Friday, July 26, 2019

Horses and humans together at the beach to raise funds

Lila Hunt Davies and RTT Director, Sarah Bronson

Sunday, July 14th, was a perfect day for the beach - both for the humans and the horses who participated in Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center’s 16th annual Barn to Beach Ride-a-Thon.

Jeanette and Mark Hagen of Breakwater Farm in Cape Elizabeth hosted the event. The Ride-A-Thon began with a trail ride, moved onto the beach for a dip, and finished with lunch (gourmet salads for riders; hay/apples/carrots for the horses!).

The event has raised almost $178,000 since it began in 2003 in support of equine assisted activities and therapies for people with disabilities at Riding To The Top. This year the ride has raised close to $9,000 to date.


First annual mini golf open a swinging success


Greater Windham Business Exchange (GWBE) hosted its first annual Mini Golf Open at Seacoast Adventure Park and The Deck House Tavern in June. The event was sold out and raised $2,000 for Maine Lab Rescue, which helps animals of all types find new homes in Maine and New England.
GWBE is a non-profit member run organization that holds networking events to raise money for other non-profits in the local area.

GWBE upcoming events are a wing challenge August 28, 2019, and a block party hosted by Metayer Family Eye Care, Mechanics Savings Bank, Saco Bay Physical Therapy and Rich Family Partnerships, on September 18, 2019.

For more information, visit www.gwbe.me or email info@greaterwindhambusiness.com.

Before the memory fades: Boy’s plunge into icy South Windham pond saves two lives in 1961

By Walter Lunt

An early cold spell gripped southern Maine in the late fall of 1961. Small, sheltered ponds hardened with a smooth, glassy surface.

It was an overcast sky on Sunday, December 10. Philip Loura, 14, and a group of teen boys mustered for the first ice skate of the season on the small man-made pond off Woodlawn Avenue in South Windham, known locally as “The Project.”  Nearby, two young girls, 12-year old Kathy Smith and her cousin, 7-year old Doreen Nealey, were also enjoying the first skate of the season.

Loura said the ice was barely safe. But he and his friends knew the pond well. They recreated there year-round. And early ice meant they avoided one end of the pond because it was spring fed and unsafe.

On May 23, 1963 - President John F. Kennedy presents the
Young American Medal for Bravery to Philip Loura of South Windham.
At left, Attorney General Robert Kennedy,
to the President's right is Sen. Margaret Chase Smith
“It was just a day out on the ice – we were whipping each around and having fun,” said Loura. “Then we heard a scream.”

Apparently, young Doreen had fallen part-way through thin ice and was struggling to lift herself out. When Kathy skated over to help, the ice gave way beneath her too. Now both were in about seven feet of freezing water, hollering for help.

Loura was first to respond. “I knew the same thing could happen to me. They were about 15 feet from shore, so I skated like a mad-mother to the shore and started busting up the ice until I had an open water path out to where they were.”

Loura’s heavy jacket and skates were dragging him under as he reached Kathy.

“I’d go under and push her up, go under and push her up, again and again until I could stand up close to shore.” John True, 15, had entered the water to help. He grabbed hold of Kathy and pulled her up onto safe ground.

Loura, meanwhile, removed his jacket and skates. “I was real cold, but I was pumped up with adrenaline so I didn’t notice it.” He jumped back into the icy water and returned for Doreen, who by now had disappeared below the ice.

Loura’s cousin, Ron, started peering through the transparent ice near the hole where the girls had gone through. He spotted Doreen’s blue-green jacket under the ice and alerted Loura. She was just a few feet from the ice hole. Loura grabbed the edge of the ice hole with one hand and dunked. 

Reaching as far as he could under the hardwater, he felt clothing. He surfaced clutching little Doreen, now limp in his arms. She had been under water for several minutes. Loura swam quickly back to shore, this time being able to keep both his own and the girl’s head above water.

Once on shore, it was obvious the little girl was unconscious and not breathing. Loura turned her onto her stomach and began administering artificial respiration. After several minutes, her breathing had not resumed.

John True suggested mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Loura said he didn’t know exactly how to do this but had seen it done on television. He and True alternated administering the technique.

“She started coughing up water into my mouth. It was mixed with food bits. Gross! But we just kept doing it until she was awake and breathing.” Said Loura.

