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. <

A Super Load of Wood

By Ernest H. Knight

While engaged in the search for information for past local history, the following came to light.

It was of Raymondtown and happened here as our old timers had ingenuity, a sense of humor and a cooperative spirit.

Wood was essential to the early settlers of Raymond and
much of the summer months were spent building wood
piles to heat homes during the colder winter months.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

So, in the 1700s when the preacher had received little monetary pay but a generous share in the produce of his parishioners, a load of slab wood was being hauled by ox cart to his dwelling for fireplace fuel. Another of the men of the town asked why the driver did not haul a real load for the parson, that he had plenty from his mill from which he could take as big a load as he wanted.

Taking the person who offered at his word, he enlisted the aid of friends and neighbors, built a sled of two trees over 30 feet long for runners, a platform between them of equally adequate proportions, and went to the mill for loading.

They pitched into the pile and what they considered to be a reasonable load was the whole pile, some 40 cords, which was hauled to the parsonage with 160 oxen hitched four abreast, a line of pairs of oxen for each runner. Needless to say, the local parson had plenty of fuel for some time, the participants had the satisfaction of a job well done, and the mill owner had room in his yard all over again while contemplating his generosity.

Wood was essential to early settlers and the occupation of “gumming” the spruce forests or “pitching” the pine woodlands for both personal and business quickly arose.

When the bark or cambium layer of a coniferous tree is damaged there is a bleeding of the internal sap, most profuse in the spring of the year when new growth is being fed or stimulated. This is comparable to the sap tapped from deciduous maple trees that provides the makings of delicious maple syrup or sugar as a home-grown substitute for the once expensive and scarce raw or refined sugar imported from the more tropical climates.

Though bitter in taste rather than sweet, spruce or pine products had many medicinal uses that have now been replaced by the multitude of synthetic replacements that make us all so healthy today.

The collection of resin bleeding from these coniferous trees, caused by natural damage or intentional stripping of the bark during timber harvesting, was once a productive enterprise as was the tapping of the maple tree of the north and the rubber tree of the tropics. It was a profitable sideline for the many men who labored in the woods, guided hunters or fishermen, or those who were familiar with the lore of the woodlands when there was slack time in their normal activities.

For this work, little was needed other than the investment of a little time and the property’s ownership was of little importance.

Items made from wood were in great quantities in 1700s-era Raymond. The ax handle was a tool that was in continuous use in every household and occupation. Raymond even had its own ax handle factory, one of which currently remains as a garage on Main Street but was previously located on Panther Run.

But changing times and the development of more sophisticated design or heating materials made residents less dependent upon wood and wood products.

Today more and more of our cleared lands are returning to forest although hardly back to the quality and size once available and important to the growth of Raymond and the country.

This article was written by the late Ernest H. Knight, one of the founders of the Raymond-Casco Historical Society and contained in his book “Historical Gems of Raymond and Casco.” It was submitted by the Raymond-Casco Historical Society and articles about Raymond history from the historical society will appear regularly in The Windham Eagle newspaper. To find out more about the Raymond-Casco Historical Society, call Frank McDermott at 207-310-0340. <

Fall remains a great time to make garden improvements

By Kendra Raymond

Now that the first frost has arrived and fall colors have mostly passed, area gardens are taking on a brownish-yellow hue. Fall cleanup is well underway and property owners are busy raking and trimming expired plant material from their gardens and yards.

Invasive Blue Flag Iris plants are removed
from a Raymond residential gardening
space during a recent fall garden cleanup.
PHOTO BY KENDRA RAYMOND

Aside from the typical garden maintenance, fall can be a great time to work on improvements and projects that are often neglected during summer. Unseasonably warm temperatures provide the perfect conditions to prepare for next spring’s growing season.

As a horticulturist, I recommend tackling a substantial list of projects as part of the fall clean up routine. This practice puts home gardeners ahead of the game.

Let’s explore a few steps home gardeners can take right now to get a head start on spring gardening.

Weeding

Even though weeds are not actively growing or spreading, beware of latent weeds in your garden. A harmless weed can have a large root system or millions of seeds just waiting to spread. It’s simple enough to pull the weeds and dispose of them away from the garden area. For pesky weeds, especially in large areas, you may want to consider laying black plastic or a dark colored tarp. Make sure to secure the material well with landscape pins or rocks. When spring arrives, don’t be too eager to remove the covering. Leaving it on as long as possible will eliminate the chance of regrowth. At my place in Raymond, I am currently trying to smother a very aggressive shrubby area that contains invasives such as Barberry and Bittersweet.

