Spotlight: St. Ann’s Episcopal Church

Often as you enter a town or city in our great country you will see a sign which states “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You.” Have you ever seen one of these and wondered to yourself, does that really mean me?

St. Ann’s Episcopal Church is a welcoming, affirming, and inclusive Christian community striving through worship, love and service to embrace all people.

We as Episcopalians, believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

As constituent members of the Anglican Communion in the United States, we are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world.

We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.

We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being. Women and men serve equally as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church.

You are welcome in our church regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, marital status or national origin.

We believe that God loves you – no exceptions. And so do we.

St. Ann’s has been a vibrant part of the Lakes Region communities of Maine for over 50 years. Our message continues to be that we welcome you into this adventurous life and faith in Christ…whoever 'you' may be.

Please consider joining us on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. We are located at 40 Windham Center Road in Windham. Also visit them at www.stannsepiscopalchurch.com and follow them on Facebook to keep up with events throughout the year and live services.<

Business Spotlight: FirstLight Home Care

Going above and beyond to provide quality care for its clients and sharing a lasting commitment to treating clients and staff as family is at the heart of the ongoing success of FirstLight Home Care of Windham.

The company’s dedication to health and wellness is exemplary and its team of compassionate caregivers has made a difference in the lives of countless community residents. Located at 944 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, FirstLight Home Care is family owned and operated and devoted to giving everyone the peace of mind to enjoy the quality of life they deserve.

Recently honored with the national distinction as a Best of Home Care Provider of Choice for exhibiting highest levels of professionalism, quality and expertise in home care, FirstLight owners Peter Gartland and Carol Larkin give credit for the award to the company’s focus on exceptional customer service delivered by an extraordinary team of skilled caregivers.

FirstLight Home Care offers senior care, personal care, companion care, dementia care, respite care and specialty care that’s affordable, reliable, and trustworthy. It offers care for those recovering from surgery, or anyone who just needs a little assistance.

Care services range from friendly conversation to helping with basic household tasks and individual needs like bathing and personal hygiene. From a few hours a day to 24-hour care, FirstLight caregivers exceed expectations to help with daily tasks and activities that may become difficult for individuals to manage as they age.

The goal for FirstLight caregivers is to keep clients in their own homes and provide them with the support they need to maintain their independence.

In business for the past 11 ½ years, FirstLight Home Care offers a highly experienced, and long tenured team of caregivers that are thoroughly screened and vetted before working with clients. Caregivers are compassionate and empathetic, undergo a rigorous background check and are drug-tested.

The Gartland Family believes in taking care of its caregiving staff and always treat them like members of their own family, who in turn then pass that on to the clients.

Jessie Gartland of FirstLight Home Care said that sometimes clients are hesitant to obtain home care service and are under the misconception that caregivers are going to come in and take over.

“We work with our clients, so they are comfortable with the caregivers. Needs change over time and we certainly adapt to them,” she said. “It’s more economical to stay in your own home and many of our clients look forward to the visits from their caregivers who are there to help them.”

She said sometimes it may be necessary for a client to go into a nursing home, but otherwise FirstLight Home Care is available as an option.

The quality of services rendered to clients is exceptional and ranges from one single shift to complete 24/7 care.

For families, communication about the care that their loved ones receive is paramount, so all client care notes, caregiver schedules and even the option to pay a bill is available online.

FirstLight Home Care reviews on social media are outstanding.

“All sorts of reasons to recommend them. They are professional, helpful, and understand caregiving from their own experience. The people that work for them are wonderful with my aunt, and help me when I ask questions about dementia, aging, or their own experiences with elderly. When I needed more hours, or an extra day because I had an appointment, there was no problem.” Ann D.

