Chess Club aims to develop analytical skills among children

By Kaysa Jalbert

As a method to create a space for “low-stress socialization” among children and adults in the community, Roger Bannon of Windham, a retired Occupational Therapist, has organized a weekly Chess Club with the primary goal to teach children the strategic game, while doubling as an opportunity to meet other kids that have shared interests.

Some members of the Chess Club play games during a
gathering at the Windham Public Library on Jan. 4. The
group welcomes all ages and skill levels to participate.
SUBMITTED PHOTO   

The Chess Club meets from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Windham Public Library. Bannon says that in middle school, it’s common for children that don’t participate in sports or other social after-school activities to be marginalized, making it more difficult for shy children to feel confident enough to make friends.

“They may feel like they don’t belong, and they miss out on the best things groups have to offer; being part of a group or team has proven benefits,” said Bannon, who described himself as one of those shy kids during his middle school days. “This is where chess comes in. Chess clubs in schools have the opportunity to compete, just like the football team. Chess is a game; it’s also a sport.”

Bannon says the club draws a “soft line” in saying the children who participate should be about 10 years old but is open for any child looking for a new, out-of-school activity to make friends and learn a skillful game.

According to Bannon, the biggest challenge the club has faced so far is finding a way to make the club more coeducational. The club had its first girl participate in games last week and he says it would be great to get more girls involved in the game.

“Chess should be considered a conduit to develop friendships, and overcome shyness,” said Bannon. “Boys and girls are equal when it comes to chess.”

Participation is free but the club does not participate in tournaments because most of the players are learning to play the game for the first time, making all levels welcome.

The purpose of the club is not to compete, but to bring as many children together to form new friendships while learning a mind-boosting game, Bannon said.

“Roger and the other guys down there are really good at helping the kids learn. You see kids who come in who have never played before and get walked through it and by the end of the session they are playing independently,” said Oisin O’Searcoid, the parent of a young chess club member. O’Searcoid, former educator at Windham Public Schools and Bonny Eagle Public Schools, began attending Windham’s Chess Club with his son and they have become regulars. O’Searcoid’s son is homeschooled, making the chess club a great opportunity for him to meet other kids.

O’Searcoid taught math for 10 years and started the chess club at Bonny Eagle that is still active today. The former educator and father has played chess since he was a kid and became involved with the Maine Chess Association during his time at Bonny Eagle, serving on the board for two years. O’Searcoid said “there’s a vibrant chess scene in Maine” that has been overlooked by Maine public schools and the Maine Principals Association.

“Chess exercises parts of the brain that you don’t typically use, and it transitions into other aspects of using. You develop the skill of analyzing and anticipating, and logical reasoning, it’s one of those skills that aren’t existent in school subjects anymore,” said O’Searcoid. “Teaching kids to be able to logically reason and doing it, by gamifying it is huge and it’s such a valuable skill because it applies itself to everyday life. I think Chess Club is essential to a school and community.”

Both Bannon and O’Searcoid see noticeable changes in behavior for children with ADHD when playing the game of chess. Bannon says last Saturday, an 11-year-old boy with ADHD participated, and was calm and focused for the entirety of the game. Bannon calls it an example of therapeutic activity.

O’Searcoid says he started the chess program at Bonny Eagle because he was responsible for a group of special education students, and two particularly had a hard time. He said that they always had problems settling down in the classroom. But by setting them down in front of a chess board, it completely changed their mindset and calmed them down. Both of those students ended up graduating, despite concerns for their learning levels just a few years before graduation.

Athletics and activities in Maine schools are generally run by the Maine Principals Association. The MPA recognizes interscholastic activities and committees for sports such as baseball, soccer, ice hockey and as groups like student council, drama and national honors society. Chess Club, however, is not recognized by MPA and it is up to a teacher and a few students to start a group on their own. This means finding their own ways of funding for supplies and transportation to tournaments if the school board is unwilling to help cover the costs.

While the commonly recognized sports and clubs are important and can help students when it comes to scholarships and acceptance to prestigious colleges, the advantages that chess has on the developing brain is far overlooked and can hugely benefit overall academic performance, O’Searcoid said. <

Raymond launches beginner pickleball program

By Kendra Raymond

With the winter doldrums kicking into high gear, what could be better than a bit of physical activity, making acquaintances, and a chance to learn a new skill? Raymond Parks and Recreation Department might have the perfect solution to boost your spirits.