Both girls were in shock, crying and dangerously cold when an ambulance arrived soon after the rescue. Later, they would be examined by a doctor at their homes. He said, despite what they’d been through, they were recovering nicely.

It was only after the frenetic rescue that Loura realized how cold he was. An old man who lived in a small shack near the pond invited him to warm up and dry out by his wood stove.

Almost immediately, newspaper reports and accolades started rolling in. Loura became a local hero – attention he was not used to.

Philip Loura today with his awards
Maine Governor John Reed recognized Loura with a special plaque. The Carnegie Foundation awarded him a medal for heroism.  From the American Legion, another medal for heroism. And then, the crown jewel of tributes: the Young American Medal for Bravery, to be presented by the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy.

Portland Press Herald Washington correspondent May Craig reported it this way: The Rose Garden ceremony in brilliant sunshine contrasted with the bleak winter day in December 1961 when Loura jumped into a South Windham pond to save two small girls from drowning.”

In attendance at the formal ceremony in May of 1963, in addition to the president, was Attorney General Robert Kennedy, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, Senators Margaret Chase Smith and Edmund Muskie and Representative Stanley Tupper. Robert Kennedy read the citation and recounted the story of Loura’s heroism.

“I heard about a tenth of it.” Loura remembers. “I was overwhelmed and intimidated. I was just trying to keep it all together. I was worried about standing right, not saying the wrong thing, not doing anything wrong – I couldn’t wait for it to be over.”

The President spoke first, “I see you have a couple of other medals,” noting Loura’s earlier medals pinned to his breast pocket. He pinned the newest one on Loura and shook hands with him. Loura managed to say, “Yes sir, thank you Mr. President,” and it was over.

While in Washington, accompanied by Harold Dyer of the Smith-Wagner Post American Legion of Gorham, Loura toured the White House, the Capitol, Washington D.C. and had dinner with Senator Edmund Muskie.

Decades after the dramatic rescue, Loura said he ran into one of the girls he had saved in a supermarket.

“She spotted me and asked, ‘Do you remember me’?” Loura confessed he did not. She responded, “I’ve got a lot to be thankful for, you saved my life.”

 Now 58 years later, Loura was asked to reflect on the experience. He said simply, “How lucky it was to (have been) in the right place at the right time.”  





Friday, July 19, 2019

Exploring a little-known corner of Baxter State Park with the kids

By Briana Bizier

When you already live in Vacationland, where do you go on vacation?

Early last August, my husband and I decided to leave our Sebago Lake comfort zone behind and try a camping vacation in Baxter State Park. Home of Katahdin, Maine’s highest mountain, Baxter may not be your first thought for a family camping trip with small children. As their website makes clear, Baxter exists primarily for the preservation of wilderness.

Ian and Sage Bizier at Ledge Falls
“There are no showers,” the state park’s website warns. There is also no electricity or paved roads in
Baxter. All water must be treated before drinking, and there are no stores or restaurants to replenish your ice supply or buy more snacks for the kids.

Like many Mainers, my only previous trip to Baxter was to climb Katahdin. However, with a four-year-old who sometimes begins to whine after five minutes of hiking, climbing to the 5,267 summit of Katahdin was not on our radar for this particular trip.

Instead, we treated this trip as an opportunity to explore some of the lesser-known corners of Maine’s wildest state park. We reserved a lean-to shelter at Nesowadnehunk Field Campground, the most remote car-accessible campground in Baxter. As we headed off on the five-hour drive to reach our campsite, I’ll admit I felt a touch of trepidation. Would a remote wilderness campsite be able to entertain a four-year-old and a seven-year-old? Did we bring enough food? What about enough bug repellent? Were we nuts for even attempting this?

When we arrived at Nesowadnehunk Field, which is on the northern side of Katahdin and an hour’s drive from Baxter’s Togue Pond Gate entrance outside of Millinocket, we found a beautifully maintained campground with both lean-tos and flat areas for tents. The campground sits alongside Nesowadnehunk Steam, where we treated our drinking water using a backcountry water purifier my husband and I got as a wedding present. (Thanks, Uncle Scott!) If you don’t have a water purifier, you can also boil your water for at least a full minute or treat it with iodine tablets. Luckily, four-year-old Ian found the water purifier pump absolutely fascinating, and he was thrilled to sit at the edge of the stream and pump water into water bottles.

