Open Stage Coffee House returning

Freeport Community Library is the setting for the upcoming Open Stage Coffee House, Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. The coffee house is a relaxed performance opportunity for budding artists and established entertainers featuring music, poetry, skits and comedy. Performers just show up and sign up. Admission is free. For more information, contact Andrea Bryant, [email protected], or call 939-5399.

Holiday arts-crafts

benefit Nov. 21

The group Designing Women will sponsor the Fine Art & Craft Annual Holiday Showcase, Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Maine Coast Waldorf School, 57 Desert Road in Freeport. The juried show includes more than 20 select women artists and craftswomen, showcasing their pottery, jewelry, handwoven items, wearables, home accessories and fine arts.

The suggested $2 door donation and all proceeds from refreshments and lunch will benefit University of Southern Maine’s Partners for Rural Health in the Dominican Republic. Designing Women includes of local women artisans who collectively support community nonprofits that benefit women and children.

Absentee ballots now available

The deadline for Freeport voters to request an absentee ballet at the Freeport Town Clerk’s Office is Thursday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. They can be requested in person Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m-6 p.m.; electronically at http://maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl; by mail by calling the town clerk at 865-4743, ext. 123; through a third person, also by calling or visiting the town clerk.

Also, those who have moved since the last time they voted should stop by the town clerk’s office with proof of residency by Oct. 29 so their names will appear on the correct district voting list. For additional information, call 865-4743, ext. 123.

Polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. in the gymnasium at the Freeport High School, 30 Holbrook St.

Library hosts Doiron, film, book group

The Friends of the Freeport Community Library will host a book talk and signing with the award-winning Maine author, Paul Doiron, Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m., at the Freeport Community Library. Doiron is the author of the Mike Bowditch series of crime novels, which began with “The Poacher›s Son.” His latest is “The Precipice.”

Doiron is also editor emeritus of Down East magazine, where he worked from 2005 to 2013, before stepping down to write full time. A native of Maine, he graduated from Yale University, and holds a master’s in creative writing from Emerson College.

On Thursday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m., the library will screen the film, “Far From the Madding Crowd” (2015 PG-13). Based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy, the film, a period piece, stars Carey Mulligan and Michael Sheen.

The library’s monthly book group, which meets on the first Wednesday of the month, meets Nov. 4, at 6 p.m., to discuss “Some Girls, Some Hats and Hitler: A True Love Story,” a 1984 memoir by Trudi Kanter. The author, a Jewish hatmaker, recalls her efforts to flee Nazi-occupied Vienna

Nature journaling at Pettengill Farm

Freeport Historical Society is partnering with the Maine Island Trails Association to offer a free nature journaling workshop at Pettengill Farm with author Andrea Lani, Sunday, Nov 8, from 1-4 p.m. In this workshop, suitable for parents and children, attendees will practice observing with all of their senses, learn some simple drawing techniques and write prose and poetry. The group will begin the workshop with a visit to the 18th-century Pettengill farmhouse.

Lani is a freelance writer and blogger with master’s degree in creative writing from University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast program.

Participants should meet at the end of Pettengill Road at 1 p.m. Access to the site requires a 15-minute walk along an unpaved road. Participants should bring a journal, blank book or paper, basic writing and drawing tools, as well as something to sit on outdoors, such as a camp chair or insulating mat. Dogs and other pets are not allowed at Pettengill Farm.

Pettengill Farm is owned by the Freeport Historical Society and was added to the Maine Island Trail in 2013. Reservations are required. Contact Chris Wall at [email protected] or 761-8225 to reserve a space.

Tea tasting

Jacqueline’s Tea Room, 201 Main St. in Freeport, will offer samples of five varieties of tea, Sunday, Nov. 1, from 6-7 p.m. For more information, see www.Jacquelinestearoom.com or call 865-2123.

‘Night Tree’ event at Wolfe’s Neck

A holiday tradition for children, Wolfe’s Neck Farm’s “Night Tree” event, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, is inspired by Eve Bunting’s book, “Night Tree.” Her story is about a family that feeds the forest animals by making decorations for a special tree. Each hour during the day, a reader will share the book and children will decorate pinecones with birdseed and string popcorn with dried fruit and cranberries. A short hike will take the children on the trails to leave the treats in the woods for the animals.

Programs begin at 9 a.m. The last program is at 2 p.m. The cost is $5 for those 2 and older and free for members. Tickets are available at www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

Events for kids

Freeport Community Library’s Lego Club meets the first Wednesday of every month from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the story room, for children ages 5-12.

Yoga for Kids meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. for parents, toddlers and preschoolers.

Miss Lisa’s Songs & Stories meets the first Saturday of the month at 10:30 a.m. for toddlers and preschoolers.

Free movies for grades 6-8 are shown the third Thursday of the month at 2:20 p.m. Free popcorn is included. On Nov. 19, the movie scheduled is “Inside Out” (PG).

Students in grades 6 and up can become a Junior Page in the Children’s Room. Stop by the Children’s Room for details. For more information, see www.freeportlibrary.com.

