Free summer lunch for kids

Freeport Community Services is running the Summer Free Lunch for Kids program. From June 22 through Aug. 28, Monday through Friday except July 3, FCS will be preparing and serving free, healthy lunches for all children. Meals will be distributed at the Freeport Community Center, the Village View Apartments Community Room, at Mast Landing School, and Wildwood Acres on Elm Street. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m.-noon. There are no income or residency requirements. All children under the age of 19 are welcome.

For more information, call Sarah Lundin at 865-3985, ext. 205.

Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday to prepare, deliver, serve and monitor lunches at these sites. Those interested in helping can contact Debbie Daggett, volunteer coordinator, at 865-3985, ext. 206, or email [email protected].

Five ribbon-cuttings coming up

The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce will welcome five new businesses to Freeport in the next five weeks with ribbon-cutting events. All are welcome. Light refreshments are served and people can browse the business while getting to know the owners and staff. The schedule includes:

Thursday, June 18, 11:30 a.m., Artisan Maine, a United Maine Craftsman store with works by more than 80 artisans on display and for sale, 178 Lower Maine St., next to Wilbur’s Chocolates

Friday, June 26, 11:30 a.m., 18 Maple, offering wine and art classes with a gallery and gifts, 18 Maple St.

Wednesday, July 1, 3-6 p.m., ribbon-cutting and open house, Freeport Medical Center, 23 Durham Road. This new facility is home to Dr. Brian Knighton and several other medical professionals. It will continue as a walk-in clinic. Tours, demonstrations and refreshments will be offered.

Tuesday, July 7, 11:30 a.m., Maine Wicked Goods Mercantile, 304 U.S. Route 1 South, across from Freeport Bike & Ski. Antiques, collectibles, Maine items and a selection of Moxie products.

Tuesday, July 21, 11:30 a.m., Freeport Salon, 32 Independence Drive. Full service salon and spa.

These events are free and no registration is required. For more information, call 847-5240.

Chamber elects new directors

Lee Hews, owner of Current Publishing, which publishes the Tri-Town Weekly, and Dean Gilbert, branch manager of Mortgage Network in Freeport, have recently been elected to the Great Freeport Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. They join Michelle Barker of Bath Savings Institution, president; Caleb Stephens of Edward Jones Financial Advisors, vice president; and Dale Bouton of Winter People, treasurer. Other directors include Carolyn Beem, L.L. Bean; Brett Davis, Brett Davis Real Estate; Angela Garrison, Beansprouts Early Learning Childcare; David Herring, Wolfe’s Neck Farm; Deborah McLean, Maine Senior Guide; Woody Woodbury, Freeport Hardware; Brian Mitchell, Norton Insurance; and Thomas Wilson, Gritty McDuff’s. The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce is five years old and includes members statewide.

Masons cooking roast pork

The Freeport Masons will host a roast pork supper on Saturday, June 20, at the Masonic Lodge on Mallet Drive in Freeport, from 5-6:30 p.m. The menu will feature pork loin, mashed potatoes, assorted vegetables, homemade biscuits, dessert and beverage for $9, with half price for children under 12.

Farmers market now open

The Freeport Farmers Market is open every Friday from 1-5 p.m., through Sept. 11, on the L.L. Bean Campus, rain or shine. Only an extreme weather prediction will cancel the market.

Fourteen new and returning vendors include Jillson’s Farm, with vegetables and berries; Serendipity Acres, with organic chicken and eggs; pork from Liberty Farm & Forge; gluten-free baked goods from Galley Goodies; baked goods from Paula’s Baked Goods; cupcakes from Kids Farm to Table (Tulip Cupcakery); mushrooms and more from Oyster Creek Mushrooms; granola from MoMunch; cleaning products from Good Natured Brand and Medicine Wheel Herbals; fudge and candy from Chutters; yarn from Longwoods Alpaca Farm; bags from Bags of Gold; and a selection from The Craftin’ Scot. This year the market has donated $400 to Freeport Community Services in the form of market vouchers for the food bank program. FCS will distribute these vouchers to families to shop at the market for food items only. For more information, contact Angela Streeter at 841-2954.