Thinning

Perennials and shrubs can spread rapidly, and you can lose the once-manicured appearance of your garden. While some gardeners appreciate a natural look, keeping the plants under control is most always a good idea. Fall is a great time to neaten up your garden beds and eliminate any overgrown plants that are aggressively spreading. We recently battled several gardens that were being taken over by Blue Flag or Siberian Iris, a native flowering plant that can spread into wetlands. The task was tedious and involved a lot of physical labor cutting the roots and lifting hundreds of pounds of plants out of the area.

Soil testing

Fall is an ideal time to get your soil tested if you suspect any deficiencies, and to make note of the acidity. The University of Maine offers a soil testing service where you simply request a kit, collect the sample, and mail it back in. Within a couple of weeks, you will receive a comprehensive soil analysis complete with recommendations. Once spring draws closer, simply amend the soil with the necessary nutrients, and your garden will be ready for a productive growing season.

Pests and diseases

The late season is the perfect time to reflect on your garden health over the past summer. Did you have any diseases such as powdery mildew, rust or black spot? How about pests? Did you notice a lot of grubs, Japanese beetles, or chewing caterpillars? Now is the time to start thinking about control methods for next season, because they are likely to return. Make note of the pests you encountered and take that with you to a local greenhouse or garden center where experts can help you find the products to protect your plants.

The website of the iconic publication the Old Farmer’s Almanac offers a few additional ideas to supplement your fall garden clean up:

· Before it gets too cold, take care of your garden shed, pots, tools, and equipment.

· Turn off the water to the hose and drain it completely if you’re in an area where leftover water could freeze.

· Pumps and fountains should also be removed, cleaned, and drained before storing.

· If you have a lawn mower or string trimmer, drain out the gas.

· Clean, sand, and oil your garden tools before storing them for the winter.

· Clean out cold frames if you use them for a head start on spring vegetable growing.

· Remove canes and other plant supports; wipe off soil with soapy water, let them dry, and store them in a shed or garage.

· Bring ceramic and clay pots inside, or they may crack in freezing temperatures. Dump the soil on your garden bed and sterilize the pots with a diluted bleach solution.

· Don’t stack pots; it’s hard to get them unstuck in the spring.

The University of Minnesota shares some information on dividing perennials here: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/dividing-perennials while the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension provides links for home gardening publications at https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/home/garden-and-yard/.

To order a soil test, visit the University of Maine Soil Testing Service at https://umaine.edu/soiltestinglab/ <

Mom Moments: The Unique Perspective Through a Child’s Eyes That Can Open Adult's Eyes

By Melissa Carter

Having children has a lot of ups and downs. Some days are filled with fun and laughter and other days it’s tears over what seems like everything. But one thing that is for sure is there is a special wonder in the extraordinary way they see the world around them. Their perceptions are unfiltered, their curiosity boundless, and their imaginations limitless. They view life with a sense of wonder and excitement that often fades as we grow older. By exploring how children see the world, we can learn to appreciate the simple joys and marvels that surround us every day.

Children have an inspiring way
of finding magic in the simple
things around them, something
many adults forget to do as they
get older. PHOTO BY
MELISSA CARTER 

To a child, everyday life is filled with magic and wonder. Ordinary objects and events take on extraordinary significance. A cardboard box isn’t just a box; it’s a spaceship, a pirate ship, or a secret hideout. A walk in the park is not just exercise; it’s an adventure filled with potential discoveries, like a particularly shiny rock or an oddly shaped cloud.

Children’s imaginations transform the mundane into the magical. They see possibilities where adults see limitations. This ability to find wonder in the simplest things reminds us that joy can be found anywhere if we are willing to look for it.

Through imaginative play, children learn to solve problems, explore different roles, and develop their creativity. They might pretend to be a doctor, a firefighter, or a superhero, experimenting with different scenarios and outcomes. This imaginative play is not only fun but also essential for their cognitive and emotional development.

