Hawthorne House to host ‘Evening with Gordon Thomas Ward’

By Kendra Raymond

Events are picking up at Raymond’s Hawthorne House this season and with significant improvements to the facility and regular community activities, there is bound to be something for everyone.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Gordon Thomas Ward
will perform during a benefit concert and dinner for
the Hawthorne House restoration on Friday, July 18.
Admission is $25 per person and includes the show.
SUBMITTED PHOTO   

Fans of folk-rock music will be delighted to hear about an upcoming dinner and concert. An Evening with Gordon Thomas Ward will be held on Friday, July 18 with the doors opening at 5 p.m. and the performance from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Hawthorne House recently announced the upcoming and highly anticipated event featuring Gordon Thomas Ward, whom Skope Magazine hails as “setting the gold standard for singer-songwriters for generations to come.”

Ward is an award-winning alternative/folk-rock artist who has created four Grammy-nominated albums in the last six years. What makes Ward unique is his integration of music, folklore, history, and storytelling - creating a truly immersive experience.

Music Mecca says that “Gordon Thomas Ward is the quintessential modern-day folk troubadour.”

His impressive bio is listed on his website:

“Heavily influenced by his rural roots, and the singer-songwriters of the ’70s, Gordon Thomas Ward is one of those rare artists whose multi-instrumental talents, vivid lyrics, mesmerizing stories, and distinctly personal vocal timbre makes one question whether singer-songwriter is an adequate description. His compositions do not follow the usual songwriter patterns or chase trends, and his lyrics cut deep, exploring love, the passage of time, and a search for meaning.

His compelling performances and albums have endeared him to audiences for many years, and he shows no signs of slowing down with four GRAMMY-balloted albums in the last six years. Currently touring his new album Walking on the Wire, this award-winning, solo, multifaceted artist, author and presenter, has produced four #1 charted songs and other compositions that have charted in the U.S. and abroad.

Gordon has worked with notable musicians such as Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul, and Mary), Eric Troyer and Mik Kaminski (Electric Light Orchestra, and The Orchestra), Kevin Barry (Jackson Browne, James Taylor), Abbie Gardner, and Jud Caswell. He's also shared the stage and billing with Natalie Merchant, Christine Lavin, and Bill Staines. Gordon’s songs occupy a space filled with honesty, imagery, and emotion and walk a line between folk rock and soft country – always thoughtful, always heartfelt.

As audiences often remark, “His music touches my heart, and I feel like he’s singing just to me.” Skope Magazine says, “When you think of the phenomenal storytellers of yesteryear like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, or James Taylor, Gordon Thomas Ward would be in that same vein for today [and] is setting the gold standard for singer-songwriters for generations to come.”

Hawthorne House Association President Tom Ewig is the mastermind behind bringing Ward to Raymond this summer.

“Gordon was youth minister at my church in New Jersey, so I have known him a very long time. I started seeing his social media and I thought that this would be ideal for an evening at the Hawthorne House,” he said. “In fact, I have always wanted to do a cabaret style meal at the Hawthorne House and Gordon seemed to fit the entertainment bill.”

The candle lit evening will include a first-class gourmet experience. It features a selection of chicken, haddock, or ham entree with steamed vegetables. Each table will include a bottle of red and white wine, as well as other beverage options such as soft drinks, beer, and coffee. Dessert is included. Admission to the event is $25 per person and includes the show.

Ewig says that trustees of the Hawthorne House will be providing food and beverages.

“I am confident it will be a fun evening,” Ewig said.

Reservations and payment are required prior to the event by visiting hawthorneassoc.com and clicking on the dinner/concert link. Or you can send a check to Hawthorne Community Association, PO Box 185, South Casco, Maine 04077. Make sure to specify the event you’d like to attend, and how many tickets.

For questions, please call Becky at 207-329-0537 or by email at hawthorne@maine.rr..com

Learn more about Gordon Thomas Ward at: www.gordonthomasward.com or check out his music on Spotify.<

Raymond Village Library expands pass program

By Kendra Raymond

Residents of Raymond can now take advantage of some expanded offerings at their local library.

Raymond Village Library is now offering free
passes for One Longfellow Square performances
and general admission tickets to each Portland
Sea Dogs baseball home games. The passes are
on a first-come first-serve basis.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

For several years, Raymond Village Library has offered passes to various parks and museums providing patrons with discounted or free admission. This program is often under-recognized and serves to provide some valuable benefits for library card holders. Now the library has recently upped its game, offering two new passes to residents.

In a Facebook post the library announced, “We have two of the coolest new library passes around. For music lovers we are offering one ticket, allowing entrance for two, to each One Longfellow Square performance. For sports fans we have two free general admission tickets to each Sea Dogs home game. Start reserving your tickets now!”

These new passes provide some hefty perks for residents. In a press release, the library explained further that the passes will accommodate both music lovers and sports fans.

“Raymond Village Library is thrilled to announce the expansion of its popular Library Pass Program with two exciting new additions: free admission for two to performances at One Longfellow Square and two free tickets to every Portland Sea Dogs home game.”

According to the press release, these new offerings join the library’s current lineup of beloved destinations, including the Portland Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, Tassel Top Park, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Historic New England, Railway Village Museum, Maine Wildlife Park, Maine State Park pass, and Southworth Planetarium.

Library Director Richard Dowe says he is pleased with the recent addition and is committed to improving library programs.

“This expansion makes it easier than ever for Raymond library card holders to explore the best that Maine has to offer, whether you’re taking in a live concert, or enjoying a day at the ballpark,” he said. “We’re always looking for ways to bring the community together and make arts, culture, and recreation more accessible. Adding live music and baseball to the mix brings a whole new energy to the program, and we’re excited to see families and individuals take advantage of these opportunities.”

Dowe said that he initiated the program’s expansion.

“I’ve been looking for new ways to expand the library’s reach and strengthen our role in the community. Part of our mission is to provide access to enriching, entertaining experiences, and I saw an opportunity to do that by offering passes to a wider variety of local venues and organizations,” he said. “By connecting more people to all that Maine has to offer, we hope to encourage greater library use and foster a stronger sense of community.”

So how does the program work, you might ask?

First, you will need to be a resident of Raymond with an active library card, and the passes are free to borrow. Each pass offers its own unique benefits. To reserve a pass, just access the Museum Parks & Passes link on the RVL website or simply call the library. Patrons are encouraged to be proactive to reserve passes, as quantities are limited, especially on popular dates.

Each pass benefit is different, so library officials say it’s important to plan ahead for some of the passes you might be interested in reserving.

For instance, Dow said that the Sea Dogs passes include two general admission tickets while the OLS is one ticket that provides entry for two people. Other tickets may provide free admission or a discount.

What’s more, the library has some even more exciting news to share.

“We just confirmed that we will have tickets to the Maine Mariners! Their season doesn't start until October. We will have a limited number of tickets to provide for patrons who can also request a photo op with players after the game! More details will be available as we get closer to the season,” said Dowe.

According to Dowe, the community feedback has been extremely positive.

“So far people have been surprised and excited to learn we offer these two new passes. We are, from my understanding, the first library in the state to offer tickets to each Sea Dogs home game and one of the first few libraries to offer tickets to One Longfellow Square. We hope to expand to other sports teams in the coming months or years,” he said.

For details or to reserve a pass, visit Museum & Park Passes – Raymond Village Library or call 207-655-4283.