We did not find other children on our first night at Nesowadnehunk Field Campground, but our little assistants quickly spotted the next best thing: wild raspberries! While we set up our camping gear in the spacious lean-to, our kids explored the campground and ate wild raspberries straight from the bushes.

As it turns out, Baxter State Park is full of kid-friendly activities. On our first morning, Nesowadnehunk’s incredibly helpful Park Ranger, Greg, gave seven-year-old Sage an activity book to complete in order to become a Junior Ranger. While Ian threw sticks in the fire or begged to play with the water purifier, Sage worked in the activity book, making leaf rubbings, identifying animal tracks, and reading maps of the park. Greg also told us about several ranger programs in the Kidney Pond campground. These sounded fascinating, but after our five hour drive to the campground, we were unable to persuade the kids to get back in the car.

Ian with his mother/author, Briana Bizier
When the day warmed up, we ventured a few minutes down the dirt road to Ledge Falls where
Nesowadnehunk Stream flows over several smoothly-polished granite ledges to create one of the world’s most perfect natural waterslides.

Ranger Greg wisely suggested we use life jackets for the kids, who had never swum in a river before, and he warned us that the rocks are very slippery around the falls. After a few slips ourselves, we decided to slide, not walk, into the water.

Ledge Falls are a perfect place to spend a warm afternoon, or to cool off after a hike. We spent every afternoon of our four-day trip thoroughly examining the upper and lower falls, drifting through the deep pool in the middle, and looking for interesting rocks. If we’d had room in the car for an inner tube or two, I’m sure we could have spent entire days in this beautiful little corner of the park.
Ranger Greg also suggested hiking to the summit of Burnt Mountain, a trail roughly 11 miles north of Nesowadnehunk Field. At 1.2 miles and with a modest elevation gain of 740 feet, this summit was a bit more attainable for the kids than Katahdin. Sage volunteered to be the “trail moose” and leave M&Ms along the trail to encourage her little brother. This worked for the first twenty feet or so, before four-year-old Ian declared he was tired of candy. With frequent stops to drink water, watch frogs, eat granola bars, and tend to various tiny ailments with cartoon character BandAids, we finally made it to the summit of Burnt Mountain in about the same amount of time it might take a fit, young person to summit Katahdin.

While the actual summit of Burnt Mountain is an open, grassy field with concrete pylons marking the remains of what was probably a fire lookout tower, the trail continues for about a hundred feet to an open viewpoint. This view was easily worth the hike. From Burnt Mountain, you can see the miles of open wilderness preserved and protected by Baxter State Park that stretch to the northern flanks Mount Katahdin.

Although we were visiting in early August during several days of beautiful weather, we only saw one other group hiking this mountain. As we stood on the top of Burnt Mountain and watched the woods, with no sign of roads or human habitation, it truly felt like we’d gotten away from it all.

Back at the campsite for our last night in Baxter, Sage completed the Trail Bingo section of her Junior Ranger packet. Ranger Greg dutifully graded her packet, reported she’d only missed one question (Baxter State Park protects 209,501 acres of wilderness, not 400,000), and handed Sage a shiny golden badge. As we walked back to our cozy lean-to, Sage beaming with her new badge proudly pinned to her shirt, another car pulled into the campsite beside ours. Two little boys jumped out of the car and ran to greet Sage and Ian.

Once their parents had unloaded the camping supplies and our children had led their boys across the campsite to show them where to find fresh raspberries, my husband and I wandered over to say hello.
This is just a great place to bring the kids, isn’t it?” the couple said.

We heartily agreed.

If you’re interested in exploring Baxter State Park yourself, you can find information about campsites and make reservations on their website: baxterstatepark.org. Because Baxter is managed as a wilderness preserve first and foremost, there are a few special considerations to take into account, such as treating your drinking water and making sure you arrive before the gates are closed at 8:30.

Music with a Mission features “Broadway & Beyond” concert Saturday July 27th

Singers Emily Cain and Kelly Caufield along with pianist Dr. Laura Artesani and special guest group, UMaine Renaissance, will perform “Broadway & Beyond” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 27th at the North Windham Union Church as part of the organization’s Music with a Mission series.