Toys for Tots

Caleb Stephens, financial adviser with Edward Jones, is supporting the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program by using his office as a drop-off location for this year’s toy drive.

Local residents can help needy children in the area by bringing in a new, unwrapped toy to the office, at 5 Depot St., Suite 24, Freeport, during regular business hours, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, from Monday, Nov. 2, through Friday, Dec. 4.

“With the holiday season around the corner, we are all getting ready for the festivities,” Stephens said. “And as this is the season of giving, now is a great time to remember the less fortunate in our community.”

Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company, provides financial services for individual investors.

Ghosts of

Freeport’s past

The adventurous and open-minded are invited to Freeport’s Woodlawn Cemetery this Halloween season for an encounter with specters and spirits, courtesy of Freeport Historical Society. The group is bringing history back from beyond the grave, with the appearance of notable Freeporters in the graveyard, with the assistance of the Freeport Players.

The reincarnations of famous and not-so-well-known former residents of Freeport will share tales of their lives, and illuminate interesting aspects of Freeport’s past. Tours lasting approximately 45 minutes, will take place on Oct. 28, 29 and 30, beginning at 6:30. Tours depart at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10, children 12 and under $5 and $5 for historical society members.

Woodlawn Cemetery is the resting place of some of Freeport’s most prominent past residents, including shipbuilders, industrialists, maritime captains, clergy and others. This year’s tour will incorporate some favorite tales from previous years, but will include some new appearances, including the survivor of an 18th-century Indian raid and an eccentric 20th-century artist. Since the tours will take place on uneven ground in the dark, participants should bring a flashlight. Participants should also dress appropriately for nighttime, outdoors, in late fall. Reservations are encouraged. Call 865-3170, see www.freeeporthistoricalsociety.org or email [email protected].

Halloween open house at vet hospital

Freeport Veterinary Hospital, 4 Post Road in Freeport, will host a Halloween open house on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring a behind-the-scenes tour. Judy Moore and her pup, Pablo, from Canine Behavior Counseling, will be on hand for training demonstrations, and the Coastal Humane Society will have adoptable pets to meet. Refreshments, raffles and kid-friendly activities will be offered. Children can bring a stuffed animal to practice their bandaging skills, and those in Halloween costumes will receive a special treat.

For more information contact the hospital at 865-3673.

New square dancing classes

RSU 5 Recreation and Community Education is offering new square dancing events and classes this fall. This is a family-friendly activity for people of all ages.

The Modern Square Dancing class runs on Tuesdays, Nov. 3-24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Freeport Middle School cafeteria. Individual registration is $29, and a parent/child registration is $34. Participants will learn a series of easy American square dances, including traditional square dance, contra dancing, and modern western square dance.

“Halloween Hoe-Down” will be held at Morse Street School on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Individual registration is $10, and a parent/child registration is $15. Participants can learn about modern square dance in this Halloween celebration. The square dance caller, Al Hipkins, will teach all the steps and keep everyone dancing all night. Feel free to wear Halloween costumes. No partner is needed and no dance experience is necessary.

To register for these events, call 865-6171, visit www.rsu5-rce.org or stop by the office at 17 West St.

Annual 10K race set for Oct. 31

RSU 5 Recreation and Community Education will hold its 34th annual Great Osprey 10K Ocean Run on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, starting at 10 a.m. Pre-registration by Oct. 29 is $25, including a shirt. To register, go to www.running4free.com or for more information, call the RSU 5 office at 865-6171.

2015 Citizen

of the Year

Each year the Freeport Town Council presents a Citizen of the Year Award to honor those who have contributed significantly to the quality of the town. Nominations are now being accepted. Nomination forms are available at the Town Office, Freeport Community Library and at www.freeportmaine.com. Deadline for is Dec. 10.

Trail challenge

nearly finished

A Freeport Trail Challenge has begun in which participants hike four local through October and win prizes. They can collect stamps from each trail on the Trail Challenge Passport or post a photo selfie from their walk to Freeport Conservation Trust’s Facebook page or on Instagram #freeporttrailchallenge. There will be prizes for kids who get all four stamps in their Passports and adults completing the challenge will be entered into a raffle for prizes.

The four trails in the challenge are Cousins River Trail, Powell Point Trail, Frost Gully Woods Trail and Hedgehog Mountain Trail. Pick up a Freeport Trail Challenge Passport around town and through the co-sponsors the town of Freeport, Casco Bay YMCA and Freeport Conservation Trust. Directions to each trailhead are on the Passport cards or online at www.freeportconservationturst.org. For more information, contact Freeport Conservation Trust at the Community Center, 865-3985, ext. 212, or email [email protected]. All walks must be completed by the end of October, and passports turned in or photos posted by Nov. 2.

Upcoming meetings

Municipal Facilities Committee, Thursday, Oct. 29, 7 a.m., Town Council Chambers.

Library Board of Trustees, Monday, Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Library.

Board of Appeals, Monday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Planning Board, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.