Writers and poets soiree at Azure

“Upstairs at Azure,” a writer’s and poet’s soiree, met for its organizing meeting June 11, at Azure Cafe?. 123 Main St. The group, which plans to meet monthly, is intended to give writers a forum to share their work, fiction, poetry or non-fiction in an intimate and affirming group. Writers and poets, published or unpublished, are invited to join the group. Call 272-3641 or email Gar Roper at all4OMNI@aol.com. The enrollment will be limited to assure that all attendees get to participate. Writers can invite critique of particular aspects of their work, but in general, the group is intended for support and appreciation, not literary criticism. The group will next meet on Wednesday, July 23, at 8 p.m., upstairs at Azure.

“Upstairs at Azure” takes its name from the space provided by Jonas Werner, owner of Azure Cafe ? and a poet himself. Azure also will be providing wine and snacks. Membership is free, but a $5 contribution is suggested for each meeting.

Falcon Football fun night, registration

Children who enjoy football are invited to an end-of-school football fun night and registration event Thursday, June 19, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Pownal Road Field.

The football fun night is designed to be an informational event about Pee Wee, Youth, middle school and high school programs, as well as a fun night for kids of all ages with an evening of tackling dummies, passing, and games, including games for the little ones. More than 100 kids and parents joined the festivities last year. Many new participants are expected from Durham, Pownal, Morse Street, Mast Landing and Freeport Middle schools who have never played before. There is no obligation to play next year; however, this event will be used to size up the boys and girls for uniforms and to pre-purchase uniforms or equipment for the fall. For more information contact Becky Michaud at beckymish@comcast.net.

Wilbur’s named best chocolate

Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections was named Best Chocolate and Best Candy Shop in this year’s poll of DownEast Magazine readers’ favorites. Thousands of DownEast readers voted February through April for their statewide selections and Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections made the list.

Wilbur’s of Maine has been in business in Maine for 30 years and offers a wide variety of chocolates, confections and panned products. They also offer tours of the factory, fundraising opportunities as well as chocolate parties and events for kids.

“We are honored and thankful to our loyal customers to have been voted Best Chocolate and Candy Shop for the fifth year in a row. We are thrilled,” said Catherine Carty-Wilbur, owner of Wilbur’s of Maine.

The shop is offering an opportunity for kids to decorate two cupcakes for Dad resembling one of his favorite summer pastimes – grilling – on Saturday, June 14, from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Participants can choose from candy steaks or hot dogs and complete the look with frosting “flames” and a chocolate barbecue grate. The cost is $5 for two cupcakes. For more information, see www.wilburs.com.

Summer Soiree

On Friday, June 27, from 8-11 p.m., the Summer Soiree will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn, featuring the Carmine Terracciano Band, and with a guest appearance by Tony Boffa, the well-known musician who is moving to Florida.

The Carmine Terracciano Band is largely a replacement for Boffa’s big band, with most of the same members that were in the Tony Boffa Band. The ballroom will be transformed into the ideal setting for an evening of live music, dancing and hors d’oeuvres. In addition to a full cash bar, a signature cocktail has been created to kick off the night. The cost is $33 per person, which includes admission and one cocktail.

Camp Seaside now enrolling

Camp Seaside, a day camp that runs from June 23-Aug. 22 and offered by RSU 5 Recreation and Community Education, is now enrolling children. The camp, for kids entering grades K-5, operates at Mast Landing School, with weekly visits to Winslow Park. Each week campers will go on a highlight trip, visit local beaches, participate in arts and crafts, sports, games and more. Highlight trips include Splashtown, Aquaboggan, Sea Dogs games and York’s Wild Kingdom.

Camp fees are $180 per week, except for the week of July 4, which is $120. Camp hours are 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Daily lunch is provided. Fees cover all care, lunch and field trips. For more information, call 865-6171.

Free summer lunch for kids

Freeport Community Services will run the Summer Free Lunch for Kids Program, starting June 23 and running Monday through Friday through Aug. 29, except for July 4. Freeport Community Services will be preparing and serving free, healthy lunches for all children. Meals will be distributed at the Freeport Community Center, the Village View Apartments Community Room, Mast Landing School and, new this year, Wildwood Acres on Elm Street. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. There is no income or residency requirement. All children under the age of 19 are welcome.