The upcoming concert will mark the seventh annual summer concert for this popular local ensemble.
This original “Broadway & Beyond” team of friends has joined forces to perform musical theater, pop, standards and more for nearly two decades, often in support of worthy causes, including Special Olympics Maine and others. These New England-based entertainers relish the opportunity to connect with one another -- and their audiences -- through music.

Aside from their many concert appearances as soloists and ensemble members, Cain and Caufield have appeared together with the University of Maine Singers, UMaine School of Performing Arts productions, Renaissance, Schoolhouse Arts Center at Sebago Lake and other performing arts organizations. Dr. Artesani has worked with the singers for several years as their music professor at UMaine.

Renaissance is the University of Maine’s premiere female a cappella group, founded in 1999. Cain and Caufield are founding members of the group. Renaissance performs regularly throughout New England, touring with the University of Maine Singers, and has released several albums of original songs and covers of music from various decades and genres.

The Music with a Mission concert series is sponsored by the North Windham Union Church, which donates a portion of the proceeds to area non-profits. Now in our seventh season, MWAM has provided over $63,000 for mission support to the church and other community organizations. The “Broadway & Beyond” performers have once again decided to support Special Olympics Maine with the community proceeds from this concert.

Tickets will be sold at the door and are $12 for adults and $10 for students, children, and seniors.  Tickets are also available in advance on-line at www.mwamconcerts.com and through the church office from 9am to noon Monday through Thursday.  The box office opens at 6 p.m. and the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The North Windham Union Church is located at 723 Roosevelt Trail in Windham and is air-conditioned for your comfort.  For more information please call 892-6142 or email MWAMconcerts@gmail.com.

Music with a Mission – Celebrating great music with concerts for the common good
MWAM Committee: Jim McBride, Rick & Linda Nickerson, Michael & Ruth Kepron, Allen & Dawn Sample, Peter & Dorine Ryner and Chick Marks


Schoolhouse Arts Center makes it rain on stage

By Elizabeth Richards

Under the leadership of artistic director Zac Stearn, Schoolhouse Arts Center has been pushing the boundaries on stage in recent months. Their current show, “Singing in the Rain”, continues this trend with an actual rainstorm on stage. 

Visitors in the first two rows are forewarned – and provided with rain ponchos. Even still, I’m not sure they’re fully prepared for the playful stomping, splashing and spraying that happens during the title song in the first act. It’s an impressive display, but even more impressive is the hard work of the crew to clear the set of water before the second act begins.

Even without the rainstorm, this show would be well worth seeing. Every cast member plays their role nicely, evoking the tone of the classic film while also making it their own. The vocal and dancing talent on stage made this show incredibly fun to watch.

The story begins with silent film stars Don Lockwood (played by Matt Scala) and Lina Lamont (played by Joy Lemont) reveling in the success of their latest film. The dawn of talking films soon poses a threat, however, and Lamont’s voice isn’t quite the type that will make that transition well. 
Lockwood comes across Kathy Selden (played by Adrienne Pelletier) while fleeing a mob of fans and is disconcerted by her lack of enthusiasm for what he does on film. An unfortunate encounter between Selden and Lamont causes Selden to lose her job, but she winds up working at the studio where Lockwood and Lamont are filming. 

A romance begins between Lockwood and Selden, but it – and her very presence on the set – must be kept hidden from Lamont, who is convinced that she is the love of Lockwood’s life.  Things become even more complicated when it’s decided that Selden’s voice will be used in place of Lamont’s – and Lamont finds out.

https://bbcultivation.com/I saw the show twice, on opening night with understudies Zac Stearn and Jeff McNally playing Lockwood and his sidekick, Cosmo Brown, respectively, and on Saturday night with regular cast members Scala and Paul McIntosh in those roles. The choreography and overall feel of the show were consistent, but each actor brought his own interpretation to his role. Both shows were well worth watching.

The set design was unique, simple enough to rotate frequently but detailed enough to create a vision and draw the audience in. Small touches throughout, like rolling old-fashioned films during the premiere scenes, pulled everything together. The second show I attended allowed me to see some of the hilarious side action I’d missed the first time around.

