Upcoming events

Free tax-preparation assistance, for low- to moderate- income households, with special attention to those 60 and older, Wednesday mornings through April 8, Freeport Community Center. Assistance available by appointment only. To schedule, call 865-4743, ext. 120. Offered by AARP.

Freeport Rotary, meets every Wednesday, 7 a.m., Harraseeket Inn, 162 Main St., Freeport. Feel free to stop by and see what the group is about, or call Matt Morrison, 691-8747, for more information.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Wednesdays, noon and 7:30 p.m.; AlAnon, Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.; Business Debtors Anonymous, Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m., First Parish Church Congregational, 40 Main St., Freeport.

Parkinson’s disease support group, for people just diagnosed, caregivers and people who have been living with the diagnosis, every Wednesday, 10 a.m., YMCA of Southern Maine, Casco Bay Branch, Freeport. For more information, call 865-9600.

Couponing for the Community, Wednesday, April 1 and 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Eureka Community Center, Durham. Learn couponing basics including where/how to find and collect coupons; how to organize them; and how to begin using them. For more information, call Pat Provost, 212-5156.

Cooking for Crowds, a food safety training workshop for volunteer cooks, Wednesday, April 1, 1-4:30 p.m., UMaine Regional Learning Center, 75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth. Sponsored by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. $15 per person, scholarships are available. Register by March 27 at umaine.edu/food-health/food-safety/cooking-for-crowds. Additional sessions Thursday, April 16 and Tuesday, April 28 in Falmouth. For more information, call 781.6099.

Durham Planning Board, Wednesday, April 1, 7 p.m., Durham Town Office.

Freeport Planning Board, Wednesday, April 1, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Grief support group, for those grieving the death of a loved due to overdose or substance abuse, meets the first and third Thursday of the month, 3:30-5 p.m., CHANS Hospice, 45 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick. For more information, cntact Andy Sokoloff, CHANS grief and bereavement support coordinator, 721-1357.

Talk by Gov. Paul LePage, Thursday, April 2, 8-9:30 a.m., Brunswick Hotel and Tavern, sponsored by Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Midcoast Chamber. Public invited. $10 per person. For more information and registration, visit www.FreeportMaineChamber.com.

Business to Business Connection, Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce’s business networking group, Thursdays, 7:30-9 a.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 5 Park St. For more information, call 847-5240.

Food Addicts Anonymous, Thursdays, 9 a.m., First Parish Church Congregational, 40 Main St., Freeport.

Freeport Climate Action Team, Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m., McDonald’s restaurant community room, 11 Mallet Drive, Freeport. Topic is the Solar Power for Maine bill that Freeport Rep. Sara Gideon is sponsoring. For more information, contact Sukie Rice, 318-8531 or [email protected].

Farmer for the Morning, Thursdays during the school year, 9-10 a.m., Wolfe’s Neck Farm, 184 Burnette Road, Freeport, for toddler or pre-school-aged children. Interactive hands-on experience that includes feeding and caring for barnyard animals. For more information, see www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

“The Geology of New Hampshire’s White Mountains,” talk by six of seven authors of new book, Friday, April 3, 7 p.m., L.L. Bean Camping Department Atrium, Freeport.

Durham municipal election, Friday, April 3, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Durham Community School.

Freeport First Fridays – Just Desserts, Friday, April 3, 6:45 p.m., Freeport Community Center. Music by Northwood, a quartet that performs a rootsy mix of music influenced by bluegrass, folk, country and rock. $5 at the door, no reservations required. Donations accepted for the band during the program.

Durham town meeting, Saturday, April 4, 9 a.m., Durham Community School.

Miss Lisa’s Songs and Stories, Saturdays, April 4 and May 2, 10:30 a.m., Freeport Community Library.

“Woodcocks Gone Wild,” Saturday, April 4, 6:30 p.m., Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, sponsored by Freeport Wild Bird Supply. Witness the spectacular show as woodcocks erupt in a swirling and twirling display of sound and flight. Meet at the “Wax Room,” below the Visitor’s Center. Rain date will be Saturday, April 11. For more information, see www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com.

Debtors Anonymous, Saturdays, 9 a.m., First Parish Church Congregational, 40 Main St., Freeport.

South Freeport Congregational Church, UCC, worship each Sunday at 9:30 a.m., 98 South Freeport Road, South Freeport. Sunday school for kids pre-K through eighth grade provided during the service as is nursery care. Coffee and refreshments after the service.

First Parish Church Congregational, 40 Main St., Freeport, worship service, Sunday, 10 a.m., followed by coffee hour. 40 Main St., Freeport. Choir practice precedes service at 9:15. New choir members welcome.

Easter Sunrise Service, Sunday, April 5, 6 a.m., on the peak of Bradbury Mountain, Pownal, with Sandy Williams, pastor, officiating. There will also be a service under the shelter at the foot of the mountain with the Rev. John Wentworth for those unable to climb (or in the First Parish Congregational Church in Pownal in case of severely inclement weather). Coffee and doughnuts at the Pownal church following the service. It is sponsored by the First Parish Congregational Church in Pownal and the First Baptist Church of Freeport, and all welcome. For more information, call Williams at 865-4404 or Wentworth at 688-4846.