Maine novelists talk at library

Jim Nichols will be at the Freeport Community Library on Monday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m., to read from his latest novel, “Closer All the Time,” published in March by Yarmouth-based Islandport Press.

With the coastal waters of Maine as the backdrop, Nichols tells the bittersweet stories of several colorful characters bound together by a shared geography and the insular nature of small-town life in fictional Baxter, Maine.

Born in Brunswick and raised in Freeport, Nichols became interested in writing fiction while working as a ticket agent for a commuter airline in Rockland. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Esquire, Narrative, American Fiction and Down East. He has been nominated several times for Pushcart prizes, and his novel, “Hull Creek,” was the runner-up for the 2012 Maine Book Award for Fiction.

Writer Kevin Mills will speak on his most recent historical novel, “Sea of Liberty,” Monday, July 6, at 6:30 p.m., at the library. “Sea of Liberty” completes a trilogy based on the storied maritime history of Mills’ own ancestors who were privateers, shipbuilders, merchant mariners and lighthouse keepers. The previous two books in the series include “Sons and Daughters of the Ocean” and “Breakwater.” “Sea of Liberty” is loosely based on Eligood Mills, an early Portsmouth merchant mariner captured by the British during the Revolutionary War who ultimately made a daring escape to freedom.

Mills is a Lewiston Sun Journal sportswriter. Copies of “Sea of Liberty” will be available for purchase and signing.

Road race kicks off fun day

The Freeport Rotary Club will sponsor its 20th annual Close to the Coast 5K and 10K Road Races, Saturday, June 20, at Winslow Park in Freeport. The race is part of the Winslow Park Family Fun Day, with many events scheduled, and park admission is free of charge. The events start at 9 a.m. with the race, following by the Kids 1k Fun Run at 10. Entertainment will start soon after the race with two bands, Golden Oak and Jerks of Grass. An adult beverage tent will be provided by Gritty’s and free food provided by Buck’s Naked BBQ. Additional activities for children include a Moon Bounce House and face painting. Oceanside camping is available for those wanting to stay overnight for a fee.

Race participants can register online at www.close2coastrace.com or in the morning on June 20 between 7:15 and 8:45 a.m. All proceeds from the race go toward student educational scholarships through the Freeport Rotary Club. Through the past 20 years, the Freeport Rotary club has donated more than $100,000 in scholarships for college-bound students. Prizes for the top two finishers in each age category are assorted fruit pies from Valley View Farm in Hebron.

Last year, a total of 350 runners took part in the race. Each year the race is able to raise approximately $4,000 for the Rotary student scholarship fund. For more race information contact Jimmy Hendricks at [email protected] or 865-1183.

Free Camping Week

June 20-28 is Free Camping Week for Freeport residents at Winslow Park.

In addition to camping, Winslow Park offers a tidal beach, boat launch, picnic tables and grills, fishing pier, playground, volleyball court, basketball court, horseshoes, and tranquil nature trails which border the park adjacent to the Harraseeket River and Casco Bay.

During July and August, Thursday Evening Concerts will take place at 6:30.

For more information, call 865-4198 or visit www.freeportmaine.com.

Pancakes on the Fourth

St. Jude Church, at the corner of Main and School streets, will be serving its traditional pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. on July 4, parade day. The cost for the “all you can eat” breakfast is $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. For more information, call 847-6890.

Tea tasting

Five varieties of tea will be offered for sampling on Friday, July 3, from 6-7 p.m., at Jacqueline’s Tea Room, 201 Main St. in Freeport. For more information, see www.Jacquelinestearoom.com or call 865-2123.

Freeport GOP meeting June 17

The Freeport Republican Committee will meet Wednesday, June 17, at 6:45 p.m., at the Masonic Lodge, Mallett Drive, lower level. All Freeport registered Republicans are invited to attend. For more information or to be added to the email list, contact Jason Thyen, chairman,at [email protected]. Attendees are asked to bring men’s or ladies’ personal items for donation to the Freeport Food Bank.