The entire cast brought a lively energy to the stage, particularly during comedic scenes and the large Broadway production number. The choreography throughout was a perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh originality. Cast members played off each other well, with great timing and facial expressions that conveyed a range of emotions without a single word.

If you love “Singing in the Rain” as much as I do, you won’t be disappointed by this production.   The show runs through July 28th. Thursday through Saturday shows are at 7 p.m., and Sunday shows are at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.schoolhousearts.org.
           

Friday, July 12, 2019

Adventure experience on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway

Bath time
By Craig Bailey

This is the last of the three-part series of Reporter Bailey’s Allagash adventure.

On Sunday, June 2, 2019, the Windham Eagle Reporter and Registered Maine Guide, Craig Bailey, his sons Ian, Aaron, Ethan and Evan, and longtime friend, Patrick Bogan, left Raymond on the 6-hour drive north, to begin the ultimate Maine-based adventure on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW).

The destination was Pelletier’s Campground in St. Francis, near the Canadian border, to meet its proprietor, Norm L’Italien. In addition to serving as an outstanding host, L’Italien provides the shuttle service to transport adventurers to the various starting points (put-ins) along the AWW. L’Italien’s down-to-earth, jovial personality and Canadian-French accent, epitomizes the northern Mainer.

https://www.miracle-ear.com/locations/windham-me/?utm_source=Print&utm_campaign=Links&utm_medium=Short+URLsAfter transferring gear and provisions to L’Italien’s passenger van on Monday, the group was shuttled 85 miles over rough, dirt logging roads to the put-in at the north end of Umsaskis Lake. L’Italien made the 3-hour journey enjoyable with tales of adventurers escorted and the related mishaps he’s dealt with. All the while, the group was hoping their journey would not become fodder for one of his stories.

Along the way a bear was spotted foraging in the woods. L’Italien shared advice on dealing with bears encountered along the waterway, explaining they seem to respond better to commands in French versus English. Since the group didn’t speak much French, L’Italien offered the universal command one can shout to move bears along: “GIT!”

Once the van was unloaded and L’Italien drove away, a surreal mood ensued, as the group acknowledged they were now completely on their own, off the grid, left only with gear, provisions and their adventurous spirit fully immersed in nature.

The sun was shining, and a few flies were buzzing about, enough to warrant the first application of sunblock and insect repellent.

After loading the canoes and enjoying a wholesome lunch on the shore of Umsaskis Lake, the group launched their canoes and began paddling towards the Long Lake Dam campsite, approximately 8 miles away.

The map indicated nothing but smooth water ahead. Campsites were clearly marked along the river, serving as primary landmarks to track progress against the map. After a few hours of paddling the sound of rushing water could be heard, at which time the group realized they had arrived at the targeted campsite: Long Lake Dam.

At this point, the dam is a remnant of what it was during the logging industry’s primitive past, requiring the group to portage (unload canoes and carry gear) around the obstacle.

Once camp was setup and firewood gathered, Evan commenced to fishing. He had a good-sized trout on the line, but upon lifting it out of the water it fell back into the river. After this excitement, others began fishing. Ian caught two small trout, but no keepers.

Dinner consisted of teriyaki steak tips, potatoes and onions cooked over an open fire. After much conversation, reflecting on how long the group had been planning for the trip, it was time for bed.
Until experienced, one cannot imagine the rest achieved after a long day of paddling, with the peaceful sound of rushing water heard throughout the night. Ah, the way life should be.

Musky for dinner.
Mornings on the waterway began at daybreak, with the continued sound of rushing water, birds chirping, bright sunlight reflecting off the tents and fresh, crisp air. As one glances at the outstanding views of nature an overwhelming peace is experienced, realizing there likely isn’t another person around for miles, many, many miles. This, along with the complete absence of mobile phone notifications vying for attention.

After tending to nature’s call, the first duty was to get water from the river, boiling for coffee, on the coleman stove. In parallel, a fire was stoked for warmth and to keep flies away.

The crew knew to get up at first light, the sound of the whistling kettle or else receive a less peaceful greeting, in the form of a jostle from the guide, ensuring the entire group was involved in maintaining forward progress on the journey.

Once coffee was ready, a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon and pancakes was prepared and promptly consumed by the crew.

