Ghosts make appearances at tour

Ghosts of Freeport’s Past Walking Tours will be led by lantern-carrying Freeport Historical Society docents through the dark paths of historic Woodlawn Cemetery on West Street in Freeport, Oct. 27, 28, 29 and 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. or earlier.

Groups of 10 will visit specific locations at the burial ground where a range of prominent, former Freeporters will share fascinating stories from their past. Groups will be ”pulsed” into the cemetery every 10 minutes with a tour expected to take about 45 minutes.

The Woodlawn Cemetery is the resting place of some of Freeport’s most prominent past residents, including shipbuilders, industrialists, maritime captains and wives, clergy and others.

Tickets for the tours are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 years and younger. Members are $5 (Sunday night tours are half-price). All tour participants must bring a flashlight, dress for the outdoors and be prepared for walking on somewhat uneven ground. Reservations are urged as previous year’s tours have all sold out.

For more information, call 865-3170, email info@freeporthistoricalsociety.org or see www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org. Information is also available on the historical society’s Facebook page.

FHS student wins commendation

Bob Strong, principal of Freeport High School, has announced that Fiona Harbert has been named a Commended Student in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship program. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 5 percent of more that 1.5 million students who entered the 2014 competition by taking the 2012 PSAT Qualifying Test.

Ski swap Saturday

The Freeport Schools Ski Boosters ski swap is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1-3 p.m., at Freeport Ski and Bike, 308 Route 1 in Freeport. Equipment drop-off times are Friday, Oct. 18, 3-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be an 80/20 split (80 percent for sellers) and a freewill listing donation request of 50 cents per item.

Included will be selection of alpine and Nordic gear for racers and non-racers alike. All proceeds will benefit the Freeport middle and high school alpine and Nordic race programs.

For more information, see www.maineskifamily.com/2013/10/freeport-ski-boosters-ski-swap.html.

Noodles at Noon

On Saturday, Oct. 19, at noon, at Bessie’s Farm Goods, 33 Litchfield Road, Freeport, cooking instructor Chris Toy will shares three of his favorite Asian noodle recipes. Together with participants, he’ll make a sweet and spicy sesame noodle salad. Then he’ll hand roll some fresh ramen noodles for some egg drop seafood soup and finish up with stir fried Pad Thai rice noodles with chicken and vegetables. The fee is $40.

For more information, see www.facebook.com/Bessies-FarmGoods or call 865-9840.

Library Friends to meet Monday

Friends of the Freeport Community Library will hold its monthly meeting Monday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. Anyone interested in joining the volunteer group that supports and promotes the library is welcome to attend.

Friends volunteers will discuss the new “Meet the Author” series the group is sponsoring, as well as other ongoing projects and plans.

Since forming in 2011, the group has provided free/discounted museum and park passes for patrons, advocated for the addition of a technology librarian, raised funds for a specialized book scanner for the library, donated prizes for the children’s summer reading program and participated in a variety of library events and programs. For more information, visit www.FCLfriends.org.

Trivia contest coming up

The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce will host a trivia contest Thursday, Oct. 24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St. The grand prize is $200 cash for the winning team. Those interested can register a team of four or the chamber will put individuals together with others to form a team.

Registration fees for teams, individuals and supporters will benefit the Freeport Community Services. Register by Contacting Sande or Carolyn at the chamber, sande@freeportmainechamber.com, or call 847-5240, ext.1.

Open Stage Coffee House

On Saturday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m., the Open Stage Coffee House will take place in the Community Room of the Freeport Public Library. The event is free and open to the public. Any and all entertainers are invited to perform for 10-15 minutes. The coffee house has been described as a “safety zone for creativity” and all levels of ability and talent are received. Goodies and coffee are provided by Eat My Shortbread for a modest fee.

Dried flowers topic for club

The Freeport Woman’s Club will meet at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, at the meeting room of the Freeport Community Library. The guest speaker will be Geri Rose, who will be presenting a fall dried flower arrangement demonstration, featuring “contrived focal flowers.” Refreshments will be served following the meeting. All are welcome.

Free film is ‘Get Smart’

At Freeport Community Library, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2:20 p.m. a free movie, “Get Smart,” will be shown for students in grades 6-8. Popcorn is included. Students need a permission slip, available at the Children’s Desk, to watch PG-13 movies. Movies are shown on the third Thursday of the month.

Crafters/vendors wanted

The Freeport Fire Rescue Auxiliary will host a craft fair on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Freeport Fire Station.

Those interested in reserving a table should call 865-6568 for more information.

Scouts plan overnight at USS Constitution

Cub Scout Pack 45 of Freeport/Pownal will be travelling to Boston next May 3 to spend the night on the USS Constitution. “We’ll be sleeping between the cannons on the gun deck, said Pack 45 Cubmaster Ken Sparta. “This is a fantastic opportunity to immerse our kids into such an important element of American history.” The overnight program onboard the more-than-200-year-old frigate is new, and few groups know of the offering. While visiting the ship and the museum last spring, Pack 45 leadership became aware of the program, and contacted the current commander, Sean Kearns, who hails from Hampden. “Kearns set us up with the right contacts, and the arrangements have been made,” said Sparta.

Because of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the Boy Scouts of Troop 45 have been invited to join the Cubs for the trip. The Scouts will assist the ship’s crew in cleaning up after a normal day’s activities, and then will be an integral part of ship’s colors, both evening and morning.

“We’d like to invite any one of Cub Scout age to join our pack, so that they can be included on this fantastic trip,” said Sparta. He can be reached at 865-3326 for more details.

