‘Cupcake-bombing’ surprise at FCS

A small group from Freeport Players surprised the staff of Freeport Community Services at the Community Center Feb. 25, with a “bombing” of 25 cupcakes to celebrate birthdays of both the Players (25 years) and FCS (40 years).

“We wanted to thank FCS and the Community Center for partnering with the Players over the years, including several productions and many gatherings. It’s this kind of community support that has helped us continue to thrive as we celebrate our first quarter-century and plan for our next one,” said Elizabeth Guffey, managing/artistic director of Freeport Players. “We also planned this as a grateful cheer for FCS, celebrating 40 years of service in the community.”

The theater group plans to celebrate the 25-year milestone all year, in addition to its three remaining 2014 productions: “The Wizard of Oz” (in partnership with Freeport Family Performing Arts), July 17-27; “Almost, Maine,” Sept. 11-21, and “The WFCP Telethon,” Dec. 5-7. For more information, www.fcponline.org.

Crabapple Jam spreads music on Friday

The next Freeport First Friday will bring back local favorite band Crabapple Jam on Friday, March 7, at the Freeport Community Center. The concert is at 6 p.m., and dinner is at 7.

Crabapple Jam is the “house band” from Freeport’s Open Stage Coffeehouse, four musicians playing a variety of instruments. Members Eric Bryant, Meg and John Albright and Shari Broder offer an acoustical mix of bluegrass, blues, folk and fiddle tunes, including some originals.

The scheduled menu (although subject to change) includes soup, lasagna, salad, bread from When Pigs Fly bakery and dessert, prepared by Daric and Ellen Ebert and friends.

New pricing for 2014: $15 in advance and $20 on Friday. Seating is limited. Call Kim Hudak at FCS, 865-3985, ext. 202 for tickets. Freeport First Friday is a joint project of MASISTA (Maryellen and Sam In Support of The Arts) and Freeport Community Services.

Variety show theme is 1960s

The Freeport Lioness-Lions will stage their 28th annual variety show, “Sensational ‘60s,” on Saturday, March 22, at 7 p.m., at the Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St. Ticket prices are $10 can be purchased at the door. Musical numbers and skits will be presented. All proceeds from the show will be donated to the community. For more information, call Karen at 939-6484.

Tales of King Arthur March 8-9

Freeport Theater of Awesome, 5 Depot St., will present “The Comedia Tales Of King Arthur!” on Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9, at 2 p.m. The Comedia series features physical humor and witty banter that breathe new life and energy into the classic fairy tales. There’s also improv, sword play and song. This show was also performed last month. “Tales of King Arthur is making a return appearance because people enjoyed the performance so much,” said theater owner Deb Doherty. For more information, call 675-4000 or see www.theaterofawesome.com.

Restaurant Week in Freeport

During Maine Restaurant Week, March 1-10, restaurants offer specially priced three-course meals. The first restaurant week concept originated in New York City in the early 1990s and caught on in Maine in 2009.

According to the website www.mainerestaurantweek.com, participating Freeport restaurants are the 1912 Cafe?, Azure Cafe?, the Broad Arrow Tavern, Maine Harvest and Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro.

Hand to Hand Food Drive on Saturday

RSU 5 Recreation and Community Education’s Laugh and Learn Program will host its 19th annual Hand to Hand Food Drive on Saturday, March 8, from 10-11:30 a.m. Helping hands will meet at the First Parish Church on Main Street (across from the Gap) and wind their way down to Freeport Community Services Food Pantry.

All donations benefit the FCS Food Pantry. Those unable to attend the drive can bring food and paper products to donate to Morse Street School, Mast Landing School or Durham Community School.

Nineteen years ago, one of the Laugh and Learn teachers, Wendy Marstaller, saw a need in the community and took action. Her preschool program had a rich curriculum of community service to others and being good neighbors. Her stewardship was woven into all of her teaching and now globally in the Laugh and Learn program that includes more than150 children in Freeport and Durham.

“I started the Hand-To-Hand food drive 19 years ago as a way to show children how great it feels to help those in need in our community,” Marstaller said. “My thought was that if they start when they are young, they will continue helping as they grow. Year after year I see so many children join us in our line down Main Street. We clap and cheer and fill the food pantry. I am truly grateful for everyone who helped make my dream come true – a line that stretches down Main Street with smiling faces with bags of food.”

YMCA fundraiser

The annual YMCA Adaptive Services Auction will take place on Wednesday, April 2, from 6-9 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5 Park St., Freeport.

The event raises money for the Y’s Adaptive Services Program, which enables people who have lost movement through illness or accident to return to as normal a life as possible. The service is open to all regardless of ability to pay. The evening will include a silent and live auction, hors d’oeuvres and wine bar and more. Tickets are $40 single, $70 pair, or $45 single, $75 pair at the door the night of the event. Tickets can be purchased at any branch of the Y of Southern Maine or online at http://www.ymcaofsouthernmaine.org/casco-bay-ymca/auction.