Final duties before departing were then performed, including washing dishes, breaking down camp, dousing the fire, loading the canoes and ensuring the group “left no trace.” The approach the guide learned from his father, as a young lad, was to walk the campsite and pick up anything larger than a cigarette butt.

The group then began their second day on the waterway, with sights on the next campsite, Cunliffe Depot, approximately 25 miles away. The map indicated this leg of the trip would be more exciting, with several spans of class II rapids.

The map didn’t fail the group. A mishap occurred as the guide’s canoe became thoroughly hung up on a rock, which was just below the surface. At this point, all one thinks about is “we don’t want to capsize as our gear will be strewn all about the waterway!”

To dislodge the canoe the guide jumped into the frigid water, reducing weight in the stern (back) of the canoe, hanging on all the while. After precariously drifting downstream in the deep, rushing water, the guide was able to coax the canoe to shore. The entire crew was laughing at the spectacle. As full disclosure, this was a near repeat of an experience had on the very same rock, six years earlier.

Later, a moose was observed feeding in the waterway. Pausing to take pictures, some in the group were able to get close, prompting the guide to remind them that moose will charge! After a few minutes the moose became disinterested and trotted gracefully off into the wilderness.

Other wildlife, serving as constant companions during the day’s journey, included pairs of mergansers. These are waterfowl in the duck family, distinguished from their brethren by the mohawks they sport and their behavior: constantly diving (like loons) searching for fish.

After several hours of travel, the targeted campsite was spotted, from several hundred yards away. To the groups slight dismay, it was occupied. Upon glimpsing at the map the weary group agreed on another site, which was fortunately, just across the river.

The chosen site proved to be more than adequate, although the flies were a bit fierce. Out came the headnets, minus the guide, who refused to wear one for the duration, representing native Mainers, who wouldn’t be caught dead wearing such a thing.

After another great night of camping the group prepared for the shortest leg of the trip, to the climax, Allagash Falls, only 6 miles away. This served as a well-deserved respite after the prior day’s lengthy journey.

On approaching Allagash Falls one experiences a bit of anxiety, resulting from the thunderous sound of the forty-foot falls and the fact that you don’t want to miss the take-out for fear of certain death.
While the day’s journey by canoe was the shortest of all, the portage was the longest: about a third of a mile.

Upon setting up the campsite it was bathtime. This consisted of each member of the group jumping into the raging river, just below Allagash Falls, with life vest on. Each had their own style of entering the rushing water, the guide doing his ritualistic back flip, others front-flipping or diving.
After cleaning up, the group napped on large slate rocks along the river, warmed by the mid-day’s sun.

Shortly thereafter, fishing commenced. Evan landed a 24-inch musky, which was had for dinner, with beans and hot dogs.

The final leg of the journey was to Allagash Village, about 13 miles away. Several spans of rapids along with many picturesque views made for another rewarding day.

On approaching Allagash Village it became important to not overshoot the take-out point, or the group would end up on the St. John River, not part of the plan.

Finally, White Birch Landing, a privately-owned access-point near the end of the Allagash River, was in view. Once landed, a short walk to the owner’s home was necessary, to pay a small landing fee and use their phone to call for transport services.

Within 30 minutes L’Italien showed up to load the gear and adventurers, dog-tired yet completely fulfilled at the completion of their journey, into his van for the short ride back to Pelletier’s Campground.

The evening’s dinner of pizza was enjoyed at the Forget Me Not Diner, a quaint establishment whose primary cook and server was a sweet little old lady. As the only diner in town, locals, most of whom admittedly never paddled the Allagash, frequently stopped by the table to ask about the waterway experience, being the primary reason strangers frequent the area.

After a good night’s sleep, the group acknowledged that the last leg, of an absolutely outstanding adventure, was at hand: the drive home. The group may have stopped at the Woodsman’s Museum, in Patton, but were pressed for time as Aaron’s girlfriend had tickets to a concert in Boston that night. 

Back to reality.

Craig Bailey is a Registered Maine Guide and owner of Maine Adventures, LLC. To learn more visit: www.MaineAdventuresLLC.com.

Garlic scapes are plentiful at the Windham Community Garden

By Lorraine Glowczak

In a recent email announcement, Priscilla Payne, a member of the Windham Community Garden shared with many gardeners in the area, “We have garlic scapes for sale. $8.00 a pound. That is a lot of scapes!”

