Saying goodbye to 2015 with a wave and a thanks

I know everyone says the same thing…they can’t believe the year is over. For some it’s a relief, for others it was a good year that they are thankful for. For my family it has been a year of compromises and hard lessons. I have learned that my expectations are sometimes too high or are in the wrong direction and need to be reevaluated.

 When it comes to The Windham Eagle, I am thankful for all of the wonderful people I work with, Melissa Carter, Mary Emerson, Andrew Worth, Kelly Mank and the others behind the scenes. I am also thankful for my faithful and talented reporters, especially Elizabeth Richards, Walter Lunt and Jim Beers, who have been with us all year and have helped so much. Thank you to all of our contributing columnists and each and every one of you who took the time to write a letter to the editor or to tell us about your positive and exciting news throughout the year.

 The Windham Eagle will continue to provide Windham and Raymond with positive and solutions-based news into 2016 and beyond. We love to hear your feedback and positive comments when we are out and about in the community. I think this is some of what makes The Windham Eagle so special is that we live in the communities we cover. We bump into our readers at Hannaford, at special events and at sporting competitions.

 One thing I love about New Years is the acceptance of change. Each year we try to make sure the paper has an updated look and that we are making stories easy to read and visually pleasant to look at. If you have suggestions on things we should cover that we aren’t, please let us know. We want to be your newspaper of choice.

 This year in review issue has been fun to put together. It’s been a year of ups and downs. We’ve seen an amazing outpouring of support for community members, some very young people who are now on the mend. We have also celebrated with some amazing people who are contributing members of our communities.

 No one knows what 2016 will bring, but we at The Windham Eagle look forward to the challenges and excitement.

 Happy New Year!

 Michelle

Insight - What kind of shopper are you? - By Michelle Libby

“Don’t keep calm…Christmas is next week.” I just read this and realized that it’s true. Everyone has been so busy running from event to event, concert to concert that the time snuck up on us/me. So my question is…have you finished your Christmas shopping?  
 

There have been years when I have had everything done before Thanksgiving. All that was left was the wrapping. My kids were never picky about presents and were so happy to open anything, but in the last few years that has changed and we’ve gone from non-specific to hyper-specific-send-me-a-link items. Last minute is definitely out.

The following are Michelle’s three categories of shoppers.

1.      The buy early bunch – These are the people who start shopping right after the new year. They find cute items while traveling and think…hmmm, what a great present. They have lists and storage places for all of their gifts. By Thanksgiving they are done, wrapped and ready to sit back and watch the show.

2.      The Christmas month bunch – The people who refuse to start shopping until after Thanksgiving. They go out on Black Friday and shop for the deals. It is a sport to shop every store, study each flyer to find the best price on the hot items. These people were very busy this summer getting a tan and enjoying the beaches. They will be done by Christmas Eve, with everything wrapped so they can sit by and watch the show.   

3.      The show – These brave souls wait until the last minute to rush out to buy whatever they can get their hands on. They love the bundled shower kits and anything within reach of the register. If it’s between the entrance and the register and doesn’t need a size, it’s perfect for that special someone. This is what others can’t wait to watch on TV, sitting at home sipping hot chocolate.

The show bunch are the people the television stations take tape of on December 24, as they run from store to store, while the other shoppers are home, done.

So whatever kind of shopper you are, remember that you’re not alone in how you choose to shop. No way is the right way and after all isn’t it the thought that counts.

Insight - Saying it can be offensive? - By Michelle Libby

Merry Christmas! Happy Chanukah! 
 

Are you offended yet? 

Our society has become so overly sensitive with political correctness that a simple holiday greeting can be a tragedy. This week we had a conversation in the office about saying “Happy Chanukah” to people who worship the Jewish faith, if we don’t celebrate Chanukah (which also can be spelled Hanukkah, Hanukah or Chanukkah depending on who you ask or where you look.). 

After an Internet search and a visit to a local synagogue’s webpage, it was decided that yes, it’s okay to wish Jewish people Happy Hanukkah. It’s a greeting that says, I recognize that you don’t celebrate the same holiday as I do and I hope that what you get out of your holiday makes you as happy as what I get out of mine. 

