished Brass along with his wife Diane. “People would arrive by boat, drop anchor, and listen to an evening of the ASMC band and orchestra.”

Polished Brass consists of musicians performing on trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium and tuba. In 2025, the Maine Pops Concert Band took a major step in expanding musical opportunities for its musicians and created the Polished Brass ensemble.

According to McClanahan, the small ensembles program is designed to allow increased opportunities for individual and group musical performance while also increasing band outreach to smaller venues, regional and town events, and community groups.

“My wife, Diane, and I are Raymond residents and we live on Panther Pond,” he said. “Echoes Across the Water also celebrates a piece of Panther Pond’s musical history when the Amherst Summer Music Center was then located adjacent to Camp Timanous.

That connection never faded. When Diane and Art began looking for a vacation spot after they married, they returned to Panther Pond to see if they could find a place to rent near ASMC. In 1980, they found one, a cottage at Plummerville Cottages, and they kept coming back every summer after that. In 1992, they bought a place of their own on the lake, locking in Panther Pond as their summer home for good.

They always dreamed of eventually retiring there, and that dream came true in 2020. The timing brought its own challenges, though: they retired right in the middle of the pandemic, when community involvement of any kind was hard to come by.

Music became their way back into community life. The couple had originally met through music years earlier in college, and it seemed a natural fit to pick it up again together in retirement. After attending a Maine Pops holiday concert, they joined the band in January 2023, marking the start of what is now three full years of playing together, she in the French Horn section, he on trumpet.

As Maine Pops grew to more than 100 members, the band became too large for some of the smaller venues it once played. The board's solution was to form smaller ensembles that could perform in more intimate settings — and, just as importantly, provide an entry point for musicians on the waiting list who hadn't yet been able to join the full concert band.

Today there are eight active ensembles under the Maine Pops umbrella, spanning flute, woodwind quintet, saxophone, clarinet and brass groups that perform throughout the greater Portland area.

The Camp Timanous site is located at 85 Plains Road in Raymond on Panther Pond and has a long and distinguished history. Its tradition as pioneers in youth education can be traced to 1886 when Dr. Luther Gulick and his wife, Charlotte, launched a children’s camp in Connecticut. They believed every child benefits from camping and founded the Camp Fire Girls organization in 1910.

Gulick had gained notoriety for introducing the first physical education programs for the New York City school system and he also developed the triangle logo for both Springfield College and the YMCA. The Gulicks moved their children’s camp to Sebago Lake in Maine in 1907.

Camp Timanous relocated to its present site on Panther Pond in Raymond in 1920.

The 100-plus-members of the Maine Pops Concert Band have a mission to “bring people together through the joy of live music” and McClanahan says this "Echoes Across the Water" concert fits that purpose. The Maine Pops Concert Band is directed by David Watts.

“Whether you come by car or by boat, ‘Echoes Across the Water’ promises an evening of brass music, summer scenery, and a distinctive Panther Pond experience,” McLanahan said. “Polished Brass is grateful to Camp Timanous director John Suitor for the opportunity to offer this musical evening.”

For further details about the Maine Pops Concert Band program and the Polished Brass ensemble, visit www.mainepops.org. <

Fanfare Concert Band ready to perform in Casco

The Fanfare Concert Band will present a series of concerts in the Casco Days Park in Casco Village on Thursday evenings in August.

The Fanfare Concert Band under the direction of Stan
Buchanan will present a series of concerts in the Casco 
Days Park in Casco Village on Thursday evenings
during August.  SUBMITTED PHOTO    

As the days grow shorter, the concerts will start earlier with the following schedule – 7 p.m. on Aug. 13, 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 20 and 6 p.m. on Aug. 27.

Band director Stan Buchanan has chosen an audience-pleasing variety of music from movies, television and Broadway shows. In addition, each concert will include Fanfare Band’s featured vocalist, Patty Buchanan, singing “Over the Rainbow” from the original “Wizard of Oz.”

She will also lead the audience in singing “America the Beautiful” as a tribute to America’s 250th anniversary.

At each concert, a free-will offering will help to support a local non-profit organization. The concerts on Aug. 13 and 20 will be for the benefit of the Casco Village Church Food Pantry. This volunteer organization provides food for about 65 families every month.

The final concert on Aug. 27 will be a very special one. It will be a Remembrance Tribute to Fanfare Band member Bob Travis from Casco and will include the low brass performing group, Locomotion (Euphoniums and Tubas).

The Fanfare Concert Band has been entertaining audiences since 1987 when it was started with three members by Al Cochrun and rehearsed at the George E. Jack School in Standish. It recently provided music for the Lake Region and Fryeburg Area Adult Education and Training graduation ceremony and participated in the annual celebration of Maine composer, R.B. Hall at the Westbrook Community Center.