The Portland Sea Dogs schedule can be found here: https://www.milb.com/portland/schedule/2025-06

The One Longfellow Square show schedule is available at https://onelongfellowsquare.com/upcoming-shows-events/

Maine Mariners schedule can be found at https://www.marinersofmaine.com/#schedule <

Hot Fiddle concert assists Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing

By Dina Mendros

If you love good music and want to support a worthwhile cause at the same time, look no further than when Hot Fiddle performs in a concert on Saturday July 12 at the North Windham Union Church. The free concert will benefit the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing which provides housing repairs to seniors, veterans and people with disabilities who live in Raymond, Windham and Standish.

Daniel Strange and Ashley Liberty of the 'Hot 
Fiddle' band will perform at a benefit concert
for the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center
for Housing at the North Windham Union
Church on Saturday, July 12. 
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Hot Fiddle is made up of Daniel Strange and Ashley Liberty, and sometimes with the accompaniment of their children, son Harrison, 12, and daughter Summer, 9. Both children play the violin, like their mother, and will play at the July 12 concert; Daniel plays jazz keyboard.

While the family lives in Miami they are no strangers to the area. Strange, who teaches music at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, grew up in Windham; Liberty, a performer, grew up in Gray; and the whole family returns for most of the summer every year to visit and reconnect with family and friends.

Hot Fiddle has performed in concerts at North Windham Union Church in the past and proved to be very popular, performing to full or nearly full houses. However, the last time they performed there was in 2019.

It was a “no brainer” to ask them back to for a benefit concert for the Fuller Center, said Jim McBride, the treasurer, board member and co-founder of the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing.

“They’re phenomenal musicians,” he said, “and have been local favorites for many years.”

The Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing was founded in 2019 and it’s mission is “to help aging adults, veterans and people with disabilities to age in place safely,” said Diane Dunton Bruni, a founding member, board chair and president of the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing.

The organization, founded by representatives from Raymond Village Community Church, Faith Lutheran Church, North Windham Union Church, Windham Hill UCC, Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and Saint Joseph’s College “has helped 73 families in Windham, Raymond and Standish,” Dunton Bruni said.

Volunteers have logged more than 4,000 hours replacing decks, flooring, and steps, building ramps, cleaning yards and more in the community.

“The proceeds from the concert will help purchase material for projects,” she said.

Dunton Bruni said she’s looking forward to the Hot Fiddle concert.

There will be “something for everyone really,” said Strange, as they don’t perform one specific genre.

“It was important for us to make sure that there was no genre identifier,” he said. “That everybody who just enjoys a great show is going to be able to hear something that they’ll appreciate and something to be very excited about and recognize.”

Liberty said they started playing together when they were married.

“We began with a lot of classical music and slowly but surely branched off into many styles,” she said. “It’s really fun because they do have Vivaldi on the concert and we also have ‘I’ve Got Rhythm’ on the concert and we have Dan’s original music on the concert.”

When McBride asked them to perform the concert, “we were totally game for it,” Strange said, especially because of “the great work that obviously the Fuller Center does for the community and the North Windham Union Church is special for us. We were married there. I was the minister of music there from 2006 to 2007, so there’s a lot of ties.”

Strange said he and his wife are more than happy to perform in Windham. Over the years, he said, “Maine has continued to support us, and it’s our way of saying thank you. We’re excited to see everybody, and we’re pumped for the show as always.”

Liberty agrees.

“We love playing our music for people because it’s lively and it connects (people),” Liberty said. “It’s just a special thing to be able to share music between audience and performers. It’s what music was made for, making that connection.”

Hot Fiddle will perform at the church starting at 7 p.m. July 12 with the lobby opening at 6 p.m. and doors opening at 6:30 p.m. North Windham Union Church is at 723 Roosevelt Trail in Windham. The cost to attend the concert is free, but the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing asks for a suggested donation of $15; pay by cash, check or PayPal. Seating is general admission.

For more details about the concert, call 207-387-0855 or go to the website sebagofullerhousing.org. <

Sunset concert series returning to Hacker’s Hill Preserve

Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) is once again hosting its annual sunset concert series again this summer.

The sunset summer concerts, featuring local musicians, will take place outdoors at LELT’s Hacker’s Hill Preserve in Casco.

The band Bold Riley will perform in concert at Hacker's Hill
in Casco from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday July 9. The concert is
part of a summer concert series at Hacker's Hill sponsored
by the Loon Echo Land Trust. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Bold Riley – 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9

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

Just Be-Cause – 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday July 16

Just Be-Cause hails from the Lakes Region of Maine and will perform a wonderful array of originals and covers accompanied by guitar, mandolin, and percussion.

North River Music – 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27

North River Music has an Americana sound with strong harmonies and expressive musicianship. Playing Americana rock/bluegrass, a North River set is fun to listen to with something familiar played for everyone. From Crosby Stills and Nash, The Eagles and Dylan to traditional American standards, you'll like what you hear.

The LELT Sunset concerts are family friendly and carpooling to Hacker’s Hill Preserve is encouraged. Participants should bring chairs, blankets, warm layers of clothing and a picnic. A suggested donation of $10 per adult – or an amount that is meaningful to you – can be made via cash, check or Venmo at the event. Please do not let the suggested donation prevent you from attending, all are welcome. All proceeds support LELT’s conservation work in the Lake Region and the stewardship of Hacker’s Hill.

Hacker’s Hill is located on Quaker Ridge Road in Casco and provides great views of Pleasant Mountain, Sebago Lake and the Presidential Mountain range. The property features open fields with a mowed walking path. There is also a restroom available.

The gate to the top of the Hacker’s Hill Preserve is open to vehicles Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays from sunrise to sunset. Entry is free, but donations are graciously accepted to support the care of the property. More information can be found at lelt.org/hackers-hill-preserve.

Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT), founded in 1987, 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. The organization currently conserves over 9,300 acres of land and manages a 35-mile trail network across the Lake Region. LELT protects many important local landmarks like Pleasant Mountain, Bald Pate Mountain, and Hacker’s Hill. For more information on LELT properties, upcoming events, or how to get involved, visit LELT.org or their Facebook page. <

Windham Summer Concert Series returning to Dundee Park

By Ed Pierce

Summer is back and Dundee Park in Windham will be a popular destination for many in the community this year. And for music lovers, Windham Parks and Recreation Department is preparing to host the town’s 9th Annual Concert Series next month at the park.

Musicians scheduled to perform during the 2025 Windham
Sumer Concert Series include, clockwise from top left,
the Lynn Deeves Trio, North River band, Jack Fossett,
and the Jimmy Macisso Band.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS 

Free concerts will be offered from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday nights this year and the 2025 lineup showcases a variety of bands and musical artists performing folk, classic rock, blues and popular music.

Windham’s Parks and Recreation Department first launched the Summer Concert Series in 2016 as a method to provide local entertainment events that serve to unite the community. With each passing year, these summer concerts continue to grow in popularity and the park concessions for each concert are hosted by different local organizations to help them raise money for deserving local causes.

At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, the Lynn Deeves Trio will appear in concert at Dundee Park. The Lynn Deeves Trio performs original music and merges folk, blues, gospel influences. Maine singer-songwriter Lynn Deeves plays multiple instruments and began her career touring in New England rock clubs. Her voice is powerful and soulful, and she’s shared the stage with such popular performers as Janice Ian and America. Joining her in Windham will be guitarist Robby Coffin, who’s toured with Devonsquare and Dave Mallett, and longtime Maine percussionist Alfred Lund of Hallowell.

