Public input asked for arts-cultural center

The Freeport Players and the Freeport Economic Development Corp. will host a facilitated, town-wide gathering Tuesday, April 28, to explore the possibility of developing an arts and cultural center for Freeport. The meeting will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St. All are invited.

The idea of an arts center in town is one that has been discussed for many years by local artists and arts organizations. A small group of volunteers has recently been conducting interviews of community members and visiting arts and cultural centers elsewhere in the state to assess whether this idea makes sense for Freeport. The April 28 meeting is being held to obtain input from the community about the concept to determine whether the effort should move forward.

For additional information, contact Keith McBride, Freeport Economic Development Corp executive director, at 865-4743, ext. 117, by email at kmcbride@freeportmaine.com; or contact Elizabeth Guffey, Freeport Players managing/artistic director, at info@fcponline.org.

High school artists on display

Each April the Freeport Community Library exhibits the artwork of Freeport High School students in its main reading room. This large, mixed-media exhibit showcases the artistic talent of over 70 area young people and is sponsored and juried by the Freeport Woman’s Club.

The library thanks art teachers Kim Medsker-Mehalic and Charles Andreson for the work that goes into installing such a massive exhibit. The exhibit will run through the end of April during normal library business, which can be found at www.freeportlibrary.com.

‘Fit For Charity’ benefit walk

Freeport High School students and staff will take to the streets on Thursday, April 16, at 1 p.m., to walk a 2.1-mile loop through downtown Freeport in support of charity. It’s the annual Fit For Charity walk put on by the FHS Interact Club and Jobs For Maine Graduates,. This year the school will be supporting The Thirst Project and The V Foundation by collecting pledges. Town police will be escorting the walkers as they exit Freeport High School and walk through town, returning back to school.

Library hosts organic-garden workshop

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will offer a three-hour workshop, “Grow Your Own Organic Garden,” on Wednesday, April 29, at 6 p.m., at Freeport Community Library in the Community Meeting Room. Open to the public, and to folks of all gardening skill and experience levels, the workshop is designed to provide the essential skills and knowledge needed to make the transition from conventional to organic gardening.

Instructor Sarah Bostick has been farming and gardening in southern Maine for 13 years. She has worked on and managed three organic farms in Maine, and has designed and installed many gardens for people learning to grow food. She currently works for Cultivating Community’s farmer training program as the lead educator and marketing coordinator. She also has her own small farm in Brunswick. A $5 materials fee (in cash or check made out to MOFGA) will be collected at the workshop. Pre-registration is necessary. Call 865-3307.

For additional information about MOFGA’s “Grow Your Own Organic Garden” workshop, see www.mofga.org.

Free Thursday film

The movie, “How to Steal a Million,” will be shown Thursday, April 16, at 1 p.m., as part of the Freeport Community Library’s free film program. The 1966 romantic comedy/heist film stars Audrey Hepburn, Peter O’Toole and Eli Wallach, and was directed by William Wyler. Set and filmed in France, it also features a wardrobe for Hepburn designed by Givenchy.

Food is focus at adult ed classes

RSU 5 Recreation and Community Education will offer the University of Maine Cooperative Extension master gardeners for two classes, Growing Tomatoes on Thursday, April 30, at 6 p.m. ($12 fee); and Vegetable Gardening in Small Spaces on Thursday, May 7, at 6 p.m. ($12).

A class called Farmer’s Market Masterpieces, Monday, May 4, at 6 p.m. ($35) will show how to make Lobster Fra D’avolo with Zucchini Ribbon Pasta and Slow-Roasted Tomato, Garlic and Thyme Bruschetta.

Master the art of grilling in Maine Surf and Turf Shish Kebabs, with Chris Toy, on Monday, May 11, at 6 p.m. ($30).

Spend a day in Boston in A Tour of Chinese Art and Food in Boston with Chris Toy. Learn all about the Asian Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts with an expert docent, explore Chinatown and enjoy some authentic Dim Sum. The trip will leave from Freeport High School at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, and costs $110, which includes transportation on a coach bus.

For more information or registration, see www.rsu5-rce.org, stop by the office at 17 West St. in Freeport, or call 865-6171.

Vacation camp at Wolfe’s Neck Farm

Kids in grades 1-5 are invited to Wolfe’s Neck Farm for one to five days of fun and learning at April Vacation Camp. Campers will help care for the animals in the barn (including dozens of spring lambs), plant seeds in the greenhouse and meet new friends. Camp runs from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., with morning and afternoon care available. For more information, visit www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

Volunteer opportunity with Freeport Players

Freeport Players is seeking a coordinator of its “front of house” volunteers (ushers, concessions, etc.) for its 26th performance season. The ideal candidate will be skilled with both email and telephone communication and able to articulate clear expectations and responsibilities to volunteers.

