FebFest Art Show seeks artists

The FebFest committee is seeking area artists, painters, photographers and sculptors who would like to show their work and offer works for sale as part of the FebFest Art Show in Freeport in mid February. The location will be determined based on the number of artists who register. FebFest is the month-long celebration of cultural arts – theater, music, poetry, dance and more. Culinary arts will be presented in the annual the Taste of Freeport.

For more information or to register, contact Gar Roper at 272-3641, or email all4omni@aol.com.

Author to debut new mystery series

Maine author Lea Wait, an Agatha Award finalist for her “Shadows Antique Print” mystery series, debuts a new “Mainely Needlepoint” series with the January 2015 release of “Twisted Threads” in time for her book talk at Freeport Community Library on Monday, Jan. 12, at 6:30 p.m.

“Twisted Threads” features Angie Curtis, an unlikely heroine who runs a custom needlepoint business in the fictional Maine town of Haven Harbor. Curtis left Haven Harbor when she was 18 to escape her mother’s legacy. Now it’s 10 years later, her mother’s body has been found, and Angie’s pulled back into a world she’d thought she’d left behind.

In addition to her two mystery series, Wait will also be sharing from “Uncertain Glory,” her latest historical fiction book for young adults, which is based on a real boy who owned and ran Wiscasset’s newspaper at the beginning of the Civil War in April 1861 and went on to become a major figure in Maine journalism.

Wait, a fourth-generation antiques dealer, has been writing mysteries for adults and historical fiction set in Maine for young people since she left corporate America in 1998 and moved to Maine. To learn more about her, see www.leawait.com.

High-efficiency homes recognized

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland’s three completed units in its Freeport community have just been awarded Energy Star certification for high energy efficiency. The three units received scores between 41 and 43, verifying that the homes are nearly 60 percent more efficient than the average house built to code.

A new home earning the Energy Star label has undergone a process of inspections, testing, and verification to meet strict requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The estimated total annual energy cost for one of these homes (including heat, hot water, electricity and service charges) is only around $1,300-$1,400.

“This ranking places our homes far above a typical house, saving our Habitat homeowners thousands of dollars over the course of their ownership, and preserving valuable natural resources,” said Chad Mullin, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland construction manager, in a press release.

“In November my heating bill was only around $70,” said Habitat homeowner Nyapeni Doulthan in the press release. “I expect to it to go up in December and in the colder months, with the heating estimate for the year to be only around $375.”

For more information on the Energy Star certification process, visit www.energystar.gov.

Masons cooking comfort food

The Freeport Masons will host a Cold Weather Supper on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Masonic Lodge on Mallet Drive in Freeport, from 5-6:30 p.m. The menu will feature meat loaf, mashed potatoes, vegetables, homemade biscuits, dessert and beverage for $9 per adult, and half price for children under 12.

Looking for coaches

Girls on the Run is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated adults (ages 18-plus) of all backgrounds who are positive role models committed to empowering girls in grades 3-5 or 6-8 to realize their full potential. Running and coaching experience are not required. Lessons are scripted. Training and all materials are provided. Coaches must be available twice a week for 90 minutes for the 10-week season beginning the week of March 23. Coaching openings are available at Mast Landing School and Casco Bay YMCA.

For more information visit http://girlsontherunmaine.org/ or contact the program director, Staci Olson, at staci.olson@girlsontherun.org.

Service club thanks sponsors

The Freeport High School Interact Service Club and Olympia Sports co-hosted the annual Moonlight Madness 1-mile run on Thanksgiving night. Some 75 participants ran and walked through downtown Freeport in the spirit of giving and helping neighbors stay warm. Santa Claus on his Harley Davidson led the crowd. Despite the weather conditions and power outages, $1,300 was raised for the Freeport Community Fuel Assistance Fund.

