Former editor beloved by staff. community

By Ed Pierce

When all is said and done, Lorraine Glowczak will be remembered for her work at The Windham Eagle as a terrific managing editor with a keen sense of what interests Windham and Raymond residents and being a great storyteller.

Glowczak wrapped up her final edition of leading the newspaper on May 15 and now will split her time between writing a book, writing part-time for the paper and working for the Be The Influence, a community collaborative designed to educate and help prevent substance misuse in Windham and Raymond.   

Lorraine Glowczak

Greatly beloved for her easygoing nature and kind-hearted approach to community journalism, Glowczak has drawn praise from staff members who worked with her and from municipal, school and business leaders. 

Kelly Mank, publisher of The Windham Eagle, said that she’s grateful to have been able to work with a capable editor like Glowczak.

“Lorraine is the most unique, carefree, inspiring person I know. I have learned so much from her in the last couple years and she has not only altered my thinking, but the way many think and feel in this community,” Mank said. “Lorraine took our vision of positive and solutions-based news to the next level finding inspiring, heartfelt, lesson learning stories on a regular basis. We are blessed to have her continue as a writer for this paper and look forward to the opportunities she has in front of her. She has made a difference to so many people she doesn’t even know, and most won’t realize it for years to come. Good Luck Lorraine and we can’t wait to read your best seller one day.”

Melissa Carter, Sales Manager and Layout Designer for the newspaper, worked closely with Glowczak and said she will be greatly missed.

“Working with Lorraine was a true pleasure. Her energy and spontaneity was infectious and she was a huge asset to not just the office atmosphere, but the paper as whole,” Carter said. “She will be greatly missed as our editor, but we are so happy that she will continue to be a contributing writer and our eyes and ears for local stories in the community.”

Municipal leaders praised Glowczak for her work with the newspaper.

“I found working with Lorraine to be a real pleasure. She was always upbeat, enthusiastic and committed to covering and sharing the news of Raymond,” said Don Willard, Raymond Town Manager. “In that regard, The Windham Eagle fills what had been a large void in local news coverage. Lorraine played a leading role in correcting that deficit to the benefit of our citizens. Her contributions will certainly be missed. Personally, I will also miss working with her as Managing Editor, but I am glad that she will be staying on as a writer.”

Windham Town Manager Barry Tibbetts agreed.

“Windham has been very fortunate to have Lorraine at the helm for some many years reporting on the community,” Tibbetts said. “She has earned many praises for making sure the residents are informed, she truly cares about the residents and visitors to town. She is dedicated, and her enthusiasm for journalism is very evident.” 

RSU14 Superintendent Christopher Howell said Glowczak went above and beyond to publicize the activities of Windham and Raymond students.

“Lorraine had an interest in RSU14 that went beyond the development of a story for a newspaper.  She was curious to know what was happening with our students and did all that she could to celebrate their successes,” Howell said. “We will certainly miss having her as a partner for our schools.”

Robins Mullins, Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce executive director, said Glowczak and been a huge supporter of the chamber.

“For me, Lorraine has been so much more than the Managing Editor of the Windham Eagle. She has been a friend, a mentor and huge proponent of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. As a member of the SLRCC Ambassador Committee, she has volunteered countless hours volunteering at Business Breaks, the Annual Women’s Forum and Holiday Bid of Christmas, as well as the first Annual Sebago Spirits Festival,” Mullins said. “She’s also supported me in Project Graduation and Summerfest fundraisers, even having her own church’s Holiday Sing Along benefit Project Graduation for the Windham High Class of 2017. Lorraine is one of the most kind and generous people I know.”

The Windham Eagle staff writers also say they enjoyed working with Glowczak.

“My first thought regarding Lorraine Glowczak is her positive nature, which can't help but translate into a productive workplace,” said Staff Writer Walter Lunt. “Lorraine did more than manage a newsroom and guide the paper to publication each week, she was a positive and creative leader who elicited the best from her staff by supporting and their ideas, encouraging their suggestions, and doing it with a smile and an occasional hearty laugh. It's been a pleasure to work with such a confident and optimistic person. The staff and The Windham Eagle were better for it.”

Staff Writer Elizabeth Richards said she found Glowczak to be knowledgeable and helpful.

“Lorraine was a pleasure to work with. She was organized, creative and supportive. It was clear that she was very connected to the community, which was very helpful when I needed assistance finding the right contacts,” Richard said. “She recognized my strengths and interests and matched me with assignments accordingly. I will miss working with her.”

Another Staff Writer, Briana Bizier, said Glowczak was enthusiastic and friendly.

“Lorraine is an inspiration. Her enthusiasm, boundless energy, and commitment to her community are nothing short of amazing. I consider myself lucky to have worked with Lorraine for these past years, and even luckier to consider her a friend.” 

Staff Writer Matt Pascarella said he will greatly miss Lorraine’s editorial skills. 

“I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Lorraine as an editor,” Pascarella said. “She has been great and I look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.” <