Raymond Parks and Recreation is now offering pickleball
five night a week with games for players beginner to
advanced. Visit raymond.reddesk.com for more details.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Pickleball Intro and Skills & Drills program provides a great opportunity to escape the house and get active. Maybe you’re a beginner or just curious about pickleball. If you’re even a little interested in pickleball, but don’t know where to start, this program is for you.

Meeting once a week, the program aims to teach the basics of pickleball, helps improve your skills, plus you can meet other players and make some social connections. Participants can learn the rules and strategies, and work on some drills to develop skills.

Raymond Parks and Recreation Director Joseph Crocker said that the beginners’ program was developed to cater to people who have never played pickleball before.

“The addition of Skills & Drills into our pickleball program focuses on a different type of player who wants to work up to playing games with a partner,” he said. “It is a more leisurely pace where they can build the skills needed for intermediate and advanced levels. It is less competitive and allows people to learn comfortably.”

So what is all this pickleball hype, you might ask?

The Just Paddles website gives a concise explanation:

“Pickleball is a paddle sport that takes aspects from tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played with a pickleball paddle, a hard plastic pickleball with holes, and a net. Various rules for the game help make it so that all ages and genders can be competitive against one another. People love pickleball because it is great physical exercise, requires strategy, and is very social. The game is fairly inexpensive compared to other sports, as you can find pickleball paddles under $100 and most courts are free to play on.”

Raymond Parks and Rec follows these rules of play listed on their website:

"On the first game, losers sit and winners stay for one more game; After that players rotate out after 2 games. Play to 11 points unless there are people waiting to come into play, then play will be to 9 points. Any ball that hits the basketball nets/backboards, that was clearly going to be in play otherwise, is a replay. Any ball that hits the rafters or ceiling is out of bounds. Players may step over the service line on all serves. On nights that are full there will be a separate winners and losers group after play. 4 new players from these groups will rotate in alternatively.”

Raymond Rec pickleball is taught by Crocker, and Donna Morton. The Intro Skills & Drills program is coordinated by Roger Bennett.

The Raymond pickleball scene has grown to become incredibly popular with events running five nights a week.

“We’ve just been so inundated with participants. We are hoping this new level will help with organization in the program,” said Crocker.

The Raymond Parks and Rec website lists the following schedule for pickleball:

Mondays: Intermediate/Advanced Play

Tuesdays: Beginner/Intermediate Play

Wednesdays: Beginner/Leisurely Play

Thursday: Intermediate/Advanced Play

Friday: Pickleball Intro & Skills

Beginner Pickleball Intro Skills & Drills will be held at the Raymond Elementary School gym from 6 to 8 p.m. on Fridays. Sessions are limited to adult players 25 and over.

To learn more, check out Raymond Parks and Recreation on Facebook or Instagram. You can also visit the website at:

https://raymond.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=178

Register through Raymond Parks and RecDesk here:

https://raymond.recdesk.com/Community/Program

Through the sign-up process, you will also sign up for the TeamReach app which keeps the group up to date and assists with scheduling.

To learn more about the sport of pickleball, visit the US Pickleball website at: https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/ <

New Year’s is a great time to refresh house plants

By Kendra Raymond

The start of a new year traditionally brings about resolutions, diets, fitness regimes, and plans for vacations. Just visit any local store immediately after the holidays and you will notice workout wear and luggage galore.

A simple tube-style propagation station for
houseplants is easy to obtain and the simple
device can be used to support rooting several
plants at the same time.
PHOTO BY KENDRA RAYMOND  

For those of us who tend to be a bit more “jaded” and less likely to fall prey to the pressures of societal marketing tactics, it can be refreshing to find a new cause that could be more rewarding.

During a recent cleaning project, my daughter realized that she had a lot more plants in her bedroom that she could care for or fit comfortably. Rather than discarding them, she took some cuttings from each to propagate some smaller plants. We then tapped into social media to rehome the large healthy plants.

After posting on a local plant swap and sell Facebook page, we promptly received a message from an individual who helps rehome people who have experienced domestic abuse. Only known to us as “Jane,” she told us that she was looking for things to make the new apartment feel cozy and homey for the survivor. “You are some of my earth angels,” she said as she loaded the wrapped plants into her vehicle. “I’m glad I found you – this is a good thing!” she exclaimed out her open window as she drove away. It seemed like the perfect fit for us: we had too many plants and we could help someone in need rebuild their life. It was only a small gesture and little effort for us, but somehow we knew that we had done something pretty important.

