Welcome

Editor’s note: This week, Kathleen Meade takes over as the Tri-Town Weekly’s Freeport columnist, replacing Betsy Roper, who has stepped down. Meade is an artist who loves living in Freeport. She raised her three, now-adult children in Freeport and continues to champion the town. Among other things, she believes in sustainable living, organic gardening and chickens in the back yard. She can be reached by phone or email, but the best way, she says, is by email.

‘Dancing at Lughnasa’

on stage at Waldorf school

Maine Coast Waldorf School’s class of 2016 will perform Irish playwright Brian Friel’s 1992 Tony award-winning play, “Dancing at Lughnasa,” Tuesday, May 31 (preview night) at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, June 1, at 1 p.m.; and Thursday and Friday, June 2 and 3, at 7 p.m. Performances will be held at the school’s Community Hall, 57 Desert Road, Freeport. Set in the fictional village of Ballybeg in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1936, this memory play focuses on the five Mundy sisters as they strive to keep faith and family alive as life tears at them from all sides. The entire story is told from the perspective of Michael, now an old man, remembering back to the summer of 1936 when he was7, during the old pagan festival of Lughnasa, honoring Lugh, the god of the harvest.

This cast of seniors has an advantage in terms of ensemble work, for a majority of the class has acted together in a play every year since first grade.

Tickets to the play are $5 at the door.

JMG students in

Philanthropy Walk

Twenty-eight Freeport Jobs for Maine Graduates students participated in the Annual JMG Spring into Philanthropy Walk at the Back Cove in Portland on Friday, May 13. An impressive $5,600. for the Locker Project was raised. Freeport High JMG raised $1,030 and Freeport Middle School JMG raised $800.

The Locker Project, in partnership with the Good Shepherd Food Bank, helps ensure food security for all Maine children through local schools. The Locker Project works with schools to create programs for providing students with healthy class-time snacks and take-home food for the times they are most likely to experience hunger.

Health connections

goal of Wellness Expo

The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce and Freeport Fire and Rescue will host a Wellness Expo on Thursday, June 2, from 3-6 p.m., at the Freeport Fire Station, 4 Main St.

The event aims to support the health of the community by connecting local health and wellness businesses to those looking to enhance and improve their health. It is open to the public at no cost, with a suggested healthy food donation to Freeport Community Services.

More than 30 businesses, including health professionals, fitness experts, safety personnel and food vendors, are expected to take part. Scheduled demonstrations include CPR instruction, blood pressure screenings, massage, fitness, seat belt safety and healthy cooking on a budget. There will be several local restaurants and nutrition experts featured in a designated food sampling area.

The event sponsors are Brett Davis Real Estate and Beansprouts Early Learning Childcare Center. To register as a vendor or get more information about the event, contact the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce at 847-5240 or see www.freeportmainechamber.com.

Morning music

Morning Music with Sammie Haynes, a program for children ages 3-6, will be held at the Freeport Community Library on Thursday, May 26, at 10:15 a.m. Her lively music will have everyone singing and dancing!

Plant walk Thursday

Freeport Conservation Trust will host a Woodland Plant Walk with Heather McCargo from Maine Wild Seed Project, on Thursday, May 26, from 4:30-6 p.m. The woods, are full of delicate blooms, new leaves and unfurling ferns.Those who attend will learn more about the Maine Wild Seed Project. Meet at the Stonewood Trailhead, located at the end of Stonewood Drive (off Route 1 across from Freeport Ski and Bike). Park in adjacent parking lot.

Bird programs at Bean

Two presentations at the L.L. Bean camping department focus on birds. “A Wing and a Care: Building a Future for Birds,” a film presented by Shawn Carey, will be screened Friday, May 27, at 7 p.m. The film will introduce the audience to preservationists dedicated to protecting snowy owls, Atlantic puffins and American kestrels, as well as educating others about the birds’ plight.

Tim Gallagher’s presentation, “In Search of the Cuban Ivory-Bill, is Saturday, May 28, at 7 p.m. The ivory-billed woodpecker has long been the “Holy Grail” of birding. Found only in the southern U.S. and Cuba, its numbers plummeted in the late 19th century, and many fear it is now extinct. But Gallagher has never given up on the bird. He’ll recount his adventures and share pictures of his journey.