“This company has been working with my mom and her friend for 6 months. They have been amazing people to work with. Mom is 96 and her friend 100. Their health and home needs have changed several times in the 6 months we’ve had their support. I have never dealt with nicer group of accommodating people. Whenever we need time adjustments it’s done or add on another task it’s done. I have never heard “we can’t do that”; it’s always “yes we can do that.” The agency has been a Godsend helping to care for the aging parents we love so much. Thank you First Light!!” Cheryl C.

For more information about FirstLight Home Care, call them at 207-627-1125 or visit their website at www.firstlighthomecare.com/ Find them on Facebook at FirstLight Home Care of Southern Maine.

Business Spotlight: Gray Urgent Care

The healthcare professionals behind the new Gray Urgent Care clinic think that the time for bringing quality patient-centered non-emergency care to where it is needed is long overdue.

Starting Monday, Dec. 12, Gray Urgent Care at 6 Turnpike Acres Road in Gray opens its doors to assist the community with convenient hours and a nearby facility. Located next to the Gray Post Office just off Gray Road, Gray Urgent Care owners Patricia and Anna Kittredge say that they are excited to provide reliable and affordable walk-in service without having to wait weeks for an appointment in the area.

“The care that I want to provide is not a big box urgent care model. I never want my patients to feel like a number,” Patricia Kittredge said. “I want to give them personal, patient-centered, compassionate care.”

The facility is a dream come true for the Kittredges, who are longtime residents of Gray. Patricia Kittredge is a family nurse practitioner who will serve as Gray Urgent Care’s medical director and treating provider, while Anna Kittredge, a veteran and a physician assistant with extensive military medical experience, is the practice’s chief operating officer.

Gray Urgent Care will offer walk-in service to patients from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday with no appointments necessary.

Services offered at Gray Urgent Care include on-site x-rays and point-of-care testing, as well as treatment for a variety of acute, non-emergency conditions ranging from fractures and sprains to viral infections to COVID-19, among many others. The clinic also offers physicals for youth sports.

“We’re here to help people,” Anna Kittredge said. “Patients can relax and trust that we can treat them to the best of our ability. We live here and it’s important for us to let the community know that we’re here for them.”

It’s not a standalone emergency medical facility for life-threatening treatment but rather Gray Urgent Care is a convenient location to receive medical care for acute illnesses and acute injuries.

It handles fractures, sprains, strains and dislocations; joint injections and aspirations; laceration repairs; rashes; incision and drainage of abscesses; allergic reactions; foreign bodies; viral infections; vomiting/diarrhea; COVID-19; pneumonia, bronchitis, influenza, strep throat, and mono infections; Lyme’s disease and other tick-borne illnesses; ear, sinus and eye infections; sports physicals; initial workers compensation injuries; urinary tract infections; and STD screening and treatment.

“We live here, have children here and now we have this opportunity to work here. Together, we bring over 33 years of emergency and urgent care experience, and Patricia spent the past seven years leading the urgent care facility at St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston,” said Anna Kittredge. “In addition, we are proud to say that Gray Urgent Care is veteran-owned and operated. We’re excited to put the days of long commuting behind us and stay close to home to serve the urgent care needs of you, your family and friends.”

Being able to share her medical knowledge with her patients so they have a great experience when

The new Gray Urgent Care is opening on
Monday, Dec. 12 under the medical direction
of local co-owner Patricia Kittredge.
COURTESY PHOTO
 

visiting the clinic is something that appealed to Patricia Kittredge in opening the new Gray Urgent Care.

“We want to show our integrity, we’re not a big box urgent care,” Patricia Kittredge said. “We provide patient-centered and whole-person care which involves looking at the whole person, not just separate organs or body systems, and considering multiple factors that promote either health or disease.”

Patient visits are expected to run less than an hour on average from check-in to check-out and it will save having to drive to Portland or Lewiston for medical care.

“I was born and raised in Maine and we both live in Gray,” Patricia Kittredge said. “We care about our neighbors and friends here. We’re ready to bring quality healthcare to where it is needed right here in this community.”