That’s it. Nothing more. It’s not a slight to those who light a Menorah rather than a tree, or that get eight nights of presents, instead of one day. We believe what we believe and if we are tolerant then that’s the right thing. 

I feel like this is the same and traveling to a foreign country. When I went to Mexico and attempted to speak to my waiter in Spanish, he was happy to tolerate my butchering of his language because I was trying…trying to communicate to him in his native language on his soil. I wasn’t saying that I was better because I was an American, who lives somewhere north of Boston (Maine doesn’t show up on maps in Mexico), I was saying that I recognized that I am a visitor and could at least try to assimilate into his culture. 

I am not Jewish, but I can at least recognize that all people are different. My godmother and her sister were Jewish and every year we visited them at Christmas time. We would bring them baked goods and flowers, but never with a red bow. I knew they had a different religion and that was fine. We still got to bring them gifts. 

Celebrate what you’d like, but don’t get offended if I say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” I’m just trying to be nice.

Saying it can be offensive? - By Michelle Libby

Merry Christmas! Happy Chanukah! 
 

Are you offended yet? 

Our society has become so overly sensitive with political correctness that a simple holiday greeting can be a tragedy. This week we had a conversation in the office about saying “Happy Chanukah” to people who worship the Jewish faith, if we don’t celebrate Chanukah (which also can be spelled Hanukkah, Hanukah or Chanukkah depending on who you ask or where you look.). 

After an Internet search and a visit to a local synagogue’s webpage, it was decided that yes, it’s okay to wish Jewish people Happy Hanukkah. It’s a greeting that says, I recognize that you don’t celebrate the same holiday as I do and I hope that what you get out of your holiday makes you as happy as what I get out of mine. 

That’s it. Nothing more. It’s not a slight to those who light a Menorah rather than a tree, or that get eight nights of presents, instead of one day. We believe what we believe and if we are tolerant then that’s the right thing. 

I feel like this is the same and traveling to a foreign country. When I went to Mexico and attempted to speak to my waiter in Spanish, he was happy to tolerate my butchering of his language because I was trying…trying to communicate to him in his native language on his soil. I wasn’t saying that I was better because I was an American, who lives somewhere north of Boston (Maine doesn’t show up on maps in Mexico), I was saying that I recognized that I am a visitor and could at least try to assimilate into his culture. 

I am not Jewish, but I can at least recognize that all people are different. My godmother and her sister were Jewish and every year we visited them at Christmas time. We would bring them baked goods and flowers, but never with a red bow. I knew they had a different religion and that was fine. We still got to bring them gifts. 

Celebrate what you’d like, but don’t get offended if I say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” I’m just trying to be nice.

It's not always jolly holidays - By Michelle Libby

The holidays are here. The lights are mostly lit and people are scurrying around to pick up gifts, see the holiday shows and keep up with all the routine activities our families do normally. There are some people who don’t get involved in the holiday hub-bub. Those who have lost a loved one recently, or around the holidays or years ago, but every holiday there is a hole where that person should be. 

Songs like “I’ll be home for Christmas” make them tear up and the cheer makes them blue. There are places to turn this holiday season to connect with others who are in similar situations or just to talk and be with people. 

Local churches usually have a “Blue Christmas” service, where people who need comfort during the holidays can turn. Various groups have support meetings or drop in sites. 

For those who are alone this season because their children live out of state or they are having a particularly hard time, try to make a connection with them. Bake something, buy a treat for them or take some time to visit. 

I have known many people, especially recently who have lost loved ones, parents and children. These people need to know that the community cares about them, that individuals care about them. 

I am not a counselor. I don’t pretend to have all of the answers, but I know what a kind word, some extra love can do for someone who is having a hard time. Reach out to them and do something nice. 

My final suggestion is to provide opportunities for the person, family or children to get out of the house. Invite them to go for a walk, for dinner or to a class of some sort. They may say “no”, but eventually they might say “yes”. Don’t give up just because you get shot down once. 

Holidays should be happy times, so spread some cheer and love to those who need it in a kind and thoughtful way.

Michelle