Freeport moves to state drama fest finals

Freeport High School will face Yarmouth at the Class B 2014 Maine Drama Festival finals, to be held at Yarmouth High School this weekend. The Freeport students will perform their student-written play, “Unhappily Ever After,” at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 21.

Freeport High School’s production of the play, written by Kelsey Grant and Molly Brown’s, won the regional competition on March 8 at Oceanside High School in Rockland. The production is a sequel to the classic tale of Snow White. Freeport defeated Lincoln Academy and Wiscasset plus North Haven to become the 2014 Class B regional champions in the competition, sponsored yearly by the Maine Principals’ Association.

To defray the costs of attending two festivals, there will be an encore fundraising performance of “Unhappily Ever After” on Wednesday, March 19, at 7 p.m., in the Freeport Performing Arts Center. Admission is pay-what-you-can.

The following Freeport High School students won the coveted All Cast Acting Awards:

Sarah Watts for her performance as The Queen, Daniel Sinclair for his performance as The Magic Mirror (second year in a row winning this award), Zac Strozewski for his performance as The Huntsman, Cliff Anderson for lighting design year (second year in a row he has won this award), and Kelsey Grant and Molly Brown for both playwriting and student directing.

Freeport is one of only two high schools (Morse High School in Bath is the other) in the state out of 92 competitors that annually enter student written plays in the festival. If Freeport wins the state title, it will be the first school in the 89-year history of the competition to win a state title with a student-written play. In 2008, Freeport High School was the first school with a student-written play to represent the state at the New England Drama Festival.

Auditions set for ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Freeport Players, in partnership with Freeport Family Performing Arts, announce that auditions for “The Wizard of Oz,” the musical based on the novel by L. Frank Baum and the MGM movie, are Friday, March 28, 7-9 p.m., for leads and featured roles, and Saturday, March 29, 2-5 p.m., for ensemble and youth. Both sessions will be at Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St. Roles are for men and women ages 10 and up. The ensemble will have a big role to play in this production, so there is room for lots of people of all ages and there are roles for both singers and non-singers.

Actors should be prepared to sing an excerpt from a song of their choice from the musical and may be asked to read from the script. Rehearsals will begin in mid-May. Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., July 17-27, at Freeport Performing Arts Center. The production will be directed by Stephanie Ross and Tim Ryan, with music direction by David Delano and choreography by Nikky Morris. For audition details visit www.fcponline.org/auditions. Actors are encouraged to email Elizabeth at [email protected].

This show includes all the iconic features of the MGM movie: flying monkeys, Munchkins, a good witch, a bad witch, Dorothy, Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz, and the well-loved music.

Freeport Players has produced theater with and for the community for 25 years. In recent years, the group has has partnered with Greater Freeport Community Chorus (“The Mikado”) and Freeport Historical Society (“Harrington House Holidays” and “Ghosts of Freeport Past”).

“This silver anniversary partnership with Freeport Family Performing Arts will be a great celebration of both Freeport Players’ history and our future,” said Elizabeth Guffey, Freeport Players’ managing/artistic director.

Guffey first approached Freeport Family Performing Arts founder Tim Ryan late last summer with the idea of collaborating on Oz. In recent strategic planning, the Players committed to expanding opportunities for performers of all ages and building more and stronger relationships with other organizations. Oz was a natural way to address those goals. At the same time, Freeport Family Performing Arts membership had been wanting to add musical theater to their offerings. “The Wizard Of Oz” production is funded in part by a grant from the Maine Community Foundation-Maine Theater Fund.

For more information, visit Freeport Players at www.fcponline.org or Facebook.

Annual book sale coming

Fiction, non-fiction, audio books, children’s books and movies will all be on sale at the annual book sale from April 5-10 at the Freeport Community Library. Daily hours of sale are Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Monday, April 7, 10 a.m.- 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, April 8, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, April 9, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Thursday, April 10, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

A special Friday evening, April 4, preview sale will be hosted by the Friends of Freeport Community Library from 5-7, for a $10 fee for those not a current member of Friends of Freeport Community Library.

Donations of gently used books can be dropped off until March 28 during normal Monday through Friday library hours. Textbooks, computer books or books in poor or musty condition cannot be accepted.

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

Dance to benefit youth chorale

A dance party with the Time Pilots, for the benefit of Wescustago Youth Chorale, will be held Friday, March 28, from 7-10 p.m., at Harraseeket Inn, Freeport.

There will be a cash bar and raffles that night include “Beer for a Year” donated by Shipyard, tickets to Bobby McFarrin donated by Portland Ovations, and more. Funds raised will support the scholarship fund for singers in the 80-voice auditioned choir, which has members ages 8 to 18 from 12 area towns. For a full listing of raffle items, see www.wescustago.wordpress.com, as well as information about purchasing tickets.

Tickets are $15, and are also available online at Eventbrite.com, or at the door.