The service club thanked the following businesses that sponsored this event: Olympia Sports, Vineyard Vines, Cool As a Moose, Azure Cafe?, Bath Savings, Cartmell and Associates at Keller Williams, Casco Bay Ford, Freeport Merchants Association, Pet Pantry, Gritty’s, Todd Doolan/Morgan Stanley, Powers and French, P.A., Subway, Riley Insurance, Coffee By Design, Ben and Jerry’s, 1912 Cafe? and Brown Goldsmiths.

Solar possibilities for residents

At the Nov. 4 election, Town Planner Donna Larson used a signup sheet to gauge the interest of residents in participating in a “Solarize Freeport” program, and had about 115 residents sign up. Town planners intend to issue a request for a proposal to solar equipment providers for bulk purchase of equipment by residents. It is hoped that this could help residents purchase equipment at lower rates than what they might achieve by themselves. Other than staff time, there will be no town expenditures on this program. Similar programs in other areas of the country have realized savings for residents.

Those interested in more information about this program can contact Larson at 865-4743, ext. 103, or by email at dlarson@freeportmaine.com.

Property tax data now online

The Finance and Assessing Departments for the town recently completed an upgrade that will now allow taxpayers to view their real estate and personal property tax information online. This service will make it easier for taxpayers to view their current year’s tax information without having to wait in line (or on the phone) at Town Hall while information is looked up. Property tax data can be found under the online services tab of,www.freeportmaine.com or by using http://freeportmaine.munisselfservice.com/citizens.

Woman’s Club has grant

The Freeport Woman’s Club is looking for a candidate for its 2014/15 Step Up Grant, a $1,000 gift for a woman over the age of 21 from Freeport or Pownal who is seeking occupational training but is experiencing financial need. Criteria for selection of the applicant are based upon financial need, clarity of goals, educational program and references. For questions and further information, call Virginia Boyles at 865-3973.

Wolfe’s Neck Farm annual appeal

David Herring, executive director of Wolfe’s Neck Farm, is reaching out to the community for support in its annual appeal. The farm is making a commitment to strengthening the local food system by focusing on farmer training, research and exposing people of all ages to the source of their food. While Maine farms are positioned to increase local food production, the shortage of farmers is a real issue that Wolfe’s Neck Farm is ready to take on.

The farm’s new Organic Dairy Program will train new farmers while conducting needed research in organic, pasture-based management. The Teen Ag Program gives local youth an opportunity to gain real-world skills in organic farming while providing food to area food pantries. The Summer Camp and Farm School programs grow awareness of local foods and inspire the next generation of young farmers.

For information on how to donate to Wolfe’s Neck Farm, visit www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

Winter reminders from public works

The Freeport Public Works Department offers some winter reminders for residents:

• Freeport residents are allowed two 5-gallon buckets of sand per storm. Sand is now located adjacent to the silver recycling bullet on Hunter Road in front of the Public Works Facility.

• No parking is allowed on public streets nor in turnarounds during winter storm events. Keep streets and turnarounds clear of vehicles (including trailers and campers) during a storm. The winter parking ban is now in effect, from 11 p.m.-7 a.m., and will continue until April 15.

• For residents who park vehicles in driveways, keep sidewalks clear so sidewalk machines are not restricted in doing their job.

• Do not push snow into sidewalks or public streets as this is not only against Maine state law, it is also costly and time-consuming for the public works department.

For more information, contact the department at 865-4461.

Dog licenses set to expire

All dog licenses expire Dec. 31 of each year. Dogs 6 months and older are required to be licensed by law. Registration can be done at the Freeport Town Hall or online at www.doglicensing.com. Bring proof of the rabies vaccination and spay/neutering. The cost is $11 or $6 if the animals are spayed or neutered. Dog license renewal can be done anytime up until Jan. 31. After Jan. 31, a late fee of $25 per dog will be charged.

Food for fines

During December, overdue library charges will be eliminated in exchange for donations of non-perishable food items that are comparable in value to the fines. All the proceeds collected will go to the Freeport Community Services Food Pantry.

Upcoming meetings

Recycling/Solid Waste, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center

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

The first three units of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland’s Freeport housing have been recognized for high energy efficiency.