Members of the band hail from a wide geographical area including Buxton, Bridgton, Hiram, Sebago, Sweden, Casco, Naples, Gray, Auburn and Raymond. In everyday life, band musicians include current or former music educators, elementary, middle school and high school teachers, students, financial advisors, doctors, nurse practitioners, veterinary technicians, Bath Iron Works workers and others.

The band now has more than 30 members and come together to perform under the direction of Stan Buchanan.

He has had a 44-year military career and a 48-year career as a music teacher, with 40 years in both roles simultaneously. In the Maine Army National Guard, Buchanan was a Senior Chief Warrant Officer and the director and commanding officer of the 195th Army Band.

In public music education, his Nokomis Regional High School Band won numerous state and national awards and performed twice at the world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. He also directed a 200-member marching band during President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural parade in Washington, D.C.

At present, in addition to conducting and performing in three Maine community bands, a low brass octet (Euphoniums, Tubas), and a jazz band, Stanley Buchanan has served on the MSAD 61 Lake Region School Board for 13 years.

He and his wife Patty, also a musician and former Maine Army National Guard band member, are cat show judges certified by the Cat Fanciers’ Federation. 

Patty Buchanan received her musical training at the Navy School of Music, Norfolk, Virginia and the University of Maine, Orono. She retired as Sergeant First Class after 28 years in the 195th Army Band where she was a vocalist and Drum Major and played saxophone and bassoon. In retirement she continued as a science educator and educational innovator, developing an award-winning program for training Medical Assistants at the University of Southern Maine.

Retired as a professor in the Maine college system, Patty continues her musical interests by playing in two community bands and a jazz band where she plays tenor sax and is a vocalist. She is also a Basic Life Support instructor.

The concerts in Casco are outdoors on the green next to the Casco Community Center at 940 Meadow Road (Route 121). Bring a chair or blanket for comfortable seating.

In case of rain, concerts will be held in the Great Room of the Casco Village Church across the street at 941 Meadow Road in Casco. <

Third Annual Art Show & Sale showcases painters, photographers, sculptors, textiles at Hawthorne House

A very special showcase of local artists and artisans is coming to one of southern Maine’s most beloved and cherished venues, the newly refurbished boyhood home of Nathaniel Hawthorne, located at 40 Hawthorne Road in Raymond.

The Third Annual Art Show & Sale will be heled at the
Hawthorne House in Raymond from Friday, Aug. 7 to
Sunday, Aug. 9 and showcases paintings, photos,
sculptures and textiles with all art available for viewing
and sale. SUBMITTED PHOYTYO  

The show will begin with an Opening Reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, which will offer a chance to meet the artists. Thereafter, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, with all art available for viewing and sale.

The three-day event is free, with donations for the continuing maintenance of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home gratefully accepted.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to open up the newly restored Hawthorne House and give local artists an opportunity to show and sell their work there,” said Sylvia Sullivan, a long-time member of the Hawthorne Community Association who is coordinating the event. “We’re especially pleased to be showcasing such a wide range of local artistic talent, including painters, photographers, sculptors, and more.”

Among the artists showing their work at the event will be Kathleen Gerdes (nature watercolors); Monica White (watercolors and acrylics); Kalee Charette (landscape and creatures in pen and ink); Cole Phillips (wet-plate photography); Trish Kohler (bird and wildlife watercolors); Marylyn Clegg (oil and acrylics framed); Bruce Small (photographer, landscapes and wildlife); Traci Loftus (Watercolors); Laura Kouba (colorful art using complex, ultra-saturated Birmingham inks); Don Willard (“Found Objects” assemblage metal sculpture, influenced by Steampunk artistic aesthetics); Steven Brook (fish and other playful wooden art using recycled materials); Holly Russell (animal drawings in graphite, colored pencil, pastels and watercolors); Sue Snell (free-standing embroidered lace); and Kitty Delano (Watercolors and acrylics).

A portion of some of the sales from the Third Annual Art Show & Sale will be donated for the preservation of Hawthorne’s boyhood home in Raymond.

The Hawthorne House is the boyhood home in Raymond of Nathaniel Hawthorne, the legendary author of The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. It has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1969.

Author Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804, in Salem, Massachusetts, a descendant of William Hathorne, a Puritan who emigrated with his family from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Hawthorne’s grandfather, John Hathorne, was a judge who presided over some of the Salem Witch Trials.