High school junior Kris Raymond said that sharing her beloved plants felt incredibly rewarding.

“It was really nice to bring some brightness to someone else’s home. Plants make a living space feel warmer. I had grown those plants for years and knew that they would be appreciated. Plus, it was great to declutter my space,” she said.

There are many other options to explore if you have too many plants, or some that have overgrown and are taking up more space than you’d like. As a horticulturist, I have discovered lots of tricks of the trade, some more successful than others.

Repotting plants

If your house plants have outgrown their current receptacle, it is probably time to move up in size. Choose a planter that is one-third larger than the current one. Tip the plant on its side and ease it out, trying not to disturb the root system. Place a layer of fresh potting soil below and around the roots and gently pack into place. Water the soil until saturated and consider fertilizing the next time the soil dries out.

Dividing and taking cuttings

Many house plants can be divided into several smaller plants. Gently separate the roots and place the new plants into their own separate pots. This method works well for many tropical plants as well as pothos and spider plants. Monstera, hoya, and peperomia respond well to pruning. This is actually healthy for the plant, promoting new dense growth. Cuttings removed from the plants can be rooted and potentially create new plants. The rooted cuttings can also be planted back into the original planter to bulk up the appearance of the plant. Plant propagation tubes or stations are available online for an affordable price. A simple glass jar will also suffice and promotes recycling.

Donations and gifts

If you simply have too many plants in your space, why not consider gifting extras to willing co-workers, family and friends? Often those without a “green thumb” will appreciate the contribution of a well-established plant to add to their home. There are several houseplant groups to discover on social media, and members are often eager to make trades, purchase or receive a new plant for free. My daughter was the recipient of such a bargain. She obtained a small jade plant cutting from the mother plant, “Midge”, at no cost. The lady was even nice enough to give her growing recommendations and tips. The new plant has flourished over the past year, and is now a healthy plant of its own.

The Apartment Therapy website offers several bits of advice for those of us overrun by houseplants, “Don’t be afraid to prune houseplants, propagate first before buying new plants, and be more intentional about houseplants as décor.”

The Wall Street Journal has offers some handy advice here: https://www.wsj.com/style/design/too-many-houseplants-yes-its-possible-how-to-declutter-and-display-them-with-style-9385b363 <

Windham in the '60s: Winter comes to Field-Allen

By Max Millard
Special to The Windham Eagle

From 1961 to 1963, when I attended Field-Allen Junior High in Windham Center, the winter always brought some mornings of drama. That was when we woke up in the midst of a snowstorm or just afterward. My sisters and brother and I gathered in the kitchen, all bundled up and ready for school, ears fine-tuned to the radio, eagerly awaiting the magic words.

The cover of the 1962 yearbook
at Field -Allen School is
shown. The U.S. flag was
raised and lowered at the
school every day, usually
by Stephen 'King Turk'
Turkington.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
  

“No school in Portland, no school in Westbrook, no school in Raymond, no school in Gorham, no school in … Windham!”

Yay! We cheered and laughed as if we'd just won the lottery, then went back to bed for a few more hours. I didn't learn until years later that for every day missed in winter, we got an extra day of school in June.

We loved the snow, especially when it was as fresh and soft as cotton candy. We dug tunnels big enough to crawl in, just under the surface of the snow so that a faint blue light would seep through, and we could keep digging. When the snow was especially thick, we'd go up on the roof of the house and jump off. Sometimes we'd be buried up to our necks, but we never got hurt.

My best friend in the neighborhood was Lloyd Bennett, who lived just up the road. One of his tricks was to bury himself in the snow so that only his face was exposed. Then other boys copied him, so he brought a straw to school and had himself buried completely and breathed through the straw.

Just beyond Lloyd's house was a sharp cliff next to the road which we called the ledge. To get on top, you had to walk way around it, so it was the ideal spot for Lloyd and me to throw snowballs at cars. Even if the driver stopped and chased after us, we could escape in the woods.

Our favorite target was the Windham school bus. We had ridden it for years, so we knew the schedule. We'd stockpile a lot of snowballs in advance, and as soon as the bus approached, we'd pelt it with several direct hits.