The North River band will appear in concert at Dundee Park at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16. Fronted by guitarist and vocalist Brian Lynch, the band plays classic and Southern rock covers, as well as original songs. From songs of the Eagles and Bob Dylan to the Indigo Girls and Grateful Dead, come to dance, come to listen and you're sure to like what you hear from the North River band.

On Wednesday July 23 at 6;30 p.m., the 2025 Windham Summer Concert Series will present Jack Fossett in concert at Dundee Park. Originally from Old Orchard Beach, Fossett started playing guitar at 18, while attending the University of Southern Maine. In 2013, Fossett had his first big break: while taking a hiatus from live performances to focus on studio work, he entered Guitar Center's Blues Masters competition featuring legendary musician Joe Bonamassa. Out of more than 2,500 entries, Fossett was hand selected by Bonamassa as one of the top 10 undiscovered blues guitarists in America, and was flown out to Los Angeles California to perform with him and his band at the legendary blues club The Mint Theater. He will perform original Americana, rock and blues tunes in Windham.

The Jimmy Macisso Band will close out the 2025 Windham Summer Concert Series at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30 at Dundee Park. Heavily influenced by his older music-playing brothers, Jimmy Macisso began playing the saxophone as a teen and later attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He’s played in many bands through the years and now plays bass guitar. He was a member of the "Tony Boffa Band" and the "Tony Boffa Trio". After Tony’s retirement, Jimmy assumed the lead role of the Jimmy Macisso Band which includes Susie Pepper and John Hoekstra. The trio of musicians feature three-part harmonies covering 60 years of popular music.

Rain dates for any missed concert during the 2025 Windham Summer Concert Series will be Wednesday, Aug. 6 or Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Dundee Park is located at 79 Presumpscot Road, just off River Road in Windham. Bands will perform during the 2025 Summer Concert Series at the Beach Pavilion there.

For concert goers, there are picnic tables scattered throughout the park for seating, but Windham Park and Recreation encourages participants to bring their own lawn chairs for their comfort.

Park Admission will be free after 5 p.m. and the concession stand will be open during the concerts.

For further details about the 20205 Windham Summer Concert Series, visit www.windhamrecreation.com or call 207-892-1905. <

Raymond’s Hawthorne House ready for 63rd annual Strawberry Festival

By Kendra Raymond

Can anyone say “chocolate dipped strawberries from Migis Lodge?” These little gems and some other delicious treats can be in your future for folks taking part in the iconic Hawthorne House Strawberry Festival this year.

The 63rd annual Strawberry Festival will be held from 6 to
7:45 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at the Hawthorne House,
located at 40 Hawthorne Road in Raymond.
COURTESY PHOTO

The Strawberry Festival will be held from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Saturday, June 28. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged for planning purposes.

Going strong for over six decades, the festival seems to improve yearly, gaining in attendance and popularity. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for the Hawthorne House in Raymond. Participants can expect an evening of fresh strawberry desserts and treats, camaraderie, and a chance to learn something new about the local author and legend Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Hawthorne House Community Association member Abel Bates recalls the longstanding history of the Strawberry Festival.

“I moved here in 1972 and am pretty sure it was an ongoing annual event in 1973. No idea how long before that,” he said.

Margaret Myatt is also involved with the Hawthorne House and Strawberry Festival especially in developing and maintaining the website.

She has gathered the following historical facts:

** In 1956 the Hawthorne Community Association reorganizes after years of inactivity.

** The first Strawberry Festival at the Hawthorne House in Raymond was held in the early 1960s, shortly after the Hawthorne Community Association reorganized and began hosting regular events.

** A 2005 Portland Press Herald article notes that, according to association president Frank Chambers, the Festival has “been held since the early 1960s.”

** The Association’s own chronology marks the “start of the ‘modern era’” between 1956 to 1961, with a period of rapid growth from 1962 to 1969 due to new activities –such as the Strawberry Festival – being introduced.

** So, the very first Strawberry Festival likely took place in 1962, in the wake of that reorganization, and it continued as an annual spring/early‑summer celebration from that point forward. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s boyhood home, built in 1812, had come under the Association’s care in 1922 but remained largely dormant until the 1950s revival – leading to community staples like the Strawberry Festival.”

Camp Wawenock alumni Ann Ewig believes that the Strawberry Festival dates further back and aimed to include deeper community ties.

“Even prior to the Strawberry Festival being held at the Hawthorne House, Camp Wawenock under Sid and Lillian Usher also celebrated this event at their location (before) the 1960s,” she said.

The jury is still out on the actual history of the Strawberry Festival, but nevertheless, a full house is expected for the famous Raymond Cape event.

The Hawthorne House summer newsletter announced, "We know that the strawberries and cream will be as delicious and fresh as ever. And don't forget the luscious chocolate-dipped strawberries from Migis Lodge.”

Adding some exciting news about a special addition this year, the newsletter continued, “A special Strawberry Festival treat! We have a special guest speaker, Kris Hansen, the author of "My Dear Sister: Nathaniel Hawthorne and His Sisters." Hansen will present her reflections on Nathaniel's life from Salem to Raymond, and his compassionate relationship with his two sisters which evolved upon his marriage to Sophia. Kris will read excerpts from the family letters and share images of Hawthorne’s story on our big screen. It will be an insightful, literary multimedia presentation. Signed copies of this delightful biography will be available for purchase.”

The Hawthorne House is wrapping up a significant fundraiser aimed at renovating the dated and inefficient kitchen in the building.

Tom Ewig, President of the Hawthorne Community Association, said he is pleased with the results of the Buy a Brick campaign, which allowed patrons to purchase a ceremonial dedicated brick proved successful, collecting over $10,000 for the organization.

“We started a brick campaign to pay for the (kitchen renovations) at $300 each,” he said. “We were able to sell 37 bricks, which largely funded the entire project. The bricks are at the HH but we need some time to create a patio around the stone commemorating Nathaniel Hawthorne. We plan to have a celebratory barbecue July 19 to celebrate the final phase of the improvements.”

A memorial stone has been placed in front of the HH honoring Hawthorne’s contributions to the community and the literary world. It reads, “Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind.” The patio will encircle the stone and serve as a focal point at the HH welcoming guests in, as well as a resting spot or area for photos.

Ewig explained the renovation process.

“We gutted the old kitchen and started from scratch. Basically, we knew what we needed and worked with Lowe’s to assemble all the parts from the stove, fridge, and microwave, to cabinets and sinks. Then, to a large extent Lou Chanese and Abel Bates did all the prep work and final assembly of the cabinets. They installed the appliances and painted where needed,” he said. “With the kitchen renovations winding up, Ewig says that the improvements are significant and will serve the facility for years to come.”

The Hawthorne House is governed by a Board of Trustees who nominate officers at each annual meeting including Sylvia Sullivan, Rebecca Tracy, Treasurer, Jessica Bates, Tom Ewig, President, Ed Kranich, David Carew, Mary Ann Moeri, Vice President and Secretary, Abel Bates, Dave Moeri, Paul Tracy, Steven Kelsey Hazen, Dan Grotto, Thomas McCosker, Katrina Martin, and Shirin Shahinfar.

Ewig is committed to growing the Hawthorne Community Association and dedicates countless hours to the organization.

“We have many public and private events planned at the HH,” he said. “Since this is not a destination museum. We want to make it relevant to the Raymond community as an open space for all types of events from birthday parties, showers, reunions, and weddings.”

To make reservations for the Strawberry Festival, send an email to hawthorne@maine.rr.com or call 207-329-0537.