Sunrise Service, 6 a.m., followed by a potluck breakfast; Easter worship, 10 a.m., First Congregational Church of Durham, 773 Royalsborough Road.

Pownal Board of Selectmen, Monday, April 6, 7 p.m., Mallett Hall.

Pownal Elementary School pre-K parent information night, Monday, April 6, 6:30-7 p.m., at the school. For more information, call 688-4832.

Used book sale, starts Monday, April 6, during regular business hours, Freeport Community Library.

Freeport Board of Appeals, Monday, April 6, 7 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Town Council, Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Durham Board of Selectmen, Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 p.m., town hall.

Story times, Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive, Tuesdays, Babies & Toddlers, 10-10:30 a.m.; Pre-schoolers, 10:30-11 a.m. For more information, call 865-3307 or see www.freeportlibrary.com.

Tashi Gatsel Ling, Tibetan Buddhist center, 20 Independence Drive in Freeport, offers regular programming and teachings by recognized Tibetan Buddhist teachers. Visit http://tashigatselling.org/ for information about teachers, study group meetings, meditation classes, dharma teachings, and “sacred cinema” movie nights.

Cribbage, Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-noon, Eureka Community Center, corner of Route 9 and Route 136, Durham. For more information call the Town Office, 353-2561.

Pownal Planning Board ordinance review workshops, Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21 and 28, 8 a.m., Mallett Hall.

Parkinson’s Support Group, second Wednesday of the month, April 8, 1-2:30 p.m., Bay Square at Yarmouth, 27 Forest Falls Drive (opposite the post office). Ongoing monthly support group meeting for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Walk-ins welcome.

Regional School Unit 5 budget review with public comment, Wednesday, April 8, 6:30 p.m., Pownal Elementary School.

Freeport Project Review Board, Wednesday, April 8, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Coastal Waters Commission, Wednesday, April 8, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Joshua L. Chamberlain Civil War Round Table Lecture, Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m., Curtis Memorial Library Morrell Room, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. Speaker Kevin Levin talks on “Remembering the Battle of the Crater.” Free and open to the public.

Annual Adaptive Services Auction, Thursday April 9, 6-9 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport. Silent and live auction, hors d’oeuvres, wine bar. Proceeds benefit the YMCA of Southern Maine’s Adaptive Services program. For more information, see www.ymcaofsouthernmaine.org/adaptiveservices, call Karen Tucker, 865-9600, ext. 210 or email [email protected].

Freeport Historical Society annual meeting, featuring talk by Andrea L’Hommedieu, oral historian, “Voices From Maine’s Shoe Industry,” Sunday April 12, 2 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport. To renew a membership or sign up online and register for the event, visit www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org. Membership inquiries and reservations can also be made by phone, 865-3170.

Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties Extension Association annual meeting, Monday, April 13, 6 p.m., University of Maine Cooperative Extension office, 24 Main St., Lisbon Falls. Election of officers, presentations by UMaine Extension educators Tori Jackson and Kristy Ouellette, and Master Chef Tom Poulin. A catered meal and a baking contest sponsored by King Arthur Flour will follow the meeting. For more information, to RSVP or request a disability accommodation, call 353-5550 or email [email protected].

“Successful Aging,” presentation by Dr. Florin Olteanu, medical director for Mid Coast Senior Health Center and CHANS Home Health Care, Monday, April 13, 11 a.m.-noon, Mid Coast Senior Health Center, 58 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick. Part of the ongoing Ounce of Prevention series.

Pownal Solid Waste Committee, Monday, April 13, 6 p.m., Mallett Hall.

Durham Historical Society, Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 pm., Eureka Community Center.

Harness the Power of Sun, an open forum about solar possibilities in Maine presented by Appalachian Mountain Club – Maine Chapter, Tuesday, April 14, 7 p.m., Curtis Memorial Library, Pleasant Street, Brunswick. For more information, see http://www.amcmaine.org.

Edible Books Festival, Wednesday, April 15, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Library. Create an edible entry based upon a book or poem of your choosing. Register and drop off entry, 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Those attending can vote for the best entry in the five categories: Funniest, Most Creative, Most Bookish and Best in Show. Awards at 6:45 p.m. For more information, see www.freeportlibrary.com.

Pownal Planning Board public hearing, on new or revised ordinances, Wednesday, April 15, 6 p.m., Mallett Hall.

“How to Steal a Million,” screens Thursday, April 16, 1 p.m., Freeport Community Library Community Meeting Room.

“Fresh,” documentary film with Will Allen, Joel Salatin, Michael Pollan, George Naylor, Diana Endicott and more, screens Thursday, April 16, 6:45 p.m., First Congregational Church of Durham, 773 Royalsborough Road. For more information, see www.FRESHthemovie.com.

We love to eat

Bean supper, Saturday, April 4, 5-6:30 p.m., Casco Masonic Lodge, 20 Mill St., Yarmouth. Three kinds of beans, macaroni & cheese, hot dogs, cole slaw, homemade pies, biscuits and beverages. $8, $4.

