‘COP Talk’

program Oct. 6

Freeport’s Citizen Outreach Program will host another “COP Talk” program Thursday, Oct. 6, at 8 a.m., in the Town Council Chambers. Join members of the Freeport Police Department to talk about trends, issues and concerns, whether it’s in Freeport, in Maine, or even items of national interest.

The department is reaching out to residents to hear what they have for concerns in and around the town.

Senior Expo

set for Oct. 11

The Hilton Garden Inn, 5 Park St., in Freeport, will host the next Senior Expo, Tuesday, Oct 11, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Freeport Senior Expo is a great opportunity for mature Mainers to talk with resource representatives and find the information they need.

Maine Senior Guide and Beach Glass Transitions are hosting the expo. Thirty-nine exhibitor booths will offer information on everything from senior communities and veterinary care to downsizing and insurance products. Starting at 10 a.m., speakers will give detailed information on topics ranging from healthy living to joint replacements.

The event will also feature free flu shots all day, afternoon Zumba Gold demos, and antique appraisals ($5 per item) to benefit charity. Cider and doughnuts in the afternoon.

Admission to the Freeport Senior Expo is free, with no registration required. For more information, speaker and exhibitor listings, and a schedule, see www.MaineSeniorGuide.com.

Wolfe’s Neck Farm

hosts Fall Festival

Wolfe’s Neck Farm, 184 Burnett Road, is hosting its annual Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be activities, food, music, hayrides and more. Family-friendly activities include apple pressing, felted acorns, making seed pots, hay people, fairy house building, digging in the garden, face painting, leaf rubbing, hay-bale and tractor climb and more. Visitors can also visit the farm animals and see demonstrations on making applesauce, seed-saving, spinning, beekeeping and food preservation. Live music is featured throughout the day, with Matt Loosigian from 10-11:30 a.m.; Steamboat Gypsy from noon-1:30 p.m.; and Married with Chitlins from 1:45-3.

Admission is $8, ages 3 and under free. Admission includes hayrides and all activities.

The farm is also offering Pumpkin Hayrides, weekends during October, from10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Visitors can enjoy an oceanfront haywagon ride to pick out a favorite pumpkin. They can also spend some time in the barn with the animals, stop into the farm stand, or enjoy a walk in the woods or along the shoreline. The cost is $5 per person (children 3 and under are free). Small pumpkins cost $3 each.

For more information on programs, see www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

Ultra Run races

kick off Sunday

The Farm To Farm Ultra Run, Sunday, Oct. 9, starting at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, is a long-distance, road-running event in Freeport and Brunswick, and consists of a 25K, 50K, 50 Mile, 50 Mile Relay, 1K Kids Run, and cookout. Farm to Farm is a nonprofit event owned by the Maine Track Club and organized in partnership with the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and Wolfe’s Neck Farm. Farm to Farm is a “green-minded” event with a charitable purpose to support conservation and locally-grown food in Maine. This event traces its roots to the Pennellville 50 (formerly MTC 50), which the Maine Track Club has organized nearby in Brunswick for many, many years.

Race-day registration starts at 5:45 a.m., at Wolfe’s Neck Farm for all racers, including all relay team members.

Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers in the 25K, 50K, and 50 mile. Awards will be given to the top three male and female masters finishers. Male and female age group awards will be: 19 and under (top 3); 20-29 (top 3); 30-34 (top 3); 35-39 (top 3); 40-44 (top 3); 45-49 (top 3); 50-54 (top 3); 55-59 (top 3); 60-64 (top 3); 65-69 (top 3); 70-74 (top 3); 75-79 (top 3); 80-99 (top 1). Awards will be given to the top three teams in the 50K and 50 mile relays.

Races will start and finish at Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport. The out-and-back-style course starts and finishes at Wofle’s Neck Farm with a turnaround loop at Crystal Spring Community Farm in Brunswick. The 25K Individual start time is 10 a.m. The 50K Individual start time is 8:30 a.m.. Runners will run two out-and-backs starting and finishing at Wolfe’s Neck Farm with turnarounds at Crystal Spring Farm. The 50 Mile Individual starts at 6:30 a.m. The 1K Kids Run begins at 1 p.m. A post-race cookout will be available after the race in Wolfe Neck Farm’s giant outdoor tent. To register and for more information, see www.ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=37901.

Kitchen Collection

to open new store

Kitchen Collection will hold its grand opening Saturday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m., at its new store, located in Freeport Crossing, 200 Lower Main St.

