Teacher lauded for educating about agriculture

Stacey Sanborn, who teaches at Manchester Elementary School in Windham, has been named the 2022 Teacher of the Year by Maine Agriculture in the Classroom. 

Sanborn

According to the organization’s website, Sanborn “has creatively woven gardening into her science curriculum to teach scientific method,” and she also mentors students through cooking and crafts. 

“Her impact is broad, reaching hundreds of students annually … ” the site said, noting that a former student who lived with food insecurity started their own home garden and was so successful they were able to share produce with other families in need. 

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom “promotes the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators and the general public,” according to its mission statement.   

Memoir Mondays return

For those of you who enjoyed following the daily adventures of Lena Megguier last year on the Windham Historical Society’s Facebook page, you will be excited to follow the life story of Rebecca May Manchester in 2022.

Rebecca May Manchester was born in Windham’s Manchester homestead in 1909. Pictured in this circa 1888 photo are Almon, sitting on the hay rake by the barn; Seward, standing by the horse; Nahum and Lydia seated by the tree with Everett standing behind; Ida, Seward’s wife; Alice standing in front of the house with Warren, barely visible sitting in the grass at her feet. Contributed / Windham Historical Society

Reba Mae, as she liked to be called, was born in Windham in 1909 and penned her story for her family when she was later in life. Every Monday, the society is posting an excerpt from her memoir that is filled with wonderful anecdotes and is rich in Windham history. This is an interesting way to learn about what the town of Windham was like in the early part of the 20th century.

Vets ‘go fish’ for free

Windham veterans who enjoy ice fishing won’t want to miss the free ice fishing open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 6 at Kent’s Landing in Naples. Presented by Sebago Lake Anglers, the Naples Recreation department, American Legion Post 155 and the Windham Field Allen Post 148, the event will provide veterans an opportunity to learn all about ice fishing from how to dress to the proper equipment to use, to useful techniques and how and where to drill holes. Refreshments will be served and will include hot chocolate, tea and coffee, along with donuts from the Village Donut Shop from 9 a.m. to noon and then hot dogs, baked beans, corn chowder, homemade cookies, brownies and shortcake later in the day.

All vets are invited to attend. The ice shed is handicapped accessible with wide doors and a wheelchair ramp with room for two wheelchairs inside. So do something fun this cold winter and warm up with some camaraderie while you hone your ice fishing skills.

Senior shop and dine

Seniors are invited to a shop-and-dine day by Windham Parks & Recreation, which is taking a bus to the Westbrook Market Basket on Feb. 8, followed by a stop for lunch at Stockhouse Restaurant & Sports Pub in Westbrook.

Parks and Rec calls Market Basket “the best local gourmet grocery store,” with house-made prepared foods, fresh produce and an expansive deli, prime meat department, fresh seafood selection and delicious store-made baked goods.

The bus will leave Town Hall at 9 a.m. and will return at 2 p.m. The cost for transportation is $12, but you’re on your own for lunch. Call the Windham Parks & Recreation department at 892-1905 for more information or to register for the trip.

Valentine craft

Children ages 2-5 and their caregivers are invited to spend some time creating and crafting together as the Windham Parks & Recreation department presents a Valentine’s Day Craft Time. Come to the Town Hall Gym from 10-11 a.m. Feb. 9 when kids can create simple craft projects to give to their loved ones as Valentine’s gifts. The cost is $5 per child and all supplies will be provided. It’s a simple way to spread some love and have fun while doing it. Due to health protocols, masks are required for anyone over the age of 2 regardless of vaccination status.

Haley Pal can be contacted at haleypal@aol.com.