Historical society reception May 14

The opening reception for the Freeport Historical Society’s new exhibit, “Cobblers to Capitalists,” centering on two centuries of Freeport shoemaking, is Thursday, May 14, at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Shoemaking was an important industry in Freeport for more than 100 years, beginning with the Davis brothers’ factory on Beech Hill Road in 1872, and ending with the final pair of shoes manufactured in town by Eastland Shoe in 2001.

The exhibit will run through Jan 15, 2016. A donation of $3 to support the work of Freeport Historical Society is suggested.

Club hosts speaker from local biotech firm

Dr. Evelyn Sawyer will speak to the members of the Freeport Woman’s Club and their guests on Friday, May 15, at 1 p.m., in the Community Meeting Room of the Freeport Community Library. Sawyer is associated with Sea Run Holdings Inc., a Freeport biotech company that has developed innovated biologics and therapeutics from the blood of farm-raised salmon. She will talk about this work to seek a solution for pain and injuries. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome.

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.

Alfred Fogg turns 100

Alfred Fogg will turn 100 years old on May 19, and his family would like to invite the community to help him celebrate this accomplishment. Fogg lives at the Freeport Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility at 3 East St., Freeport, on Floor 1. He would appreciate cards and visits from friends and community members.

Fogg, a devoted family man, is a veteran, Mason, former BIW employee, small-scale farmer and avid lifelong clammer. A small family gathering is planned for Sunday, May 17, but visitors are welcome all month long. For more information, call Merry Damone, 865-6917.

Young poets recognized

Waynflete freshman Payton Sullivan earned the top prize in the Merriconeag Poetry Festival, held May 3 at the school’s Freeport campus. Nationally acclaimed poet and festival judge Jeffrey Harrison also announced that Merriconeag sophomore Sabrina Small and Falmouth High School senior Caroline Dyhrberg earned second and third prizes, respectively. This was Dyrhberg’s second consecutive year being chosen as a finalist.

The prizewinners were among 20 finalists selected by Harrison to read their work at the festival, which was attended by some 130 poetry lovers. The other finalists included, in no particular order, from Falmouth, juniors Max Brautigam and Ellie Sapat, and sophomore Althea Finch-Brand; from Yarmouth, junior Amanda Dettmann and sophmore Ava Seid; from Deering, senior Courtney Valente and junior Ciham Tum; from Catherine McAuley, sophomores Madeline Beaulieu, Indigo Fulham-Fitzgerald, Maggie Lawless, Allison Tillotson, and Meredith Wheeler, another two-time finalist; from Waynflete, freshman Riley Mayes; from Morse High School, senior Kayla Barr; from the Hyde School, sophomore Emma Levensohn; from Cape Elizabeth High, sophomore Anna Friberg; and from Gorham High, junior Mallory Campbell.

During the program, Harrison spoke about “The Power of Poetry” and read three of his own poems. Students received gift certificates donated by Longfellow Books in Portland, Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick and Sherman’s Books and Stationery in Freeport.

Masons cooking spring supper

The Freeport Masons will host a Spring Supper on Saturday, May 16, from 5-6:30 p.m., at the Masonic Lodge on Mallett Drive. The menu will feature meat loaf, mashed potatoes, assorted vegetables, homemade biscuits, dessert and beverage for $9 per adults and half price for children under 12.

Maine author to speak at luncheon

South Freeport Congregational Church will host author Lea Wait at a luncheon on Friday, May 22, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the church, 98 South Freeport Road.

Wait’s latest book is “Twisted Threads,” the first in her Mainely Needlepoint series, with a background of custom and antique embroidery. The novel introduces readers to Angie Curtis, who grew up in Haven Harbor under the shadow of her mother’s disappearance. Now her mother’s body has been found, and she returns to Maine to find her mother’s killer.

Wait, who lives in Edgecomb, also writes historical novels for ages 7 and up set in 19th- century Wiscasset, the latest of which is “Uncertain Glory.” The book has been selected as a “Town Read” in eight Maine communities and has been nominated for an Agatha award. Wait’s next book, “Threads of Evidence,” the second in the Mainely Needlepoint series, will be published in September 2015.

Tickets for the event are $15 and can be purchased by calling the church prior to May 20 at 865-4012. The author will speak first, followed by lunch. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the luncheon.

Veterans invited to church service

South Freeport Congregational Church will hold a special veterans service at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, with the Freeport Flag ladies serving as ushers. The church wishes to say thank you to all veterans who protect citizens every day. The Rev. Dave Bowling will do a special sermon and deacons will host the coffee hour.

Students achieve at college

Hannah Morrison of Freeport has been named to the dean’s list at Champlain College, Burlington, Vt., for spring 2015. Students who are named to the dean’s list have achieved a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Morrison is majoring in public relations.

Alida D. Farrell of Freeport has been selected for membership in the St. Lawrence University chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the international philosphy honorary society. Farrell is a member of the class of 2017 and is majoring in environmental studies-philosophy at the Anton, N.Y., school. She graduated from Waynflete School. Student must have completed three semesters at St. Lawrence, be in the top 35 percent of her or his class year, and must have taken at least two courses in philosophy with a philosophy grade-point average of at least 3.5.

Also at St. Lawrence University, Emily H. Sturtevant of Freeport received the Bradley R. Evers ‘94 Outstanding First-Year Student during a Moving-Up Day event on April 25. The award is granted to first-year students who best exemplify qualities of good citizenship at the university. Sturtevant is a member of the class of 2018. She graduated from Freeport High School.

Plant sale May 23 at Wolfe’s Neck Farm

Rain or shine, the annual Wolfe’s Neck Farm Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, May 23, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, 184 Burnett Road, Freeport.

