MSSPA to hold annual 'Focus on the Farm' celebration in Windham

The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) is once again rolling out the welcome mat for its signature fundraising event called "Focus on the Farm."

The public will be able to participate in a silent
auction of photographs of horses cared for by
the Maine State Society for the Protection of
Animals during an annual fundraising event 
called 'Focus on the Farm' in Windham on
Sunday, Sept. 14. SUBMITTED PHOTO    

The evening gathering, which highlights the organization’s life-saving work with horses, will be held at the River Road farm in Windham and promises a mix of art, food, and community spirit.

Over the past year, 25 photographers from across Maine and beyond have visited the Windham farm turning their lenses toward the horses who call the sanctuary home. Their images capture the essence of the MSSPA’s mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for horses that have suffered from neglect or abuse.

More than 80 of these photographs will be showcased during the event and offered for purchase through a silent auction.

“This is one of our favorite times of year,” said an MSSPA representative. “It’s a chance to share the beauty of the farm, the incredible work being done here, and the stories of the horses themselves. Every bid, every ticket, directly supports the animals.”

The event begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, with on-site parking available for guests. Upon arrival, attendees will check in, receive a bidding number, and then have an opportunity to explore the farm.

Visitors can stroll through the scenic 124-acre property, meet members of the herd – currently numbering about 40 horses – and enjoy the sense of community that has become a hallmark of this annual celebration.

Food and drink will add to the festive atmosphere. Blue Elephant Catering will provide an array of dishes, while The Roaming Speakeasy, a mobile bar cleverly housed in a converted horse trailer, will be serving beverages throughout the evening.

Once guests have mingled and explored the grounds the gathering will move to the farm’s indoor arena. The arena, with its soft footing, will serve as the central hub for the silent auction, and other activities.

Organizers encourage creative attire under the theme “barn chore formal,” reminding attendees to wear sturdy footwear suitable for walking around the farm. “Save your stilettos for another event,” the society jokes in its invitation.

Tickets for Focus on the Farm are $50 per person and are available for purchase online at www.msspa.org/focus-on-the-farm <

Upcoming hike to benefit young Windham resident stricken with cancer

By Ed Pierce

Windham school bus driver Wayne O’Brien has organized a fun way to get outdoors, stay in shape and to help out a community member and his family who are going through the worst of times.

The first 50 hikers and donors for the 'Hike for Austin' on
Douglas Mountain in Sebago on Saturday, Sept. 6 will
receive a free T-shirt inscribed 'Summit for Austin.' Proceeds
from the hike will assist the Woodbury Family of Windham,
whose son Austin, 18, is undergoing treatment for Stage 3
Mature B-cell Lymphoma. SUBMITTED PHOTO   

“On Saturday, Sept. 6 we are going to have a hike at Douglas Mountain in Sebago about 25 minutes from Windham,” O’Brien said. “All proceeds will go to the family of Austin Woodbury who was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 Lymphoma cancer.”

Woodbury, 18, graduated from Windham High School in June and became ill not long thereafter. His parents, Josh and Rachael Woodbury, took him to a doctor and after a series of tests, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Mature B-cell Lymphoma which was found extensively throughout his abdomen, pancreas, bowel wall, lower right lung, and femur.

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, a part of the body's immune system. It's characterized by the uncontrolled growth of lymphocytes which are a type of white blood cell that help fight infection. Stage 3 Mature B-cell Lymphoma indicates that the cancer is present in lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm and possibly in his spleen.

This type of Stage 3 Mature B-cell Lymphoma is an advanced form of cancer, and treatment for Woodbury was started immediately involving chemotherapy. His oncologist may consider other treatments for Austin based upon his age, overall health, and the specific type and stage of his lymphoma.

Mature B-cell lymphomas are a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and account for about 85 percent of all lymphomas diagnosed in America.

Family members say that Woodbury is undergoing intensive treatment and chemotherapy in the hospital. Both of his parents have been by his side every step of the way in dealing with his illness and missed work, have mounting medical bills for their son’s treatment, and have incurred the additional financial stress of trying to keep things afloat for their family at their home in Windham.