 It seems they have too many of this herb/spice/vegetable member of the lily family and they are selling them for those who love the less spicy flavor found in the garlic clove. But what exactly is a garlic scape?

According to an online article in Cook’s Illustrated magazine, “Garlic scapes [are] slim, serpentine flower stems [that]grow from the tops of hardneck garlic. Farmers have long known that removing them encourages the plant to direct its energy toward growing a plump underground bulb, but only recently has this agricultural byproduct begun to find its way to farmers’ markets and community-supported agriculture boxes.”

In that same article it was stated that raw garlic scapes have a garlic flavor that’s “less fiery and more grassy than that of raw cloves.” One recommendation for the scape is to puree it with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts – making a fabulous pesto to add to your favorite pasta (or other summer scape recipes below).

http://www.theroofdoc.com/Scapes provide a rich supply of nutrients and minerals, as well as certain active ingredients and antioxidants and provide dietary fibervitamin C, and provitamin A. They can be refrigerated in a zipper-lock bag, left slightly open, for up to three weeks and can be used in a variety of ways. They can be eaten raw or they can be grilled, stir fried, or used in a salad dressing.

If you are interested in trying fun recipes (see below) with fresh garlic scapes, there are plenty still available at the Windham Community Garden. Contact Payne at pmpayne1936@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing

Below are a few recipes using garlic scapes:

Garlic Scape Pesto by vanillaandbean.com
Ingredients
10 (154g) Garlic Scapes
1/3 C (44g) Pine Nuts* (see note)
1/3 C (38g) Parmesan Asiago or simply Parmesan ** (see note) dice or shredded
1/2 Lemon juiced
1/8 tsp Fine Sea Salt
A few grinds of Pepper
1/3 C (70g) Olive Oil
Instructions
Trim the garlic scapes by cutting just below the bulb. Discard the bulb and set the remaining scape aside.
In a food processor, add the scapes, twirling them around the center so that they all fit. Add the pine nuts, cheese, juice of the lemon and salt and pepper. Process by pulsing until the mixture begins to break down. Scrape the bowl down.
With the processor running, slowly add all the olive oil. Continue to process until all the ingredients are incorporated and broken down, about one minute.
Store in a covered container or lidded jar in the fridge and enjoy within a week. Also, you can freeze the pesto in a jar or in an ice-cube tray. Once frozen, in the ice-cube tray, remove and place in a ziplock bag in the freezer.

Garlic Scape Hummus by Allrecipes.com
Ingredients
3 garlic scapes
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1/3 cup tahini
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, or more to taste
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon snipped garlic chives (optional)
Instructions
Remove the blossom end and the opposite fibrous end of each garlic scape. Remove any fibrous skin by breaking the scapes into 1-inch pieces and peeling it off. Keep the skin on young and pliable scapes; chop coarsely.
Place drained garbanzo beans in the bowl of a food processor. Add chopped scapes, tahini, lime juice, and chili powder. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if hummus is too stiff. Pulse until hummus has the desired consistency. Season with salt.
Transfer to a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with snipped garlic chives.

Garlic Scape and Scallop Stir Fry by Linda Ooi
Ingredients
3 tbsp vegetable oil
12 oz garlic scapes (340g)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
8 oz bay scallops (225g)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp cooking wine
Salt to taste
1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
Wash and drain garlic scapes. Snap into 2-inch lengths starting from the bud end. As you near the stalk end, string the scape. Once it is too woody to break, discard.
Heat a wok or large fry pan. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Fry prepared garlic scapes for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Add remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to the wok. Fry garlic for 30 seconds. Add scallops and continue to fry for another 1 minute.
Return garlic scapes to the wok.
Add soy sauce, cooking wine, and salt. Fry for another minute.
Stir in cornstarch mixture. Allow it to thicken. Turn off the stove.
Drizzle sesame oil on the top.
Transfer to a plate and serve immediately.


Education doesn’t stop in the summer


Building snacks (showing examples of erosion and 
preventing it) L to R: Lachlan Witten, Jacob Buckley, 
Elijah Duplissis, (Heidi Hackett in background), 
Liam Buckley, Kaylee Duplissis
With the combined effort of Loon Echo Land Trust, Crescent Lake Watershed Association, and RSU14, several young learners have the opportunity this summer to better understand our local ecosystem, watersheds and water health.