To keep updated on the Hawthorne Community Association events, visit http://www.hawthorneassoc.com/ <

Author to present essay workshop at Windham Public Library

By Kira Pilot

Budding writers take note: Windham Public Library has invited prolific local author Andy Young to lead an essay writing workshop on June 18. Young, an essayist from Cumberland who has been published in several New England newspapers including The Portland Press Herald and The Windham Eagle, will be participating in the hour-long workshop in support of the library’s summer reading theme, “Level Up at Your Library.”

Local author Andy Young will lead
an essay writing workshop on
June 18 at the Windham Public
Library in support of the library's
summer reading theme 'Level
Up at Your Library.' Young is a
high school English teacher and
he also writes a column for
The Windham Eagle newspaper.  
FILE PHOTO

Reference and Technology Librarian Ray Marcotte, who booked Young, says of the theme “Level Up means to improve your knowledge or skills. We expect anyone to attend who’s interested in writing and wants to learn from a seasoned essayist.”

Those wishing to match Young’s productivity as a writer might first have to cultivate some life experience, as his long and varied career has afforded him ample material for his craft. Originally hailing from Easton, Connecticut, Young’s obsession with team sports led to many roles coaching, publicizing, and commenting on games in locations like Fairbanks, Alaska, and Durham, North Carolina. In his 30s, Young joined the Peace Corp’s Youth in Development program and spent time coaching basketball while stationed in Guatemala.

As he recounts his work history, his dedication to writing consistently is the thread of connection that ties together his diverse past. Young fosters that consistency by habitually rising early and writing in the morning hours. This routine enables him to balance his writing practice with his family and career as a teacher.

For over 20 years now, Young has taught English at Kennebunk High School, where he tries to instill a love of writing in the younger generation.

“I have them writing every day. I want them to know that writing can be fun,” Young says. “Or at least cheap therapy.”

Young’s own writing frequently focuses on routine interactions between people in everyday life and he elevates his subject material through wry humor and careful study of the human condition. His nuanced yet unfailingly generous characterizations of those around him reveal an optimism one is heartened to see in a high school teacher.

He says, “The more people you meet the more you realize, yes, every one of us is unique but we’re not that different. The stuff that makes me laugh makes a lot of people laugh.”

This belief in community held values is apparent in many of his pieces.

Young’s short essay “The Scourge of the Neighborhood”, in which he sketches a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of a kind neighbor, is exemplary of his comical and observational style. He cites Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen as an author he enjoys reading. Hiassen is similarly known for his irreverent commentary.

When asked about his preferred 600-word essay length, Young repeats advice he retained earlier in his career: “Nobody wants to read more than 800 words.”

Indeed, Young’s love of the 600-word essay is so profound that one of his three books, Life in 600 Words (2024), contains only works that meet this criteria.

To fledgling writers looking for advice, Young unsurprisingly stresses the importance of the editing process and suggests finding a good proofreader who will read a draft with some scrutiny and provide relevant feedback.

“You need honesty tempered with kindness,” he advises and then says, “You’ll never have a meaner critic than yourself.”

Young’s essays have been published in three collections: Young Ideas (2017), Works in Progress (2022), and Life in 600 Words (2024).

He will be speaking at the Windham Public Library from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 18. Those looking for more information may call Ray Marcotte at the library’s Help Desk at 207-892-1908 ext. 5 or by email at rmarcotte@windhammaine.us. <

Local author's novel offers hopeful message for young adults

By Elle Curtis

Adina King, a Windham High School English teacher and author is celebrating the release of her novel "The House No One Sees."  

Windham High School English teacher Adina
King shows a copy of her new novel "The
House No One Sees' during a publishing
event last fall. COURTESY PHOTO

It is a contemporary Young Adult novel with surrealist elements written in alternating prose and verse. The inspiration for the book began with rage, but ended with love, according to the author.

King received a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing for children and young adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she studied with authors A.M. Jenkins and Shelley Tanka among others, but made sure to make time for her other passions as well. What was at first all about the idea of rollerblading quickly became a serious sport for King, who traveled all over New England under the rollerblading name of Schrödinger’s Catfight.

"The House No One Sees" is the story of Penelope Ross, a girl who must walk through her past to save her present. Forced to confront her mother’s opioid addiction to mend her fractured story, Penny wanders between present and past, prose and verse, unsure if her childhood home is guiding her out or leading her further into its memory maze.

The novel's inspiration began as rage poetry after King stumbled upon a news article about a former student who had died from an overdose. It had been years since they’d seen each other, but that didn’t change their connection.

“About a week after this article, I was stopped at a traffic light staring at a house on a corner. I’d sat at that intersection more times than I could count, but this was the first time I’d noticed the house, its windows cracked, paint peeling, and perched too close to the road," King said. "I thought about how houses are a shelter. Houses are memories. Houses can be places to hide. When the house spoke in my mind, I knew its voice; when it came to life in Penny’s story, it was both familiar and strange. Because of this, the parallel between the structure of the house and Penny’s emotional arc made me walk through some of my own parallels -- a journey that further connected me to both Penelope and the house.”

At first, the book was pure poetry. King felt as if the poems were all over the place, voice-wise. 

Determined to add a structure to the story for which the poems could fit, King decided to add the house as a larger metaphor. However, it still felt as if something was missing, and that was the main character, Penelope’s reality. This is where prose came in.

“Prose allowed me to craft parallel timelines that would show Penny’s path to healing. When the poems finally caught up to the prose at the end, Penelope had discovered her way out, allowing the surreal to join the tangible,” said King.

The writing process though came with pressure and struggle.

“I had to marathon write Penny’s story in order to protect my own mental health," she said. "This meant I could only work when I had time to sprint from exposition to conclusion. It was difficult to walk in Penny’s shoes.”

But King didn’t let the challenges interfere with the messages she strives to convey through her novel. Throughout the writing process, a particular scene stuck with King.

“Without giving away too much, it was the basement scene where Penelope is searching for the thing she’d buried. It was such a strong metaphor for life, for trauma," she said. "It was like I was there with Penny, digging at that dirt basement floor with my hands, trying to save a childhood symbol of hope.”

King says "The House No One Sees" aims to create a space that readers can feel is theirs.

“I hope my readers take what they need and leave behind what they don’t," she said. "There are many ways to feel like a house no one sees, but there is always light. It’s okay to walk through yourself to find yourself. It’s okay if it’s messy. Keep going. Be the light.”

King will be doing a book signing for "The House No One Sees" from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 24 at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop in Windham. <

Lake Region Community Chorus to present ‘Moon River’ concert

The Lake Region Community Chorus is busy rehearsing for its 10th annual Spring Concerts which will be performed later this month at the Lake Region High School auditorium.

The 10th annual Spring Concerts performed by the Lake
Region Community Chorus will be at 7 p.m. Friday,
May 23 and at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 25 at Lake Region
High School in Naples. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The school is at 1877 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302) in Naples and concerts are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, May 23 and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 25. This dynamic choral group is made up of 50 singers from 12 surrounding towns in the Lakes Region of Maine.

The concert will feature a joyous celebration of pieces of many styles that will honor the 10th Anniversary of this wonderful choral organization. Singing will be enhanced with instrumental accompaniments by Rusty Wiltjer (percussion), Pam Ward and Brian Sprunger (guitar), Adam Quincy (trumpet), Glen Jukkola (violin), and Jacob Kuvaja (electric bass).

The chorus is directed by Jan Jukkola and Susan Stockwell and accompanied by Patrick Speckamp.

The organization’s history is short because it’s relatively new, having held 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, Lake Region Community Chorus members performed their first concert in June 2013.