Thrift shop seeks volunteers

Freeport Community Services is seeking the help of volunteers in its Thrift Shop and Estate Annex. There are flexible shifts during the week and weekends for anyone who enjoys helping the community. Those interested can call Debbie at 865-3985, ext. 206.

Trolley parks talk rescheduled

The Freeport Community Library book talk, originally scheduled for March 12, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 26, at 7 p.m. Amber Tatnall, author of “The Trolley Parks of Maine,” will present an illustrated talk on the history of the electric trolley in Maine, as well as the popular trolley park destinations.

Earth Day bookmarks

Earth Day is April 21. The Freeport Community Library is celebrating by inviting participants to design an Earth Day bookmark that will be used in the Children’s Room of the library. Designs should show what is loved about the earth. Participants will receive a special chocolate thank-you. Designs are due by April 4.

Woman’s Club hosts physical therapist

The Freeport Woman’s Club will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, March 21, in the meeting room of the Freeport Community Library. The guest speaker will be physical therapist Kathy Morrison, who will talk about preventing injuries in the home. Refreshments will be served following the meeting. All are welcome.

Bubbles & Bubbly

The Wishful Moon will introduce its new line of all-natural body products at a release party called called Bubbles & Bubbly, Saturday, March 22, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The store is located at 12 School St.

Local jeweler features Freeport bead

R.D. Allen Freeport Jewelers, 13 Middle St., is hosting the return of the American Bead Co. for a trunk show on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. These local artisans are developing a following with their hand-crafted charm beads made from local bedrock. The beads, which come in two sizes, are compatible with other charm bead brands and are all sterling silver. New beads will be introduced at the trunk show. There are currently five Maine beads, including a Freeport Fuschite Bead, which is a limited edition R.D. Allen Freeport Jewelers exclusive. R.D. Allen Freeport Jewelers is primarily known for its extensive collection of authentic Maine tourmaline jewelry. For more information, call 865-1818 or see www.rdallen.com.

FEDC board position available

Freeport Economic Development Corp., a private, nonprofit organization that performs the Freeport community’s economic development functions, is seeking qualified applicants to fill a vacancy on its board of directors. Directors serve as volunteers, and are nominated and elected by the existing board for a three-year term. Individuals with a passion for public service, close ties to the Freeport community, and relevant experience are encouraged to apply.

Applications are available at www.freeportecon.com, or by contacting Keith McBride, executive director, 865-4743, ext. 117. The board is hoping to have all applications submitted for consideration prior to April 15.

AARP tax prep help

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

‘Sitting Pretty’ this weekend

The annual “Sitting Pretty” fundraiser to support the Port Teen Center is slated for this Sunday, March 23, from 4-6:30 p.m., at the Freeport Community Center. Eighty clocks and lazy Susans created locally will be sold. They works are now on display at Bath Savings, Freeport Hardware, Clayton’s Cafe and online. Visit www.rsu5-rce.org, to see the works or buy a raffle ticket. Together local teen and adult artists have raised more than $44,000, all supporting local teen center. Sitting Pretty is a silent and live auction and is the teen center’s largest annual fundraiser.

’60s focus a variety show

The Freeport Lioness-Lions will stage its 28 annual variety show, “Sensational ’60s,” on Saturday, March 22, at 7 p.m., at the Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St. in Freeport. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $3 for kids 12 and under, and may be purchased at the door. Musical numbers and skits will be presented.

Proceeds from the show will be donated to back to the community and to scholarships. For tickets or information, call 865-4104.

Fundraiser, open house at Pine Tree Academy

The students at Pine Tree Academy, 67 Pownal Road, will hold a live auction and spaghetti dinner on Sunday, March 23, to help raise funds for the seniors’ trip to Puerto Rico.

The dinner starts at 4:30 p.m. and is $15. The live auction will begin at 6. Guests can choose to attend one or both events. The students will be working on some building and beautification projects. They will also help at a vacation Bible school and with handing out clothing and other basics in areas where there are people in need.

The school also has scheduled an open house for grades 9-12, on Wednesday, March 26, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Lunch is included. For more information on the events, call 865-4747.

Upcoming meetings

Freeport Conservation Commission, Wednesday, March 19, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Freeport Withdrawal Committee, Thursday, March 20, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Town Council workshop, Tuesday, March 25, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Funds raised from a March 28 dance party will support the scholarship fund for singers in the 80-voice auditioned choir. The “Unhappily Ever After” cast will perform the play Wednesday, March 19, at 7 p.m., in the Freeport Performing Arts Center, as a fundraiser for the state competition this weekend. Among the Pine Tree Academy seniors planning a benefit dinner are, from left, front, Micayla Hill, Ezra Kruzich and Naomi Mawete. Middle row,Trinity Skiadas and Andrew Goorhuis. Back, Rebecca Myshrall, Wayne Harlow, Stu Snow, Beckie McGuire and Rachel Cundiff. Rehearsing for the “Sensational ’60s variety show March 22 are, from left, Nancy Marqus, Dawn Connolly, Holly Simard, Kathy Morrill and Kim Murray.