Time to register for RCE Fall Soccer

Freeport’s Recreation and Community Education soccer programs will begin in early September. For grades 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 soccer league, the early bird deadline is Aug. 1 to save $10 off the regular program fee. Final registration deadline for this league is Aug. 13. Registrations will only be accepted after this date if there is space on a team. If the enrollment numbers do not support gender-specific teams, then the teams will be co-ed.

The grade 5-6 soccer league registration deadline is Aug. 13. This league has been developed to accommodate fifth- and sixth-grade boys and girls who are too old for rec soccer but don’t want the commitment of “travel soccer.” Games will be played in area towns with limited traveling required. Teams will play one game per weekend on Saturdays. A schedule will be available in early September. Registrations will only be accepted after this date if there is space on a team.

The registration deadline for Little Falcons Soccer, ages 3-5, is Aug. 29. This program has limited space and fills fast.

For more information or to register, call 865-6171.

Coaches are needed for all levels. Contact Anthony Johnson at 865-6171 or email [email protected] if interested in coaching or for more information. Training will be provided.

Rotary grant provides gift to FCS

The Freeport Rotary Club has received a district community grant from the Rotary International Foundation for $1,692. In addition to $500 contributed by the club, the money will purchase a cardiac defibrillator (AED) for the Freeport Community Center. In addition, members of Freeport Rotary will receive training in operation of the defibrillator. The competitive grant was awarded by the Rotary District Foundation Committee, which chose the Freeport Rotary application over several other worthy applicants.

Freeport Rotary Club, formed in 1983, is a diverse group of some 20 business and professional people from the Greater Freeport area. Its mission is to provide service to those in need in Freeport, Pownal and Durham and around the world. For more information about the Freeport Rotary Club and its programs, see www.freeport-rotary.org.

Wilbur’s summer factory tours

Freeport-based Wilbur’s of Maine, famous for homemade chocolates, chocolate-covered blueberries and cranberries, penny candy, fudge and more, offers the public tours of the chocolate factory at 174 Lower Main St., on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11a.m.-2 p.m. Participants will hear some of Wilbur’s history and take a hands-on tour. The cost is $3.50-$4.50 per person depending on what is in production, including samples. No reservations are needed. For more information, call 865-4071 or visit www.wilburs.com.

Family Barnyard Programs

Through July and August, Wolfe’s Neck Farm is hosting Saturday Family Barnyard Programs, inviting visitors into the barn and pastures to meet and learn about the animals and the care they need. Visitors will also tour the newly renovated discovery garden and take a tractor ride up into West Bay. The Saturday morning session runs from 10 a.m.-noon; the afternoon session is from 1-3 p.m. The cost is $8 per person (infants not yet walking are free).

Participation is limited to 12 people per session. Reservations are recommended. Call 865-4469 or see www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

Chamber hosting tag sale

The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce will hold a tag sale Saturday, Aug. 9, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the L.L. Bean parking lot at the Employment Center on Stonewood Drive, across from Freeport Bike & Ski.

A limited number of tables are available for $25 each. Arts, crafts, antiques, home items, furniture and more will be for sale. For more information contact [email protected] or call 847-5240.

Blueberry Festival this weekend

South Freeport Congregational Church’s Summer Blueberry Festival will be held Aug. 1-3, at the church, 98 South Freeport Road. The Attic Treasures and Jewelry sale will run from 3-6 p.m. Friday, with a free concert by the Chandler Military Band at 7. The sale continues Saturday, with more activities beginning at 9, including Spark’s Ark animals, miniature horse carriage rides, interactive music by Earth Jams, Vandini magic and balloon show, hula hooping, bounce house, face painting, games and more. Admission to the kids events is $5. Also for sale will be arts and crafts, lobster roll lunch, barbecue cookout dinner, blueberry baked goods and fresh-squeezed blueberry lemonade. At 7 p.m., there will be a concert by the Half Moon Jug Band. Tickets for the Saturday night concert are $10 and can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/750890. A blueberry pancake breakfast begins Sunday at 8 a.m. For more information, see www.southfreeportchurch.com or call 865-4012.

Thriller author to speak Aug. 11

Vaughn C. Hardacker, author of the thriller, “Sniper,” will give a book talk/signing on Monday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m., at Freeport Community Library. In the novel, homicide detective Mike Houston and his partner are sent to investigate when a lethal sniper kills four people on Boston Common. Hardacker is a U.S. Marine veteran and a member of the New England Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America. His short stories have been published in several anthologies. He resides in the Maine town of Stockholm.

Copies of “Sniper” will be available to purchase during the event.

Local residents in ballet production

Freeport residents Katelyn O’Neil and Lily Jessen are among the dancers performing in the Maine State Ballet’s presentation of Shakespeare’s comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Aug. 8-16 at the Maine State Ballet Theater, Route 1, Falmouth. The production features a cast of nearly 70 dancers. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m.

Tickets are on sale at www.mainestateballet.org or by calling the theater at 781-3587.

Upcoming meetings

Freeport Municipal Facilities Committee, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 7:30 a.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Town Council meeting and District 3 workshop, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m., South Freeport Church, 98 South Freeport Road.

A full listing of upcoming meetings and agendas is available at www.freeportmaine.com.

There was a ribbon cutting in Freeport July 22 for Kendall Tavern, whose new owners are Mark Provost and Nancy Kiera. Above, Nancy Kieran and Mark Provost are flanked by John Madelle, left, and Claire Madelle, Provost’s sister and head gardener at the inn. Shady Glen Nursery owner Bill Stone, left, and his son, Philip Stone cut the ribbon July 22 for their new business. Also on hand were representatives from the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce, including director Sande Updegraph,  Keith McBride of Freeport Economic Development Council, Travis Kennedy from U.S. Sen. Angus King’s office, state Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, Andrea Quaid from U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud’s office and Al Presgraves from the town of Freeport.