Reading about Woodbury’s Stage 3 lymphoma diagnosis at such a young age in The Windham Eagle newspaper, O’Brien said he needed to find a way to help and came up with the idea of organizing a hike to benefit Woodbury’s family.

He said the hike itself is of easy to moderate difficulty and that location was chosen because anyone who wished to participate could do so.

The first 50 hikers/donors get a free T-shirt inscribed "Summit for Austin."

According to O’Brien, the T-shirt’s lime green color was selected because it is the official color of Lymphoma awareness.

“We want to thank Bob the Screenprinter in Windham for donating the T-shirts,” he said. “We are also grateful to other donors including Tinker Automotive, Chutes Family Restaurant and the Windham Hannaford Supermarket.”

The Douglas Mountain Loop runs 1.8 miles in length and takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes to complete. There is an old stone tower at the summit and hike participants will be able to take in gorgeous views of Sebago Lake, the Presidential Range, and Mount Washington on a clear day.

Same-day registration to participate in the hike will be 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Douglas Mountain Trailhead in Sebago. Someone will also be there earlier than 7 a.m. to get ready for the event, O’Brien said.

“Snacks and water will be provided for hikers,” he said. “You don’t have to hike to make a donation.”

To learn more about the “Hike for Austin” or to submit a donation to assist the Woodbury Family, call O’Brien at 207-615-2433 or send an email to wobrien3006@gmail.com.<

Annual Togue Fishing Derby approaching on Sebago Lake

By Ed Pierce

The Sebago Lake Anglers’ Association is getting ready for its Fall Fishing Classic called the Annual Togue Fishing Derby on Sebago Lake.

The derby will be conducted from the Point Sebago Resort’s Main Marina area on Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7, on the weekend after Labor Day.

Organizers says that this is a community-based derby focused on families and children but experienced fishermen and guides with clients are welcome to participate.

Cash prizes will be paid to the top three places by weight in the event, as well as a prize for the biggest fish caught on Saturday, three prizes for any togue submitted in the togue lottery, and one prize for the smallest togue, caught by hook and line.

All Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife rules for Sebago Lake apply. Only fish caught during the derby’s legal fishing hours will count toward prizes from the event.

Start time is at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 with the weigh-in time cutoff at 4 p.m. The start time means no lines in the water before legal start time. Starting time on Sunday Sept. 7 is 6 a.m., with the weigh-in cutoff at 2 p.m.

Only togue and pike are acceptable fish for derby contest purposes, and all anglers in the event must be registered in the Annual Togue Fishing Derby before starting to fish. Same-day contest registration is possible starting at 5 a.m. at the Point Sebago Resort Welcome Center or at the docks site only.

All persons fishing in a boat must be separately registered in the appropriate category: Adult 16 and over, child under 16 years of age. Entry fees are $35 for adults and $15 for children under 16.

There will be one official weigh-in station at Point Sebago Resort docks, appropriately marked. It will be supervised by a trained Weigh Master who will adjudicate any discrepancies or misinterpretations. All anglers must select their best fish to be submitted for the official weighing.

Weigh station personnel will not weigh multiple fish to select the heaviest fish as that is the responsibility of the individual contestant. A courtesy pre-measurement station will be located on the docks area at Point Sebago Resort. Anglers are encouraged to pre-qualify their lake trout at this station so that there are no problems of oversized togue at the official check station.

Togue measured over 26 inches must be submitted by separate anglers with only one fish over 26 inches allowed per day per licensed angler.

Pike prizes will be awarded for first, second and third for the most pike caught. Anglers can only win prizes for pike. Derby organizers reserve the right to keep for inspection any fish that is attempted to be entered in the derby.

Fish that derby participants don’t want to take home can be donated to a local church fish fry or to a food pantry. Receptacles will be marked and available to do that and a fish-cleaning station will be provided for anyone wishing to donate their catch.

Proceeds from the derby entry fees are used to pay out the prize money and to purchase Youth Lifetime Fishing Licenses for Maine children by the Sebago Lake Angers’ Association.

An awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, Sept. 7 at Point Sebago Resort at the end of the contest.