A full selection of perennials, annuals, herbs and seedlings, suitable for full shade to full sun, will be available. Local master gardeners will be there to answer questions about plants and gardens. All plants are locally grown and donated by friends, neighbors and volunteers. Those wishing to donate plants should bring them to the farm on Friday, May 22, from 11 a.m.-1p.m. Proceeds will support Wolfe’s Neck Farm

Council schedules district workshops

The Freeport Town Council has scheduled one regular meeting in each of the town’s voting districts. These meetings provide residents with an opportunity to meet their councilors more informally and discuss issues related to their specific district. District Town Council meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. After each district workshop adjourns, the council will reconvene at the Town Hall for the regularly scheduled Town Council meeting. The schedule is:

District 1 – June 16, Freeport Community Library

District 2 – Aug. 4, Mallett Barn

District 3 – Sept. 15, South Freeport Church

District 4 – Oct. 6, Merriconeag School

Drug take-back day successful

Town Manager Peter Joseph reported that 295 pounds of unused drugs were collected in Freeport on April 25 during the semi-annual drug take-back day. Statewide, he said, 23,500 pounds of unused and unwanted drugs were collected.

Since the Freeport Police Department has installed a secured permanent drug drop-off box in the lobby of the Public Safety Building, residents can now drop off expired, unwanted or outdated drugs during their normal business hours, Sunday through Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Public has say on Hedgehog trails

Some 15 people showed up May 2 to walk the Hedgehog Mountain trail system on guided tours, as guides provided several questions to help the walkers evaluate the trail system. Participants came back from the guided tours with many comments and suggestions. The next step is to document those, and then work with various involved groups such as the Conservation Commission and National Park Service to decide how to implement those suggestions moving forward.

Dinners feature farm-to-table menus

Wolfe Neck Farm’s Farm-to-Table Dinner Series has been scheduled for 2015. Past partners, the restaurants Miyake, Frontier Cafe? and Gather Farm Fresh Eatery will be returning, and Rosemont Bakery and Market has been added. Each dinner will be unique and feature locally grown foods that are fresh and available at the time.

All dinners are from 5-8 p.m., The first event is a pig roast and tasting, featuring chef Masa Miyake, Sunday, June 14. A family farm feast, with Gather Farm Fresh Eatery and Frontier Cafe?, is Sunday, Aug. 30. A harvest dinner, with Rosemont Market and Bakery, is Sunday, Sept. 20.

For information on and reservations and costs, or to join the host committee, visit www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

Gerzofsky to serve on national panel

State Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, has been appointed to the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Gerzofsky represents District 24, which includes Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell, North Yarmouth and Pownal.

Gerzofsky will serve as a representative from the Maine Senate. The committee’s broad jurisdiction includes federalism and preemption issues, constitution and constitutional law, civil rights and liability issues and criminal justice.

Julia Spencer-Fleming coming to library

Freeport Community Library will host Maine mystery author Julia Spencer-Fleming on Monday, May 18, at 7 p.m. From her first award-winning mystery, “In the Bleak Midwinter,” to her most recent suspense novel, “Through Evil Days,” Spencer-Fleming has gathered a following of avid readers who await her latest title in the Rev. Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery series.

She is the winner of the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity, Dilys, Barry, Nero Wolfe, and Gumshoe awards, and is an Edgar and Romantic Times RC awards finalist. She studied acting and history at Ithaca College, and received her law degree from the University of Maine School of Law. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Public works schedules open house

The 22nd National Public Works Week/Open House is a week-long national celebration of public works professionals organized by the American Public Works Association, which will take place the week of May 17-23.

The Freeport Public Works Department Open House will take place on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Freeport Highway Garage on Hunter Road. This is the first year Freeport has participated in National Public Works Week with an open house. Public works professionals and some of the equipment will be showcased. The event lets all residents talk with the people and see the equipment essential to protecting the town’s health and safety, and learn more about public works and related environment issues.

Winslow Park opening

Winslow Park will open to seasonal campers May 18 and to all campers on May 21. A calendar of park events for 2015 is available at www.freeportmaine.com.

Main Street Mile Race

The Nike Factory Store/Freeport Running Boosters have scheduled the annual Main Street Mile for Monday, May 25, Memorial Day, at 8 a.m. The 1-mile family jog/walk and run race begins at the corner of Holbrook and Main streets. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in various age groups. For more information and to register, see www.runinrace.com or visit the Nike Factory Store.

Climber lectures on Everest expedition

“Everest The Hard Way,” a lecture by Ed Webster, is scheduled for Friday, May 15, 7 p.m., at L.L. Bean in Freeport. In 1988, Webster and three companions attempted the impossible: to scale a new route up the east or Kangshung Face of Mount Everest in Tibet with only four climbers, no Sherpa support, no bottled oxygen and no radios. Webster and his companions succeeded in completing this climb. Webster will recount the legendary expedition with photographs and stories. The talk is free.

Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day is Monday, May 25, and events begin that day at 9:30 a.m. starting with the parade. Individuals, organizations and civic groups that wish to participate in the parade and events should contact Gloria DeGrandpre at GloriaD556@aol.com or call 232-6648.

Upcoming meetings

Coastal Waters Commission, Wednesday, May 13, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Project Review Board, Wednesday, May 13, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Active Living Task Force, Thursday, May 14, 7:30 a.m., Town Council Chambers.

Shellfish Conservation Commission, Thursday, May 14, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Recycling/Solid Waste Committee, Monday, May 18, 5:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Traffic & Parking Committee, Tuesday, May 19, 7:30 a.m., Town Council Chambers.

Town Council, Tuesday, May 19, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Conservation Commission, Wednesday, May 20, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

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