Pianist, violinist in First Friday concert

The First Friday Just Desserts at the Freeport Community Center is set for Friday, March 6, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Pianist Laura Kargul and violinist Ronald Lantz will present “50 Shades of Faure?: The Secret Loves of the Great Romantics,” featuring works by Brahms, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Dvorak, Jacques de la Presle, Piazzolla and Faure?. Kargul is a renowned classical pianist, and Lantz is best known as a founding member of the Portland String Quartet.

There is a $5 cover charge, and donations to the piano fund will be accepted. For more information, call 865-3985, ext. 202.

Father-daughter dance

The 26th Annual Starlight Cotillion Father Daughter Dance is Friday, March 20, from 6-8 p.m., at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport. A limited number of tickets are available and must be purchased in advance at the RSU 5 Recreation and Community Education office, 17 West St. Tickets are not sold at the door or available to purchase online.

Library hosts two author talks

Lea Wait, Agatha Award finalist for her Shadows Antique Print Mystery series, will give a book talk at Freeport Community Library on Tuesday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m.

Wait combines homicide and antiques in “Shadows of a Maine Christmas,” book 7 in that series, released last September. Her new Mainely Needlepoint series made its debut January 2015 with the release of “Twisted Threads,” which features Angie Curtis, an unlikely heroine who runs a custom needlepoint business in Haven Harbor. In addition to her two mystery series, Wait will be sharing from “Uncertain Glory,” her latest historical fiction book for young adults. To learn more about Wait, see www.leawait.com.

On Thursday, March 12, at 2 p.m., the library will host a book talk and signing by Frank O. Smith, author of “Dream Singer.” The book tells the story of a seemingly chance encounter between Elijah McCloud, a recluse who lives in the mountains of the West, and Jackie Logan, a 13-year-old runaway who has witnessed a murder in a rail yard.

Smith was raised in the West, lived in the South, and has lived in Maine for nearly 30 years. He is a writer, ghostwriter, writing coach and teaches writing through Maine College of Art’s continuing education program. “Dream Singer” was a finalist for the Bellwether Prize, created by best-selling novelist Barbara Kingsolver, “in support of a literature for social change.” It was named in December 2014 as a Notable Book of the Year in Literary Fiction by “Shelf Unbound,” the international, indie book review magazine that has 125,000 readers in over 70 countries.

Climate Action Team hosting two talks

Sara Gideon, state representative, will speak at the Freeport Community Library on Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m., about the solar energy bills that Maine legislators are sponsoring this session. The event is sponsored by the Freeport Climate Action Team. Call 318-8531 for more information.

A second event, also sponsored by the Freeport Climate Action Team, is scheduled for Friday, March 13, at 7 p.m,. at Curtis Library, Brunswick. This will be a presentation and discussion with Jay O’Hara, a Quaker climate activist from Massachusetts, who took a lobster boat and blockaded a 40,000-ton shipment of coal from entering the port of the Brayton Point coal plant. O’Hara was arrested and the case received national attention as charges were dropped.

On dean’s list

Mikaela Gillis of Freeport has been named to the fall 2014 dean’s list at Merrimack College, North Andover, Mass. To achieve dean’s list status, a student must earn a 3.25 GPA or higher based on a 4.0 grading system.

Samuel Bennett, Christopher Forest and Wyatt McCurdy, all of Freeport, have been named to the fall dean’s list at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Free film at library

Each month this spring, Freeport Community Library will present free films in the Community Meeting Room.

Films range from familiar classics to documentaries, new releases and lesser-known movies. On Thursday, March 5, at 1 p.m., “The Secret of Roan Inish” will be shown. This 1994 independent film was written and directed by John Sayles. Filmed in Ireland, it is based on the folktales of the selkies – seals that can shed their skins to become human. The story is about Fiona, a young girl who is sent to live with her grandparents near the island of Roan Inish on the west coast of Ireland. It is a family legend that her younger brother was swept away in infancy and raised by a selkie.

Rotary offering scholarships

The Freeport Rotary Club is offering three scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are residents of Freeport, Pownal or Durham and plan to go on to an academic college, university program or technical college. There are two Academic Scholarships for $2,000 each and one Technical Scholarship for $1,000.

Eligibility guidelines include outstanding community service, scholastic performance and financial need. The application deadline is May 1. A scholarship application can be obtained from the guidance offices at Freeport High School, Pine Tree Academy, North Yarmouth Academy, Vocational Region 10 in Brunswick, Waynflete School, Cheverus High School, Merriconeag Waldolf School, Greely High School, McAuley High School, Baxter Academy or online at www.freeport-rotary.org. Applications are also available by writing to the Freeport Rotary Club, Scholarship Committee, Attn: Ranjit Gill/Karen O’Rourke, P.O. Box 552, Freeport, ME. 04032.

Cabin fever reliever

The South Freeport Congregational Church will host a barbecue buffet and bingo night, Saturday, March 7, starting at 5 p.m., at 98 South Freeport Road.

Bingo will start at 7 p.m. The menu will include ribs, pulled pork, chicken, sides, two complimentary drinks and dessert. Child care is provided on site with pizza and a movie. The cost is $25 per person, by reservation. Call 865-4012 for tickets.

Armchair Travel Series at the library

Mondays in March, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Library is presenting its Armchair Travel Series in which local residents share their recent travels abroad with slide presentations and personal memories of trip highlights. Each presentation is approximately 60 minutes including an opportunity to ask questions. The itinerary includes:

Monday, March 9, Athens, Greek Islands, Dalmatian Coast and Venice with Chris Leighton.

Monday, March 16, Hiking the Scottish Highlands with Dan Nickerson and Beth Edmonds.

Monday, March 23, The Falklands and Patagonia with Chris Hastedt and Burt Brewer.

Upcoming meetings

Project Review Board, Wednesday, March 4, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Winslow Park Committee, Monday, March 9, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Town Council workshop with committees, Tuesday, March 10, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Coastal Waters Commission, Wednesday, March 11, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

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