Sailing away at the library

Libraries are wonderful places to lose yourself. In Freeport, besides the books and the movies and the lectures by visiting authors, an art show is mounted each month that showcases the local talent. This month a collection of small, framed watercolors by Sharon Renk-Greenlaw are on display, perched atop the bookshelves and hanging on the walls. They are also for sale and reasonably priced, so you can choose one to hang in your own home come September.

This is Sharon’s third year exhibiting at the library, and she recalls the first year as “a sort of coming out. After all, to show your art is an act of courage.” While she has sold at least one piece there each year, what she prizes even more than that is the positive feedback she gets from the community.

Born and bred in Northern Michigan, Sharon first visited Maine in 1980; two years later she made it her home. “I went to Camden and Bar Harbor and was immediately smitten. I bought a boat and I’ve been here ever since.”

Included in the works on view, which all pertain to the water and boating, are two paintings of Mount Katahdin, where Sharon participated in a workshop several years ago. Despite her obvious artistic talent, her first love is being out on the water, and she laughingly claims that she, “took up painting so I’d have something to do with myself when I’m too old to sail.”

Proving the point, when she’s not in her home studio in Wolfe’s Neck, the self-taught artist is out in Casco Bay teaching others, specifically women, how to sail. Operating out of the South Freeport Harbor, Women Under Sail offers three-day beginner to intermediate courses aboard the Avatrice, a roomy 44-foot ketch. To learn more, visit her website at www.womenundersail.com.

Business After Hours Aug. 20

The Business After Hours of the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce will be held at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 5-7 p.m. In addition to the superb views, delicious food, and a wagon ride touring the farm and nearby oceanfront campgrounds, members will learn all about the latest developments at Wolfe’s Neck. These include the new farm store selling fresh eggs and seasonal meats, the schedule of upcoming sustainable living classes, and the “Farm School” immersion three-day program for teachers. The Town Council quarterly District 2 workshop will be at the farm, in the Mallet Barn, on the same evening. The workshop is 6:30 to 8 p.m.; and regular council meeting is at 8 p.m. To join, or to simply learn more, contact the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce Director Sande Updegraph at 847-5240.

Winslow Park Concerts continue

The five-member band, “Not Too Shaap,” will bring their eclectic sound to Winslow Park’s Summer Concert series on Thursday, Aug. 15. Performing for over 25 years, the group’s repertoire includes songs by Bonnie Raitt, the Beatles and Jackson Browne, and showcases their wide-ranging expertise on keyboard, guitar, bass, dobro, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, and various percussion instruments. “Our best instruments, we feel, are our voices, with many four and five part harmonies and a few a capella tunes,” said leader Daric Ebert in an email. The concert is from 6:30-8 p.m. To add to your enjoyment, bring a picnic, a blanket or lawn chairs. Be advised, no alcohol is permitted. For more information, call 865-4198, or visit www.freeportmaine.com and click on “Summer Concert Series.”

Let your voice be heard

The Freeport Project Review Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m. in the Freeport Town Hall Council Chambers. The preliminary plans for the proposed Lakewood Subdivision, a new 14-lot open space subdivision on Baker Road (Tax Assessor Map 17, Lots 21 & 22) will be discussed. Access to each of the lots would be from driveways off of Baker Road. An area of approximately 27 acres of open space is proposed. Submitted materials are available for viewing in the Town Planner’s Office at the Freeport Town Hall during normal business hours.

Town requests wiring bids

The town is seeking competitive bids for a wiring project at its municipal public safety building. The building, located at 4 Main St., is approximately 18,500 square feet in size, and houses Freeport’s police and fire departments. Bids are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug.15. Bid specifications can be found on the town’s website at www.freeportmaine.com.

Freeport’s needy need you

The Thrift Shop at Freeport Community Services is a local collaborative success story, providing significant positive benefits to the people of Freeport and Pownal by helping to fund a vast variety of essential services to local families. Like the Food Pantry, another charitable FCS effort that supplies needy families with foods donated by residents and businesses in the surrounding communities, it is powered by the energy of a vast crew of local residents with the time and inclination to give of themselves for the betterment of others less fortunate.

According to Volunteer Coordinator Debbie Daggett, “The volunteers work together with staff and donors to connect services and enrich lives. They are the key to every FCS endeavor, bringing heart and soul to each accomplishment. While we are humbled by the work they do, we are also awed by the continued needs of our neighbors.”

Call or stop by for a tour of the center and learn how you can make a real difference, close to home. If you’ve ever considered volunteering, now is the perfect time. Reach Debbie at Freeport Community Services, 53 Depot St., Freeport, 865-3985, ext. 206, or email [email protected].

No more talk

Freeport Talks, which was mentioned in last week’s column, has been discontinued. Town Planner Donna Larsen said the town has all of the comments that were submitted and will retain them as a town record.

Upcoming meetings

Coastal Waters Commission, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Freeport Town Council, District 2 workshop, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m., Mallett Barn, Wolfe’s Neck Farm; followed by regular council meeting, 8 p.m.

Conservation Commission, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.