The Ohio-based company has some 220 locations throughout the country. It sells a wide variety of basic kitchenware including bakeware, gadgets, cookware, small electrics, cutlery, and high-quality refurbished kitchen electrics at outlet prices. Brands include Hamilton Beach, KitchenAid, Cuisinart, GreenPan, Keurig, Vitamix and Charles Viancin. A company press release said that Kitchen Collection is one of the few authorized outlets for KitchenAid factory refurbished stand mixers,

MetroBreez bus

feedback wanted

Residents are invited to hear updates on the first several months of Metro Breez bus service to Freeport, on Monday, Oct. 17, from 5-6:30 p.m., at the Town Council Chambers. For more information, www.gpmetrobus.com or call 774-0351.

Sewer rate hikes

focus of hearing

The Freeport Sewer District Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m., to receive comment on the proposed 4 percent sewer rate increases in 2017 and 2018. The meeting will be held at the treatment plant, 43 South Freeport Road. For more information, call 865-3540.

Alzheimer’s is topic

at two presentations

Phyllis Chinlund, author of “Looking Back from the Gate: A Story of Love, Art, and Dementia,” will speak on her book Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m., at Freeport Community Library. The book chronicles the cognitive decline of her husband, photographer Ray Witlin, who had Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is also the topic of a presentation by Mark Pechenik of the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Monday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m., at the library. His program, “The Basics of Alzheimer’s,” is for anyone who would like to know more about the disease and related dementias.

Program explores

Scots-Irish ancestors

A presentation, “Lost Colonies and Fading Footsteps, an Archaeological Investigation of Ulster-Scots on the Maine Frontier, is scheduled for Thursday Oct 20, at 7 p.m., at the Freeport Community Library.

This presentation will feature ongoing archaeological work and research in the local area related to 18th-century “Scotch-Irish” settlers – featuring such family names as Anderson, Armstrong, Mann, Means, Patten, Rogers, Dunning, Chase, Jamison, Campbell, Hewey (Huey), Phinney, Martin, Given, McKeen and others.

Pamela Crane, a historical archaeologist, and John Mann, a local descendant of the Thomas Means family, will describe ongoing efforts to uncover and preserve the stories and artifacts of the Scots-Irish ancestors who migrated from the North of Ireland to the Maine coast in large numbers starting in 1718.

Working with volunteers from the Maine Ulster Scots Project, Crane and Mann are searching for documents, artifacts, folkways and oral traditions about the lives of Scots-Irish settlers on the coast of Maine. The group was organized in 2005 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Means’ Massacre on Flying Point and is currently organizing an international symposium to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the first settlers to arrive in 1718 from the North of Ireland.

Dems cooking

spaghetti supper

The Freeport Democrats’ annual spaghetti supper is Friday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m., at the Harraseeket Grange Hall, Elm Street. In addition to the dinner, which is $5 and free for kids under 5, those who attend will have a chance to meet local candidates and participate in an auction. Attendees should bring along something for the auction, as well as donations for the Freeport Community Services Food Pantry. For more information, see www.facebook.com/FreeportMaineDemocrats/.

Woman’s Club

offering grant

The Freeport Woman’s Club is looking for a candidate for its 2016-2017 Step Up Grant, a $1,000 gift for a woman over the age of 21 from Freeport or Pownal who is seeking occupational training and is experiencing financial need. Criteria for selection of the applicant are based upon financial need, clarity of goals, educational program and references. For questions and further information, call Virginia Boyles at 865-3973.

Trail challenge

continuing

The Freeport Conservation Trust Trail Challenge is ongoing during October. Participants can visit trails at Calderwood, Quarry Woods, Pettengill Farm and Bliss Woods. Directions to trailheads are on www.freeportconservationtrust.org. Collect stamps from each trail on the Trail Challenge Passport or post a “selfie” from your walk on Facebook or Instagram (Freeport Conservation Trust will assume permission to reuse any photos that are posted). 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 from local businesses like the 1912 Café, Fiore, Café Crepe, and the Maine Beer Co. Starting this month, Buck’s Naked BBQ has pledged a $10 gift card to the first 50 adults who complete the challenge.

Freeport Conservation Trust’s partners in putting on the Freeport Trail Challenge are town of Freeport, Freeport Historical Society and New England Forestry Foundation.

Pick up a Freeport Trail Challenge Passport at Town Hall, the historical society or the Community Center, or call 865-3985, ext. 212, to get a Passport mailed. Learn more at freeportconservationtrust.org or email [email protected].

Betty ReeZ race

debuts Oct. 9

Betty ReeZ WhoopieZ is sponsoring the first annual Betty ReeZ Columbus 4-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 9, starting at 10 a.m. Betty ReeZ has partnered with Buck’s Naked BBQ in the road race, which begins and ends at Buck’s Naked BBQ. The Juke Joint will be open to all runners and their families post-race. The race includes a beer tent hosted by Maine Beer Co. The first beer (21-plus only) is free with registration.The Juke Joint will be open to all runners and their families post-race.

