Town looking for volunteers

The Town Council Appointments Committee is looking for someone who is passionate about the environment to serve on the Recycling/Solid Waste Committee. This committee’s goals are to reduce waste and increase recycling and composting in Freeport.

Those interesting in serving on the committee (or any other town board or committee) can fill out an application available on www.freeportmaine.com and return to the Town Manager’s Office or [email protected].

Artists getting around

On Saturday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m., the play, “Alien Autopsy,” will be performed by the Improvised Puppet Project at Portland Stage in Portland. It was created by Elizabeth Guffey, managing artistic director of the Freeport Players.

Tom Acousti, a musician and Freeport resident, announced that he will perform “A Gallery of Songs” on Friday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 p.m., at the Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath. For more information, call 442-8455

FCS White Nights 2014

The Freeport Community Services’ already-sold-out gala, White Nights, is the biggest fundraiser for the organization. This year, the Jan. 25 event will kick off its 40th year in style. The festive evening will celebrate the hundreds of individuals, businesses and volunteers that make FCS a Maine success story.

The evening, from 5:30-10 p.m. at the Community Center, will feature food, an auction and dancing. For more information, call Kim Hudak, 865-3985.

Fitness challenge to launch

The public is invited to sign up at 6 p.m. Monday at Royal River Natural Foods on Route 1 for the Royal Fitness Challenge, a series four Thursday night sessions dedicated to healthy food and exercise.

Becky Foster, a supplement and body care buyer for Royal River Natural Foods, said that the Royal Fitness Challenge is not meant to be intimidating. David Bidler, a fitness coach, will be on hand to help people with their workouts, and Foster will show new diet supplements from Garden of Life.

The Thursday night sessions also can be done at people’s homes, Foster said. A grand prize will be awarded on the basis of an overall fitness assessment, not just weight, she said.

For more information, call 865-0046.

Chamber topic: Effective networking

The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce will present a Lunch and Learn program on networking, Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the Freeport Community Center. Bob Bremm, of AdviCoach, will provide hints about effective networking. There is no charge for this event but registration is necessary.

For more information, contact Sande Updegraph, 847-5240.

Active Living forum set

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 6:30 p.m., at the Freeport Community Center, residents will have an opportunity to learn about and preview the Freeport Active Living Plan developed with feedback from Freeport residents, in partnership with Mike Lydon of Street Plans Collaborative.

The mission of the Active Living Task Force is to create an environment that supports active living where Freeport residents live, work and play. Those interested in attending can email [email protected] or contact Freeport Active Living Task Force on Facebook.

Freeport Players annual meeting Jan. 16

Freeport Players is now launching its 25th year. All are invited to its annual meeting Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Freeport Community Center, Depot Street, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a potluck meal (BYOB and bring a main or side dish to share; dessert will be provided). Entertainment for the evening will feature a sneak preview of the upcoming season, including two numbers from “The Wizard of Oz,” that will be staged in July. There will also be bits from “Talking With,” the February production; “Almost Maine,” the September show; and “WFCP Telethon,” the December production.

No charge, but reservations are required. Wear something silver to eligible for a door prize. RSVP to [email protected] or call the info line at 865-2220.

Guide dog program at Woman’s Club

The Freeport Woman’s Club will meet at 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, in the meeting room of the Freeport Community Library. Guest speaker Kathleen Hayward will present a program about training puppies to become guide dogs for the blind. She will be accompanied by a puppy or two. Those attending should bring a donation of dog or cat food for this event. Refreshments will be served following the meeting.

New members are always welcome at the Freeport Woman’s Club. For information, call Anne Treadwell at 647-8313.

Poetry competition

Freeport Community Library will co-sponsor Freeport High School’s participation in Poetry Out Loud, on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m., at the Freeport library. Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition where a winner is selected through an evaluation process that begins in the classroom and moves to the state level. One state champion is selected to compete in Washington, D.C., for scholarship prizes. Students prepare poems to recite from memory, performing them and utilizing mainly their voice to convey meaning and mood, but also gestures and gazes. Simon Skold is the faculty leader of this event.

Conflict resolution focus of seminar

A conflict resolution seminar will be presented on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Freeport Seventh-day Adventist Church, 63 Pownal Road. Charles Brown, president of Adventist Reconciliation Ministries and nationally recognized professional conflict mediator and seminar facilitator, will present. The topics would be applicable to anyone experiencing relational conflict in their family, workplace or social network. Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is required by calling Collette Pekar at 729-2607. A free-will offering will be taken to cover materials.

Armchair travel series returns

Last year eager “armchair travelers” enjoyed biking through Puglia, barging through France, and coasting off Newfoundland in the warmth and comfort of the Freeport Community Library meeting room.

This winter, several community members have again agreed to share photos and travelogues of their adventures abroad. The itinerary for the 2014 Winter Armchair Travel season, starting at 6:30 p.m., includes:

Wednesday, Jan. 8, visit James Herriot’s Yorkshire Dales with British transplant Jamie Pearson.

Wednesday, Jan. 22 visit ancient and vibrant Croatia with Sally Walsh.

Wednesday, Feb. 5 visit the Great Wall, old Beijing and the Forbidden City with Andrew Finnegan.

Wednesday, Feb. 19, visit Yellowstone National Park, with professional photographer Jonathan Strout.

For more information, see www.freeportlibrary.com or call 865-3307.

Kids’ programs at library

Northern Planetarium’s inflatable dome is coming to the Freeport Community Library on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m. Stargazers will get the chance to see constellations and learn the stories behind them during this program, for ages 6 and up. Space is limited. Those interested should call or stop by the Children’s Room to sign up.

A free after-school movie for grades 6-8 will be shown on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 2:20 p.m. “Sea of Monsters” is rated PG. Free popcorn is included. On Feb. 13, “Pitch Perfect,” PG-13, will be shown. Students need a signed permission slip for PG-13 movies. Slips are available at the children’s desk.

Gar Roper to read at library

Freeport Community Library will present a reading by Freeport author Gar Roper, on Monday, Jan. 13, at 6:30 p.m. The evening will include a dramatic reading of several excerpts from the author’s recent novel, “Tales of the Traveler, the Journal of Dr. Wilfred Farquhar From the Year 1888.”

Roper, who works with his wife Betsy on the Freeport town column for the Tri-Town Weekly, will also present a brief retrospective reading of several of his poems from the last 50 years, and a sneak preview of his soon-to-be-released detective novel, “Deadly Hypocrisy: Brenda Should Have Died.”

Upcoming meetings

Project Review Board, Jan. 8, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers

Coastal Waters Commission, Jan. 8, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center

Active Living Task Force, Jan. 9, 7:30 a.m., Town Council Chambers

Shellfish Commission, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m. Freeport Community Center

Winslow Park Commission, Jan. 13, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center

Town Council Workshop, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers

Active Living Public Forum 2, Jan.15, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center

Conservation Commission, Jan. 15, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center

Recycling/Solid Waste, Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center