Since then, the original group of singers has grown with each season, and now has 50 members from 14 communities, including Bridgton, Naples, Sebago, Harrison, Waterford, Stoneham, Raymond, Casco, Windham, Denmark, Hiram and Fryeburg.

The Lake Region Community Chorus is a community of voices joined together in song.

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.

 
Lake Region Community Chorus performs two concerts each year. One falls in early December and features holiday music. The other is a springtime concert generally falling in mid-May.

Each 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 as they lift their voices and sing, sing, sing. This year’s concert is sure to be remembered long after the final chords are sounded.

Please visit the Lake Region Community Chorus website for more details or call 207-647-2584. <

  

Be The Influence prepares for 3rd annual ‘Jammin’ for Mental Health’ event

By Masha Yurkevich

As the calendar moves into the month of May, the Be The Influence (BTI) coalition is preparing to host the 3rd annual “Jammin’ for Mental Health” event in recognition of Mental Health Awareness during the month of May.

This year’s event will run from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 5 in the Windham High School Gymnasium.

Crystal Aldrich is the Project Coordinator for Be the Influence coalition and has been a part of “Jammin’ for Mental Health” since it launched in collaboration with Maine Health Behavioral Health three years ago.

“Be the Influence Director, Patrice Leary-Forrey, Laurie Cavanaugh from Maine Health/Behavioral Health, and I do all the planning for and running of the event,” says Aldrich.

“Jammin for Mental Health” began three years ago when Laurie Cavanaugh and then BTI Director, Laura Morris, collaborated and came up with the idea for this event for drawing attention to Mental Health through the Arts in a way that involved the community and brought it together.

“May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Windham School District Art show is usually the first week of May, so BTI reached out to the High School and asked if we could join them during their Art show,” Aldrich said.

The purpose of the event is to bring attention and awareness to mental health issues by using art as an outlet for improving your mental health.

Every year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) chooses a theme for Mental Health Awareness month, and this year the theme is: In every story, there’s strength. This theme highlights the resilience and diverse experiences that shape mental health journeys within our community. NAMI’s campaign celebrates the power of storytelling to fuel connection, understanding, and hope for those navigating their own mental health path. More information about NAMI can be found at nami.org.

“This event is great for the whole family,” said Aldrich. “There are so many art projects to do with kids, as well as adults. The music is fun, the BTI Youth group has many different projects in place that will keep the whole family having fun, young and old.”

The “Jammin’ for Mental Health” event will feature live music, vendors, resources, art projects, a photo booth, lots of door prizes, and wellness activities.

“This year we have some new vendors, as well as some from the past years,” says Aldrich. “Come join us at the Windham High School Gymnasium for music, community resources fair and fun. Learn new skills on how to reduce stress and improve mental health through art and mindfulness. This is a free event open to the public and in partnership with RSU 14 Annual Art Show and Maine Health.”

The community is strongly encouraged to attend.

“We try to focus on using art and music as a way to improve your mental health, and that makes it fun and creative,” says Aldrich. “It has been a little different every year so far and just keeps getting better.”

Be the Influence is a federal funded Drug Free Communities grant with a mission to reduce youth substance misuse through prevention education, community supports and harm reduction. It strives to build better health outcomes from positive experiences.

Aldrich said that she is very grateful for the MaineHealth/Behavioral Health team, and the BTI Youth group in their help with “Jammin’ for Mental Health.”

“This event would not be possible without the collaboration with the MaineHealth/Behavioral Health team, and the BTI Youth group,” she says. “This year especially we have a great group of high school students so excited for this event and are looking forward to seeing it be a great success.” <

Humorist preparing for Raymond Village Library concert

By Kaysa Jalbert

This Saturday, there will be no “shushing” in the Raymond Village Library, only strumming, singing, and laughter. Musician and humorist Red Gallagher will be performing a public concert at the Village Library in Raymond at noon on Saturday, April 26.

Musician and humorist Red Gallagher will be performing 
a public concert at the Raymond Village Library at noon
on Saturday, April 26. COURTESY PHOTO 

Red Gallagher puts on an up-beat performance that blends music and humor. As a one-man-band he plays guitar, harmonica, piano and sings. He’s created parodies from top artists such as Steve Goodman, John Prime and the Beatles. Overall, his songs include blues, jazz, country, folk, rock and roll and many classic pop tunes.

The show also welcomes a special guest, Lorraine Gallagher, Red Gallagher’s talented wife with beautiful vocals. Together, the two form The Redbird Duo. Lorraine Gallagher is a New England woman who sings and plays guitar. Her song selections include classics from Joni Mitchell, Carol King, Eva Cassidy, and other great female artists.

Gallagher has been a full-time professional musician for 49 years. He has made three vinyl records and two solo compact disc albums and one compact disc album for The Redbird Duo. Additionally, he has toured with renowned artists such as B.B. King, B.J. Thomas, The Oak Ridge Boys, and rock band Three Dog Night.

“Highest thrills of my career were opening concerts for B.B. King,” said Gallagher, “He was very nice to me, and it's all been downhill since then,” he joked, “and also he gave me some good advice, but I stayed in music anyway.”

When ask if he is retired, Gallagher answered, “I'm not retired by any means. I'm still working full time, but I have retired from the nightclub scene.”

In other words, he doesn’t party like he used to, but the party is still happening.

“I've done a lot of things in my career, you know, college circuit, cruise ships, big name concert openers but, at this point, I'm mainly doing community shows for seniors and social groups and festivals,” Gallagher said.

Next week, Gallagher has six concerts booked all at various retirement communities, and another six more the following week. Since straying away from the late-night music scene, Gallagher has found himself enjoying sharing his time, music and jokes with folks similar to his own age, who can share the nostalgia in his performance.

“It’s really rewarding,” says Gallagher, “They love it, and I get a lot of real positive feedback from them. Also, they think I'm young,” he laughs, “but really they’re my age, in their 70s and such, so, like me they grew up with The Beatles and Bob Dylan. I know a lot of music that they enjoy and remember.”

Gallagher is now 75 years old and is originally from the Midwest and lived most of his adult life in Minneapolis-St. Paul. He uses many aspects of his life to create comical parodies. From the state of Minnesota he created Minnesota Winter which has been upgraded in the past 20 years to New England Winter. Yes, it’s a song about how cold and grumpy we all get in winter, but we love it, we really do.

The musician has always included humor in his performances. Why?

“Because I like to laugh, and I like to make people laugh,” he said.

Gallagher moved to New Hampshire roughly 20 years ago and stayed for 10 years, before moving to Maine where he has resided since.

Lorraine and Red Gallagher married 19 years ago. They dated for two years, and he never knew she was musical. Once it was discovered, they started singing and playing together and have since created The Redbird Duo. The Redbird Duo will be performing at the Fryeburg fair twice this year, and also at the Steep Falls Gazebo in Standish on July 30.

His career started when as a young, 25-year-old with clearly enough confidence, he strolled into a booking agency, sang some songs and made them laugh, and the rest is history. Gallagher’s family wasn’t full of musicians and performers, in fact the only family member that played an instrument was his aunt, who played the piano. She taught him piano and became a huge supporter as he made his way onto the stage as a young boy. In high school, Gallagher taught himself guitar to play some of his favorite tunes.