Hawthorne’s mother was widowed when her son was just 4 years old and after living for 10 years with relatives in Salem, the family moved to a home near Sebago Lake in Raymond built for them by Hawthorne’s uncles Richard and Robert Manning in 1816. He lived there with his family for three years until being sent to boarding school in 1819, but later in life, Hawthorne was quoted as saying that the time he spent at his home in Raymond, Maine was the happiest period of his entire life.

For further details about the Third Annual Art Show & Sale, contact Sylvia Sullivan at [email protected] or 207-239-6010. <

Primo Cubano band to perform at Hawthorne House

Enjoy Maine-made Cuban music as presented by the popular Maine-based group, Primo Cubano, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 in Raymond. This musical event will be held at Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home, 40 Hawthorne Road in Raymond, Maine.

Maine-based band Primo Cubano will perform a concert of
traditional Cuban dance music at the Hawthorne House, 
40 Hawthorne Road in Raymond at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1.
Tickets are available online at www.hawthorneassoc.com
COURTESY PHOTO

Primo Cubano, which means Cuban cousins in Spanish, plays traditional Cuban dance music dating back to the turn of the 20th century. The “Son” style of music is the most popular style to come out of Cuba and is the primary contributor to the blend of Latin styles today known as Salsa. It was first a music of the country people of Cuba and eventually migrated to Havana, where it was urbanized and began to draw a wider audience.

Cuban music is a collection of many cultures including Spanish, European, African, and from the indigenous people of Cuba such as the Arawak, Taíno, and the Ciboney. These unique influences helped to create various musical styles such as Son, Bolero, Danzón and Cha Cha Chá.

Danzón music originated in 1879 and became popular in Cuban dance halls. The style combines classical rondo form, an orchestra-like instrumentation known as Orquesta Típica, and the cinquillo rhythm to add an African element. Cha Cha Chá musical attributes feature simple melodies with an easy-to-remember chorus, simple and repetitive harmonic progressions, and repeated rhythm section parts.

Son music developed in eastern Cuba during the late 1800s and arrived in Havana in the early part of the 20th century as a sextet featuring voice, tres, bass, maracas, clave, and the bongo. Son groups traveled to New York City in the 1920s to perform and record and in the 1940s and 1950s, the smaller Son groups grew into Banda Gigantes (Big Bands) and Conjuntos, which eventually helped influence Salsa and Latin Jazz in America and beyond.

The Primo Cubano band has been practicing and performing traditional Cuban music since 2009 in Maine. Their music is well-received wherever they play and earlier this year, they performed in Cuba at the 40th Annual 2025 Havana Jazz Festival. The experience performing at that prestigious event has inspired the group to keep learning and practicing this music they love and to share it with salsa dancers and those who appreciate Cuban dance music in New England, including at the Hawthorne House.

Admission to the Primo Cubano concert is $25. Reservations and payment are required prior to the event.

Space is limited. Tickets are non-refundable.

To order your tickets, please go to www.hawthorneassoc.com events page, scroll down and follow the links to Primo Cubano Concert.

You may also send a check to Hawthorne Community Association, P.O. Box 185, South Casco, ME 04077.

For questions about the concert, call Rebecca Tracy at 207-329-0537 or by sending an email to [email protected] <

Rockin’ Raft-Up concert returns to benefit Camp Sunshine

By Ed Pierce

To help a cause worthy of support, the 2nd Annual Rockin’ Raft-Up for Camp Sunshine is returning with a one-of-a-kind raft-up benefit concert on Sunday, July 26 on Sebago Lake.

Doin Campbell, right, of the Don Campell Band, and Andi
Fawcett of the After Dark band will perform during the 2nd
Annual Rockin' Raft Up benefit concert for Camp Sunshine
at Boaters Beach, also known as Rich Memorial Beach, in
Standish at noon on Sunday, Aug. 10.
COURTESY PHOTO 

The event brings hundreds of boaters together on the water to enjoy live music while also raising funds to support Camp Sunshine in Casco and its mission to provide hope, joy and community through unique experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. More than 60,000 children, siblings, parents and caregivers from all 50 states and 27 different countries have attended fun-filled, year-round sessions at Camp Sunshine with other families just like theirs and thanks to the generous support of donors and fundraisers such as the Rockin’ Raft-Up concert, its program remains 100 percent free for participants.

According to organizer Kristen DeQuattro, during this year’s Rockin’ Raft-Up, the Don Campbell Band and the After Dark band with popular singer Andi Fawcett will perform.

Assisted by members of the Sebago Boating Club, the 2nd Annual Rockin’ Raft-up concert will be held at noon at Boaters Beach, also known as Rich Memorial Beach in Standish with donations welcomed to benefit Camp Sunshine.