For more information, call Sue Mack at 865-3985, ext. 205

Volunteers are needed Monday-Friday from 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. to deliver, serve and monitor lunches at these sites. Those interested can contact Debbie Daggett at ddaggett@fcsmaine.org.

Masons cooking dinner

The Freeport Masons will host a pork roast supper on Saturday, June 21, at the Masonic Lodge on Mallet Drive in Freeport, from 5-6:30 p.m. The menu will feature roast pork with mashed potatoes, two vegetables, homemade biscuits, dessert and beverage, for $8 per adult and half price for kids under 12.

Pancakes on the Fourth

The 23rd annual July 4 pancake breakfast will be held at St. Jude’s Church Hall, 134 Main St., Freeport, from 7-10:00 a.m. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. The menu includes all-you-can-eat blueberry pancakes and sausage. For more information, call 847-6890.

More Fourth of July events

A full day of events scheduled are scheduled in Freeport. They include:

7:30 a.m., 10K Road Race, L. L. Bean.

9:15, Fun Run, L. L. Bean.

10, Parade, Main Street, from Kendall Lane south to Holbrook Street.

7:30 p.m., Concert in the Park, (Toad the Wet Sprocket), L. L. Bean Discovery Park.

9:15 p.m., Fireworks in town.

Eighth-graders celebrate

Freeport Middle School eighth-graders will be promoted in a ceremony at the school on the evening of Wednesday, June 18. This class of Freeport and Pownal students will celebrate following the ceremony with a night of pizza and Galactic bowling, a tradition at the school.

Freeport GOP to meet

The Freeport Republican Committee will meet Wednesday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, Mallet Drive, lower level.

Committee members are asked to bring a non-perishable item or items for the Freeport Community Services Food Pantry.

Community Services needs volunteers

Here are a few ways to volunteer at Freeport Community Services:

1. Be a customer service volunteer at the Thrift Shop, with flexible shifts available.

2. Help on Monday or Tuesday mornings in the food pantry – or become a substitute.

3. The FCS Furniture Annex needs assistance Thursdays from 2:30 5 p.m., can always use the help of subs, too

4. Become part of the Free Lunch Friday team, every third Friday of the month, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

5. Sign up to be on call for special projects, anything from Holiday Helpline to quarterly blood drives. Volunteers are needed for the Summer Lunch Program for Kids.

For more information, call Debbie Daggett at 865-3985, ext. 206 or email ddaggett@fcsmaine.org.

Upcoming meetings

Freeport Withdrawal Committee, Wednesday, June 18, 6:30 p.m., FHS Library (proposed).

Wardtown Road Construction Project, Wednesday, June 18, 5:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Withdrawal Committee, Thursday, June 19, 6:30 p.m., Freeport High School Library.

Freeport Planning Board, Wednesday, June 25, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

To commemorate its 25th anniversary, the Freeport Players have been “cupcake bombing” various groups around town who have been supportive partners of the local theater group. On Wednesday, June 11, the Players appeared at the board meeting of the Freeport Historical Society with 25 cupcakes. The historical society has been a collaborative partner with Freeport Players for several years. Past projects have included a re-creation of a Victorian Christmas at Harrington House and “The Ghosts of Freeport Past” during Halloween season. There are new projects in the works involving the historical society. Shown here, from left, front, are Freeport Players Sam Hunneman, Betsy Roper, Sally Grover and Maryellen Carew. Back, Andrea Martin, secretary of the historical society board; Warren Bell, board treasurer; Christina White, executive director of Freeport Historical Society; Elizabeth Guffey, managing and artistic director of Freeport Players; Bill Muldoon, president of the historical society board; and Carla Rigby, board vice president. Jessica Gray, left, and Shaina Curry, young pianists from Freeport, along with five other Portland-area students, performed at the Maine Federation of Music Clubs Junior Day on Saturday, June 14. Federation President Rose Phinney hosted the event at her home in Gorham. Gray, a freshman at Freeport High School, received her 45-point Gold Cup this year after receiving a Superior rating in the Piano Solo event at the National Federation of Music Clubs Festival Auditions held in March at the University of Southern Maine, Gorham. Curry, a student at Mast Landing School, also entered the Piano Solo event and received an Excellent rating. Caroline Lawrence, also from Freeport and a student at the middle school, received an Excellent rating in the Piano Duet event.