Ryder Bennell wins Principal’s Award

Ryder Bennell of Freeport, a senior at Freeport High School, is the recipient of the 2015 Principal’s Award, Principal Brian Campbell announced Monday. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship. The Principal’s Award is presented in more than 100 Maine public and private high schools by member principals of the MPA, the professional association that represents Maine’s school administrators.

“Ryder is the consummate student-athlete,” said Campbell, the Freeport High principal. “Ryder embodies all of the characteristics that Freeport High School values, and he is very deserving of this recognition,”

Campbell said that Bennell has extended himself academically through advanced placement courses, participated on several school athletic teams, performed in the school musical, and served on numerous clubs/activities such as Model UN, Interact Club, and Amnesty International.

Ryder is the son of David and Dede Bennell, who is the service learning and aspirations coordinator for Regional School Unit 5. He and other award winners and their principals will attend an Honors Luncheon at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor on Saturday, April 11.

YMCA Adaptive Services Auction

The 13th annual Adaptive Services Auction will be held on Thursday, April 9, from 6-9 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport. The event includes a silent and live auction, hors d’oeuvres and wine bar. Proceeds benefit the YMCA of Southern Maine’s Adaptive Services program, which provides one-on-one support to help participants regain as much mobility as possible and move beyond illnesses, injuries, and disabilities.

The program also now includes Livestrong at the YMCA, which is a free cancer survivorship program, helping participants regain strength and mobility.

For more information, see www.ymcaofsouthernmaine.org/adaptiveservices or contact Karen Tucker, 865-9600, ext. 210, or ktucker@ymcaofsouthernmaine.org.

Host families needed

The American Field Service, an intercultural exchange program, is looking for host families in Regional School Unit 5 for the 2015-16 school year. Each year, students come from all over the world with varied interests. The organization strives to find families that are a good match for the incoming students. Those interested can contact Gigi Leonard at gandd.leonard@gmail.com or at 865-1796.

New doctor joins holistic health center

Steven Goldbas is a a new doctor of osteopathy on the staff of Be Well My Friend, a holistic health center at 174 South Freeport Road in Freeport.

“We have just hired one of the most talented and knowledgeable doctors of osteopathy in the state,” said LuAnn Jones, a manager at Be Well My Friend.

Goldbas earned his doctor of osteopathy degree at the University Of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1991. He has served on the faculty of the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program as director of osteopathic medical education and associate program director after he completed his residency and board certification in family medicine in 1994. He joined the UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine faculty in 2001 as associate professor of clinical medicine, and was a teacher in great demand.

Goldbas has devoted his career to traditional hands-on treatment to work with the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. He is board certified in neuro-musculo-skeletal medicine/osteopathic manipulative medicine.

Be Well My Friend is owned by Kevin Kenerson and Michael Dufresne, both doctors of osteopathic medicine. The phone number is 855-239-3556.

Book signing by Freeport authors

Freeport residents Kerry Michaels and Liza Bakewell will hold a book signing and informal question-and-answer session on Thursday, April 2, from 4-7 p.m. at the University of New England Gallery, College Street, off Stevens Ave. in Portland. The two women launched a joint book project on Jan. 20, “A Gateless Garden – Quotes by Maine Women Writers.” The book, edited by Bakewell, director of Maine Women Write, pairs 100 quotes by Maine women writers with 100 black-and-white images by Michaels, a photographer. Quotes and photographs from the book will be on display in the gallery through April 12.

L.L. Bean buoys Maine Island Trail

In 1987, L.L. Bean issued a small grant to create a Maine Island Trail Association, in partnership with the Maine Department of Conservation and the Island Institute. With this, the grassroots Maine Island Trail Association and the Maine Island Trail were born. At a recent board meeting, Bean approved a $100,000 grant to the Maine Island Trail Association and its Wild Islands Campaign. This campaign establishes an endowment to support the association’s stewardship work on the islands indefinitely. With L.L. Bean’s gift, the Wild Islands Campaign has generated $900,000 for island stewardship.

“For decades, L.L. Bean and the Maine Island Trail Association have shared the common goal of being good stewards of the environment,” Shawn Gorman, Bean’s board chairman, said in a press release. “It’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure that we all have clean, pristine and accessible places to recreate in the outdoors. The Maine Island Trail Association is to be commended for their efforts to make the great outdoors even greater.”