Freeport students on USM dean’s list

Freeport residents Richard Baker, Wilson Bristol, Sarah Brooks, Cassidy Cleaves, Rachel Farrington, Scott Gavin, Mary Latendresse, Katee Poulin, Alec Salisbury, Abigail Williams and Taylor Wood have been named to the fall dean’s list at the University of Southern Maine. In order to be named to the list, students must earn a grade point average of 3.4 or higher and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Comic Bob Marley at school fundraiser

Maine comedian Bob Marley will appear at Freeport Performing Arts Center on Sunday, April 6, at 7 p.m. His PG-13 show is sponsored by the Freeport High School class of 2014 Project Graduation, which raises approximately $30,000 to provide graduating seniors with activities during their final week of school. Tickets are $20 and seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased at Freeport High School, Houses & Barns by John Libby and The Pet Pantry, and online at www.eventbrite.com. Checks should be written to FHS Class of 2014. For more information, call Cindy Drake, 841-3480.

Study group at First Parish

The First Parish Church Congregational ongoing study and discussion group will begin on Sunday, March 9, from 9-9:40 a.m. The group, which is open to the public, will consider and discuss the matters central to the church service that follows. The topic for the next several weeks during the Easter season will be “Resurrection and Salvation.” The study group will be led by Dr. Gar Roper.

The study group will bring together Bible and world perspectives on the topic and will be discussion oriented without assertion of dogma or “correct” interpretation. The study group is open to all people, members of First Parish Church or non-members. No prior reading is required to join in the group.

April vacation Camp at Wolfe’s Neck Farm

Children in grades 1-5 are invited to participate in April Vacation Camp at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, April 21-25, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The program will provide an opportunity to play and learn during a time of year when the farm is beginning to wake up from winter. Each day participants spend time caring for the animals in the barn, including spring lambs and goat kids. Other activities include learning how to grow shiitake mushrooms, making mini-greenhouses to take home and exploring the farm’s 626 oceanfront acres. To register online for one to five days, visit Education@wolfesneckfarm.org.

Library book talk

Author Judy Silva will talk about her travel memoir, “The Voyage of Yankee Lady: Circumnavigating New England on a Sailboat,” at Freeport Community Library on Monday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m.

In her book, Silva tells the story of six different sailors, all retired, who cruised three modest sailboats for 3,000 miles along the Canadian and American waterways that surround New England.

Copies of her book will be available for purchase and signing. For more information, see www.freeportlibrary.com.

First Thursda film is ‘Kon-Tiki’

The Freeport Community Library presents a free movie in its community meeting room the first Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. On March 6, “Kon-Tiki” will be shown. Set in 1947, the adventure film is an account of Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl’s 101-day crossing of the Pacific Ocean on a balsa wood raft with five inexperienced crew members.

Next month’s free film will be Lee Daniel’s “The Butler” on April 3.

Sitting Pretty fundraiser March 23

After decorating rocking chairs, canoe paddles, small tables and mirrors, the annual benefit auction for Freeport’s Port Teen Center this year will feature painted clocks and lazy Susans. The Sitting Pretty event will be held Sunday, March 23, from 4-6:30 p.m., at the Freeport Community Center.

The event has raised more than $40,000 in the past to support the center. The clocks and lazy Susans will be on display at Clayton’s Cafe? and Bakery, Route 1 in Yarmouth, prior to the event.

Free tax-prepaid to be offered

AARP will again be providing free tax preparation assistance for low to moderate-income households, with special attention to those 60 years and older, Wednesday mornings through April 9, at the Freeport Community Center. Assistance is available by appointment only. Call 865-4743, ext.120, to schedule.

Upcoming meetings

Freeport Planning Board, Wednesday, March 5, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Withdrawal Committee and Working Group meeting, Wednesday, March 5, 6:30 p.m., Freeport High School Library.

RSU 5 community meeting, Thursday, March 6, 6 p.m., Morse Street School Library, Freeport.

Winslow Park committee, Monday, March 10, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Freeport Town Council workshop, Tuesday, March 11, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Project Review Board, Wednesday, March 12, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Coastal Waters Commission, Wednesday, March 12, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Members of Crabapple Jam include, from left, Eric Bryant, Shari Broder, Meg Albright and John Albright. Freeport Players and Freeport Community Services are both celebrating birthdays this year. Marking the occasion at a “cupcake bombing” last week were, from left, front: Maryellen Carew, Sue Mack, Elizabeth Guffey, Sally Grover. Back, Julie Frasier, Robin Harriman, Kim Hudak, Debbie Daggett, Melanie Sachs, Scott Miller, Lynn Hannings and Betsy Roper. 

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