Register for the derby at: Jordan’s Store in Sebago, Hilltop Mini Mart Raymond, Point Sebago Resort Casco and at Naples Bait and Tackle II Naples.

Questions about the derby can be answered by Sebago Lakes Anglers’ Association President Kevin Ronan at 207-838-4855 or 207-714-9075. <

Loon Echo Land Trust’s ‘Trek for the Trails’ receives $5,000 donation

By Ed Pierce

Through its conservation and stewardship of nearly 10,000 acres and over 35 miles of trails in the Sebago Lake region, Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) is deepening relationships between people and the environment while preserving natural areas and resources in the process.

During Loon Echo Land Trust's 'Trek for the Trails' this fall
participants can run, bike or walk on area trails like this
one in Sebago Cove Forest and log their miles online, The
land trust will receive a $1 match for every mile
logged. COURTESY PHOTO 

LELT is a nonprofit organization that protects the character of land in Bridgton, where it is based, Casco, Denmark, Naples, Harrison, Sebago, and Raymond. Its efforts enable public access to places like Pleasant Mountain and Raymond Community Forest and support water resources, wildlife habitats, and working farms and forests.

The impressive work of LELT has inspired consistent support from Norway Savings Bank. NSB has contributed over $50,000 to LELT in the last decade, including a recent donation of $5,000 to serve as the title sponsor of the Loon Echo “Trek for the Trails.”

Participation in the Trek is free, and individuals can run, bike, or walk on area trails between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31 then log their miles online. Thanks to the support of local businesses, LELT gets $1 from a match pool for every mile logged. In addition, every Trekker is entered into a raffle for great prizes from local businesses.

“The success of this annual event would not be possible without the support of Norway Savings Bank,” said Matt Markot, Executive Director of LELT. “They’ve served as the title sponsor of the Trek for nine years, and through their generosity, we’ve been able to use this fundraiser to increase outdoor recreation opportunities.”

The “Trek for the Trails” is LELT’s largest annual fundraising event and 100 percent of the registration fee going to help maintain the trails you know and love, the ones you have yet to discover, and helps build new trails.

To participate in the Trek, all you have to do is register, and then visit any LELT trail or preserve throughout the month of September to hike, walk, bike (on trails where biking is permitted) or take in the view. Trail runners can compete for the best time via Strava segment on three trail running routes – one on Pleasant Mountain, Bald Pate, and at Raymond Community Forest to compete for pie (and bragging rights). Trekkers can also choose to raise money from friends and family to support their Trek and LELT trails.

Markot said that over the past four decades, Loon Echo Land Trust has been a shining example of an organization that works with local residents, local businesses, and fellow area nonprofits to protect land through conservation easements, land purchases, and land donations.

“LELT is guided by a mission to make these beautiful venues accessible to more people,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank. “NSB is proud to support LELT and its wide contributions, the impact of which will be felt for generations to come.”

Current LELT projects include restoring a wetland habitat and designing a multi-use trail plan in Casco with the Outdoor Sport Institute, the construction of a pedestrian trail and an off-street parking area for a 360-acre property on Sebago Cove in Naples, and the upgrade of a field loop at Mayberry Hill in Casco to become suitable for use by wheeled mobility devices.

“NSB’s continuing commitment to the positive difference we are trying to make is inspiring and is helping to strengthen our communities,” said Markot. “We’re very thankful.”

Loon Echo Land Trust was founded in 1987 and is a nonprofit organization that protects land, ensures public access to the outdoors, and builds and maintains recreational trails in Raymond, Casco, Naples, Harrison, Sebago, Bridgton, and Denmark. The organization currently conserves over 9,000 acres of land and manages a 35-mile trail network across the Lake Region. LELT protects many important local landmarks like Pleasant Mountain, Bald Pate Mountain, Raymond Community Forest, and Hacker’s Hill.

There are many ways to extend a helping hand to LELT.

To make a donation, visit www.lelt.org/ways-to-give. To learn about volunteering your time to maintain a trail or even offer office support, visit www.lelt.org/volunteering.

To discover more about the Loon Echo Trek for the Trails, visit www.lelt.org/trek. <