This family friendly, and entertaining concert asks boaters to raft up, float, and enjoy an afternoon of live music, lake vibes, and giving back all to support Camp Sunshine.

“It’s a chance for the Sebago boating community to come together for a great cause while enjoying what they love most which is being on the water, connecting with friends, and great live music,” said DeQuattro.

Camp Sunshine programs are 100 percent free for participants. Camp Sunshine is where families can focus on recharging, together, in a safe space with medical support available and a place where families discover a community who understand, and families find family, DeQuattro said.

With decades of dedication and expertise, Camp Sunshine staff and volunteers at each session put families at ease. Families can set their worries aside knowing that there is a physician on site. Camp Sunshine is a place where families can really relax and let staff and volunteers take care of every member of the family.

​Meeting with other families who face the same issues, large and small, is a unique benefit of the Camp Sunshine experience. While attending one of the year-round sessions offered at Camp Sunshine, families can enjoy a wide range of activities with up to 40 other families. Whether it’s reaching the top of the climbing wall, swimming in the lake, or enjoying a horse-drawn wagon ride during a winter session, there is fun for every member of the family.

As a musician, Don Campbell’s mandate is to “Always perform for the audience, never at them.” He pleases listeners, venue buyers and event organizers with well-attended and memorable concerts and shows continued strength in music sales.

Campbell is a highly talented multi-instrumentalist and plays acoustic guitar, piano, B3 organ, bass, electric guitar, nylon string guitar, mandolin and harmonica in recordings. His music has been described as feeling like a friend, a natural extension of the singer-songwriter.

He performs nearly 200 shows per year and resides in Portland but says he is grateful to be able to give back to others through the Rockin’ Raft Up concert.

Fawcett is a seasoned performer and powerhouse vocalist who has been captivating audiences for over two decades.

Known for her dynamic stage presence and versatile vocal styling, she has fronted a number of beloved acts, including funk-soul favorite Sly Chi, indie-pop outfit Doubting Gravity, and her latest venture, After Dark – a premier party band that blends cover tunes and soulful originals with a modern edge.

While Fawcett has a deep passion for writing original music, the foundation of her long-standing career lies in her live performances. Her solo act features a wide-ranging set of popular covers—from current hits to timeless classics. Whether it’s an intimate venue or a lively festival, Andi brings fresh energy and connection to every stage.

The Rockin’ Raft-Up concert on Sebago Lake is free to attend by boat and donations are encouraged and will be collected that day or by pledging an amount in advance at www.campsunshine.org. Every dollar raised goes directly to Camp Sunshine’s programs, providing hope and healing to families when they need it most.

To make a donation, for specific event details, and concert updates, go to https://charity.pledgeit.org/rockin-raftup or visit www.doncampbellmusic.com. <

Sebago Days returns with full weekend of family fun

A beloved summer tradition will return later this month as Sebago Days celebrates its 47th year with three days of family activities, live entertainment and community events while also helping commemorate the Town of Sebago's bicentennial.

The 47th Sebago Days weekend of fun will run
from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19 at
Sebago Elementary School in Sebago and will 
feature a carnival midway, car show, road races,
food vendors, children's activities and fireworks.
COURTESY PHOTO

Scheduled for July 17 to July 19 at Sebago Elementary School, the annual festival is organized entirely by volunteers and has become one of the Lakes Region's largest community celebrations. This year's event will take on added significance as Sebago marks 200 years since the town's incorporation in 1826. Festival organizers have planned several special features to recognize the milestone, including an expanded fireworks display and presentations highlighting Sebago's rich history.

Residents and visitors can expect a weekend filled with carnival rides, live music, a parade, a classic car show, road races, children's activities and local food vendors, along with opportunities to reflect on the town's two centuries of history and community spirit.

The festivities begin on Friday afternoon July 17 when the midway opens with rides provided by Cushing Amusements. Organizers said the carnival offers attractions for both younger children and thrill-seekers, making it a popular destination throughout the weekend.

Friday evening's entertainment will feature Motor Booty Affair, a nationally touring tribute band that performs music from the disco era. The concert has become one of the weekend's marquee events and is expected to draw a large crowd.

Saturday's activities begin with one of Sebago Days' longest-running traditions – the Grand Parade. Starting at 10 a.m. July 18, the parade will feature floats, antique vehicles, local businesses, civic organizations, first responders and community groups traveling through town. Parade organizers will present awards in several categories, including best themed float, best antique vehicle, best commercial vehicle and most unique Jeep.

Children are also invited to participate in the Kiddie Parade, decorating bicycles, wagons, strollers and other nonmotorized rides before joining the festivities.