Flock a friend

with pink flamingos

Freeport High School class of 2017 is Flamingo Flocking as a fundraiser to help support Project Graduation. Flocking is fun and simple: Fill out a flocking form, pick a “victim,” and a flock of plastic pink flamingos will migrate to that person’s lawn, where they will stay for at least 24 hours. The flock will then be picked up and moved to the next migration point.

Flamingo Flocking costs $25 donation. The flocking form can be picked up at the high school front office. For more information, contact Aly Fullagar of the Flocking Team, jane_nomore@yahoo.com or Tracy Watts wattst@mmc.org.

New board members needed

The Freeport Appointments Committee will meet soon to review applications for vacancies on some of the town’s boards and committees. There are vacancies on the Coastal Waters Commission and the Recycling/Solid Waste Committee. The Appointments Committee also maintains a list of residents interested in serving on other boards and committees for consideration when vacancies arise. Those interested can obtain an application at the Town Hall or see www.freeportmaine.com.

Wolfe’s Neck Farm

hosts weekend programs

Wolfe’s Neck Farm, 184 Burnett Road, Freeport, will begin hosting a 15-minute haywagon ride, Saturdays and Sundays, May 28-Sept. 25, every 30 minutes from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The family-friendly rides goes from the barn past pastures and vegetable fields to the edge of the ocean. The cost is $3 per person.

A 45-minute farm fields and livestock tour is Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 25, starting at 2 p.m. The cost is $5 per person. Participants can see the organic dairy, chickens, diversified vegetable fields via the haywagon, and learn how the arm is training new farmers, teaching youth about food and farming, and connecting visitors to sustainable agriculture. It is recommended for young adults and adults (parent/guardian participation required).

The two-hour Wagon Ride to the Past is scheduled for Saturdays, June 11, July 9, Aug. 13 and Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Hear stories of the ship captains, fishermen, farmers, teachers, and homemakers who have lived on Wolfe’s Neck over the past 250 years. The farm and its surrounding countryside are explored in the history tour, where the work of the farm today weaves through the story, connecting past and present. The program is recommended for those ages 12 and above. Cost is $10, $5 for ages 12-18.

For more information, see www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

Yard sale to benefit

community chorus

The Greater Freeport Community Chorus will hold a yard sale fundraiser Saturday, May 28, offering household items, collectibles, tools, furniture, antiques, clothing and more.

The sale will run from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the yard and barn at 181 Main St., Freeport, right next to the Freeport Community Library entrance. The rain date is Sunday, May 29.

The chorus is a nonprofit organization with the goal of enriching the community by promoting choral arts. The adult, mixed-voice group does not require auditions or past choral experience. For more information, go to gfccsings.org.

Main Street Mile race

on Memorial Day

Freeport’s sixth annual Main Street Mile, sponsored by the Nike Factory Store, will take place on Monday, May 30, at 8 a.m. The race is 1 mile, and participants can run it as fast as they can or jog/walk with their whole family. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second male and female finishers in age groups including 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and above. Trophies will be awarded to the first and second male and female finishers in the following age groups: 6 and under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 16-18.

Registration is $10 or $8 per immediate family members of four or more. Registration and more information is available at www.runinarace.com or at the Nike Factory Store, Freeport Village Station, May 28 and 29. Race day registration is from 7-7:30 a.m. at the Nike Factory Store and is $15 per individual or $10 per immediate family members of four or more. T-shirts are guaranteed for first 100 registrants.

Packet pickup at the Nike Factory Store is May 28, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and May 29, from noon-4 p.m.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Freeport Running Boosters, a nonprofit group that supports the Freeport High School track and cross-country teams.

Community Services

has camp scholarships

Freeport Community Services summer camp scholarships are awarded based on need and availabilty for local and residential camp programs. For a complete listing of camp options for children and to receive an application, call 865-3985, ext. 205.

Spring Festival

coming June 4

The annual Spring Festival at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, 184 Burnett Road, is Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. The day features music, games, demonstrations and learning activities. There will be opportunities to explore the trails and gardens, interact with the animals, learn about seeds and plants and try fiber arts. For younger children, there will be craft activities, face painting, a hay pile and tractors to climb, as well as hayrides and live music. Food is available for purchase.

