Local sculptor’s work on exhibit

A sculpture exhibit of works by Julia M. Doughty, with a theme of beach and ocean, is on display through July at the Freeport Community Library.

Doughty, who has lived in Freeport for 10 years, grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and has a degree from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design. She also studied at the California College of the Arts and Moore College of Art in Philadelphia. An avid beachcomber and collector, the treasures she discovers find its way into her marine-themed sculptures. For more information, see www.juliamdoughty.com.

Naturalist, author to speak on birds and migration

Freeport Wild Bird Supply, 541 Route 1 in Freeport, is co-sponsoring a program, “Living in the Wind: Exploring Bird Migration and Simple Ways to Save Birds,” presented by Scott Weidensaul, Friday July 18, from 6:30-8 p.m., in the Morrell Meeting Room at Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick.

Naturalist and author Weidensaul explores the wonder and mechanics of migration, and the simple, effective ways we can help save birds, from what we plant in our gardens to what we pour into our morning mug of coffee.

Weidensaul is the author of more than two-dozen books on natural history, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist “Living on the Wind,” about bird migration, and “Return to Wild America: A Yearlong Search for the Continent’s Natural Soul.” His latest book is “The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery and Endurance in Early America.” He lives in the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania, where he studies the migration of hawks, owls and hummingbirds. He is a frequent visitor to Maine and is director of ornithology and a teacher at Audubon’s Hog Island camp in Bremen.

Other co-sponsors include Wicked Joe Coffee Co., Birds and Beans Coffee and Mid-Coast Audubon Society

Freeport Wild Bird Supply is operated by Jeannette and Derek Lovitch of Pownal. See www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com for more information.

Free film at library

The award-winning documentary, “20 Feet from Stardom,” will be shown at Freeport Community Library, Thursday, July 3, at 1 p.m. The film focuses on the world of backup singers and how they work in the shadow of the feature artists even when while they provide a vital foundation for the music. This 2013 film is rated PG-13.

Juggler to entertain

Steve Corning will be appearing at the Freeport Community Library on Wednesday, July 9, at 6 p.m. Summer readers are invited to come and enjoy an evening of comedy and juggling. The event is for ages 5 and up.

Cover contest time

RSU 5 Recreation & Community Education is looking for artists to submit entries for the cover for the 2014 fall brochure photo contest. The photo should be eye catching and professional in its look and have a fall theme. It will be used as the front cover for the 2014 fall brochure, mailed to more than 6,000 households in the RSU 5 district. The deadline to submit a photo is Friday, July 9. Photos can be sent to Anthony Johnson at [email protected].

A winner will be chosen shortly after and the winner’s name will be printed on the inside cover of the brochure as the contest winner. For more information, call 865-6171.

Farm-to-table tickets go fast

Only wait-list tickets are on sale now for the “Family Farm Feast,” Sunday, Aug. 24, from 5-9 p.m., at Wolfe’s Neck Farm.

More spaces may open up closer to the event. Local food will be prepared by Gather Farm Fresh Eatery and Frontier Cafe. Live music will be provided by North of Nashville. The cost is $50 for those age 16 and older, $20 for children 4-15 and free for children 3 and under. The price includes all activities for kids, food and drinks (including beer, wine and cocktails for adults 21-plus).

For more information, call 865-4469 or see www.wolfesneckfarm.org/maine-farm-to-table-dinners.

500 pounds of food for FCS

The June 14 food drive by the Freeport Lioness Club collected some 500 pounds of food that was delivered to Freeport Community Services, along with hygiene products, cleaning supplies and cash donations. Club members extended their appreciation for the community’s generosity.

Prevent tick infections

Kate Colby, a field epidemiologist from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program, will lead a public health information session on ticks Wednesday, July 2, from 5-5:45 p.m., in the Freeport Town Council Chambers. Ticks have the potential to be a lot more than a nuisance, since they can carry potentially deadly diseases. Even when these diseases aren’t fatal, they can cause a variety of symptoms that can require long-term treatment and ultimately affect one’s quality of life.

This will be a general information presentation for the community with a focus on prevention, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of infections caused by ticks and mosquitos and rashes caused by browntail moths. The program is sponsored by the town of Freeport and the Cumberland District of the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention. The program is free.

Arts and crafts on church lawn

The First Parish Church Congregational is holding an Arts & Crafts Market on the front lawn of the church, 40 Main St., Freeport, every second and last Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The dates are July 12 and 26, Aug. 9 and 30, Sept. 13 and 27, Oct. 11 and 25. Vendor spaces are still available. For each market day, one space is available free of charge for nonprofit groups. For more information, see www.FirstParishMarket.org, or Call Patty Kennedy, 865-0848.

Sign up by July 3 for tag sale

The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a tag sale on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the L.L. Bean Employment Center parking lot, Stonewood Drive. Table reservations are now open and discounts are offered until July 3. Applications are available at FreeportMaineChamber.com.

Annual art show and sale

Art Guild of Freeport holds its Annual Art Exhibit on Saturday, July 12, under the big tent at the Old World Gourmet on Route 1 in Freeport. Maine art by local artists will be on exhibit. Rain or shine, the event, which runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., is free to the public.

Humor writer offers inner-moose advice

Maine playwright and humorist Susan Poulin will read from and sign copies of her new self-help humor book, “Finding Your Inner Moose: Ida LeClair’s Guide to Livin’ the Good Life,” at Freeport Community Library on Monday, July 14, at 7 p.m.

Poulin’s character Ida is a lifelong resident of fictional Mahoosuc Mills, a familiar town in western Maine, where she lives in a tidy and tastefully decorated double-wide with high school sweetheart Charlie and dog Scamp. Most importantly, Ida is a daughter, sister, wife, and best friend who draws upon her experiences (as well as those of the noble and majestic moose) to offer advice on relationships, physical fitness, stress, housecleaning, work, shopping and more. The book is published by Yarmouth-based Islandport Press.

Poulin created the character Ida LeClair in 1997. Poulin has been a leader in bringing a female voice to New England storytelling and humor, a genre historically dominated by men. Poulin has produced five stage shows featuring Ida: “Ida: Woman Who Runs with the Moose,” “Ida’s Havin’ a Yard Sale,” “A Very Ida Christmas,” “The Moose in Me, the Moose in You,” and her latest, “I Married an Alien.”

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

Freeport VENUE reunion karaoke open mike night

The Theater of Awesome will be the site for a VENUE reunion karaoke and open mike night, Tuesday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m. Individual singers, musicians, duos and groups including bands are invited. Donations are requested. Proceeds will benefit Freeport Players and the Theater of Awesome. Come out to support support music and theatre in Freeport. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Upcoming meetings

Public health information session, on tick-borne and mosquito-borne infections, Wednesday, July 2, 5 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Planning Board, Wednesday, July 2, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Board of Appeals, Monday, July 7, 7 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Project Review Board, Wednesday, July 9, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Shellfish Conservation Commission, Thursday, July 10, 6:30 p.m., Community Center.

An example of the marine-themed sculpture by Julia M. Doughty on exhibit this month at the Freeport Community Library. David Thurlow, president of the Freeport Elders Association, conducts a ceremonial ribbon-cutting Sunday for the new bus the association owns. The Freeport Elders waited nearly two years to raise the $65,000 needed to replace the old bus, which went out of service.