All the net proceeds will be donated to the Tri-Town Track & Field Project.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first and second place overall male and female winners, and Whoopie Pie prizes to the first- and second-place finishers in various age groups. As always, a Whoopie Pie will be given to all registered runners. Register online at Running4Free.com or email [email protected].

Running festival

coming Oct. 10

The Freeport Running Boosters is hosting a Trail Running Festival on Columbus Day, Oct. 10, to celebrate trail running and cross-country and as a fundraiser for the Freeport Cross Country team. This event will be held at the Hunter Road fields in Freeport, on the high school home cross-country course. There are events for all ages and each event length is designed for specific age groups. Run as an individual or as a team of five to seven runners. The top 10 runners in each event will earn medals, and the top scoring team in each event will earn a plaque. There is race day registration for the open 5K only. Pre-registration is required for the other races. The races include:

• Open 5K for ages 19-99 at 9 a.m. (male and female runners)

• Boys 5K for ages 15-18 at 10 a.m.

• Girls 5K for ages 15-18 at 10:45 a.m.

• Boys 2 mile ages 13-14 at noon.

• Girls 2 mile ages 13-14 at 12:30 p.m.

• Boys 1 mile ages 11-12 at 1 p.m.

• Girls 1 mile ages 11-12 at 1:30 p.m.

• Boys ¾ mile ages 9-10 at 2 p.m.

• Girls ¾ mile ages 9-10 at 2:30 p.m.

• Boys ½ mile ages 5-8 at 3 p.m.

• Girls ½ mile ages 5-8 at 3:30 p.m.

At 11:30 a.m. prizes will be awarded to the 5K winners. At 4 p.m. prizes will be awarded to the winners in all other races. For more details and registration go to www.runinarace.com.

College honor

Jill Baker of Freeport was elected by fellow students to Susquehanna University’s homecoming court. The court was first introduced at the homecoming party on Sept. 9, and again at the football game on Sept. 10 during Homecoming-Reunion Weekend. Baker is a communications major in the class of 2019. A 2015 graduate of Freeport High School, she is the daughter of Stephen Baker and Liz Andrews.

Raffle to aid

Elders’ bus fund

The Freeport Elders Association is selling raffle tickets to support its bus fund. The winning tickets will be drawn on Dec. 9.

Items include an 18-inch American Girl Doll with bed and 10 outfits, with tickets $2 or three for $5; queen-size handmade quilt, lobster-trap coffee table, $100 gift certificate to Hannaford, $100 gift certificate Walmart and a fox family latchhook rug. Those tickets are $1 or six for $5. All tickets are available at Freeport Elders Association at the community center, 53 Depot St.

Unwanted drugs

can be dropped off

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, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The department also is participating in the National Drug Take Back Initiative, Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Public Safety Building. The following items can be brought in for disposal:

• Controlled, non-controlled and over the counter substances (medications may be disposed of in their original container, but it is recommend that the labels be removed or blacked out.

• Liquid products such as cough syrup, which should remain sealed in their original container if possible. Otherwise the item should be placed in a sealed zipped bag. The department will not accept intravenous solutions, injectibles and syringes. For more information, call 865-4800.

Town will honor

local resident

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2016 Citizen of the Year. Each year the Freeport Town Council presents a Citizen of the Year Award to honor those who have contributed substantively to the quality of the town. Jonas and Kate Werner were co-winners of the 2015 award. For more information, see www.freeportmaine.com.

At the Town Hall

Anyone wishing to receive an absentee ballot for the upcoming presidential and municipal election on Nov. 8 can visit may visit the following link and apply online: www.maine.gov/cgibin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl. Residents can also request an absentee ballot by calling or stopping by the Town Clerk’s Office. Ballots will be available the second week in October.

Residents also can now obtain license plates at Town Hall. New vehicle registrations and transfers are being processed during regular business hours. Residents also can re-register their boats, vehicles, trailers and snowmobiles online.

Municipal offices are closed on Monday, Oct. 10, for Columbus Day,

Upcoming meetings

Planning Board, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Staff Review Board, Thursday, Oct. 6, 3:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Conservation Commission, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Project Review Board, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Coastal Waters Commission, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Shellfish Conservation Commission, Thursday, Oct. 13, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

A full schedule of meetings and agendas is available at www.Freeportmaine.com.

Wolfe’s Neck Farm is hosting its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring plenty of activities, food, music, hayrides and more.