Dear Editor - By Fred Collins

Dear Editor,

Friends of the Windham Eagle, what nostalgia! Since I don’t’ get out and about as I used to, I asked my daughter if she would drive by the Hawkes Farm Stand on Route 302 in Windham. 

I have been thinking often about Bob’s delicious sweet corn and those beef steak tomatoes. As we came close I noticed no cars in the parking lot. Since it was Labor Day weekend, I figures perhaps Bob and his great helpers were taking the day off. Of course farmers seldom take a day off!

I couldn’t believe my eyes. “Closed 2016”. Three generations of service to the public. A benchmark in Windham since I can remember. Mr. Alley Hawkes gave me my first job. I was able to buy my first bicycle that fall. As I drove on the Windham Center Road, I always glanced over to the old cider mill that used to make that great cider. 

Mr. Hawkes family knew the meaning of work. Many of Windham’s youth also learned the meaning of work as they gathered the fruits in the fields. 

I wish to relay my heartfelt thanks to all the Hawkes family for those years of service.

A Windham alumnus,

Fred Collins.

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Insight - 9/11 We remember - By Michelle Libby

Our grandparents remember where they were when WWII ended. Our parents remember where they were when President Kennedy was shot and now we remember where we were when 9/11 happened.

The children growing up today, including my teenagers, don’t remember 9/11 when it the planes crashed into buildings in New York City, Washington DC and in a field in Pennsylvania, other than what we tell them. My daughter knows she didn’t go to afternoon kindergarten that day. My son was only a year old. 

Freshmen in high school and younger only know about 9/11 as an historical event - something that happened before they were born that they have to learn about in history class. They know about these buildings called the “Twin Towers” and occasionally we see them in old movies. They don’t understand how the world changed on that day. How we as a country were never to be the same again.

After 9/11 there was a surge in patriotism and everyone was more vigilant. Flying became more time consuming to make sure that no one was carrying on something that could be used to bring a plane down. More people drove to their vacation destinations. Many people joined the military to serve justice for our country. 

Fifteen years later, the history of that event and its effects have all but disappeared. National pride is at an all time low and what the next generation knows about 9/11 they were told by their teachers or parents in a history lesson. The feelings of helplessness and disbelief of that day can’t be conveyed. The horror of watching the towers fall and knowing there were people in there, or that the falling debris off the buildings were actually people plummeting to their death because jumping was the better decision than staying where they were. 

I remember believing that the world had gone mad and thankful that my whole family was accounted for and my children and husband were in the house safe and sound. It was not so for many other families who lost loved ones on that day. 

History only lives in those who tell the stories of life on that day and after. Don’t be afraid to speak about what happened and where you were on 9/11. It matters.

Insight - Whoopie - By Michelle Libby

Last week the On the Spot question asked who makes your favorite whoopie pie. The answers varied from Wicked Whoopies to individual bakers in their home kitchens. 

I consider myself somewhat of a whoopie pie connoisseur. I’ve done taste tests to figure out the best filling that doesn’t use eggs or egg whites, checked out the best type of cake and if I can’t find it in the community, I’ll make them myself. 

I had been told about this mythical place in the county that has four pound whoopie pies that are exquisite. Of course I said, “I’ll be the judge of that,” but two years after I was told about these pies, I still hadn’t made it there. Feeling like I might never get the opportunity to sample these delights, I jumped at the opportunity to go to Grammy’s Country Inn in Linneus, just south of Houlton, over Labor Day weekend when my husband and I went up for a wedding. 

I ran into the tiny restaurant, grabbed three whoopie pies, two traditional and one peanut butter filled and after paying $4.25 each-ish for them, I stashed them in the car. 

I saved them for Monday to share at a friend’s birthday party because she’s a whoopie pie fan as well. After all the build up, I was praying that I wouldn’t be let down. I snuck a bit of the frosting and knew it would all be worth it. They were magical. Truly the size of my hand with my fingers stretched all the way out, plus some. The cakes had a bit of a hard time not cracking when put on the flat platter, but who cared. When it came time to eat them, no one noticed anything except for the amazing taste. 

Last year I came across a recipe for pumpkin whoopie pies that are easy to make and really hit the spot. There is a recipe below for pumpkin whoopies that is a combination of a few different recipes since I refuse to use raw eggs in the filling. This one uses cream cheese, which I have never used in filling before, so if you try them, let me know how they are. 

There are so many flavors of whoopie pies, choosing one can be challenging. I’m hoping someone finds one with apples for all of the apples coming in to the house this month, until then, happy eating. 

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Ingredients

• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups solid pack pumpkin puree
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger

1/2 tablespoon ground cloves

3/4 cup butter (11/2 sticks), softened

2 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 jar (7.5 oz.) marshmallow fluff.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
2. Combine the oil and brown sugar. Mix in the pumpkin and eggs, beating well. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Mix well.
3. Drop dough by heaping teaspoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cookies cool, then make sandwiches from two cookies filled with whoopie pie filling.
4. Using clean beaters, beat together butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar and marshmallow cream on medium-high speed in until well blended.
5. Turn the cookies upside down matching them front one side and put a cover on it. Enjoy.

Dear Editor - Jani Cummings

Dear Editor,

As the students and teachers get ready to go back to school this week, and start another year of learning and growth, challenge and adventure, I find myself thinking about this coming election and the importance it has for all of them, and for all of us.

As an educator for 38 years, I know first-hand the effect that thoughtless leadership can have at the local and state level. I also know how empowering the right person in the right place at the right time can be. I believe that Jessica Fay, running for District 66 (Casco, Poland, Raymond) is one such person. As the owner of Raymond Village Florist, she was involved locally and volunteered in my classroom to teach students about flowers.  She gave tours and working demonstrations to kindergarten classes. She provided the flowers and expertise for World Community Arts Day, so that over 40 children a year could learn how to create (and take home) beautiful arrangements.

One of the many things that has always impressed me about Jess is her willingness to listen and her willingness to learn. She takes thoughtful positions after hearing from all sides, she does the background work necessary to make informed decisions. She is the one who reads the statutes, proposed and enacted; and who even listens in on committee hearings so she can better understand the impact on our district and state. I don't know too many people who aren't already elected or working for a particular group who would take the time to be so informed.

I am so excited to be able to vote for Jess Fay on November 8, I hope you'll join me.

Jani Cummings

Raymond