The driver was an old man named Arthur Tyler, who was not known for his patience. After a heavy bombardment, he sometimes got so mad that he'd stop the bus and shake his fist at our hiding place. We never threw directly at him because he could have called the police. So, we let him stand there heroically to impress the kids, and he never reported us.

Windham then had fewer than 5000 people, and for most of the year, it had only two places of entertainment – a drive-in movie theater and a bowling alley. In the winter the drive-in was replaced by the high school and junior high basketball teams, which played other schools in the area.

Basketball was by far the most popular sport in Windham. Boys practiced at every recess during the school year. The school furnished the balls, and sometimes a boy would throw one up on the roof, claiming it was an accident. No one was allowed on the roof. But Field-Allen was a squat one-story building, and by standing on another boy's shoulders and shimmying up a pole, a wiry boy could get up there at night and keep the ball.

Our basketball team was captained by my classmate Steve Turkington, the big man on campus. Everyone called him Turk. Once a week, he'd come to school wearing his Boy Scout uniform, which displayed so many merit badges that he resembled a Christmas tree.

The school raised the American flag every morning and pulled it down every afternoon. Turk often was chosen for flag duty because he knew exactly how to fold it. When a teacher showed a movie in class, Turk got to run the projector. He and his girlfriend, Cheryl Gagnon, served on the student council, and were the unquestioned king and queen of the class.

King Turk, as some kids called him, was the absolute master on the basketball court. The school bleachers were always filled with cheering fans. and he was practically a god to them. Turk was so lithe and quick that he could cut through the defenders as if they were frozen in place. Then there was the jubilant and energetic cheerleading squad featuring Cheryl. The girls were all pompoms and short skirts, dancing up a storm and chanting:

“Sitting in a grandstand, beating on a tin can.
Who can? We can, nobody else can.
Fight! Fight! Fight team fight!”

Turk and I were never buddies. In our yearbook, he signed his photo: “To Mike, the big lip.” But like most of my classmates, I was a bit in awe of him for his popularity, his leadership and his self-confidence.

The last time I saw Turk was at the Windham High School's 10-year reunion in 1977. He was still looking trim and vigorous. I asked him, “How's your basketball?” He responded, “I still have the moves, but I don't have the speed.”

Turk died of a heart attack in 1995 at the age of 46. I was shocked by the news, because he always seemed to be indestructible.

Nowadays, living far from Windham, I sometimes pass by a pickup basketball game of adolescent boys, in which one player is clearly outshining the rest. And it takes me back to watching King Turk when he was on top of the world, putting on a show and bringing much-needed entertainment to those cold Maine winters so long ago. <

A Matter of Historical Record: Shocking accident on July 4, 1908 holiday claims lives of four popular and promising Windham youth and plunges community into overwhelming grief

By Walter Lunt

Saturday, July 4, 1908 began with games and merriment as young church goers celebrated the nation’s birthday with a fun-filled picnic and sailing excursion on Sebago Lake. The day would end with a horrific tragedy that would grip the Windham community in unimaginable grief.

From left, Benjamin Larrabee, 29, Gertrude Lowell, 19,
Margaret Hawkes, 21, and Harvey Jaquis, 19, all from
Windham, were bright, popular and highly respected. They
drowned tragically in Sebago Lake while celebrating
the July 4 holiday in 1908.
COURTESY OF WINDHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Among those attending the outing at Whites Bridge, sponsored by the Friends Church of Windham, were Popeville residents Gertrude Lowell, 19, and Benjamin Larrabee, 29. Also, Margaret Louise Hawkes, 21 and Harvey Jaquis, 19, both of Windham Center – all four had been close friends since childhood.

The decision to sail was a spontaneous idea; George Moses, known to be an expert boatman, agreed to take the four in his 21-foot boat that had one sail. The plan was to sail three-to-four miles from White’s Bridge to Moses’ cottage on the east shore near the Images (Frye’s Leap). The lake was free of heavy waves and in some spots described as dead calm, so the trip until just before arriving at Moses’ landing was uneventful.

