Insight - New adventure awaits by Michelle Libby

Almost four years ago we envisioned an idea of a new newspaper and we haven’t looked back since. There was a lot of talk about how newspapers were dying. We ignored those naysayers and created The Windham Eagle to report on the good in our communities of Windham and Raymond.

To this day we are the positive and solutions based news for the Sebago region. Our readers stuck with us through our growing pains and learning curve to bring you the paper you see today. With Melissa Carter doing design and advertising, our paper took off making The Windham Eagle the paper of choice for local businesses.

All of this being said, I will no longer be the editor-in-chief of The Windham Eagle. After four years, it is time to give someone else a chance to find the news in our communities. The reporters will continue to be the same, Elizabeth, Stephen, Walter and Lorraine, with me also still contributing. I feel like I’ll be the guest star, like on a television show, even though the actor is there every week. “And staring special guest…”

I have learned so much about our community and the business world, and have met amazing people who have let me into their homes and businesses and shared their stories with our readers. I will take everything I have learned and use it moving forward in my writing career.

To our faithful readers, I am grateful for your dedication and willingness to send story ideas, letters to the editor and positive comments about what we have printed. Despite one woman who couldn’t believe there were so many positive things that happened in Windham and Raymond, readers have loved to hear about members of our towns doing great things to help one another. I like to believe that the existence of The Windham Eagle has helped many people benefit financially through donations, build self-esteem through publication and be educed about  our amazing communities. 

The future for me is still unclear. I plan to do more writing in other fields, including fiction writing and ghostwriting. I also plan to be a helicopter mom over my son, who is a junior in high school. (Just kidding, Josh.) I want to be there for him and for my daughter before they are no longer at home. You empty nesters out there know what I mean.

The transition from editor to mom and author will be challenging for a while. I expect that I will never be able to fully leave the paper I created with the support of my husband, children, parents, friends, Kelly and Niels Mank, Ernie, eMichelle, Melissa, Dave DeBree, Rob, and all the columnists and contributors over the years. None of this could have been done without you.

Now it is time for Lorraine Glowczak to put her stamp on The Windham Eagle and the community. I know you will all support her and help her in any way you can.

Change is difficult, but through change is growth. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for four years of excitement, challenge and growth. I’ll see you around town.

Michelle Libby 

Dear Editor - From Jane Margesson & Erica Magnus

Dear Editor,

We are writing to express our sincere gratitude to the Windham Medical Loan Closet and to the wonderful volunteers who manage this extraordinary asset to our town. If you are a caregiver, the loan closet could make a huge difference to you and your family. Through this resource, you can borrow medical equipment such as wheel chairs, shower seats, scooters, canes and so much more. In addition, you may find supplies such as adult diapers, hospital gowns, ointments and bandages. It is all free thanks to donations from local residents and to the team of volunteers who manage the project. We were caregivers for our mother for a very long time and being able to borrow many items – for free – was a great benefit to our family. 

If you are interested in borrowing anything, all you have to do is call the Town Manager’s office at 207-894-5900, extension 1111, and leave a message. A volunteer will call you and arrange a time to meet with you. The loan closet is located right next to the Windham Public Library. 

It is important to note here the support of the Windham Town Manager’s office. Phyllis Moss, human resources director, and her team have been tremendously supportive of the loan closet. However, Phyllis was also personally helpful to us. When our mother died earlier this year, we had many items to donate back to the loan closet. Our mother’s own power chair, however, was far too heavy for us to transport. Even used, power chairs can cost thousands of dollars and we didn’t want our chair to go to waste. Phyllis arranged for Windham Public Works to bring the power chair from our home directly to the loan closet. Now, whoever needs it can borrow it for free. 

Happy holidays and many thanks again,

Jane Margesson and Erica Magnus

Windham

The magic of Christmas - By Michelle Libby

The holiday is upon us. We have been waiting for this for months, well, some of us have, others have been dreading all of the last minute cooking, gift purchasing and wrapping and the hustle and bustle of the last week before Christmas. 