Children are naturally curious. They are constantly asking questions about the world around them, seeking to understand how things work. This curiosity is driven by a desire to learn and explore. Why is the sky blue? How do birds fly? What makes the wind blow? Their questions may seem endless, but they are a testament to their desire to understand the world they live in.

This boundless curiosity often leads to delightful discoveries. A child might spend hours watching ants march in a line, fascinated by their organization and teamwork. They might be captivated by the way rain forms puddles or how shadows change shape throughout the day. This insatiable curiosity is something that many adults lose over time, but it is a reminder of the joy that comes from learning and exploring.

Children view the world with a sense of innocence and honesty that is both refreshing and profound. They have not yet learned to filter their thoughts and feelings, so they express themselves openly and without reservation. If a child thinks something is funny, they will laugh out loud. If they are sad or upset, they will show it without hesitation.

This unfiltered honesty can lead to some unexpected and often humorous moments. A child might bluntly point out that someone’s hair looks funny or that they don’t like the taste of a particular food. While these comments can be surprising, they are also a reminder of the value of honesty and being true to oneself.

Children have a remarkable ability to see the good in everything and everyone. They are naturally optimistic and tend to focus on the positive aspects of life. A rainy day might be disappointing to an adult, but to a child, it’s an opportunity to splash in puddles and play with umbrellas. A small setback might be quickly forgotten as they move on to the next exciting activity.

This positive outlook extends to their interactions with others. Children are quick to forgive and forget, and they often see the best in people. They form friendships easily and are willing to give others the benefit of the doubt. This ability to see the good in everything is a valuable lesson for adults, reminding us to focus on the positive aspects of life.

For children, joy is simple and unpretentious. It can be found in the smallest things, like a favorite toy, a funny story, or a hug from a loved one. They do not need extravagant experiences or material possessions to be happy. A child can find immense joy in playing with a cardboard box, drawing with crayons, or running through a sprinkler on a hot day.

This simplicity of joy is something that many adults struggle to remember. As we grow older, we often complicate our lives with unnecessary stress and worry. Children remind us that happiness can be found in the simplest moments and that it’s important to appreciate the little things.

Children live in the present moment. They are not burdened by worries about the past or the future; instead, they focus on the here and now. This ability to be fully present allows them to experience life more intensely and enjoy each moment to its fullest.

This focus on the present is something that many adults struggle with. We often find ourselves preoccupied with past regrets or future anxieties, missing out on the beauty of the present moment. Children remind us of the importance of mindfulness and being fully engaged in the present.

Seeing the world through the eyes of a child is a refreshing and enlightening experience. Their sense of wonder, boundless curiosity, unfiltered honesty, and ability to find joy in the simplest things offer valuable lessons for us all. By embracing these childlike qualities, we can learn to appreciate the magic of everyday life, find joy in the present moment, and approach the world with a sense of curiosity and optimism. In doing so, we can reconnect with the simple joys and marvels that make life truly special. <

Fall Festival returning to Windham Primary School

By Masha Yurkevich

Since 2016, Windham Primary School has been hosting the Fall Festival with the intent of having a safe event early into the school year that everyone could participate in. Featuring a fall theme, the annual event aims to involve staff and the community and will be held this year on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Windham Primary School will hold its annual Fall Festival
with fun games and activities for the entire family from
1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the school.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Hours for the WPS Fall Festival are 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 2 on school grounds with parking limited to the front of the Windham Primary School and the A House Playground lot. Many activities are at no cost and the entire family is welcome to attend and participate.

"We received great feedback the first year that we did this, and so we have pretty much stuck with the same formula,” says Dr. Kyle Rhoads, WPS principal. “It has changed a little bit during the COVID years, but most of the activities that we have are ones that we had the first year; activities like face painting, scavenger hunt, pumpkin decorating, and the dunk bucket, which is $1 for three attempts.”

The Windham PTA plays a big role in organizing and hosting the event. Rhoads said that PTA members offer a bake sale with some items that are free and some that you can purchase for a small price as a donation.

“We have a good core volunteer group that we divvy up the roles and responsibilities of getting ready for the Fall Festival, such as contacting someone for pumpkins, corn stalks, bales of hay, crafts, music, the selfie booth, and much more,” says Rhoads.

One challenge that they have had in previous years is long lines of kids waiting for face painting, he said. To alleviate those long lines this year, event organizers have lined up some Windham High School cheerleaders that are going to help with face painting.