Here’s a snippet of one of Red Gallagher’s parody songs called Mini Van Driver. “I used to ride a Harley, I used to have a vet, my old Mercedes was the coolest yet, but I got middle-aged and I woke up one day to discover that I’ve become a minivan driver.” <

‘Evening of Global Jazz’ coming to Hawthorne House in Raymond

Spotlighting its new role as a community and cultural arts center for the Sebago Lake area, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home at 40 Hawthorne Road in Raymond will showcase an “Evening of Global Jazz” with the McCoy Mrubata/Gary Wittner Duo at 7 p.m. Friday, April 18.

An 'Evening of Global Jazz' featuring the McCoy Mrubata/
Gary Wittner Duo will be performed at the Hawthorne
House, 40 Hawthorne Road in Raymond at 7 p.m. Friday
April 18 and tickets are now on sale for the event.
COURTESY PHOTO 

South African saxophonist/composer McCoy Mrubata and his friend, guitarist Gary Wittner, have been performing together since 2006. 

Mrubata is a recent recipient of the South African Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center International Arts Gold Medal. He was a member of the legendary Hugh Masekela’s band in the 1990s and has released more than 20 albums that combine jazz and elements of traditional South African music.

Gary Wittner has performed on five continents, representing the U.S. as a Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassador, a Fulbright Specialist, and a US Embassy Outreach Artist. He has performed with numerous jazz luminaries and has released seven albums as well as the popular book Thelonious Monk for Guitar. He is a music faculty member at the University of Southern Maine School of Music and at Bowdoin College.

Admission is $25 per person, payable at the door in cash or with a check payable to “Hawthorne Community Association.” Space is limited to 50 people, so the Hawthorne House strongly suggests that the public RSVP at info@hawthorneassoc.com or by calling Becky at 207-329-0537.

For more details, please visit https://hawthorneassoc.com/ or send an email to info@hawthorneassoc.com. <

Local artist showcases paintings at Portland Art Museum

By Masha Yurkevich

Reaching for the stars is exactly what Holden Willard, 2017 WHS graduate, did.

Windham High graduate Holden Willard of Raymond
stands next to his painting being displayed at the
Portland Art Museum. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Born in Rockport in 1999, Willard and his family moved to Raymond because his father received a job as the Town Manager in Raymond. Willard grew up in Raymond, went to Raymond Elementary and Jordan-Small Middle School and later graduated from Windham High School in 2017. He is now a painter and an art framer/preparator as well as a carpenter.

“I have always drawn from a young age; I can remember drawing constantly in sketch pads, on the walls, and on cardboard sculptures I would make throughout the house,” said Willard. “For many years, I did not fully accept that I could be an artist, until Jeffrey Bell at Windham High School pushed me to follow my dream and had me try painting when I was 17. That changed everything.”

Becoming an artist was always a dream for Willard.

“It was an unrealized dream for so long as a kid,” he said. “I knew deep down I wanted to create, but I needed that kick from someone other than my parents to tell me I had it in me. Now it feels as simple as breathing air or going on a walk. I just make paintings about life, and I feel as though I will never stop. In my core, it brings me the greatest joy imaginable.”

For Willard, it started as a child, as a hobby at first, something to do that made him happy other than reading or being outside. But when he went through Bell’s WHS AP studio art course, he knew that he needed to make art at some point.

“When I left WHS, I attended UMaine Orono for one year and then transferred to the Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts,” he said. “It was there that I studied with serious professors and learned from an education that was steeped in the American Modernist tradition of painting. When I was 19, I told myself, why not just apply to group shows around Beverly and begin showing work? And that’s exactly what I did. I remember applying to my first ever group show and getting in. It was all the way down in Cape Cod, and I was bringing a self-portrait with me that I made in my foundation year at art school.”

Willard took this chance, not knowing that this was the very beginning of a long life of traveling for shows and being an independent working artist.

“It felt incredible to show work, and I remember I won some 1st place award from that show, and it was my first time in a gallery,” he said. “I had mixed emotions, mainly because I felt as though I did not deserve it.”

He kept working at his art, learning new techniques and getting better.

“Where I am at now because of art is totally unimaginable,” he said. “But I have worked hard for it, I have two jobs, and I run a non-profit art gallery in Portland called 82Parris. Not only has art changed my life, but due to my passion for it, I also hope to extend that to other creatives in the region. We are just getting ready for our third year of programming with openings every first Friday of the month. My best advice for those interested in doing what I do is to go for it and do it because you love it and know that life would be too boring to not follow your passion.”

Willard currently exhibits at an art gallery in Camden called Page Gallery as well as a gallery in Brussels, Belgium called Edji Gallery.

“I am also beginning to work with a gallery in Shanghai, China called Nan Ke. Believe it or not, these connections have come through having and posting on Instagram,” Willard said. The social media landscape is confusing and has only gotten more complicated since I joined in 2014, but I have been posting ever since, getting my work out there.”

According to Willard, he believes that art is important for everyone, and that being creative is innately human and integral to expressing our emotions about and for life.

“What is more special than making something that has your essence in it? This goes for making things as well, anything that requires your thought and input creatively. That is why I make paintings and build things; it just makes sense to me; it’s important because it makes me happy.”

His inspiration comes from everyday life experiences. He paints about his boyhood in Maine, his coming of age from that, his friends, and narrative scenes that speak to youth as a larger whole.

At 5:30 p.m. April 4, Willard will be part of a ‘Painting in Play’ art talk at the Portland Art Museum, where he, along with fellow artists Meg Hahn and James Parker-Foley, will be talking about method, process and inspiration. Admission is free every first Friday at the museum and the show ends April 27.

“This show of 14 of my fellow peers showcases work of younger emerging artists who all have a connection to Maine in some way,” said Willard.

This will be Willard’s second showing in a museum like this. In 2023, he was selected by a jury to be in the CMCA Biennial that year.

“I wish I could paint full time, but for now, I work at my jobs and then find the time to paint,” he said. <

Windham Parks and Rec hosts first 'Light Up the Night Dance'

By Jolene Bailey

The glow party sensation sweeping America arrived in Windham on March 14 as the Windham Parks and Recreation Department hosted a “Light Up the Night Dance” for local families.

Windham Parks and Recreation hosted a 'Light Up the 
Night Dance' in a partnership with Windham PTA. 
The popular event used blacklights to create a
glowing effect for participants. COURTESY PHOTO   

Glow parties are vibrant celebrations where neon colors and decorations are used extensively and everything glows under the glare of UV black lights, creating a fun environment. Black lights work by emitting ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is invisible to the human eye, but some substances called phosphors absorb them and then re-emit it as visible light, causing them to glow eerily.

Participants wearing neon colors stood out in the Light Up the Night dance along with those wearing fluorescent orange, green, yellow and pink.

“This was our first glow dance through Windham Parks & Recreation, and all families in the community were invited, so I was really excited to see all the families come together and have a fun time at the dance,” said Kelsey Crowe, Windham Parks & Recs deputy director.

Windham Parks and Recreation conducts many events for everyone with children who are interested in attending. In the past they have hosted similar events to the Light Up the Night dance such as the February Formal and the Gym Jamboree.

However, this dance was much different from those offered previously because it was a glow dance, and all the lights and blacklights had transformed the experience with even more fun for the families attending. It was a solid turn-out and a packed gym at Windham Middle School.

“As the Deputy Director, my role was to plan and organize the whole event, but I could not do it alone,” Crowe said. “For Light Up the Night, Windham Parks & Recreation partnered with Windham PTA to put on the dance. We also had support from Windham Social Services, RSU 14, the Windham Lions Club, Deep DJ Entertainment, and Windham High School student volunteers.”