The first sign of distress occurred when the vessel was about 10 feet from the landing at Moses’ cottage; speculation was that one of the boat’s occupants may have reached or leaned in to grab the landing causing the single sail to jibe, capsizing the boat, and throwing all five occupants into the water. Only two, Moses and Larrabee, could swim. Moses managed to right the boat and climb back in; he then attempted to pull one of the girls back into the craft, but the effort only caused the boat to again overturn, throwing them both back into the water. Moses tried several more times to save his four young passengers as they splashed about helplessly; their watery scuffle becoming an agonizing and futile attempt to save themselves. Ultimately, Moses made his way to shore, breathless and exhausted.

Larrabee also tried in vain to save the others, but according to later speculation it was believed that he suffered a hard bump to the head against the overturned boat, causing him to go under.

The screams and cries for help brought residents from nearby cottages to the scene. Several tried swimming out to help, but all four of the doomed quartet, exhausted from their hapless, panicky attempts to stay afloat and weighted down by the heavy clothing of the day, were now disappearing from the surface.

The whole ordeal occurred within 10 feet of George Moses’ landing, in 6 feet of water. No one, including Moses, could explain the cause of the mishap. There were no eyewitnesses.

All the victims were retrieved from the bottom of the unforgiving lake with the use of boat hooks. Resuscitative efforts began immediately and went on for over an hour, but to no avail.

A steamer (vessel) was summoned to the scene to transport the bodies back to Whites Bridge. Aboard was a Dr. Parker, Rev. Thomas Ingrahm, pastor of the Friends Church and relatives of Miss Lowell. From there, undertakers took the victims to their respective homes where it was reported their families were inconsolable.

Equally distressed, George Moses blamed himself for, in some way, causing the whole incident. His friends, however, would offer him comfort by recalling the respect he earned over his many years of successful sailing.

Margaret Louise Hawkes and Gertrude Lowell had graduated from the Gorham Normal School the previous month. They were said to have been “unusually bright,” respected and well-liked throughout the community and had a great many friends. Their deaths stunned the residents of Windham and neighboring towns and caused a deep malaise to envelop over the entire region. The late Florence Hawkes, a descendant, told The Windham Eagle several years ago that Margaret’s father, Frank N. Hawkes, did not speak of the incident for the rest of his life. And if the subject came up, he would walk away. Margaret was a sister to the well-known Windham Center farmer Alley Hawkes.

Funeral services for the four drowning victims were held in their respective homes; the pastors of Friends Church and Windham Hill Church officiated. Floral tributes swamped each home, including a bouquet of pinks from Margaret and Gertrude’s ’08 classmates of Gorham Normal School, where they were held in high esteem and predicted to be great teachers.

Margaret and Gertrude were buried in Friends Cemetery, Benjamin and Harvey in nearby Smith Cemetery, both located at Windham Center. Longtime Windham residents will recognize the names of the pall bearers at the various services: Leon Hawkes, Lincoln Lamb, Orville Haskell, Fred Lowell, Phillip Allen, William Hawkes, Charles Hall, Harry Philpot, Harry Kennard, Alley Hawkes, Burleigh Loveitt and Phillip Hawkes.

A Portland Press Herald story described the 4th of July outing as “…one of the saddest accidents that has ever occurred on Sebago Lake.” Of the families of the four victims, the newspaper reported that all were “members of well-known and respected families that are among the best in town.”

The tragic event of 1908 dampened 4th of July festivities for decades. Folks acknowledged and celebrated the national holiday, but did not forget the painful event that brought deep anguish to so many. <

Community Connections pilot program launches to enhance access to Age-Friendly resources and support

Windham is celebrating the launch of a new Community Connections project, a local initiative aimed at strengthening the community and promoting well-being for older people.

The project’s primary goal is to build robust connections between local services and older adults, allowing them easier access to essential resources and social opportunities. Erica Bell-Watkins, the dedicated Windham Community Connector, began the project in September and is already working closely with residents and community partners, helping bridge gaps in access to programs and services and creating avenues for participation.

“Age Friendly Windham's project focuses on a disaster preparedness initiative, in partnership with other local organizations,” Bell-Watkins said. “We are looking to work with the community to gather information through a survey, increase preparedness through easy to find and clear information, as well as creating and distributing a bag with helpful tools and supplies that individuals and families can use in the event of a prolonged weather event.”

Key local partners, including the Windham Police Department and the Windham Fire-Rescue Department, and Cumberland County Emergency Management have joined forces in support of this effort.