According to Rhoads, there will also be a performance by one of the youth cheerleading squads at the Fall Festival as well as a story time reading offered by the Windham Public Library.

All children and families attending Windham Primary School are encouraged to attend this fun and exciting event, Rhoads said. It remains popular year after year because of its affordability, fun games and activities and great snacks. Because the Fall Festival takes place this year before Halloween, many activities involve pumpkins and are designed to embrace cooler weather that fall brings to Maine.

Students and their families who attend can connect with WPS teachers, staff members, school administrators and volunteers on hand for the event.

One of the annual highlights of the WPS Fall Festival is a dunk tank where current and former students will have an opportunity to watch Principal Rhoads get splashed in the tank.

But the said the underlying significance of the festival is that over the years it remains something that everyone can come out and enjoy in a spirit of togetherness.

“I feel that the original intent of the festival has stayed in the sense that we have kept it low cost and in a way that your entire family can come and both the young and old can have a blast,” Rhoads says. “We invite WPS families to come join us for an afternoon of face painting, pumpkin decorating, scavenger hunting, and connecting with the school staff. It is so fun to watch the children enjoy this event and turn our school cafeteria into a pumpkin patch. I assure you that you will not regret coming and will leave with smiles and many new memories.” <

Land Trust offering free hikes and outdoor activities in Windham and surrounding communities this fall

As the crisp autumn air settles in, the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust is thrilled to announce a variety of community events designed to immerse participants in nature, foster environmental awareness, and celebrate conservation efforts across the region.

Falmouth Land Trust and Presumpscot Regional Land Trust
are teaming up to offer a guided hike and bike tour through
Lowell Preserve in Windham and onto the connecting 
Cross Falmouth Trail. COURTESY PHOTO 

From forest bathing to fall foliage hikes, these events offer something for everyone. Mark your calendars and join representatives of the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust in experiencing the beauty of Maine’s fall landscapes.

Here’s a listing of some of the upcoming community events on the schedule:

Guided Hike/Bike with FLT and PRLT

Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lowell Preserve & Hadlock Community Forest

Falmouth Land Trust and Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT) are teaming up for a guided hike through PRLT’s Lowell Preserve and onto the connecting Cross Falmouth Trail! Greater Portland Northeast Mountain Biking Association will also lead a guided mountain bike ride as well. Choose between a guided hike and a guided mountain bike ride for your morning adventure. The hiking group will go all the way to the parking lot of Hadlock Community Forest for a 7-mile adventure. A shuttle will then take hikers back to the start so everyone can do a fun point-to-point hike. The biking association will lead a medium-paced no-drop 7- to 8-mile ride, as well as a faster-paced (but no-drop) ride of 12 to 14 miles out to Hadlock Community Forest and back.

Four Seasons Walk with Wild Seed Project

Thursday, Oct. 26, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Black Brook Preserve, Windham

Explore native plants and how they change throughout the seasons with Nell Houde, Wild Seed Project’s education lead at PRLT’s Black Brook Preserve in Windham. This leisurely one-mile walk is the third in a four-part series, allowing participants to deepen their knowledge of plant identification and native ecology. This event is free, but registration is required due to limited space.

Around the Hill Hike

Sunday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to noon

East Windham Conservation Area

Led by experienced hike leaders Natalie and Casey Skovran, this 5-mile hike will explore the beautiful East Windham Conservation Area. With views of the White Mountains and Little Duck Pond, this hike offers a challenging climb through the forested and hilly landscape. East Windham Conservation Area is owned by the Town of Windham with a conservation easement held by PRLT.

Wednesday Walk at Little River Preserve

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Little River Preserve, Gorham

Explore the rolling hills and diverse plant life of PRLT’s Little River Preserve on this guided walk. Wednesday Walks are held monthly, focusing on local flora and fauna. Registration is required for this free event.

To learn more or to register for any of these events, visit prlt.org/ <

Before the memory fades: Dundee drawdown – disappointing for some, an experience with history for others

By Walter Lunt

“It’s like a landscape from another world,” exclaimed an early June visitor to the near empty impoundment that was, only days earlier, Dundee Pond. In May, a sluice gate at the Dundee dam stuck in the open position and drained the 200-acre artificial impoundment leaving only a section of the ancient Presumpscot River and the eerie magnificence of a barren terrain.