I think it’s time we all stopped and took a collective breath. Christmas is a time of rejoicing and connecting with family and friends. I love this time of year because it gives me the opportunity to devote time to spending with my family and friends. I am forced to step back, put down my phone and concentrate on playing games, building Lego trains and continuing family traditions. 

I’ve found myself tell my older children about things that they did in the past. Most stories they don’t remember, but they find it amusing to hear about their excitement and the silly things they did. It’s great to sit with them and watch Christmas movies while we wrap presents. It really is a joy to have them home with us. 

I watched videos of soldiers reuniting with their families after long deployments overseas. It brought tears to my eyes. I’m so thankful that my Marine went to war and returned. Thank you to all of the families in our communities who share their brave soldiers with us. When they are overseas, they are there for all of us. They make their families proud and we owe them a debt of gratitude. 

If your family is all under one roof this year, hug them. Tell them that they are loved. Be thankful for what you have because there are some who have less. 

To those who are homeless and cold this holiday, I hope you are able to find warmth, a job and resources to get you back on your feet. 

To those who have experienced loss, I hope you have the support of family and friends. I hope you know that your loved one, be it human or furry, is looking down on you, watching and sending love your way. 

Christmas is a great time of year. Be happy, healthy and thankful. From all of us at The Windham Eagle, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy 2017.

Dear Editor - From Concerned American Fred Collins

Dear Editor,

To whom it may concern, Having lived over nine decades, I am perplexed with the narrow mindedness of those that promote the use of marijuana as a recreational substance. 

Why are we so wrought up on the cure of drug users, when they promote their own demise? We need to destroy the source! It’s a killer crime! (The dictionary states “it’s a hemp, a poisonous drug.) (It can lead to extremely habit forming drugs that kill.) 

Is it possible to educate the public? 

There is a substance, that if discovered in time can revive an over dose: Are we the public supposed to pay their medical bills? This situation is like fanning a fire!

If you have no source, we have no fire. Kill the source!

If we promote the use of these drugs we have to pay for the cure. The liabilities that these drugs promote are extremely dangerous to the public. 

If we promote it, we sign a warrant for someone’s death.

Concerned American,

Fred Collins

Dear Editor - From Senator Bill Diamond

Dear Editor, 

I want to extend my deepest appreciation to the people in Windham, Raymond, Casco, Standish, Baldwin and Frye Island for electing me as your State Senator.  It’s an honor and a privilege to represent you in the Maine Senate and you can be sure that I will work hard every day for as many hours as it takes to do the job you expect me to do.  

Thank you again for your confidence – I’ll work hard and I’ll make you proud.

Senator Bill Diamond

Dear Editor - From The American Fred Collins

Dear Editor,

The following lines are a “Christmas gift” that keeps on giving the rest of your life! Throughout my lifetime I have seen miraculous accomplishments, as well as dismal failures. The following lines may help you avoid or contribute if you are willing to stand firm. 

These words will not cost you much, but they will make a better, fuller life for you. (Treat your body with respect, give it the ability to succeed.) It is very critical that each of your, boy or girl, concentrate on building your mind and bodies to the most capable proportion. 

Why am I warning you at this point in your life? (A strong mind and body builds self-esteem. What is self-esteem? It is the can do feeling! Without this ingredient your chances in the future are very dim! I have seen young men and women struggle to succeed but lacked confidence in themselves. You might say mind over matter. Build strong principles in your life, stand strong on them. You cannot inherit self-esteem. You must build it as you grow. )

Perhaps I can point to an example:

A long distant runner is tired near the end of the race, the runner lungs are burning, muscles screaming, one forces oneself to compete and complete the race. (The effort that you have made to prepare yourself for whatever walk of life will determine the outcome.) Do you have the self-esteem in yourself to complete your journey in life? You’ll find life demanding.

“Do you have the can do attitude?”

To be a winner you must have self-esteem!

The American

Fred Collins