Invested with the Maine Community Foundation, the Wild Islands Campaign endowment fund pays for the purchase, operation, and periodic replacement of MITA vehicles, skiffs, motors, and trailers, plus a portion of the staff expense of coordinating MITA’s volunteers. Anticipated to grow to $2 million, the fund will ensure that the wild islands of Maine’s coastline will be managed by a volunteer corps of citizen stewards forever.

The Maine Island Trail is a 375-mile waterway for small boaters extending from the New Hampshire border to Canada. The Maine Island Trail Association is an organization of 4,000 members dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the wild islands of Maine. For more information, call 761-8225 or visit www.mita.org.

Climate Action Team sets April meetings

The Freeport Climate Action Team is a group that tries to bring climate change concerns to a local level. It meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., at the Freeport Community Library or in the Community Room upstairs in McDonald’s restaurant, 11 Mallet Drive.

A meeting Thursday, April 2, will focus on the Solar Power for Maine bill that Freeport Rep. Sara Gideon is sponsoring. The meeting will be held at the McDonald’s Community Room.

On Thursday, April 16, at the Freeport Community Library, the topic is community solar farms.

For more information, contact Sukie Rice, 318-8531 or sukierice@comcast.net.

Birds on Tap

Freeport Wild Bird Supply of Freeport is introducing a new series of talks, “Birds on Tap,” that will feature speakers in the field of ornithology and conservation.

Each talk will be held at local breweries, allowing patrons to sample beers while learning about bird research that is being conducted in Maine. The first talk will be on Tuesday, April 14, from 5-7 p.m., at Rising Tide Brewing, 103 Fox St, Portland. The speaker, Erynn Call, will present a talk entitled, “From Recreation to Conservation – Taking Birding to the Next Level.” She will highlight the Maine River Bird Network, a statewide citizen science initiative aimed at better understanding the links between rivers and birds and the role of birds as ecological indicators.

The event is free. Non-alcoholic beverages and light snacks will be provided. For every beer purchased, Rising Tide will donate $1 directly to Maine Birder Band, a Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife fund that supports efforts to protect Maine’s birds, bird habitat, and access for birders, earmarked for the Maine River Bird Network. For more information, see www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com.

2015 dog licenses

Dogs six months and older are required to be licensed. Dog licenses are available now by registering at the Freeport Town Hall or online at www.doglicensing.com. Bring proof of the rabies vaccination and spay/neutering. The cost at town hall is $6 and $11, respectively. All dog licenses expire Dec. 31 each year. They must be renewed by Jan. 31 of each year, or a late fee of $25 per dog is charged. The town clerk is not authorized to waive the late fee.

Spay-neuter grant

The Coastal Humane Society has received a $15,000 Belvedere Grant for the purpose of spaying and neutering pet cats of low-income owners and maintained colonies of feral cats in 14 communities. There is a voucher program with the goal of spaying or neutering approximately 230 cats at veterinary clinics in the area, including the Community Spay Neuter Clinic in Freeport. Owners of cats will be required to provide proof of financial need to be eligible for the program. Applicants who qualify will be issued one voucher for each cat.

For more information, visit www.coastalhumanesociety.org and look for the program under the “Resources” tab. To be issued a voucher, call the shelter at 725-5051 and speak to Julia, or email her at jkloczko@coastal humane society.org.

First Fridays – Just Desserts

The next concert in the Freeport First Fridays – Just Desserts series at the Freeport Community Center is on Friday, April 3, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. This month features the band Northwood, a quartet that performs a rootsy mix of music influenced by bluegrass, folk, country and rock. Northwood features Ann Murray on accordion, Kirk Underwood on guitar and lap steel, Kate Driver on bass and Liz Hunneman on select vocals.

The concert begins at 6:45 p.m. Entrance fee is $5 at the door, with no reservations required. Donations will be accepted for the band during the program.

Freeport First Fridays is a joint project of MASISTA (Maryellen and Sam In Support of The Arts) and the Freeport Community Services. For more information, contact Kim Hudak at FCS, 865-3985, ext. 202, or khudak@fcsmaine.org.

Freeport Day at Nordica Theatre

Tuesday, April 7, is Freeport Day at Nordica Theatre, in Freeport Village Station on Depot St. Residents of Freeport are welcome to view a movie for free. Donations for the Freeport Historical Society will be collected. Proof of residency is required.

Library Annual Book Sale

The Freeport Community Library is collecting gently used books for their annual library book sale coming up during the first full week of April. Hardcover and paperbacks are accepted, but textbooks, computer books or books in poor or musty condition are not accepted. Books may be dropped off through Friday, April 3 during normal business hours which are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Fridays. Receipts for claiming your book donation for income tax purposes will be provided upon request. For directions to Freeport Community Library visit: www.freeportlibrary.com. For more information, call Elaine a call at 865-3307.