The annual Sebago Days Car Show is also scheduled for Saturday, July 18 and is expected to attract dozens of antique, classic and custom vehicles from across Maine. Awards will recognize entries in categories such as Best Paint, Best Rat Rod, Best Pickup, Best Muscle Car and Best of Show.

In recognition of Sebago's bicentennial, organizers are planning one of the largest fireworks displays in the festival's history. The enhanced show is intended to honor the community's 200-year legacy while providing a memorable finale for the weekend's celebration. Historical displays and presentations will also offer attendees a chance to learn more about the people, places and events that have shaped Sebago over the past two centuries.

Sunday's schedule shifts its focus to families and community activities. The day begins with the Sebago Days 5K, which welcomes runners and walkers of all ages. Young children will also have the opportunity to participate in a free toddler dash.

One of Sunday's most popular attractions is the Touch-a-Truck event, where children can climb aboard and explore construction equipment, emergency vehicles and other specialty trucks while learning about the jobs they perform.

Families can also enjoy a petting farm, bingo, children's activities, community exhibits and a variety of local vendors throughout the day.

Food vendors will serve a wide selection of fair favorites throughout the weekend, while local

organizations and businesses will have booths showcasing products, services and community programs.

What began nearly five decades ago has grown into one of the town's signature events, bringing together residents, seasonal visitors and families for a weekend celebrating community spirit. This year, the festival also serves as an opportunity to honor Sebago's past while celebrating its future. Despite its growth, organizers have maintained the festival's hometown atmosphere by relying on volunteers who spend months planning the annual event.

Last year, the Sebago Days Committee received the Spirit of America Award in recognition of its volunteer service and dedication to the community.

For many families, Sebago Days has become a summer tradition, offering an opportunity to reconnect with neighbors, support local organizations and enjoy a weekend of entertainment in the heart of town. This year's bicentennial celebration promises to make the annual festival even more memorable as the community celebrates 200 years of Sebago's history.

Admission to the festival grounds is free, although carnival rides and some activities require tickets or separate registration. A complete schedule of events and additional information is available at SebagoDays.com. <

Loon Echo Land Trust to host Summer Concert Series

Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT)’s annual sunset concert series at Hacker’s Hill is set to begin on Wednesday, July 8.

Loon Echo Land Trust's annual sunset concert series at
Hacker's Hill is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday,
July 8. Three sunset concerts featuring local musicians 
will take place outdoors at LELT's Hacker's Hill Preserve
in Casco this summer. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Three sunset concerts featuring local musicians will take place outdoors at LELT’s Hacker’s Hill Nature Preserve on Quaker Ridge Road in Casco.

From 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, Sigrid Sibley & Friends will appear in concert at Hacker’s Hill.

Sigrid Sibley is an emerging singer-songwriter in New England from Poland Spring. Her music draws on common folk themes, as well as her love for nature, agriculture, and simple living. She has musical roots in bluegrass, folk, and traditional Americana, and continues to explore acoustic music genres.

Sibley performs as a solo musician and with several bands in Maine. Her debut album “Old Faithful Dreams” was released in May 2025.

For advance tickets to Sibley’s show, go to SigridSibleyHH.eventbrite.com.

On Wednesday, July 22 from 6 to 8 p.m., North River Music will appear in concert at Hacker’s Hill.

North River Music has an Americana sound with strong harmonies and expressive musicianship. Playing Americana rock/bluegrass, a North River musical set is fun to listen to with something familiar to everyone. Their tunes run the gamut from Crosby Stills and Nash, The Eagles and Bob Dylan to traditional American standards, and you'll like what you hear.

For advance tickets to the North River Music show, go to northrivermusicHH.eventbrite.com.

Bold Riley will appear in concert at Hacker’s Hill from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5.

The Bold Riley band is a folk quintet hailing from Western Maine and it is known for full vocal harmonies and uplifting originals. Fiddle, guitar, banjo, accordion, bass, and percussion provide a wide range for listeners. Members of the band take turns singing lead vocals, and a strong sense of community drives the energy of their music.

For advance tickets to the Bold Riley show, go to BoldRileyHH.eventbrite.com/.

Hacker’s Hill concerts require tickets and can always be reserved online at LELT.org/events.

All concerts at Hacker’s Hill are family friendly and those attending are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets. Outside food is welcome.

For the concerts, a suggested donation of $10 per adult, or an amount that is meaningful to you, can be made online before the event or with cash, check or Venmo at the event. Please do not let the suggested donation prevent you from attending as all are welcome.

Proceeds from the annual Summer Concert Series at Hacker’s Hill Nature Preserve are used to support Lonn Echo Land Trust’s conservation work in the Lakes Region of Maine and for the stewardship of Hacker’s Hill.

