Husband and Wife Donate Large Sum to Searles School & Chapel

Upset with the decision by voters in March to knock down $100,958 in repairs and renovations to Searles School & Chapel, one local resident and her husband are taking matters into their own hands.

Margaret and Tom Case, who have both been actively involved in Windham for decades, have decided to donate $4,999.99 to the town to go toward the building. Margaret Case told Selectmen Monday that the dollar amount was kept under $5,000 so that the town could avoid the cost of advertising a public hearing.

But she isn't stopping at her donation. Selectmen also authorized her to organize a fund-raising campaign for the facility.

"I have watched for probably over 30 years the committee for Searles work so hard and I was so disappointed in the vote in March," said Margaret Case. "It just really bothered me, and I kept thinking 'what could be done?' There are things that have to be done."

Case listed off some of those items, including a new septic system and some repair work to the roof.

"Those are things that you just can't take a chance until next year," she said.

While she didn't outline the specifics of her fund-raising plan, preferring to get permission from the Board of Selectmen first, Case said that she will do her best to try to solicit both residents and businesses. She also plans to get involved with some service organizations in town.

Case said that she is in the midst of cataract surgery, and that might make the process a little slow in the beginning, but that doesn't mean she won't start right away with organizing things.

Peter Griffin of Windham's Historic District/Heritage Commission said that if the $100,958 bond had passed last month, it would have been repaid through rentals of the property.

Griffin has volunteered in Windham since 1973, and was around when Searles School & Chapel was almost demolished had it not been for a project designated at the United States Bicentennial to save the building.

Selectman Al Letizio, Jr. was overjoyed about both the fundraising plan and the donation.

"Here is an individual (Margaret Case) and a group who have been at this thing for many years," said Letizio. "Talk about putting your time and your effort and your money where your mouth is and setting an example for everyone in the community."

Fellow Selectman Kathleen DiFruscia thanked both Margaret Case and her husband for moving forward to help what she referred to as one of Windham's "most beautiful buildings."