The flat, barren landscape left by the summer drawdown
at Dundee Pond is shown in Windham. Disappointing
for swimmers but a boon for the citizen historian.
PHOTO BY JASSON WILLIAMS

The list of disappointed entities climbed. Thousands of Dundee Park patrons would miss out on swimming and swimming lessons. Windham Parks and Recreation mourned the loss of revenue gained from its various Dundee programs. Fishing and boating were curtailed. Shorefront camps along the pond would lose access to the water. The conservation group Friends of the Presumpscot became concerned about the ecological impact.

Less disappointed were the naturalists, archaeologists, treasure hunters, curiosity seekers, metal detectorists and history buffs.

Visitors witnessed the geography and culture of an earlier time, most notably the re-emergence of the Presumpscot River, free-flowing again after nearly 125 years and acres of stumpage – old forest land that preceded the flooding of land that made way for construction of Dundee dam in the early 1900s. Nearby was the site of the 1800s Shaw family farm: the home, the barn, and orchards, all showing ample evidence of being burned in preparation of advancing water. Shaw Road, an ancient beaten-down remnant of the horse-and-wagon days, runs parallel with the canal and disappears into a wooded area.

Some parts of the landscape were less obvious to interpret. Craters, approximately 4 feet in diameter and several feet deep, dotted an area near the canal. Leith Smith, archaeologist from the Maine State Historical Commission, theorized they were “prospecting pits,” dug in search of clay deposits for making bricks.

Arguably, the most unique and historic feature of the newly unveiled landscape was the mile-long section of the Cumberland & Oxford Canal, the watery hand dug thoroughfare of the 19th century that transported goods between Long Lake and Portland, and the eroded remains of at least three locks used to raise and lower the barge-like freight boats along the channel’s 20-mile route 150 years ago. The Whitney Locks, located directly across the pond from Dundee Park, is a double system consisting of two concave ditches with vertical tree trunks positioned against the banks to avoid cave-ins (as noted by the archaeologist Smith, “… the quality of construction was not amazing.”)

Here, the canal followed the course of the Presumpscot on the Gorham side of the river – a 5-foot deep ditch stretching from the river to the canal which circumvented the two Whitney locks. Its purpose was to replenish water into the canal.

Visitors were able to walk on the hard-pack surface of the tow path where once young men led horses pulling canal boats loaded with cord wood, lumber, molasses, and countless other goods up and down the channel. Several visitors were observed standing within the confines of the canal and its locks trying to imagine a time long ago when men and boats traversed this course, carrying on the commerce of the 19th century.

Hiking the tow path from the crippled dam to a point opposite Dundee Park, one tramples dead freshwater mussels. In the lazy flow of the Presumpscot, fish could occasionally be observed breaking the surface sending forth concentric circles; a lone heron standing motionless nearby waiting, hoping for a meal near the water’s edge. Off the trail on both sides of the river was a meadow of barren flat land, caked with slimy, cracked sediment accumulated from over a century of river flow becoming arrested by the dam. Sounds in this remote area were confined to Canada geese and crows; an occasional eagle surveyed the landscape overhead. Essentially, the drawdown created nearly 200 acres of sterile, empty land divided by a thin ribbon of water.

Exploring the expansive tract of “blank-gray,” earth, as he called it, was citizen historian and metal detectorist Al Farris.

“It’s a fascinating walk back in time and more than I expected,” he said.

Farris spent days documenting the locations of stone walls, farmhouses, clay pits, old roads, and spots where he found cultural treasures. Operating a drone, he took still pictures and shot video. He compared his discoveries with old maps. In addition to coins, a musket ball, a Civil War era bullet, and bits of hardware, one of his more interesting treasures was a button bearing the image of an Asian warrior riding on top of a carp (a fish). Researching this curious find, Farris learned the image probably depicted a Japanese man named Kintaro, a legendary figure of the 1800s based on a real Samurai warrior. The discovery leads to more questions regarding who would have lost these buttons and what was their purpose in being there.

During this activity, Farris said he spoke with a group of visitors who said they were making plans to produce a documentary.

Farris plans to someday display many of his cultural discoveries at the Windham Historical Society’s Village Green.

Today, as we read this, Dundee has returned almost to full pond, too late for summer recreationists, but leaving behind a season of fascination and discovery. <