Freeport Elders Association Pancake Breakfast, first Saturday of each month, 8-10 a.m., Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausages, coffee or tea, juice, $3.50 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for children 12 and under. Deluxe breakfast is scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausages, biscuit, coffee or tea, juice, $4.50, $4 for seniors.

Bean supper, Saturday, April 11, 4:30-6 p.m., Masonic Lodge, Route 136 across from the River Park, Durham. Baked beans, chop suey, hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw, bread, pickles and homemade pies. $7.50 adults, $3 children ages 5-12 and free for children under 5.

Upcoming

Freeport Climate Action Team, Thursday, April 16, 7 p.m., Freeport Community Library. Topic is community solar farms. For more information, contact Sukie Rice, 318-8531 or [email protected].

Betz Golon, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village herbalist and University of Maine Cooperative Extension master food preserver, talks on “Herbal Seasonings” Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.-1p.m., at the UMaine Extension office, 75 Clearwater Drive, Falmouth. Cost is $40; proceeds benefit Extension’s Nutrition Program in Cumberland County. Register at umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/from-scratch-your-maine-kitchen. For more information, call 781-6099.

Grief support group, hosted by Life Choice Hospice, third Sunday of every month, April 19, noon-1 p.m., Sedgewood Commons, 22 Northbrook Drive, Falmouth. No registration required and drop-ins welcome. For more information, call 761-6967.

Pownal Board of Selectmen, Monday, April 20, 7 p.m., Mallett Hall.

Durham Board of Selectmen, Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 p.m., at town hall.

Workshop for kids on keeping birds safe, plus a bird-friendly craft, Earth Day Wednesday, April 22, 3:45 p.m., Freeport Community Library. Grades 1-5. Presented by Center for Wildlife Health and Research and Community Spay-Neuter Clinic. Space is limited. Sign up at the children’s desk. 865-3307.

Tri-Town Penguins Snowmobile Club, meets last Tuesday of each month, April 28, from September to April, 7 p.m., Durham Fire Station, 615 Hallowell Road, Durham. New members are welcome. For more information, contact Duncan Daly, 865-6188, or Mike Yates, 865-3555.

Six-week course on chronic pain management, April 28- June 9, 1-3:30 p.m. Casco Bay YMCA, 14 Old South Freeport Road. For more information or to register, call 396-6583 or email [email protected].

Regional School Unit 5 budget review with public comment, Wednesday, April 29, 6:30 p.m., Durham Community School. Final opportunity for the public to comment.

“The Hundred Foot Journey,” screens Thursday, May 7, 1 p.m., Freeport Community Library Community Meeting Room.

Regional School Unit 5 budget adoption, Wednesday, May l3, 6:30 p.m., Freeport High School.

Regional School Unit 5 annual budget meeting, Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m., Freeport High School. Durham, Freeport and Pownal residents will vote on the budget article-by-article in town meeting-style gathering.

Regional School Unit 5 budget validation referendum, Tuesday, June 9, Durham, Freeport and Pownal.

Ongoing Events

Freeport Community Thrift Shop, open Mondays through Fridays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and closed on Sundays, Freeport Community Center.

Freeport Rotary, breakfast meetings every Wednesday from 7-9 a.m., Broad Arrow Tavern, Harraseeket Inn, Main Street, Freeport. Prospective new members welcome.

North Pownal United Methodist Church food pantry, open every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-noon. All are welcome.

Durham Town Office, open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Wednesdays closed; and Thursday, 10:30-6:30. For more information, call 353-2561.

Pownal Town Office, open Mondays from 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed Fridays. For more information, call 688-4611.

Freeport Town Hall, open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Fridays. For more information, call 865-4743.

Open play, Thursdays,10-11 a.m., Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St. Open for kids from infants to age 5, for more information, contact the Freeport Families Network at [email protected].

Religion and spirituality

Durham Congregational Church, 73 Royalsborough Road, Durham. Sunday services each week at 10 a.m. All are welcome.

Durham Friends Meeting, 532 Quaker Meeting House Road.Worship services every Sunday 10:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.

First Parish Church, 422 Hallowell Road, Pownal, Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. All-ages Sunday school follows at 11 a.m. For more information, call 688-4846.

?First Baptist Church, 185 Main St., Freeport, Sunday services at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday school from nursery school to adult, Sunday at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 865-4404.??First Parish Church Congregational, UCC, 40 Main St., Freeport. Sunday services at 10 a.m. For more information, call 865-6022.

North Pownal United Methodist Church, 851 Lawrence Road, Pownal. Worship service Sundays at 9 a.m.

St. Jude’s Roman Catholic Church, Main Street, Freeport. Masses Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 846-5584 ??Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pownal Road, Freeport. Saturday worship at 11 a.m. Sabbath School, Saturdays at 10 a.m. For more information, call 865-3990.??South Freeport Church, UCC, South Freeport Village. Sunday worship 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 865-4012.

Shiloh Chapel, Shiloh Road, Durham. Nondenominational services Sundays at 10 a.m. For more information, visit www.shilohchapelmaine.org.