Crowe has been working for the Windham Parks & Recreation Department for about eight years. She has been overseeing larger family and community events for about six years shortly after becoming the Deputy Director for the organization.

As the Light Up the Night dance went on, there were several opportunities for even more fun throughout the evening.

People could stop by the photo booth in the gym and take photographs with fun accessories or also dance in the gym or play a round of cornhole, a game of giant Jenga, Connect Four or Tic Tac Toe.

For most of the night, children enjoyed dancing with a DJ spinning popular tunes. They were able to request songs and sing and dance all through the night.

Another popular activity was the Light Up Limbo competition for kids and their parents.

Refreshments and snacks were served in the cafeteria, along with face painting and temporary tattoos that glowed in the blacklights during the dance in the gym.

Families were able to also register for door prizes. There were about 10 big prizes where families could receive tickets when they entered and choose what prizes they wanted to try to win. Prizes were then drawn and announced throughout the night.

“This was our first glow dance, so not knowing if the event will take off, or if families were actually going to register, is always a worry, but I think the night was a success. We had a great turnout, and I can't wait to make it bigger and better for next year,” said Crowe.

For more details about activities offered by Windham Parks and Recreation, visit https://www.windhammaine.us/155/Parks-Recreation <

Camaraderie of quilting motivates Nimble Thimbles members

By Ed Pierce

For members of Windham’s Nimble Thimbles Quilting Chapter, creating a new quilt is like a microcosm of life in stitching together a beautiful patchwork of memories.

Cynthia Junco of the Nimble
Thimbles Quilting Chapter of
Windham displays quilts that
were made and donated by
chapter members to the Windham
Food Pantry, the Windham
Police Department and the
Windham Fire and Rescue
Department last December.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

The Nimble Thimbles chapter is part of the Pine Tree Quilters Guild of Maine and currently has 23 participants from throughout the Lakes Region.

The Pine Tree Quilters Guild was founded in 197 and has more than 1,800 members in 67 chapters in Maine. It is a guild of quilters who are passionate about everything about quilting who share and help others learn more about their art.

According to Nimble Thimbles member Cynthia Junco of Windham, being part of the group allows her to spend time with others who enjoy quilting and promotes a unique and special camaraderie among members who understand the work needed to put together a new quilt.

She said the length of time required to create a quilt depends upon the design and pattern, size, and the number of members participating but it usually involves hours of work to complete one.

“Some members will work on quilt tops in the convenience of their own home and then when our group meets, we may layer and tie the quilts prior to binding them,” Junco said. “We also have a couple of members who have donated their time to machine quilt the layers, and then a member will take a quilt and add the binding. It can be quite a process by the time one quilt is completed.”

The Nimble Thimbles chapter meets twice a month in Windham to work on quilts.

This past holiday season, Nimble Thimbles members decided to donate quilts created last fall to the Windham Food Pantry to be included with holiday baskets being distributed to those in need.

“It's my understanding that this year the quilts would be used in some holiday baskets that the food pantry provided to some individuals as well as some going to the Windham Police and Windham Fire and Rescue to provide to an individual when emergency situations arise. Quilts can be very comforting to one in a difficult situation.”

Each year the organization makes a holiday donation based upon suggestions from its members.

“In the past we've made and donated quilts to Quilts of Valor, the Ronald McDonald House, Hospice, as well as Project Linus,” Junco said.

Project Linus provides handmade blankets to children in the United States who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.

In November, the Nimble Thimbles Quilt Chapter of Windham donated 46 different quilts of various sizes to the Windham Food Pantry for distribution in some of their holiday baskets as well as the Windham Police and Fire Departments.

“The quilts were well received, and we were happy to be able to provide the support,” Junco said. “Our group creates and donates quilts for different charities and social service groups which fluctuates from year to year.”

Junco says that the best part of being a member of the Nimble Thimbles Quilting Chapter is more than just the camaraderie of being with other quilters.

“It enables us to share our creativity, teach others various techniques used in quilting as well as doing for others,” she said. “Generally, we hire a quilt instructor from outside of our group once or twice a year for a teaching/learning workshop to learn new or advanced methods of quilting.”

For anyone interested in joining the Nimble Thimble, brochures with contact information are available at various quilt shops in the area, including at the Calico Basket Quilt Shop, 31 Page Road in Windham. <

Windham Chamber Singers preparing for 2025 tour dates

By Elle Curtis

The highly anticipated Windham Chamber Singers 2025 tour will kick off next month with a concert in Windham allowing the community to come together and make lasting memories.

The Windham Chamber Singers will their 2025 Tour with a
performance at the North Windham Union Church, 723
Roosevelt Trail in Windham, on April 5.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

After the unfortunate cancellation of last year’s tour due to a freak snowstorm in April, this year’s tour experience will allow members of the Windham Chamber Singers to show off their work throughout the year and to leave their lasting mark on the community.

A local performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 5 at the North Windham Union Church, 723 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The length of the performance is estimated to run for an hour and a half with general seating available.

Donations will be accepted by the church and put toward the RSU 14 Backpack Program and Maine Needs which strives to provide essentials for individuals and families.

Members of the Windham Chamber Singers say they enjoy giving back to the community as well as performing.

Molly Plati, Windham Chamber Singers president and a senior at Windham High School, says there’s not just pressure on their singing ability but on continuing the legacy they are upholding.

“Our group has a reputation, and with that comes the responsibility to be our very best,” Plati said. “Not just as singers, but as people and community members.”

Preparing for each performance takes hard work and dedication. Hours of practice are spent working on pieces that range from entertaining to more serious while telling a story to the audience.

“The theme of our repertoire is mostly centered around togetherness. Each song carries a message of hope, resilience, and unity,” said Windham Chamber Singers assistant conductor and WHS senior Bella Bragdon.

Seniors could choose and put together a piece for the treble and bass voices when deciding on this year’s music selections.

“Being part of the process was very exciting, and we got to learn how to select a piece of music to make our voice part sound great,” said Plati. “All of our pieces carry a deeper meaning that the singers can connect to, and they sound outstanding.”

This year’s tour will mark the return to travel and the full-tour experience, which was previously impacted due to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions.

The tour will see the Windham Chamber Singers traveling to Canada and performing at Laval University in Québec City and the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

“This is an amazing experience for everyone in the group,” said Windham Chamber Singers vice president and WHS junior Rowan Cummings.

“As a choir, we bond and learn new things about each other, making unforgettable memories,” he said.

Whether it is pushing to be their best, or finding community, Windham Chamber Singers offer members a safe and supportive place to do that. Participants have gained real-life skills that go beyond music and singing that will continue to aid them in future endeavors.

“Balancing schoolwork, rehearsals, and other commitments has taught me how to prioritize tasks and manage my time effectively. I’ve also developed strong teamwork and leadership skills,” Bragdon said. “Working closely together with others requires good communication and the ability to listen and adapt. These skills are valuable in any group setting such as school and work.”

Tickets for the North Windham Union Church performance are by donation. Seating is first-come first-serve. <

WHS Spanish Honor Society hosts Salsa Night Class

By Jolene Bailey

The Spanish Honor Society of Windham High School will host a Salsa class night from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20 at Manchester School in Windham.

“I wanted to do a salsa night because when we have taken kids to Costa Rica, there is always a salsa lesson and other Latin dances, and the kids really love it, said Elizabeth Bubier, Windham High SHS advisor.

“Salsa isn’t a difficult dance, and we can use something in March to brighten our days.”

March is often the longest month of the year for students as the school year comes to an end and the long breaks are over. Clubs and extracurricular activities often use this time to re-engage with students.