Bell-Watkins said that these partners provide essential resources and expertise to strengthen the project’s reach, ensuring that vital support and programs are accessible to all who need them.

“By focusing on service navigation, social engagement, and disaster preparedness, the pilot is strengthening Windham’s focus on supporting older residents,” she said.

The Community Connections program, a signature statewide initiative of the Governor's Cabinet on Aging, is made possible by a $2.5 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act and is managed in collaboration with the University of Maine Center on Aging and Maine’s five Area Agencies on Aging.

“Maine has long been a national leader in promoting healthy, active, and engaged aging. Partnering together at the community level strengthens our critical work to create inclusive and livable communities where Mainers of all ages can thrive and recognizes the value of these community efforts in accomplishing that goal” says Elizabeth Gattine, Cabinet on Aging Coordinator.

In all there are 12 pilot sites engaged with the Community Connections program across the state, each with goals specific to the unique needs of their community. The statewide goals of the program are to create pathways for assistance, strengthen ties between Age-Friendly Communities and local Area Agencies on Aging, and enhance access to training and technology supports for Age-Friendly initiatives.

For residents of Windham, the pilot program offers further opportunities to engage, seek assistance, and participate in local programs tailored to their needs.

Maine received designation in October 2019 as an AARP Age-Friendly State, the first step in a multiyear process to make Maine more livable for people of every age. It was just the sixth state in the nation to receive the coveted designation, which provided access to critical data, technical advice, best practices and organizing tools to help Maine plan for the future and learn from a global network of partners to better serve older Mainers. Today, more than 100 communities in Maine also have the Age-Friendly designation.

Community members interested in learning more about Community Connections, or looking to get involved or donate items, are encouraged to reach out to Community Connector Erica Bell-Watkins. To learn about events, services, or volunteer opportunities, visit agefriendlywindham.org call 207-892-4649 or send an email to eabellwatkins@windhammaine.us. <

Holiday Light Parade brings Christmas cheer to Windham

By Ed Pierce

As the song says, “it's the most wonderful time of the year” and beginning this Sunday night, families in the Lakes Region will be able to personally welcome in the Christmas season during the Annual Holiday Light Parade in Windham.

Windham's Annual Holiday Light Parade starts at 5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 1 and travels through the Windham school
campus before ending up at Windham Middle School. 
The public is invited to a Christmas party after the parade
inside WMS to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
COURTESY PHOTO 

Hosted by the Windham Fire/Rescue Department, the Windham Police Department, and the Windham Parks and Recreation Department, the immensely popular annual parade will kick off at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. Floats will line up and leave from Stadium Drive and the parade route travels throughout the Windham school campus before ending up at Windham Middle School.

This is the fifth consecutive year that this parade will be held in Windham. In 2020, the parade replaced the long running traditional Windham tree lighting event which was held every year at the Windham Public Safety Building on Gray Road.

The tree lighting ceremony had grown so much since it was first launched in 2016 that it was reaching maximum capacity for an event of its kind, and a decision was made by Windham Parks and Recreation to try a new activity. It turned out that the Holiday Light Parade launched in 2020 proved to be instantly popular with Windham residents and has been able to accommodate more local families and residents looking to participate.

For those seeking the best vantage point to view this year’s parade, it will be from the grounds of the Windham school campus where families will be able to gather and see all the floats and to wave hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus during the parade.

The parade will feature an array of brightly decorated Windham Fire/Rescue Department trucks and vehicles, along with Windham Police Department cars, a Windham Parks and Recreation vehicle, and Windham Public Works vehicles.

Each participating Windham vehicle in the Holiday Light Parade will be lit up with hundreds of brilliant electric Christmas bulbs and will include a wide variety of Christmas décor to usher in the season in style.

Following the parade, participants are invited to gather in the Windham Middle School gymnasium for a Christmas party to enjoy hot chocolate, listen to holiday music, make reindeer food and Snowman soup, work on some Christmas crafts, play some holiday games, and take photographs with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Handicap parking for the parade and the Christmas-themed party afterward will be available in the front Windham Middle School parking lot.

No registration is required to attend the parade, event organizers remind the public that no pets are allowed on the school grounds.

Those looking to attend, can find the parade route and the best spectator locations here: https://windhamme.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=3044

For further details about the 2024 Windham Holiday Light Parade, visit Windhamrecreation.com or call 207-892-1905. <