Pumpkin hayrides at Wolfe’s Neck Farm

On Saturdays and Sundays in October from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., families are invited to Wolfe’s Neck Farm for a hayride out into the pumpkin field, a visit with the farm animals and a walk or bike ride through the woods. The 626-acre nonprofit demonstration farm is just a short drive from downtown Freeport and adjacent to Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park.

Pumpkin hayrides cost $6 a person or $20 for a family (including pumpkin) and benefit the Wolfe’s Neck Farm Education Program.

On Saturdays, come at 8:30 a.m. to participate in the Farmer for the Morning Program for toddlers/preschoolers.

Chowdah Challenge winners listed

Local Freeport restaurants faced off on Oct. 5 on the porch of L.L. Bean Home Store. Diners sampled chowders and chili and voted on their favorites. All proceeds benefited the Freeport Community Services food pantry. Judges awards were: Clam chowder: Lobster Cooker; seafood chowder, Freeport Seafood Company; chili, Harraseeket Inn.

People’s Choice Awards: Clam chowder, Lobster Cooker; seafood chowder, Bucks Naked BBQ; chili, Harraseeket Inn.

Community Services partners with toy fund

Freeport Community Services’ 2013 Holiday Helpline Program has joined forces with the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund for the winter holiday gift-giving season. The Bruce Roberts fund has been supporting families by providing toys for children since 1949. The new partnership supports Freeport Community Services’ mission of helping families in Freeport and Pownal by expanding services, avoiding duplications, and giving local families a “one-stop” destination for assistance.

Freeport and Pownal families can apply at FCS. Applications must be submitted no later than Oct. 29. The Bruce Roberts Toy Fund will provide four new, preselected, age-appropriate toys for each child up to his/her 19th birthday. All toys through the FCS Holiday Helpline Program will now be provided through the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund.

Community volunteers are essential to the success of the Holiday Helpline Program. Here’s how to help:

1. Adopt a family: While the toys come from the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund, Freeport Community Services still hopes to supply two articles of warm clothing per child, and one one gift for each adult in the family.

2. Adopt an adult: Freeport Community Services provides one gift per adult; for some elderly, disabled, ill or unemployed adults, this may be the only gift they receive this holiday season.

3. Provide cash donations to the Holiday Helpline: Donations are used for items such as Bow Street Market gift cards and gas cards. Each family or adult, in addition to the gifts provided by donors, will receive a “Fund-a-Feast” Box from Hannaford and a Bow Street Market gift card.

4. Donate time: Help with gift wrapping, sorting and delivering gifts and food boxes.

To volunteer, contact Debbie Daggett, FCS volunteer coordinator, at 865-3985, ext. 206. To adopt a family, make a contribution or apply for help, contact Sue Mack, FCS family service coordinator, 865-3985, ext. 205, as soon as possible.

Church hosting sale of warm clothes, linens

The South Freeport Congregational Church is having a warm clothing and linens sale on Friday, Oct. 18, and Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. A soup, sandwich, dessert and beverage lunch for $5 will also be available from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. This first-ever sale of high-end and practical clothing includes sweaters, pants, skirts, dresses, jackets, hats, gloves, scarves and purses, as well as funky and vintage clothing including furs. Pillows, blankets, quilts and rugs will also be for sale.

The South Freeport Congregational Church is located at 98 South Freeport Road. Call 865-4012 for more information. www.southfreeportchurch.com.

Police schedule drug take-back day

The Freeport Police Department is participating in the National Drug Take Back Initiative on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Residents can bring unused, unwanted or expired medications to the Freeport Public Safety Building for proper disposal.

Items can include controlled, non-controlled and over-the-counter substances. Medications may be disposed of in their original container, but it is recommend that labels be removed from the container, or that a black line be drawn through the information. Intravenous solutions, injectibles or syringes cannot be accepted. Liquid products such as cough syrup should remain sealed in their original containers if possible. Otherwise the item should be placed in a sealed plastic bag.

Flu shot clinic Oct. 22

CHANS will be coming to the Freeport Town Office to conduct its annual flu clinic on Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 9-11 a.m. in the Town Council Chambers. CHANS accepts donations for these vaccinations (suggested donation $20).

Meet the author

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Barbara Walsh, and author of “August Gale: A Father and Daughter’s Journey into the Storm,” will speak at the Freeport Community Library on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m., co-hosted by Merrill Memorial Library in Yarmouth as part of a joint “Community Read” program.

Election information

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. in the gymnasium at Freeport High School, 30 Holbrook St., for the state referendum and municipal election.

Absentee ballots are available at the Freeport Town Clerk’s Office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Thursday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m.

Those who have moved since the last time they voted should stop by the Town Clerk’s office by Oct. 31 with proof of residency so that your name will appear on the correct district voting list. For those who cannot make it to Town Hall by Oct. 31, there will be a voter registrar available at the polls on Election Day to make address changes and direct voters to the correct district table.

Citizen of the Year nominations sought

Each year the town of Freeport presents a Citizen of the Year Award, to honor those who have contributed substantively to the quality of the town, the well-being of the residents and the reputation of Freeport. This award is given to honor and ensure that the recipient’s commitment and contributions continue to provide an inspiration to all.

The Freeport Town Council Special Projects Committee collects nominations yearly for the award. Deadline for nominations is Dec. 5. Nomination forms are available at the town office and at www.freeportmaine.com.

Upcoming meetings

Conservation Commission, Oct. 16, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center

Recycling/Solid Waste, Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center

On Saturdays and Sundays in October from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., families are invited to Wolfe’s Neck Farm for a hayride out into the pumpkin field.