Casco names O’Donnell
new town manager

CASCO — After months of searching, Casco has selected a new town manager to fill the shoes of Dave Morton, who is retiring after 41 years in the position. 

Courtney O’Donnell currently is the town manager of Stockton Springs, where she has worked for over two years. 

“She has considerable experience in government and in a small town. And she just seems like a good fit,” said Selectboard Chairwoman Holly Hancock. 

Casco had to readvertise to fill the town manager position in April after offers made to two other finalists fell through. 

O’Donnell has also served as an administrative assistant for the city of Bangor. She has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Maine and an MBA in organizational management from Husson University. 

O’Donnell said she was interested in “the opportunity that Casco provided. It’s a larger town, a larger budget, different issues.”

Hancock is confident in the Selectboard’s choice, saying, “She’s got considerable experience. She’s very upbeat. She’s knowledgeable. She has the temperament for the job.”

Casco’s first town manager remained in the position for only six months before Morton took over and stayed for 41 years. 

O’Donnell will begin in her new position on July 8. 

She said she looks forward to “learning the community and getting to know people. It’s going to be very exciting digging in.”

Morton had planned to retire in June, but he will continue working a few days a week to help O’Donnell transition to the new job. 

‘Rock and roll’
at Summerfest

WINDHAM — Windham’s annual Summerfest will take place June 22 at the high school complex, 406 Gray Road. This year’s theme is “we’re a little bit rock and roll!”

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. with awards for the best depiction of the theme, most creative and more. The car show parade will also begin at 10 a.m. with trophies being awarded at 2 p.m. 

At 7:45 a.m., there will be a 5K and 1-mile memorial race in honor of Toby’s Dream Project. Throughout the day there will be various musical acts. 

Wardens recover body 
of kayaker from N.H.

STANDISH — Maine game wardens on June 8 recovered the body of a New Hampshire man who was reported missing the day before after he failed to return from a kayak trip on Watchic Lake.

Timothy Clauge, 39, of Nottingham, New Hampshire was found using side-scan sonar equipment in 29 feet of water about one-third of a mile from where he launched his kayak, the Maine Warden Service said. Clauge had taken the kayak out shortly after midnight Thursday to go fishing but didn’t return. The overturned kayak was recovered Friday. Clauge was not wearing a life jacket.

Wardens spent much of the day Friday searching and then returned Saturday morning.

Creativity hub for youth
planned for Bridgton

BRIDGTON — The Maine 4-H Foundation has undertaken a $4 million fundraising campaign to purchase the Magic Lantern theater and pub on Depot Street and expand it as an innovation lab and learning center for youth. 

The center, which will be led by University of Maine Cooperative Extension, will provide a hub of creative activity for youth in the Lakes region. The Magic Lantern will still have a three-auditorium theater and a pub but will increase educational offerings and outreach. 

The foundation so far has raised half of the necessary funds to purchase the facility from Snapdragon Associates. 

Windham restaurant
honors WWII veterans

WINDHAM — Erik’s Church welcomed World War II veterans for a free lunch on Thursday, June 6, the 75th anniversary of D-Day. 

The veterans, from Maine Veterans’ Homes in Scarborough, talked about their service and the places they had visited. 

Owner of the restaurant, Ken Cianchette, invited his grandfather, also Ken Cianchette, an Army veteran who was on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. 

Thompson’s Orchard 
now offering gelato

NEW GLOUCESTER — Thompson’s Orchard is now offering over 25 varieties of homemade gelato. 

Owner Mike Thompson said some of the ingredients come from the bakery, such as the blueberry pie flavor, while others come from his own apples and cider. 

The gelato, which is all made on-site, is offered in cookie bowls or cones in order to help reduce the orchard’s carbon footprint.

Loon Echo receives
habitat protection award

SEBAGO — Loon Echo Land Trust has received a spring 2019 Casco Bay Habitat Protection Fund Award from the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership for its work on Tiger Hill Community Forest. 

CBEP contributed a total of $12,000 to the project over two funding rounds, one in spring 2018 and one in spring 2019. Loon Echo Land Trust and The Trust for Public Land are working in partnership with the town of Sebago to acquire and create Tiger Hill Community Forest, according to a press release about the award. 

This project will sustain and enhance vitally important aquatic ecosystems, including 325 acres of wetlands and ponds and 29,500 feet of frontage on the Northwest River. 

Ken Cianchette, owner of Erik’s Church in Windham,  invited his grandfather, also Ken Cianchette, to a special WWII veterans event at his restaurant June 6. The older Cianchette is an Army veteran who was on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.