Veterans honored by Dave Tanguay

Each year on Memorial Day, The Field-Allen Post honors those veterans from Windham, who have passed away that year, with a Bell Ceremony. Their names are read followed by the tolling of the bell.

As Adjutant to the Post, I try to keep a record of those Veterans who passed away that had an affiliation with the Town of Windham in some capacity as a resident, attended Windham schools, or worked here etc. The names are then submitted for the Bell Ceremony to be held in front of the High School on Memorial Day.

The following are the names of the fallen from Windham that are currently listed as having passed
away between May 2016 and May 2017.

1.      Michael D’Orio May 2016

2.      Gilbert G. Gallant, June 2016

3.      John P. Coffey, June 2016

4.      Gordon Harvey, (Post 148), June 2016

5.      Richard Mitchell (Post 148), Sept 2016

6.      Lloyd Rogers, Sept 2016

7.      Russell Olsen, Dec 2016

8.      Fred Wright, (VFW Post 10643)

9.      Hugh “Sonny” Butler, Dec 2016

10.  Muriel Mulkern, 101, Jan 2017

11.  Ralph Miele (Post 148), Jan 2017

12.  Bud Fogg, Jan 2017

13.  John Gavin, (VFW Post 10643), Feb 2017

14.  Ken L Winship, Feb 2017

15.  Walter M. Parker, April 2017 

Please review the list. If you find that the Post has missed a veteran, please contact Post Adjutant, Dave Tanguay at 892-1306 to have the name of your loved one added to the list to be honored

Book Review: "The Nest" by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney. Reviewed By Jen Dupree

"The Nest” by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, is a sharp, witty, big-hearted novel about the complicated and conflicted Plumb family. The novel employs a vast cast of characters, including Leo’s now trust-fund-less siblings - Melody, Jack, and Beatrice, who have their own problems and who, until their mother emptied the trust fund to save Leo, had desperate plans for that money. The story opens with the eldest Plumb sibling, Leo, fresh out of rehab. It then moves between the past - how Leo ended up in rehab, how Jack met his husband, how Beatrice loved and lost and failed as a writer, and how Melody built a family out of lies and half-truths. 
 

Sweeney doesn’t stop with the quirky and sometimes loveable Plumb family - she weaves in bits about the girl in the car with Leo - his girlfriend Stephanie; Stephanie’s downstairs neighbor, the guy who works at the pizza place, Jack’s husband, and Melody’s husband – all Beatrice’s haters. Every little detail of every story bristles with the best kind of literary tension. You’ll want to keep reading or, if you choose the audio, keep listening. 

For me, this book was one of the best books I’ve read all year. But - fair warning - some people have felt more lukewarm about it. If a large cast of characters and a meandering, dense story is not your usual choice in books, I would encourage you to give this one a try. While it isn’t heart-warming, it is entertaining. And while the Plumb family isn’t what anyone would call warm and cozy, they struck me as delightfully real. In the end, every piece of this novel, no matter how tangential - from Melody’s twin daughter’s skipping school to Beatrice’s failed attempts as a writer, and Jack’s disastrous business and love life – all fall into place in a way that felt, for me, honest and satisfying.

While you’re here at the library picking up a copy of “The Nest”, or browsing for something else, don’t forget to check out our poetry display. But hurry! The last day for the display is Saturday, April 29. Poet Bob Clark has put together a striking display of framed poems.

Raymond Recreation Association Running Program begins next week

The Running Program, established by the Raymond Recreation Association (RRA), is for children in second through fourth grades and will begin on May 2, ending on June 8. The six week program meets on Tuesdays and Thursday from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and the cost is $15 per child.

The program is designed to be a fun, positive activity that will let each child challenge themselves through: Short and longer distance running, relay races, games and stretching. Since this is a running program students will be encouraged and expected to run.

The runners will meet in the Raymond Elementary School gym and will run on the athletic fields and on the wood trails near the schools. As a result, the activity will be cancelled on rainy days.

Volunteers for the running program are needed and are essential to the success of the activity, as there must be at least two adults present at all times. 

Equipment needed for the child to participate includes: Sneakers or running shoes, running shorts and t-shirts, sweatshirt or wind jacket and a water bottle.

For more information or to register for the program, please contact Charlotte Engelman at: cmengelman@hotmail.com or call: 207-576-5405.

Windham baseball falls to South Portland: 3 to 1 in opener by David Field

Kyle Herzig with the tag (photo by Stephanie Coffin)

Windham Varsity baseball opened on Monday, April 24, and fell to the South Portland Red Riots 3-1.