The Spanish Honor Society is for students who have taken as least two years of Spanish and have succeeded academically. They go through an induction ceremony for their commitment to learning the Spanish language.

“Most students continue in Spanish after inductions because they love the language and culture. A Salsa Night fits right in with some of the things we do” said Bubier.

Salsa originally came from Latin America but is large in Spanish cultures. This dance is practiced worldwide typically with a partner yet containing solo footwork as well.

“This is the first time I will have done an event like this. I am hoping it goes well, and we can make it an annual event,” said Bubier.

For this event, Monica Sandifer will help instruct participants in the Salsa dance. She is a former dancer from the National Ballet of Bolivia.

“I really just want people to enjoy the event,” Bubier said. “Mónica Sandifer is the nicest, she has so much positive energy and is a gifted dancer.”

A big portion of being a Spanish Honor Society member is to help ambitious students in Spanish to reach their educational goals during and outside of high school. It is a recognized achievement that takes great care and hours.

Often members of SHS get the opportunity to help tutor or teach Spanish in the RSU 14 district. They also plan fundraising drives, help with sales, and other volunteer opportunities for students to be able to fund the expenses for the club.

“I think my favorite memory as the SHS advisor is when we had to do our induction ceremony outdoors because of COVID,” Bubier said. “In order to make it more memorable for the students because they had missed out on a lot in the previous months, I invited a few local alpacas to join the ceremony. The kids have been asking for the alpacas to return every year since then.”

Students in the Spanish Honor Society at WHS have the opportunity to visit Costa Rica to put their Spanish skills into an extraordinary environment to which most have not been exposed.

This salsa class event is open to anyone, but space is limited to ensure that everyone gets the instructions and attention from the teacher participating that night.

For details, call Bubier at 207-892-1810. <

Oldies Dance Group raises $8,750 for Ronald McDonald House

By Ed Pierce

Never let it be said that those who appreciate Rock n’ Roll music could care less about others. As evidence of that, the Oldies Dance Group’s Benefit Dance last fall set records once again in raising money for the Ronald McDonald House of Portland.

The dance raised $8,750 to donate to the Ronald McDonald House and sold 356 tickets in just 10 days leading up to the event at the Eagle’s Hall in Biddeford last October.

Members of the Oldies Dance Group donate proceeds from 
last fall's dance to the Ronald McDonald House of Portland.
From eft are Debora Berry; Gail Cole; Diane Dubois; Bruce 
Martin, Elvis Presley; Ronald McDonald House Chief
Executive Officer Julie Mulkern; Ray Gagnon; Ian Tovell;
Katherine Russo; and Janet Sparkowich. Not shown are
Old Dance Group members Roger and Bonnie Ouellette;
Michelle Mondor; Connie O'Rourke; Ed and Nancy Pierce;
Ernie Mills; and Helen Vadnais.  SUBMITTED PHOTO  

This was the 24th Rock n’ Roll Oldies Benefit Dance and to date, the Oldies Dance Group has raised $124,498 on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House, which provides comfort for the families of pediatric patients and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and enables family centered care to ensure that family members are fully supported and actively involved in their child’s care.

“Our organizing committee is simply blown away by the generosity of those who attend our dances every year,” said Bruce Martin, Oldies Dance Group organizer. “We have been doing this for 17 years and are so grateful to be the biggest community fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House of Portland during that time. We cannot thank everyone who has attended the dances through the years and to all of those individuals and businesses who have shown their commitment to assisting sick children and their families served by this wonderful facility.”

Martin said many come out to the dances to listen to Rock n’ Roll music, dance, socialize with their friends and a side benefit is that the dances support the fundraising mission of the Oldies Dance Group.

“We’ve said this for years and it’s true. People love rock n’ roll music and dancing,” he said. “And the amount of money that we’ve raised demonstrates how much people in our community value and care about their community and their neighbors.”
More than 71 businesses and individuals made donations for the October dance and Martin said it shows their commitment to the mission of Ronald McDonald House of Portland.

He said that the Oldies Dance Group also thanks Coach Kaitlyn Cadorette and a contingent of high school cheerleaders for their invaluable assistance in setting up tables and chairs ahead of last fall’s dance.

Martin said that the Rock n’ Roll Oldies Dances remain wildly popular because Rock n’ Roll continues to connect generations of music fans and the dance playlist includes songs that everybody knows and loves from the 1950s through the 1980s and a few other popular tunes.

“We say that it’s a great night out to have fun, listen to songs you know the words to by heart and at the same time you’re doing something to support a great cause,” Martin said. “We are always looking for committee members who want to help.”

The next Rock n’ Roll Oldies Benefit Dance will be the 25th dance hosted by the Oldies Dance Group and will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, April 19 at the Eagle’s Hall, 57 Birch St., Biddeford. Tickets are just $10 and sell out quickly as seating is limited.

For further details, or to purchase tickets or to volunteer, please call Bruce Martin at 207-284-4692. <

WHS students preparing for One Act Festival

By Jolene Bailey

Windham High School students are preparing to participate in the One Act Festival, an annual event designed to showcase one-act plays and theater productions that typically run 20 to 40 minutes.

This year Windham will be staging “Making Nice” by Alan Haehnel at the festival. This show is about a play within a play about a dress rehearsal that goes wrong when Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) members arrive. OSHA members mandate that no one can leave the theater until the production is rounded into shape and forcing the cast and crew to comply.

The Maine Principals’ Association and Maine Drama Council host the One Act Festival every year and bring in new judges and students to be involved. Under One Act rules, each school’s One Act skit cannot exceed a 40-minute performance time without facing penalties.

Students compete in categories based upon student population. The Class A competition is for schools with more than 500 students with Class B competition for schools below 500 students. Participating schools create their own sets that must be reviewed and approved by the regional tech director first.

“The students and I discussed the pros and cons of the show at a meeting back in December and decided it would be a good fit for us this year to bring to the competition,” said CJ Payne, Windham’s One Acts director.

Payne is in his third year of directing the WHS One Acts group and this will be his 15th One Act Festival of participating with the WHS group.

“I love that it's an interscholastic competition where you get competing schools cheering for each other and giving our drama students a chance to see what other school's drama programs are achieving,” said Payne.

He says that the One Act Festival has driven students to achieve higher standards in all WHS performing arts programs.

In addition to the One Act Festival competition, the group will present two preview performances for the Windham community at Windham High School at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 1. Admission is free, and donations will be welcomed.

WHS junior Elise Biggs will be participating for the second time in One Act.

“I am most excited about meeting new people at the festival and traveling,” Biggs said. “Last year we hosted at WHS, and it was great but leaving for the festival gives a good new point of view.”

Biggs is an actor’s understudy in the part of Mary, and she is also cast as a wolf in this year’s One Act production.

She said that no matter if it’s in leading or smaller roles, drama and the theater can have a positive impact on students, and a way to discover new areas of interest and develop relationships.

“The One Act has had a positive impact on me as it is a way for me to express myself in a way that the school musical doesn't let me,” Biggs said. “The school musical is there for those who can sing and dance as well as act, but the One Acts gives students like myself a way to show off their acting skills and not get overlooked because they can't do it all.”

This year’s One Act Festival will be staged at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at Scarborough High School. Windham’s cast and crew will compete in the festival’s Class A division against Scarbrough, Noble, South Portland, and Gray New Gloucester High Schools.

In order to be eligible for the festival, all student participants must be in grades 9 to 12 and the WHS group includes actors and stage crew members. <