This past week, a group of nine to 12 year-olds joined Lanet Hane, RSU14 Director of Community Connections, on a trek through the Raymond Community Forest. Hane previously taught Outdoor Education in her home state of Minnesota and was excited for the opportunity to return to this experiential technique this summer.

“I take any chance I can to bring the outdoors into my work,” Hane stated, “These summer youth hikes provide a perfect chance for me to learn more about my new home while using my past experiences to benefit the community.” She hopes these hikes are just the beginning of an ongoing series of opportunities for youth to engage the environment in fun and interesting ways.

During last week’s hike, students focused their attention on learning the water cycle, understanding the basics of watersheds, and recognizing the characteristics of erosion. Most of the learning was disguised as games and activities, so students were barely even aware that it was happening. “The water cycle becomes much more interesting when it’s learned in a game that involves running, yelling, and hiding,” stated Hane.

Two more hikes have been scheduled with a recent hike on Tuesday, July 9th and another hike on Tuesday, July 23rd. The hikes focus on water creatures and identifying trees of the forest. A few spaces remain for the July 23rd outdoor adventure.

For full details, go to: https://crescentlakeassn.weebly.com/raymond-summer-hikes.html or reach out to Hane directly at lhane@rsu14.org











Before the memory fades: Honored Civil War veteran from Windham prepares for his driver’s test

Jason Pride behind the wheel of his Model-T in 1937
By Walter Lunt

Windham’s Jason C. Pride was frustrated over his application for a driver’s license. His word for the situation was “exasperated.” Pride, who at age 96 in August of 1937 and Windham’s last living Civil War veteran, was responding to a new state law, passed that year, requiring all motorists to pass a driving test and, “if the application indicated the need for it,” a physical.

“(My eyesight’s) not so good for reading (but) perfectly all right for ordinary use,” he told a newspaper reporter.

Pride’s nature, however, was one of confidence, determination, creativity and risk-taking.

Due to Pride’s advanced age, the Maine Secretary of State’s office had been foot-dragging on the application, but due to his persistence, he now had an appointment for the following week.

Sitting confidently behind the wheel of his 1921 Model-T Ford at his home in Windham Center, Pride told his interviewer, “I intend to have (a license) this year and every year until I’m a hundred.” He continued, “I’ve been driving since 1902. Back then the Ford was a 2-cylinder affair with the engine under the seat.”

karen.spring@fryeislandtown.orgPride, who spent winters in Florida at the St. Cloud’s Soldiers Colony near Orlando, said he owned a “newer” car there: a 1922 Model-T.

“Both are in pretty good shape, not a scratch on either of the two (cars), so you can see how dangerous I am on the highway.”

Pride was born in East Windham in 1841 and lived a colorful and adventurous life. He served with the 25th Maine Regiment in the Civil War in the defenses of Washington D.C. under Col. Francis Fessenden, the son of Maine’s U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Treasury William Pitt Fessenden.
Following the war, he established a “livery, hacking and boarding stable in Boston,” which he sold for $20,000.

“I lost most of it fooling around with stocks. (Then) I lost the rest gold mining in California.”
Eventually marrying and settling back in Windham, Pride dabbled with patents and inventions.
His daughter, Edith Pride Elliot (The Windham Eagle – June 21, 2019), seemed disappointed that her dad elected not to pursue a patent on a nifty little device he’d invented that was used for shelling beans. She demonstrated the contrivance for the interviewer, a converted clothespin into which a sharp pin had been inserted.

And that physical and driver’s test? History fails to reveal whether the ostentatious old soldier passed or failed. According to the Maine Secretary of State’s office and State Archives, driving records from that far back have not been kept. So, we’re left with our knowledge of Pride’s confidence and determination, which may suggest he was probably successful.

We do know that Pride did not drive until he was “a hundred.” He died the following year, 1938, the year of Windham’s bicentennial when he was honored as Windham’s oldest citizen. One town official noted, “Both father and daughter have contributed greatly to the making of Windham.”

Jason Pride is interred in Windham’s Smith Cemetery.