South Portland is a favorite in the SMAA and they showed their hitting strength after pounding starter Zach Skillings for nine hits. Windham’s defense also had troubles during the game committing four errors. However, give the Eagles credit, as they managed to contain the runs and executed timely defense. Skillings struck out four to help in the effort. 

In the second inning, Skillings had trouble finding the strike zone and walked three. South Portland loaded the bases; due in part to a Windham error, and Gordon Whittemore scored the Riots’ first run on a wild pitch. Hunter Owen would score on a fielder’s choice to give South Portland the winning edge. 

However, in the bottom of the seventh inning, with two outs, Tanner Bernier ruined South Portland’s Sam Troiano’s bid for a perfect game. Bernier crushed a triple to the right center fence. Tim Greenlaw followed with a single to drive in Bernier and prevent the shutout. However, the late game rally wasn’t enough - as the Eagles fell to the Riots 3-1.

Upcoming games: Thursday, April 27 vs. Marshwood (Home), Friday, April 28 at Noble (Makeup), Saturday April 29 at Biddeford, Tuesday, May 2, at Westbrook, Thursday, May 4, Thornton Academy (Home).

Windham High School Coaches and Athletes prepare for Lobster Bowl by Stephen Signor

In its 28^th year as a classic, the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl XXVIII will be held on July 15, 2017. Formerly held at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford, this year’s location is yet to be determined due to the closure of the field. This high school senior, all-star football game is a Kora Shrine sponsored event, created to raise money and to help make the public aware of the expert orthopedic and burn care facilities available to children who desperately need this specialized care, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. 
 

This East-West match-up brings over 150 student athletes and coaches from all over the state together to help create what has been considered the premier high school sporting event held in Maine; where 100% of the net proceeds from the game are for the benefit of the 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children across the US, Canada, and Mexico.

 

The students are high school seniors who will be graduating and are chosen from a pool of talented athletes. “Students get nominated to participate in the game and each coaching staff coach, from each program does that. Our staff talks about which seniors are on the roster that best represent our school and we go out and come back with a name we trust,” explains Windham head coach Matt Perkins.

One of those students is Ben MacDonald who will be representing the Windham/Raymond community. “We are excited about Ben who to us is what fits, a kid you want to represent your program, with all the things he brings as a leader and a person, along with his work ethic and everything else. We have never sent a kid we were worried about and never will,” added Perkins

For the students, it is a special feeling to be nominated. “I was surprised but thankful more than anything. It’s a pretty big honor,” shared MacDonald. 

Senior cheerleader, Cassidy Mullins will also be part of the festivities. “A real good kid who has cheered right through since her freshman year,” said Perkins. 

“I am honored to be recognized not only for my ability as a cheerleader, but also as a leader on my team and in my community. I had heard of the Shriners before and seen them in the local Summerfest Parade.  However, until I attended the orientation held in March, I had no idea what a wonderful organization the Shriners is and what fantastic things they do for children in need of medical care in the US, Canada and Mexico.  This game means so much more to me now then just cheering at a football game,” shared Mullins.

Participants will commit to a week-long training camp, where they make new friends and more importantly learn why they play the game. To this end each athlete is required to raise $500 to participate in the game, which pays for room and board for the week. “This is because we rented out a facility years ago when the training facility was at Colby College, now it is at Dover-Foxcroft which is a gorgeous facility. They do charge a very good price compared to other places,” stated Perkins. All proceeds above and beyond the required amount will be donated to the Shriners Hospital.

Perkins shared what it means to be part of this charitable event, “One of the coolest things and the reason I am in love with this game is that we are so lucky to be able to coach and play the sport we love and that the money raised goes to such an unbelievable cause. To be able to put some time in and work toward what this cause is and how it helps these kids in life is just awesome. How can you not want to help?”

Acting assistant coach, Richard Johnson for this game also spoke, “It is an honor to be asked to do this again. But the real winners are the Shriners. We don’t care who wins or loses. What we care about is how much money we can make for them. The passion you see from the kids that week and the Shriners in general, having them around you all week, you can tell their commitment to their mission. It is just great to be able to help them out and be part of that. At the end of the game you just feel awesome! Friendships are made. When all is said and done at the end of the game, it is all heartfelt and handshakes, being proud to participate.”

The Assistant Principal who will also serve as one of the coaches shared his views, “To be a small part of a big picture is just awesome! To see what Shriners provide in the country is tremendous and to be able to give back with something I enjoy and love is great.” 

Tickets can be purchased after June 1. There is also the 12^th Annual Lobster Bowl Golf Classic being held prior to the game on July 8 at the Meadows Golf Club in Litchfield.

FMI please visit: www.korashriners.org/lobster-bowl/

To donate please visit: www.squareup.com/store/Lobster-Bowl-West