Hacker’s Hill Nature Preserve provides great views of Pleasant Mountain, Sebago Lake, and the Presidential Mountain range. The property is owned by the land trust and features open fields with a mowed walking path. There is also a restroom available.

The gate to the top of the hill is open to vehicles on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from sunrise to sunset. There is no entry fee.

Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) was founded in 1987 and is a nonprofit organization that protects land, ensures public access to the outdoors, and builds and maintains recreational trails in Raymond, Casco, Naples, Harrison, Sebago, Bridgton, and Denmark. It currently conserves more than 9,300 acres of land and manages a 35-mile trail network across the Lakes Region. LELT protects many important local landmarks like Pleasant Mountain, Bald Pate Mountain, and Hacker’s Hill.

For more details about LELT properties, upcoming events, or how to get involved, go to LELT.org or visit its Facebook page. <

Wildlife viewing abundant at Maine Wildlife Park

By Ed Pierce

The Maine Wildlife Park has been around since the 1990s, but for the 2026 season, visitors to the park will discover some distinct changes.

The newest animal at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray is a
1-year-old bobcat named Moxie who joined 30 different
Maine wildlife species there this spring after sustaining
an injury that didn't allow her to be returned to her
natural habitats.  COURTESY PHOTO 

Located at 56 Game Park Road in Gray, the park is home to 30 different Maine wildlife species, including its newest animal, a one-year-old bobcat named Moxie. The bobcat has tiny tufts of fur from the top of her ears to the black and white tip of her signature bobbed tail.

Moxie joined the wildlife park this spring after sustaining an injury that didn’t allow her to be returned to her natural habitats. Like all the other animals at the wildlife park, many are here because they were injured or orphaned, and others because they are human dependent having been raised in captivity.

The Maine Wildlife Park is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and is within the Division of Information and Education. Besides the animals, park visitors can enjoy wildlife gardens, nature trails, picnic areas, the park visitor center, a nature store, and other attractions.

Almost every species cared for at the wildlife park are native to Maine. Many animals in the park’s care are permanent, non-releasable residents that have been placed at the park for a variety of reasons, including human dependence, illegal human possession, as orphans, or with permanent injuries. Sources for these animals include wildlife rehabilitators, law enforcement, and other captive wildlife facilities. Most of the animals are not undergoing rehabilitation but are there because they cannot survive in the wild and should not be released. They are given a place to live safely at the wildlife park, while serving as ambassadors for their species, educating thousands annually about Maine’s native wildlife.

Park animals are herbivorous, omnivorous, and carnivorous animals and their diets range from browsing leaves, buds and twigs of woody shrubs and trees to red meat, chicken, and mice. Road-killed deer and moose are used for the carnivores whenever available. Most of the park’s wildlife is fed once a day but feeding times, quantities, and techniques vary considerably.

Among larger mammals to see are black bears, Canada lynx, cougars, white-tailed deer and a moose. There are also beavers, fisher cats, coyotes, raccoons, red foxes, skunks, grey foxes and bobcats. The park is home to porcupines, woodchucks, flying squirrels and small rodents, along with wood turtles, great horned owls, wild turkeys, bald eagles, and more.

The Maine Warden Museum is also on the grounds of the Maine Wildlife Park and features informative videos about the Maine Warden Service, memorabilia and equipment including a canoe, vintage snowmobile and an older model three-wheeler.

Visitors can tour the adjacent Dry Mills Fish Hatchery with a new interpretive building and trout pond there, trout observation tanks and thousands of brook trout which are raised at the hatchery every year.

This year the Maine Wildlife Park is allowing guests to use credit cards to pay for entry. And for the first time, visitors are now able to purchase Maine Wildlife Park passes online, either for the entire season or for single-day admission.

Through October, the Maine Wildlife Park is open seven days a week at 9:30 a.m. and the gate closes at 4:30 p.m. but visitors inside the park are welcome to stay until 6 p.m. The park does close during severe weather.

For more specific details, visit https://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife-park/ or find them on Facebook. <

St. Anthony's of Padua Parish Summer Festival getting ready to return to Windham

By Masha Yurkevich

If you are looking for a fun and affordable event with something for the whole family, mark your calendars for the 5th annual St. Anthony's Parish Summer Festival which is taking place later this month in Windham.

The Fifth annual St. Anthony of Padua Summer Festival will 
be held on the grounds of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Church in Windham on Saturday, June 27 and features live
music, vendor booths, a silent auction, a yard sale, a plant
sale, food, and raffles. FILE PHOTO 
    

The event runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail in Windham. The festival will consist of a large yard sale, live music, games for children, raffles, and a variety of Italian, Mexican, and American food, along with homemade baked goods and it serves as both a community gathering and a fundraiser supporting ministries of the parish and outreach efforts.