Admission is $6, free for those ages 3 and under free. For more information, call 865-4469, ext.102 or see www.wolfesneckfarm.org/spring-festival.

Town Council sets

district workshops

The Freeport Town Council’s district workshops provide residents with an opportunity to meet their town councilors informally and discuss issues related to their specific districts. District Town Council meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a meet-and-greet session and an open discussion related to district issues. The regularly scheduled Town Council meeting will follow the workshops. The district meetings for 2016 are:

Tuesday, June 7, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center, Districts 1 and 3.

Tuesday, Oct. 4, 6:30 p.m. Freeport Community Center, Districts 2 and 4.

Gerry Boyle talks

on newest novel

Freeport Community Library will host Maine author Gerry Boyle on Friday, June 10, at 7 p.m. Boyle is a popular crime novelist and creator of the Jack McMorrow series. The newest title in the series, “Straw Man,” is just being released.

Fishing derby

L.L. Bean has scheduled its 47th annual Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 4, from 8-11 a.m., at the Durham Rod and Gun Club on Pound Road. The derby is open to all children 3-12 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and the derby will be held regardless of weather.Kids must provide their own fishing poles, sinkers, bobbers, and worms. Prizes will be awarded to the various age groups for biggest fish, most fish (in total weight) and first fish caught.

Yard sale tables for rent

First Parish Church Congregational, 40 Main St., will hold a community yard sale on Saturday, June 25, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., in the church hall. Tables can be rented for $15. Call ahead and leave a message for Candy, 865-9288, or Brenda, 865-3700.

Spring Cleanup

For the month of June, Wednesdays-Fridays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Freeport residents will be allowed to bring one free load of waste to the Recycling Center using the cleanup coupon contained in the town mailer that they received in their mailboxes. Residents will be required to have a 2016 facility sticker. It costs $6, and can be purchased at the Recycling Center the day of disposal or can be purchased ahead of time at the Recycling Facility and the Town Hall. As in years past, some material will have fees associated with them, review the flyer for the list of acceptable items and fees or find it at www.freeportmaine.com.

In the past, the Swap Shop has been closed during the cleanup Saturdays as there wasn’t sufficient help to supervise the donations. Last year, volunteers helped keep the Swap Shop open by managing donations and keeping the room organized. Volunteers are again needed this year. If interested, call Suzanne Duplissis at 865-3740.

First Parish Market

calling for vendors

Vendors are now being sought for First Parish Market, where artist, crafters and other vendors can sell their wares in front of First Parish Church Congregational, 40 Main St. in Freeport. The dates are July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10 and Oct. 8, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, contact Patty at FirstParishMarket@gmail.com or call First Parish Church 865-6022 and leave a message.

Paddleboard donated for raffle

L.L. Bean has donated a paddleboard package (paddle and personal flotation device included) to The PORT Teen Center this spring. It will be raffled off during the Sunday to Sundae 5K race on Sunday June 5, at the Freeport Community Center. All proceeds will benefit the Teen Center. Tickets are $10 for one or $25 for three. They can be purchased the RSU 5 central office at 17 West St., Freeport, or by calling 865-6171. A limited number of tickets will be sold.

Prescription drug take-back program

The Freeport Police Department has installed a secured, permanent drug drop-off box in the lobby of the Public Safety Building. Residents can drop off expired, unwanted or outdated drugs during their normal business hours, Sunday through Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The department will continue to take part in the semi-annual drug take back program.

Upcoming meetings

Freeport Planning Board, Wednesday, June 1, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Town Council District 1 and 3 workshop, Tuesday, June 7, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Appointments Committee, Wednesday, June 8, 7 a.m., Town Hall.

Project Review Board, Wednesday, June 8, 6 p.m. Town Council Chambers.

Coastal Waters Commission, Wednesday, June 8, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Shellfish Conservation Commission, Thursday, June 9, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

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

Chris Gordon, left, and Julia Ritger in a scene from “Dancing at Lughnasa,” which will be performed next week at the Maine Coast Waldorf School. Photo by Tricia Toms, Cicada Visuals