For more information about Gray Urgent Care, call 207-657-1165 or visit grayurgentcare.com/ Find them on Facebook under Gray Urgent Care. <

Business Spotlight: Tia's Treats and Eats

During the Christmas season and for special occasions throughout the entire year, no celebration would be complete without holiday treats from Tia’s Treats and Eats.

Tia Morrell is the owner of Tia's Treats and 
Eats, a business specializing in the finest
chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate
candy, grazing boards and coca bombs in
the Greater Portland area.
COURTESY PHOTO 

Featuring some of the most delicious candy and indulgent delicacies that she makes herself in her own kitchen right here in Maine, Tia’s Treats and Eats is an experience not to be missed for any holiday or celebration.

Tia Morrell is a native of Windham who founded Tia’s Treats and Eats several years ago and is committed to offering the finest chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate candy, cocoa bombs, grazing boards and exceptional customer service available in the Greater Portland area. Each treat is prepared using fresh and organic ingredients, sourced locally and from around the globe and gift cards are also available.

“The best thing about what we do is to make something that seems so simple, but it is so well loved by those who receive it,” Morrell said. “The biggest challenge is finding the time to do even more of this.”

Tia’s Treats and Eats can be selected and ordered online and can either be picked up or delivered locally for free in the Greater Portland area.

“We offer something that can be brought to baby showers, the office Christmas party, for weddings, for Valentine’s Day, school graduations and more,” Morrell said. “The best part is that it’s all hand-made.”

Choices can be made directly online and the menu for Tia’s Treats and Eats rotates depending upon the season.

“Valentine’s Day is typically our busiest season,” Morrell said. “But no matter what time of year, the ordering process is very accessible and it’s very easy to get our products.”

Along with a wide assortment of sugary delights, Tia’s Treats and Eats also offers gluten-free and allergy-free treats that can be enjoyed by all.

“Because it’s important to me, our packaging comes in recyclable boxes and our grazing board bamboo trays are compostable,” she said. “Everything is safe for the environment. These are snacks that are good for our planet.”

She founded the company after living and working in New York City and then upon returning to her home state of Maine, Morrell says that she discovered that she couldn’t find some of the treats here that she enjoyed there.

Morrell says that she’s constantly looking to add new products to her line and at any given time, has between 10 and 12 different items available for purchase depending on the time of year.

“Finding just the right ingredients is always tough and does depend upon the day,” she said. “I find that I’m always shopping. It’s difficult to get strawberries throughout the year. Sometimes I’m ordering up to 30 cases of strawberries at a time.”

She says that she has discovered that to be successful in this type of business, a person must have the right mindset.

“You must have a quality product, be positive and friendly, and it takes time to build referrals,” Morrell said.

So far, the reviews for her products are sensational.

“I had berries gifted to me and they were so beautiful. But not only were they aesthetically pleasing, they were delicious. The berries were perfectly ripe, and the paired chocolate just couldn't have been better. Contactless delivery was a huge bonus as well.” Helen C. on Yelp

“Tia puts her all into creating such a special and delicious way of saying thank you. Recently I asked her to create a special gift of appreciation to a fine EMS department. They were worthy of something that took some love in creating, packaging, and delivering and Tia did exactly that. I added to the order last minute she accommodated without hesitation. I can tell you - these gorgeous delicacies got rave reviews! Thank you again, Tia. I would encourage you to reach out to her for any day, moment or event that has meaning for you.” Cheryl C. on Yelp

“Love, love, love my Valentine strawberries!!!! I wish I had taken a picture, but we hit that box hard! They tasted even better than they looked. And fruity pebbles with white chocolate might be my favorite now. Thanks Tia you’re doing amazing work.” Mary McGurn Wasick on Facebook

To view a selection of products available from Tia’s Treat and Eats, visit https://www.tiastreatsandeats.com/ or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/treatsandeatsmaine. Orders are also available by calling 207-518-8298. <