Admission and parking are free, and visitors can browse vendors, enjoy entertainment and purchase food and raffle tickets throughout the day leading to a 4 p.m. Mass, which will be followed by a free community dinner hosted by the Knights of Columbus.

Festival organizers say that food remains one of the biggest draws of the annual event. In addition to longtime favorites such as pizza, pasta and fried dough, this year's festival will feature authentic Salvadoran pupusas and homemade Thai egg rolls prepared by parishioners, as well as hamburgers and other classic American fare served by the Knights of Columbus. Homemade baked goods will also be available throughout the day.

Rosiana Davis, co-chair of the festival alongside Carol Kennie, said the event is designed not only for parish members but for the entire community.

“We really try to gear this toward the community, not just our church community, but the entire community,” Davis said. “Everyone is invited.”

In addition to the food offerings, guests can enjoy a large rummage sale, plant sale, bake sale, jewelry table, silent auction and children’s activities including face painting and games.

A new roulette-style prize game will make its debut this year, giving participants the chance to win prizes for just a dollar per play. The yard sale portion of the festival will also be open from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, June 26 in the church hall.

Another returning favorite is the “Gift Tree” featuring about $500 worth of gift cards donated by parishioners and local businesses. Visitors can enter the raffle with tickets priced at $3 each, two for $5 or five for $10.

According to Davis, the festival has become increasingly popular in recent years because it offers families an inexpensive way to spend the day together while supporting the local community.

“I think people want to come because it is economical,” she said. “You can bring the whole family and not feel like it is an expensive event.”

She said organizers work hard to keep prices reasonable and affordable so that everyone has an opportunity to attend and take part in the festivities. Davis also emphasized the safe, welcoming atmosphere created by volunteers from across the three churches which make up St. Anthony of Padua Parish.

While proceeds from the event help support church maintenance and ministries, Davis said that the broader mission is strengthening connections throughout the community.

“This festival is put on with love and care for our community,” she said. “We want people to come together, have fun and feel welcome.”

Organizers encourage first-time visitors to stop by.

“Come check it out,” Davis said. “The food will be great, the people are very sweet, and it is a fun day for the whole family. With free admission, free parking and a full day of activities planned, organizers hope the community will come together once again to celebrate the start of summer while supporting the parish and its outreach efforts.” <

Author donates copies of new kids’ book to Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital

Acting together as a team, children’s book author Jeanine Deas, formerly of Windham and Oliver & Friends Bookshop owner Renee Cunningham have donated 10 free copies of Deas’ new children’s book, “ABC Ducks of Deering Oaks Park,” to MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland.

Children's author Jeanine Deas, formerly of Windham, has
donated 10 free copies of her new children's book 'ABC
Ducks of Deering Oaks Park' to MaineHealth Barbara
Bush Children's Hospital in Portland. 
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

The children’s hospital is a 15-minute walk from Deering Oaks Park and its much-beloved ducks and Victorian-style duck house.

According to Sharon Granville, the John D. Bancroft, M.D. Child Life Program Manager at Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, the young readers often love a particular book so much they want to take it home with them, which is perfectly fine for the hospital.

“I’m passionate about children and children’s literature, so it delights me to have ‘ABC Ducks’ shared with the children at Barbara Bush Hospital,” said Deas, who collaborated on the popular picture book with Maine illustrator Andrew Bourassa, another former Windham resident.

Oliver & Friends Bookshop owner Renee Cunningham of Waterville agrees.

“Providing copies of this lovely picture book to the children at Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital was a true community collaboration, and I'm so proud to have been a part of it,” Cunningham said.

Funds needed for the purchase and shipping of copies of “ABC Ducks of Deering Oaks Park” to Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland were quickly raised by a half-dozen small-donation donors: friends, family members, and fellow church members of Jeanine’s Deas.

Jeanine (Belanger) Deas is a graduate of Windham High School and Andrew Bourassa lived in Windham from 2020 to 2024 as a Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, a coach with HomeStart, and a volunteer at the Maine State Correctional Institute.

Featuring whimsical, rib-tickling illustrations drawn by Bourassa, "ABC Ducks of Deering Oaks Park" has already been hailed by long-time Dish magazine book reviewer Rachel Gladstone as “a charming book for kiddos who get to learn their ABCs with help from their fine-feathered friends.”

It’s a playful alphabet book set in one of Portland, Maine’s most beloved green spaces. From waddling and quacking to splashing and zigzagging, 26 lively ducks introduce young readers to the alphabet through simple actions and engaging scenes.