Chamber to host LePage

The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Midcoast Chamber are hosting Gov. Paul LePage, April 2, from 8-9:30 a.m., at the Brunswick Hotel and Tavern, for a presentation on his budget proposal. For more information and registration, visit www.FreeportMaineChamber.com. The public is invited. Cost is $10 per person.

Historical society annual meeting April 12

The Freeport Historical Society will bring to life the history of Maine’s shoemaking industry in its 46th annual meeting, Sunday April 12, at 2 p.m., at the Old Town Hall at the Hilton Garden Inn, on Park Street in Freeport. The event is open to members only, but members of the public are invited to join at the door. This year’s keynote speaker is Andrea L’Hommedieu, oral historian at the University of South Carolina. L’Hommedieu directed oral history projects for Bates and Bowdoin colleges, as well as Museum L/A in Lewiston, where she oversaw the interviewing of former workers in the area’s brickyards, textile mills and shoe shops.

Her presentation, “Voices From Maine’s Shoe Industry,” will draw from her interviews with Maine shoeworkers. She will give first-person accounts of a manufacturing industry that played an important role in the economy of 20th-century Freeport. The shoe industry in Freeport is the subject of the 2015 exhibit at Freeport Historical Society, which opens in May.

To renew a membership or sign up online and to register for the event, visit www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org. Membership inquiries and reservations can also be made by phone, 865-3170.

Workshop focuses on falling

A workshop entitled, “A Matter of Balance” will be held at Falmouth Learning Resource Center, 5 Bucknam Road, Falmouth, on Wednesdays, April 8-May 27, from 10 a.m.- noon. “A Matter of Balance” is a nationally recognized workshop designed to help people manage falls and increase activity levels. Learn how to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, learn exercises to increase strength and balance, and make changes to reduce the risk of falling at home. To register or for more information, CALL 396-6583 or email mdefabritiis@smaaa.org.

FMS spring fundraiser launch

Freeport Middle School has started its spring fundraiser with spring bulbs for sale. Bulbs for all zones can be purchased by visiting the following FlowerPower website, www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/i/t/454208/0qQoS9UEWwB1. Bulbs are shipped directly to the buyer. The fundraiser is open now through April 30.

Art of cooking explored in classes

RSU 5 Recreation and Community Education is offering a diverse selection of enrichment courses and workshops. Culinary classes include Cooking with Rosemont Market, a new workshop series featuring Brad Messier, executive chef of Rosemont Market Productions. He will explore Quiche with Local Flavors on Tuesday, April 7, at 6 p.m. The cost is $30 and includes the food fee.

Master the art of gluten-free baking with Emily Marcus, the kitchen manager at Bam Bam Bakery in Portland, who will teach a workshop, “Gluten-Free Brunch,” featuring a savory bruschetta on Tuesday, April 14, at 6 ($29, includes food fee).

Learn from University of Maine Cooperative Extension master gardeners and explore the art of growing fruit trees on Tuesday, April 7, and Thursday, April 9, at 6 ($15).

For more information and to register, visit www.rsu5-rce.org, call 865-6171, or stop in at 17 West St. in Freeport

Chronic pain workshop offered

Casco Bay YMCA will offer a six-week course on chronic pain management, April 28- June 9, from 1-3:30 p.m. at the YMCA, 14 Old South Freeport Road.

The workshop consists of a group of about 8-12 people who meet weekly for six weeks. Participants explore the pain and symptom cycle, and strategies to manage pain and other health symptoms. Participants are led through a gentle stretching program, designed to promote moving without fear of more pain. In addition, the group will review tips for improving communication, sleep, nutrition, relaxation and much more.

The class is free except for the cost of materials, $45 including textbook, course workbook and relaxation CD. For more information or to register, contact SMAA’s Agewell Center at 396-6583 or email mdefabritiis@ smaaa.org.

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.

Upcoming Meetings

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

Library Board of Trustees, Monday, April 6, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Library.

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

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

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

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

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

Award-winning Maine writer Lois Lowry spoke at an author luncheon on March 27 at South Freeport Congregational Church. Lowry has written more than 30 children’s books, including “The Giver” and “Number the Stars,” each winners of Newbery Medals, as well as an autobiography. Photo by Sheri Bunting

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