Freeport Players has numerous volunteers and the coordinator is responsible to schedule them so that all performances have appropriate and adequate staffing. Anyone interested should email Elizabeth Guffey at info@fcponline.org.

Masons cooking pulled pork

The Freeport Masons will host a spring supper on Saturday, April 18, at the Masonic Lodge on Mallett Drive in Freeport, from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. The menu will feature pulled pork, assorted vegetables, homemade biscuits, dessert and beverage, for $9 per adult with children under 12 half-price.

High school poets to be honored

For the past eight years, Merriconeag Waldorf High School in New Gloucester has been encouraging young people to express themselves through poetry. Each year, the school has asked acclaimed, Maine-connected judges to select 20 student-poets from regional high schools as finalists for their Merriconeag Poetry Festival, held the first Sunday in May. This year, Jeffrey Harrison, winner of Tupelo’s Dorset Prize for his collection “Into Daylight,” has chosen the latest finalists for the Eighth Annual Merriconeag Poetry Festival, which will be held on Sunday, May 3, at 3 p.m. in the Community Hall of the school’s Desert Road campus in Freeport.

Finalists from the area include, from Merriconeag Waldorf High School: 10th-grader Sabrina Small; and from Yarmouth High School, junior Amanda Dettmann and 10th-grader Ava Seid.

LinkedIn marketing is workship topic

The Freeport Chamber and TOCmedia will present a hands-on LinkedIn marketing workshop on Thursday, April 16, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St. The session will include a quick introduction to LinkedIn followed by a group Q&A and discussion. The workshop is limited to 10 people and one hour of shared consulting/training support. The cost is $10. For information, contact michelle@freeportmainechamber.com.

Spring tree trimming

The Freeport Public Works Department performs tree trimming and brush clearing in the spring and fall when time allows between construction projects and plowing of snow. Crews are generally instructed to trim and clear trees and brush within the town’s right of way as far back as reasonable..

This trimming provides adequate clearance and safety for all road users, trucks, cars, pedestrians, bicyclists and others. In addition to clearance needs, trimming provides improved visibility of signs, and better visibility of wildlife, pets, children, intersections and driveway entrances.

National Drug Take Back Initiative

The Freeport Police Department is again participating in the National Drug Take Back Initiative, Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Residents can bring unused, unwanted or expired medications to the Freeport Public Safety Building for proper disposal. A list of acceptable items and how to properly store them can be found at www.freeportmaine.com, or by calling 865-4800.

This year the police department is asking participants to bring a donation for non- perishable food items or personal care items that will be given to Freeport Community Services.

The police department also has installed a secure, permanent drug drop-off box in the lobby of the public safety building.

Republicans to meet

The Freeport Republican Committee will meet Wednesday, April 22, at 6:45 p.m., at the Masonic Lodge, Mallett Drive, lower level. All Freeport registered Republicans are invited to attend. Those attending are asked to bring men’s or ladies’ personal items for donation to the Freeport Food Bank.

For more information or to be added to the email list, contact Jason Thyen, chairman, jason.thyen@gmail.com.

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 Ten in Brunswick, Waynflete, Cheverus, McAuley and Baxter Academy in Portland, Merriconeag-Waldolf School and Greely High School, or by accessing 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

Family fun with Sea Dogs

The Freeport Middle School PTC invites all Regional School Unit 5 families and friends to the Family Fun Night with the Portland Sea Dogs on Friday, May 8, at 6 p.m. The Sea Dogs are playing the New Britain Rock Cats. General admission tickets are $6. The can be purchased online at

https://seadogs.formstack.com/forms/freeport_night. Forms to purchase tickets directly with a check are available in the Freeport Middle School office.

Looking for Legos

The Freeport Community Library is starting a Lego club and is looking for donations of old Legos. Those who are interested in making Lego donations can contact Mary in the Children’s Room at 865-3307.

Woman’s Club sets April talk

Deirdre Fleming, an outdoors reporter for The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, will be the guest speaker at Freeport Woman’s Club meeting on Friday, April 17, in the Community Room of the Freeport Community Library. She will speak about the varied landscape of Maine and about the outdoor people she has featured. She will also share her favorite outdoor adventures. Refreshments will be served. All are invited.

Members of the club also are planning their Spring Bazaar, Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at St. Jude Church, 134 Main St., Freeport. Plants and baked goods will be on sale.

The Freeport Woman’s Club is a service organization that has been in existence for 90 years. It meets once a month at the Freeport Community Library. The club’s fundraising projects include a Spring Bazaar and a bake sale on Election Day. Monies raised provide local scholarships, community improvements, donations to Freeport Community Services and support for women seeking career education. The monthly meetings include presentations on a variety of topics. New members are welcome. Contact Nita Voskian, 865-1155.

Upcoming meetings

Conservation Commission, Wednesday, April 15, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Traffic & Parking Committee, Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 a.m., Town Council Chambers.

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

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