Designed for pre-K through grade 3, this charming early reader supports letter recognition, vocabulary building, and early reading skills. Set around the real Deering Oaks Pond, the book also gently celebrates curiosity, individuality, and community.

With expressive illustrations and a warm sense of place, ABC Ducks of Deering Oaks Park is perfect for shared reading at home, classroom use, and young readers just beginning their reading journey.

The book is available through 12WillowsPress and supports letter recognition, vocabulary building, and early reading skills.

For more details about the “ABC Ducks of Deering Oaks Park” book, visit https://12willowspress.com/home/books/abc-ducks/ <

New faces, new vendors welcome public to Windham Farmers’ Market on June 6

By Ed Pierce

One of the Lakes Region’s favorite farmers’ markets is counting down the days until the start of its 2026 season.

The Windham Farmers' Market will be open from 8:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. every Saturday from June 6 to Aug. 29 on
Turning Leaf Drive in Windham. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Windham Farmers’ Market will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday from June 6 through Aug. 29 on Turning Leaf Drive, at the intersection with Route 302 and River Road. It’s a fantastic way to start the weekend and bring home some unique items and locally grown foods sure to please everyone in the family.

“We are starting our season with 15 vendors,” said Lisa Fisher, Windham Farmers’ Market Coordinator. “Typically, we gain several new vendors during the summer. Some will be there every Saturday, and others will be there occasionally. The market’s website, WindhamFarmersMarket.com has a vendor’s page which provides our customers with a description of each vendor’s products, and their specific dates of attendance at our market.”

Co-sponsored by the Windham Economic Development Corporation and Baker Brook Farm, the market features an array of vendors providing local foods including meat, organic fruits and vegetables, eggs, freshly made fruit drinks and cold brew coffee, and bakery treats. It will also showcase art in a variety of media, and different types of fiber products for home décor and personal use. Customers will also be able to pamper themselves with soaps, tallow skin care products, and jewelry.

According to Fisher, new vendors at this year’s Windham Farmers’ Market are:

** Five Ferns Maine – freshly crafted drinks

** KnR Mac – photos, paintings, and prints

** Laser Clean Maine – sharpening for scissors and knives

** Meggy’s Eggies – eggs

** Nunaaa’s Kitchen – Iraqi American cuisine

** Only Crafts – crocheted items, jewelry and charms, and pet apparel

Fisher says that the best thing about working at the Windham Farmers' Market year after year is there is something for everyone, and everyone associated with the market contributes to making it an enjoyable place to be.

“Our customers and vendors are super. People are happy,” she said. “We get to see their children grow each year. The market is pet friendly. It is a great way to spend Saturday morning outside in the summer.”

Meg Bowden will be assisting Fisher in staffing the market this summer.

“She is a hometown girl who loves her farm animals,” Fisher said. “Please stop at the Welcome Booth and say hello to her.”

Visitors will find parking remains convenient at the market as Turning Leaf Drive is undergoing an extension.

“We have altered some of our parking, based on the extension and further construction of Turning Leaf Drive,” Fisher said. “The parking lot remains and overflow parking will be along one side of the extended roadway.”

The two goals of the market are to support our farmers, food producers and artisans by providing a positive venue where they can sell their product and to be a vehicle for improved community access to fresh, healthy and affordable local foods.

“Our customers are the biggest reason for our success,” Fisher said. “They come back every week and support all our vendors. It shows that when you’re nice to people, they respond.”

She said that new vendors are always welcome at the Windham Farmers’ Market. 

“Membership in our market gives the benefit of a supportive established community of vendors and customers,” Fisher said. “We promote our vendors on social media and offer affordable entry into a venue that provides ready exposure to new clientele.” 

Through the years, Fisher said the most unusual thing that she’s seen offered at the Windham Farmers' Market since she’s been coordinator is a wooly crocheted hat that looked like an octopus sitting on your head.

“I loved it and bought one for my son’s wife, who likes octopi … they promptly moved to Georgia, where it is too hot for an octopus head,” she said.

Prices are affordable and fair when you consider the time, effort, and materials cost that is required to produce what they sell, Fisher said.

Most of the vendors accept several types of payment and the market is authorized to accept SNAP.

“With SNAP purchases, we also offer Maine Harvest Bucks vouchers for the purchase of vegetables, fruits, and plants that can produce those,” Fisher said.

To learn more about the Windham Farmers’ Market and this year’s vendors, visit WindhamFarmersMarket.com. Find them on Facebook at under WindhamFarmersMarket or call 207-894-4097. <