Car wash June 20

The Freeport Running Boosters will host a car wash at the Freeport Fire Station on Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Proceeds will support student runners in the RSU 5 Community.

Phillips Academy grad

Conner John Cameron, son of Ruth and Kirk Cameron of Freeport, graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover Mass., June 7. He was a member of the varsity boys soccer and ultimate Frisbee teams. He was the subscription manager for the school newspaper, the Phillipian, and was the business manager of Submarine magazine, a student-published music magazine. He served as the vice president of the Andover Philosophy Club and as a senior board member of the Andover Independents Club. He was awarded the Stevenson Prize for Excellence in the study of German. He will attend the University of Pennsylvania.

Summer events at library

The Freeport Community Library Summer Reading Program runs through Aug. 27. This free program encourages children to read with programs, crafts and prizes throughout the summer. To sign up, stop by the Children’s Room.

The library’s free monthly movie series will continue in the summer. On Thursday, June 18, at 1 p.m., the romantic comedy, “Dan in Real Life,” will be shown. It stars Steve Carell and Juliette Binoche and is rated PG-13.

An outside summer concert featuring Pan Fried Steel is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, from 6-7:30 p.m. Families are invited to bring lawn chairs and a picnic supper for this event.

Each month a local artist’s work is exhibited at the library. This summer’s Art at the Library features Douglas Wood’s photography in June, Ann Tracy’s collage/digital painting in July and Susan Renk- Greenlaw’s watercolors in August.

The library is still in need of Legos to get a Lego club started. Donations can be dropped off at the Children’s Room.

Camp Seaside now enrolling

Freeport’s Camp Seaside is a summer day camp for children entering grades 1-5 and is based at Mast Landing School on Bow Street. Some of the time, weather permitting, will be spent at Winslow Park. Each week will also include a trip to a local state park or beach. Daily activities include sports, arts and crafts and games. Campers are divided into age-appropriate groups for most activities.

Camp fees include all field trips, special events and daily lunch. The day camp is, once again, teaming up with Freeport Community Services and the USDA’s summer lunch program. Staff of the day camp is made up of trained college and high school students who are also certified in CPR and first aid.

To register, call 865-6171, visit www.rsu5-rce.org or stop in at 17 West St., Freeport.

Looking for crafters

The South Freeport Congregational Church, 98 South Freeport Road, is looking for crafters for the annual Summer Blueberry Festival, Aug. 1. Vendors can include fine art, paintings, photographs, makeup demos, jewelry, antique items, purses, flowers and stampers. The fee is $25 for the full day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Vendors must bring their own setup and display equipment. For more information, call SueAnn Randall at 865-1670.

Vacation Bible School

South Freeport Congregational Church announces its sixth Vacation Bible School half-day summer camp for ages 5 to 12. The camp begins with a family kickoff event on Sunday, June 28, from 4-6 p.m. The camp will runs from 9 a.m.-noon, June 29-July 2. Each day will involve varied activities including crafts, songs, Bible stories and snacks. For more information visit www.southfreeportchurch.com/vacation-bible-school.html or call Beth in the church office at 865-4012. This is a free camp. Donations are welcomed.

Spring cleanup

Freeport residents have the month of June to bring one free load of waste to the Recycling Center using the cleanup coupon contained in the town mailer that residents have received in their mailboxes. Hours are Wednesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Residents will also be required to have a 2015 facility sticker ($6), which can be purchased at the Recycling Center the day of disposal or can be purchased ahead of time. As in years past, some material have fees associated with their disposal. A list of acceptable items and fees is included in the flyer and at www.freeportmaine.com.

For those interested in composting, several products are available for purchase at the Recycling Center.

2015 dog licenses

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

Upcoming meetings

Appointments Committee, Thursday, June 18, 7:30 a.m., Town Hall.

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

Lee HewsDean Gilbert