Climate impact topic of series

Sara Randall, a Freeport native and environmental consultant and policy expert, will give a speech titled, “The Tides of Change: How Climate Change and Development is Impacting Freeport’s Marine Resources,” Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 6:30- 8 p.m., at the South Freeport Congregational Church, 98 South Freeport Road. Her talk is part of the church’s Wednesday Wisdom series.

For the last two years, Randall has been working as a scientific coordinator for the Freeport clam experiment, designed to examine the effectiveness of different methods to protect shellfish from invasive green crabs and other predators and how to restore soft-shell clam populations.

A $5 donation is welcomed at the door. Coffee and a dessert will be served. Those planning to attend should call 865-4012 or email southfreeportchurch@gmail.com.

FHS’ ‘Spamalot’ premieres Nov. 13

Freeport High School’s production of “Spamalot” will be staged on Friday and Saturday, Nov 13, 14 and 21, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov 15 and 22, at 2 p.m., at Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St. Tickets are $5 students and seniors, $10 adults.

After Freeport High School world premiered “Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail” some 12 years ago, the musical version, “Spamalot,” is reviving the story at the same school – this time directed by Simon Skold, the man who played Brother Maynard in “Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail” in 2003. That play was directed by Tim Ryan, who was given the rights to adapt the film from 1975 into a 40-minute, one-act play.

At that time, Broadway’s “Spamalot” was in production and after Freeport’s show, the producers in New York City asked for some evidence of the high school’s production. So, some of Freeport’s cast and crew traveled to New York City, bringing props and pictures and footage of their Grail rendition with them. “Spamalot” premiered in 2005 and went on to win three Tony awards.

Library Friends ?to meet Nov. 16

Friends of the Freeport Community Library will hold its annual meeting on Monday, Nov. 16, from 6:30-8 p.m., at the library. On the agenda will be a brainstorming session about the coming year and election of officers, including president, vice president and board members at large. The public is welcome and refreshments will be served.

Since forming in 2011, the group has provided free/discounted museum and park passes for patrons, advocated for the addition of a technology librarian, raised funds for a specialized book scanner for the library and started sponsoring a “Meet the Author” series of book talks. For more information, visit www.FCLfriends.org.

Career series

Freeport High School has begun its second year hosting panelists for the career exploration series. On Oct. 14, Adam DeGrandis, game artist at Chickadee Games, and John Sterling, lead architect at LabNetwork, were presenters.

DeGandis graduated from Maine College of Art in 2005 and secured employment shortly thereafter as a game artist on the West Coast. He has since helped ship some two dozen games, working as everything from production artist to art director at studios all over the country. He lives in Portland, where he runs a game art production studio, Chickadee Games, with his wife, Sarah, and teaches digital art courses at his alma mater.

Sterling is lead architect at LabNetwork, a local startup software company connecting buyers and sellers of research compounds. He has been doing software engineering for about 20 years. He and his family have lived in Freeport since moving here from San Francisco in 2002.

Diverse topics for two Bean talks

Travis Hammill’s will speak at L.L. Bean’s lecture series on Friday, Nov. 6, from 7-8 p.m. in the camping department atrium at the flagship store. Hammil’s topic is “Wild Utah: America’s Redrock Wilderness.” The multi-media slideshow documents efforts to designate public lands in southern Utah’s spectacular canyon country as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Erica Bartlett, author or “Winning the Losing Battle, A True Story of Weight Loss and Transformation,” will speak at L.L. Bean’s lecture series on Friday, Nov. 13, also from 7-8 p.m. in the camping department atrium. Bartlett will tell her story of growing up an obese teenager and young adult and how she lost 130 pounds and began climbing mountains and living a much fuller life. She will share what worked for her and what she has learned as a certified health coach.

Both events are free, but registration is requested at www.llbean.com/adventure.

Turkeys ?from the farm

Each year, Wolfe’s Neck Farm raises a limited number of Thanksgiving turkeys and pasture-raised lamb for the community. The highest standards of care are given to the turkeys. Orders are now being taken online. See www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

Learn about shoemaking heritage

Holly Hurd, Freeport Historical Society’s collections manager, will offer an illustrated talk on the town’s shoemaking history, Monday, Nov. 9, from 7-8:30 p.m., at The Freeport Community Library. The illustrated presentation accompanies the historical society’s current exhibit, “Cobblers to Capitalists: Two Centuries of Freeport Shoemaking,” which she curated. Hurd will give an overview of the history of shoemaking in Freeport from the late 1700s through the 20th century. Refreshments will be provided.

Shoemaking was an important industry in Freeport for more than 100 years beginning with the first case of shoes made in North Freeport in 1869, and ending with the last case of shoes manufactured in the village by Eastland Shoe in 2001.

Admission is $5 and free for historical society members. Call 865-3170 or visit www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org to reserve tickets or for more information.

Bean supper break

Freeport’s First Parish Church not hold bean suppers in November and December due to the busy holiday season and conflicting events. The schedule for future bean suppers will be posted after the New Year.

Coffee House ?at the library

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, andreabryant73@gmail.com, or call 939-5399.

‘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.

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 local women artisans who collectively support community nonprofits that benefit women and children.

Library hosts Doiron, book group, and film

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.

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.

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.

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 cwall@mita.org or 761-8225 to reserve a space.

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.

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. The deadline is Dec. 10.

Upcoming meetings

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

Freeport Energy Summit, Saturday, Nov. 7, 9-11:30 a.m., Freeport Town Office.

Winslow Park Commission, Monday, Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall.

Town Council, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Conservation Commission, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Services.

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

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